DNC Questionnaire – Steve Young (congressional candidate)
(received responses – 5/25/08 11:38 am)
IF YOU ARE NOT A DNC INCUMBENT, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING ISSUES?
A) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
I was the first PDA-endorsed candidate because I openly, and consistently oppose the occupation of Iraq. See my web site, www.SteveYoungforcongress.com/ for my policy platform to bring our sons and daughters home.
B) Eliminating Poverty
I have campaigned to fully fund Head Start for all eligible children, cut taxes for the middle class and insist on "fair share" taxation, committed to better education for the poor, reforming welfare to include broader job training programs, fighting for tough, effective trade laws and encourage investment in research and development for emerging technologies, advocating FHA loans with higher limits so renters can become home owners, health care for all, and launching a domestic GI bill to guarantee a college education to everyone willing to give two years community service as police officers, teachers, health care personnel, and other vital professions.
C) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
I support single payer universal healthcare. My website, www.steveyoungforcongress.com prominently displays a “Healthcare not Warfare” button.
D) Ensuring Election Integrity
I supported Debra Brown’s election as California’s Secretary of State. She has established election integrity standards that I support making the national standard.
E) Preventing a US attack on Iran
I have appeared on Farsi language television, broadcast live around the world and opposed an attack on Iran. I have posted blog diaries, and written editorials opposing an attack on Iran.
F) Preserving a free and open Internet
I support a free and open Internet.
G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
I was endorsed by ImpeachPAC. I have advocated impeachment on DailyKos. I have signed petitions calling for impeachment.
H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
I have not, though I support the concept. Rehabilitation is more effective than punishment.
I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality
I am endorsed by ECCO, Orange County’s LGBT because of my consistent and longstanding support for equality and fair treatment of LGBT persons.
J) Promoting public financing of elections
It is one of my campaign platforms to get lobbyists out of the pockets of our leaders.
K) Abolishing the death penalty
I have not done anything to eliminate the death penalty.
L) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence
I advocate renewable clean energy as a fundamental plank of my campaign for congress.
IF YOU HAD BEEN IN CONGRESS, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED FOR THE MOST RECENT 178-BILLION DOLLAR WAR PACKAGE?
Only if time tables for withdrawal of our troops had remained in the bill. Upon removal of the time tables, I oppose the funding bill.
HOW HAVE YOU USED YOUR ACTIVISM OR PARTY INVOLVEMENT TO CHALLENGE THE LEADERSHIP'S SUPPORT FOR WAR FUNDING?
I speak out against the occupation and the funding for it. I see the elimination of funding as the only way to precipitate a withdrawal of our soldiers from Iraq.
HAVE YOU EVER SUPPORTED AN INSURGENT PRIMARY CANDIDATE OR SOMEONE WHO IS CHALLENGING AN INCUMBENT ON THE ISSUES? EXPLAIN.
For the last three years, I have been an insurgent progressive primary candidate challenging an incumbent on the issues. I have spent $350,000 of my own money to do so. I continue to challenge the incumbent in the Ca-48th district.
WHAT QUALIFIES YOU, IN TERMS OF YOUR ORGANIZING WORK, TO REPRESENT PROGRESSIVE VALUES ON THE E-BOARD?
I have put 200 precinct captains in place in my district. Every two weeks I conduct precinct organizing courses in my campaign office. I teach organizing and precinct networking. My whole campaign is a grassroots-based organizing campaign.
DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HAVE SUPER DELEGATES? WHY OR WHY NOT?
I oppose the concept of super delegates. I am an elected delegate for Obama to the National Convention. I attended the delegate meeting in Sacramento recently, and watched the way the appointed delegates were pushed through. The super delegates and the appointed delegates dilute the power of the elected delegates. We need representative delegates that express the will of the voters, not the back room deals of party insiders. I intend as a member of the DNC to advocate to eliminate super delegates and to make all delegates “elected delegates.”
ARE YOU RUNNING ON A SLATE WITH OTHER CANDIDATES? IF SO, WHO ARE THE OTHER CANDIDATES RUNNING ON YOUR SLATE AND WHAT WAS THE PROCESS FOR CHOOSING THESE CANDIDATES TO RUN WITH YOU?
Not that I know of, though I would like to run with other progressive candidates for the DNC.
WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS PREPARED YOU TO RUN AS A DNC MEMBER?
After three years running as a candidate in a very difficult district, I feel that I know as much as anyone about what it takes to win. That is the purpose of the DNC is to win. I want to bring a progressive voice, experienced in electioneering, to the DNC to advocate for a progressive Democratic strategy for victory.
ON WHICH COMMITTEE(S) WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE AND WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL GOALS FOR EACH COMMITTEE?
I want to serve on the budget and finance committee (however membership is limited so the likelihood is remote). I would also like an appointment to the Rules and Bylaws Committee. As a member of that committee, I feel that recommendations for amendment of the bylaws or adoption of rules for the DNC can lead to a progressive change to the DNC and the party.
Steve Young, Candidate for DNC
"Restoring trust to the DNC"
(949) 338-4459
101 Pacifica #100
Irvine, California 92618
