October 21 2006, 1 PM IPTV Virtual Debate

Responses from Wendy Barth, Green Party Candidate

As you think about being governor of Iowa, what are you passionate about?

Productivity is up, yet wages are flat. More and more of the money is going to fewer and fewer people. Large publicly traded corporations feel compelled by their stockholders to maximize profits. They pursue many different techniques to achieve this: breaking unions so they can lower wages and benefits, dumping pollution rather than suffering the cost of cleaning up after themselves, and of course promoting candidates that are sympathetic to their positions. I want to see our corporations be good citizens, to enhance the quality of life in Iowa.

What qualifies you to be Iowa's chief executive and boss to public employees?

My commitment to quality of life for all Iowans, not just for the big spenders. Communication skills. Ultimately, it is the confidence of the voters that qualifies any candidate.

How will you be able to work with the other party to accomplish your agenda?

You begin with identifying what you have in common. Then you listen to the concerns of the other side. You admit that their concerns are legitimate. Then you offer solutions which address as many of the issues as you can cover. 

touchplay?

no

new casinos?

no

ban gay marriages?

no

local control of siting CAFOs  -

yes

local control for tobacco restrictions -

yes

increase min wage?

yes

challenge in the future?

spreading the wealth, building a strong middle class. Cleaning up the environment.  Real health care, not just access to insurance. Promoting the academic environment to keep Iowa top in the nation for education.

Renewable energy: We have a long way to go if we wish to replace all foreign oil with domestic production. We need to pursue alternative crops - switchgrass, sorghum, sunflower oil. continue to build Wind turbines.  Conservation is important too.

What changes would you make to Grow Iowa Values?

Too much incentives are going to big corporations which don't really need the help, but will take as much as they can.  We need to have a strong position to bring in business.

elaborate on your answer about touchplay?

I generally am opposed to gambling. 

new casinos?

I generally am opposed to gambling.

would you sign a bill that would raise minimum wage and nothing else?

Absolutely. The minimum wage should be tied to the cost of living. There should be automatic updates based on economic indicators. 

education?

We need to realize that education is one of our biggest exports, after agriculture. This is because we have a reputation as having the highest quality of education in the country. This reputation is quite valuable and brings a lot of people to our state, to study medicine, engineering, teacher education, and even ethical business practices. We need to nurture the educational environment. We need to realize that this is extremely valuable, and it would be a tragedy if we were to squander that. If their education opens doors for Iowa graduates, why begrudge them of that?

Nussle voted for the war and against veterans benefits?

The war in Iraq has been a big budget buster, and a big chunk of that has gone to defense contractors with no-bid cost-plus contracts who have no oversight and every incentive to waste as much money as possible. When the soldiers eventually come home after serving 3 or 4 tours of duty, they are going to need a lot of help getting back into civilian life. Our VA hospitals are severely under-funded.  

Culver is accused of distorting the record re: veterans

What have you done, Mr. Nussle, to prevent war profiteering?

What does your biggest supporter expect of you in exchange for their support?

Ecological Wisdom, Sustainable Economics, and Peace. To further the 10 Key Values of the Green Party.

Culver to Nussle: Do you think Pres. Bush is a great president?

I was mystified why the Republican Party picked this man for their top job - he's not eloquent, he's not a deep thinker, and he takes too much vacation. He's devoted to making the rich richer, and I sometimes suspect that he's got as his ultimate goal, dismantling of the US government.

Nussle to Culver: Back to touchplay...

Gambling is regressive. It appeals to the people who can afford it the least. Instead of enticing people to waste their money on lotteries, we should be raising their pay and standard of living.

ban gay marriage?

Legally, marriage announces your choice of next-of-kin. I see no reason why, in our egalitarian society, the law should compel your next of kin to be of the opposite sex.

local control of citing of CAFOs?

CAFOs are destroying our environment. Zoning is necessary, and local  officials have a better grasp of the local issues

local control for tobacco restrictions?

Yes, local communities can decide this.

Health care?

I support single payer universal health care. There is a lot of efficiency to be gained by eliminating duplication of effort and eliminating confusing conflicting systems.

How will you pay for your spending proposals?

Health care - take the same payroll deduction that used to go to insurance companies.

Pollution control - Much higher fines for law-breaking polluters, modest fees for registration and permits. many businesses figure the low fines currently leveled as simply a cost of doing business. They need a stronger incentive to protect our air and water. 

Build a new prison?

To relieve overcrowding in our prisons, first let us review who is behind bars. Too many non-violent offenders, such as drug users, and the insane, are locked up. It would be better overall to treat the problem rather than just locking them up.

taxes?

I have no plans to meddle with the tax code.

Ecological Wisdom, Sustainable Economy, Peace. These are the issues of my campaign. If you agree, vote for me.