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650 N. First Street
PO Box 96 Woodburn, OR 97071 Phone:
503.981.3441 |
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| Woodburn Independent interviews Mike Erickson |
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| A look at the candidate for the 5th Congressional District |
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 | | | Mike Erickson |
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Woodburn Independent: Illegal immigration is a controversial issue in Oregon and nationwide. What are you going to do to try and fix the problem?
Mike Erickson: First and foremost, secure our borders and increase the number of border patrol agents. Second, we must enforce the laws that already exist and improve the validation process for employers. Only then can we work towards creating real immigration reform. We must find ways to shorten the long waiting periods for immigrants to enter this country legally.
WI: How are you going to help fix the health care crisis in Oregon?
ME: Oregon faces critical healthcare issues. We need tax incentives for small businesses that provide health insurance to their employees. Small businesses should be allowed to pool across state lines to negotiate better insurance coverage.
We must stop lawsuit abuse, which drives up the cost of medical malpractice insurance and health care.
We must empower consumers through measures such as an online health care marketplace where people can compare health care prices and treatment costs.
WI: How would you approach encouraging the development, and use, of biofuels?
ME: We need to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. Green technology will create jobs and help stimulate our economy.
Congress should focus on the incentive side.
America is already an over-regulated country. Incentives for research, development and use of alternative fuels are already beginning to pay dividends as we see increasing numbers of flex-fuel cars and service stations carrying E-85 fuels.
The market has an amazing ability to adjust over time. High gas prices are going to encourage more research and development and greater use of alternative fuels and energy.
WI: The No. 1 infrastructure issue facing the Mid-Willamette Valley is the I-5 interchange at Woodburn. How will you help your district's highway and infrastructure needs? How will you help Woodburn?
ME: My business deals with transportation infrastructure needs. I understand the needs of the Woodburn area and other areas throughout the district and state.
Deceasing traffic congestion is critical to Oregon's economy.
I will go to Congress and work hard to bring federal dollars to our state to help with construction and repairs of our transportation infrastructure.
The I-5 interchange in Woodburn is one of the top projects needing to be addressed.
WI: Energy costs are rising, partly due to sea lions at the Bonneville Dam and Lower Columbia. Do you support the removal of these sea lions?
ME: I support the removal of sea lions. Sea lions can be trapped and removed in such a way that they will not be harmed.
WI: What are your feelings on the No Child Left Behind Act and is it working? If yes, why? If no, what changes should be made?
ME: I believe the biggest contribution the No Child Left Behind Act has made to the goal of raising student achievement has been public accountability.
In the private sector, you don't succeed if you aren't accountable to your customers.
While it's true that the public and private sectors are not perfectly analogous, requiring accountability for results is necessary if we are to expect improvement in the public sector - in this case, the public schools.
WI: Why should Oregonians vote for you over your primary opponent?
ME: I am not a career politician or lawyer; I am a small business owner who understands fiscal responsibility and wants to bring ethics and business common sense back to Congress.
I learned a lot when I started my business. I learned how to set priorities, invest wisely, balance a budget, keep my word and provide superior customer service.
These are things that are lacking in Congress.
I have the passion to do what's right and the background and experience to make things happen in Washington.
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