Rand Knight on the Issues

Issue #1: Health Care

Do you support Barack Obama’s health care proposal?

Yes, I support Barack Obama’s healthcare proposal. In particular, I agree with Senator Obama’s plan to cover currently uninsured Americans and to provide quality and affordable coverage for all.

What is the main problem with our health care system today?


The main problem with our healthcare system is that it leaves so many Americans uninsured. Insurance and artificially high-priced prescription drugs are often too expensive for those who need them the most, affordable only for the healthy or the wealthy. As it stands, insurance companies profit from the sicknesses and deaths of Americans; this is unacceptable.

Do you support scaling down Medicaid, and if not, how do we pay for it in the future?


No, I do not support scaling down Medicaid. Instead, we must better fund our social programs by establishing long-term energy independence. By investing in clean, alternative energy sources for our country, we will create jobs for our workers and put our energy dollars back into our economy. This will build a stable tax base from which we can better fund our suffering social programs, like Medicaid.

Issue #2: Environment
Do you support drilling for oil and natural gas off of Georgia’s coast?


No, I do not support drilling for oil and natural gas off of Georgia’s coast. It is time that we realize that gas and oil – no matter where they come from – are not the answers to our energy problems. Additionally, it would take longer to build the refineries necessary for new drilling sites than it would take to build facilities that produce clean, sustainable energy. We need to start creating our own clean and renewable energy, updating our infrastructure, protecting our environment, putting our energy dollars into our economy, and providing jobs for our people.


Do you believe human generated Global Warming is real, and if so, what is one policy you would implement tomorrow to help curb rising temperatures?



I believe human generated Global Warming is real, and a real threat. Through my educational training and career experience, I have been deeply involved in researching environmental issues; I know they are incredibly important to the future of our planet. In the short-run, it is necessary to reduce our carbon emissions – using a cap and trade system or a carbon tax – but for our future, it is crucial that we start investing heavily in clean, renewable energy. The federal government must provide incentives for innovation, and encourage our trading partners to do the same.


Has the US EPA done a good job protecting the environment, and if so, please explain how. If the answer is no, please cite specific examples.



Overall, the EPA has good intentions, but like many government programs and agencies, it is overwhelmed and under-funded. In an effort to practically implement legislation, the EPA has failed to keep up with new advances in technology. Furthermore, the EPA continues to hesitate on regulating green house gasses, in spite of the recent ruling by the Supreme Court, which confirmed its authority to do so.

Issue #3: Economy

What is the biggest challenge facing our economy?

The biggest challenge facing our economy is keeping our money and jobs in our country. We are held hostage by oil producing nations and our growing national debt. We must establish energy independence to ensure that our money stays in our economy, our environment stays clean, and our jobs stay here.


If elected, could you do anything to help curb fuel prices?


The sooner we can wean ourselves off of oil the better. If we are not in control of our energy, we will not be able to control its prices. And as long as we continue to use oil, its costs – to the environment and to national security – will outweigh its benefits.


What is one policy that could be implemented to help lower Georgia’s unemployment rate?


Georgia’s 5.8% unemployment rate is unacceptable. However, we have the potential to create jobs for Georgians by retrofitting our infrastructure. In order to update our buildings, transportation and power systems, we will necessarily create new, career-track, family-supporting jobs.

Would you support a repeal or renegotiation of NAFTA?


We must renegotiate NAFTA, so that it protects American workers. To do this, we must get rid of the runaway tax credit, which gives companies tax breaks for shipping jobs overseas. Also, we must renegotiate NAFTA to include mirror trade agreements, ensuring that our trade partners adhere to the same environmental and labor standards as us.

Issue #4: The Iraq-Afghanistan Wars

Did you support the initial invasion of Iraq?


No, I did not support the initial invasion of Iraq. Too many crucial steps were overlooked. Our intelligence agencies failed us; the United Nations investigators were not allowed to do their jobs properly, and our elected officials did not ask the critical questions that would have safeguarded us from an unnecessary and unjustified war.

Without the discovery of WMD’s, is the Iraq war a justified war?


No, it has never been a justified war. Over the course of our five years there, the Bush Administration has changed the justifications many times. The newer arguments that Iraq is justified as a “humanitarian” fight, and that we are spreading democracy are not viable. If the current Administration was truly interested in this sort of cause, we would have gotten involved in other crises, such as the conflict in Darfur. Additionally, if our mission was to “save Iraqis from Saddam,” then we should have left years ago.


Do you support the Reid/Pelosi plan for troop with drawl?

N/A

Would you support sending more troops to Afghanistan to help stabilize the situation there?

I would support sending more troops to Afghanistan in order to finish what we set out to do on September 12, 2001: find Osama bin Laden, and combat terrorism that poses a direct threat to the United States.

Issue #5: Miscellaneous

If elected, you will be the junior Senator from a conservative leaning state. What experience do you have to usher legislation through a Congressional body that highly values seniority?


My extensive background in business, energy and environmental issues well equip me to expertly handle many of the issues that our country and the Senate face today. I have the determination, energy and fresh perspective to make sure that things get done. Furthermore, my age allows me the opportunity to build seniority in the Senate in the coming years.


Do you support the FISA compromise bill recently endorsed by Senate Dems as well as Barack Obama?


No, I do not support the FISA compromise bill. We have the means and technology to obtain intelligence without unconstitutionally invading the privacy of our citizens. Additionally, telecommunications companies that assisted the Bush Administration in doing so should be held accountable for their actions.

Would you make a water sharing agreement between Florida, Georgia and Alabama a priority of your office?


Yes. I would work with Florida and Alabama to create a fair water sharing agreement that ensures Georgia’s drinking water is responsibly used and well protected. Additionally, as a prerequisite for this agreement, these states must work to promote water conservation.

Will you refuse lobbyist and PAC campaign contributions, as the DNC and Obama have?

No. I will not refuse PAC contributions from Political Action Committees that are in the interest of the people and in line with my own political convictions. For example, I have earned the endorsements of the of the Georgia AFL-CIO and the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE); these are Political Action Committees comprised of American workers whose goals are in line with the best interest of Georgia’s families and children. These are not groups that promote special interests at the expense of hardworking Americans.


Can you promise that absolutely no campaign commercials will be produced showing you with a golden retriever, or on the beach, or a combination of both?

There will be no beaches or Golden Retrievers in any of my campaign commercials. Although, I do have one hefty pug and one hyper pug that would gladly join me atop Stone Mountain or amid Georgia’s rolling meadows.