Catholic Groups Question Candidates – Part 2
Congressional candidates are questioned about immigration, health care reform and educational assistance.
Published: 07.11.08
The Florida Catholic is one of four statewide Catholic entities that participates in the Candidate Questionnaire Project, soliciting and disseminating responses from congressional and state legislative candidates on questions important to Catholic voters. This is the second in a three–part series in which the Florida Catholic Conference, which drafts the questions, explains what was asked and why.
ORLANDO | One thing about American politics — there is never a shortage of hot–button topics.
Michael McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference, said the trick for him and his staff is to narrow down those topics to 10 questions that will empower Florida’s Catholics in the voting booth and at the same time inform the Catholic faithful, the media, and especially the candidates about issues of concern to the church involving defense of life and protection of human dignity.
Each election cycle, the conference, which serves as the lobbying arm for Florida bishops, develops a set of questions for congressional candidates and Florida legislative candidates. State and congressional candidates for the offices of representative and senator are offered the opportunity to answer the conference’s questions through the Candidate Questionnaire Project.
The Candidate Questionnaire Project began two decades ago and since then, it has been a cooperative effort between the Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Catholic newspaper, the Florida Council of Catholic Women and the Knights of Columbus Florida State Council. Candidates’ answers to the questionnaire will be available in late July through this site and at www.informedcatholicvoter.com.
— Jean GonzalezThis year’s questionnaire for congressional candidates on the ballot for the Aug. 26 primary and Nov. 4 general elections includes questions on educational assistance, health care, immigration, parental rights and refugee assistance. Four questions, which covered topics present on both the Florida legislative and U.S. congressional questionnaires, were addressed in the first installment of this series.
“It is easy to be baffled by the number of topics that are addressed in legislation facing our Congress,” McCarron said. “But we are confident these 10 issues reflect important issues that affect both Americans at large as well as Florida residents, especially those most vulnerable.”
McCarron said the conference also takes into account issues touched by Catholic social teaching and policy proposals expected to arise in the upcoming session of Congress. Before questions are sent to candidates, various others within church leadership have an opportunity to help refine the questions.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE
U.S. congressional question: Do you support or oppose reauthorizing No Child Left Behind to ensure that all children receive the educational services they need, whether in public or nonpublic schools?
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 was signed into effect by President George W. Bush in January 2002. It aims is to help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers, and is based on four basics: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work.
Since the act is up for reauthorization, the conference’s question asked whether this should be a blanket act that covers students whether they attend public or nonpublic schools — which could include charter school, private schools and Catholic schools. Should those students be able to obtain those state services despite not attending a public school?
HEALTH CARE
U.S. congressional question: Do you suppport or oppose reforming our health care system to ensure there is affordable, accessible health care for all, especially for poor families with children and for persons with disabilities?
There is little argument about whether there are cracks in America’s health care system in which vulnerable members of U.S. society fall. As advocates of justice, the conference would like to see all members of society have access to affordable health care, according to Micheal Sheedy, the conference’s associate director for health.
“Everyone knows health care costs more and more. People are starting to see there is ‘hidden tax’ in not covering everyone,” Sheedy said. “The cost of care (often too late and usually in the most expensive setting) for the uninsured, as well as the moral issue prompt the push for a workable solution that ensures access for all. We advocate for a system that leaves no one behind.”
IMMIGRATION
U.S. congressional question: Do you support or oppose permitting undocumented aliens who have been living in the United States for a number of years and who do not have criminal records to earn legal status by paying fines, paying back taxes and agreeing to learn English?
Immigration is a hot button topic in Congress and with the public at large, especially in a state that for decades has been a haven for immigrants seeking a better life. There are many different ideas on how to “solve” this issue. For the conference, the solution should be weighed on issues of justice for both the country as it enforces its laws and for the immigrants who came to this country seeking a better life, according to Sheila Hopkins, the conference’s associate director for social concerns/respect life.
“Our current immigration system has been broken for a long time, so families have chosen to come without documentation rather than face years of separation from their loved ones,” she said. “Efficient processing of applicants for citizenship and a reasonable legalization program can help address this current immigration crisis.”
PARENTAL RIGHTS
U.S. congressional question: Do you support or oppose providing federal financial assistance to low–income parents to choose the schools they believe are best suited for their children?
School choice is not only an issue for state legislative members, since federal funding is the subject of federal legislation. Larry Keough, the conference’s associate director for education, said Florida’s bishops “embrace the Child Benefit Theory, which fully understood calls for children to receive services based on their need not on where they attend school.”
“Our advocacy is especially predicated on parents having the right to select the schools they deem best suited for their children, and to advance policies for parents of the poor and disabled especially,” Keough said. “We look for the day in which parents of all impoverished and at–risk children can be assured of eligible and needed services at the school of their choice. ”
REFUGEE ASSISTANCE
U.S. congressional question: Do you support or oppose providing adequate funding for the U.S. refugee admission program to accommodate an increase in numbers of refugees escaping persecution abroad?
Like immigration, refugee assistance is another hot–button issue. Some in America would like to close the borders and not allow anyone else in. Such a radical stance is not embraced by the church; however, the church recognizes fully open borders is not only detrimental for security reasons, but might also put too great burden upon the American economy.
“Asylum is a consideration for persons from other countries who are at risk for death or imprisonment due to their political affiliation or religion,” Hopkins said.
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