Birthdate and place: January 15, 1948, Bethesda, Maryland Residence: Chevy Chase, Maryland Family: Single, no children. Education: J.D. from University of Maryland School of Law, 1973; B.A. in Government from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1970; High School diploma from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1966. Professional experience: Currently semi-retired attorney at law (not currently practicing); worked in California practicing law approximately 1974-1997, first for United Farm Workers, then for Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, then in sole practice. Community experience: Active in social justice work at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church (formerly a member of the Social Justice Council), member of Board of Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition; active in movement for universal health care; active in anti-war movement working with groups including Peace Action of Montgomery County. Key issues: End funding for the Iraq War and bring the troops home, NOW. No wider war with Iran and⁄or other nations. Preserve civil liberties. A safe and clean environment; address global climate change through development of alternative energy sources. Universal, single-payer health care (Medicare for All). Impeach President Bush, and Vice President Cheney. Web site: www.deborahvollmer.com E-mail address: dvollmer@bellatlantic.net Telephone: 301-652-5762 Link to federal campaign finance database

Congress, Dist. 8

Deborah Vollmer

I would have voted against this bill. Congress should focus its efforts on assisting ordinary folks who are suffering with mortgage foreclosures and drowning in credit card debt—rather than giving a bail-out to the wealthy corporations that manipulate the economy. It's wrong to provide welfare to the rich, while leaving ordinary citizens to struggle without assistance.

Q. Is the bailout package a slippery slope? Can we expect other industries to need/request similar massive help and, if that's the case, how should the government respond?

Yes. Congress needs to respond to this situation, but move very carefully. The structure of the financial system is very complicated. It is anybody's guess as to whether the legislation just passed by Congress will help, or not. Congress should treat this as an urgent matter, but still take the time to hold hearings and explore all of the implications before acting.

Q. Some, like Sen. Cardin, have called for a Manhattan Project-type effort to address the nation's energy needs and to get the U.S. off foreign oil? What do you believe should be done?

We need to focus both on conservation measures—reduce, reuse, and recycle; and on the development of renewable resources, especially wind and solar. People should be encouraged to walk, bicycle, and take public transportation when possible. We should encourage the production of more hybrids, and other energy-efficient vehicles.

Q. What are your top three priorities for the next two years, if elected?

End the War in Iraq, and bring the troops home; enact universal, single-payer health care, along the lines of that advocated by U.S. Representatives John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich; restore civil liberties, including the repeal of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

Q. How would you rate the performance of the House of Representatives: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Poor. One of the reasons the American people had for electing a Democratic Congress was to end the war in Iraq. But we are still there, and this war is draining our resources, both human and material. Congress has proved to be incompetent at ending this war.

Q. Do you have a timeline on when the U.S. should pull out of Iraq?

The U.S. should IMMEDIATELY withdraw all troops from Iraq! Our troops are occupying a sovereign country, and they are the target. Bring the troops home NOW!

Q. How should the government pay for the War on Terror and is it working?

Terror is an emotion, and the phrase "War on Terror" actually makes no sense. If we are talking about a war against terrorists, we have to examine the root causes of terrorism, and also recognize that there are different terrorists with different agendas. Addressing poverty in the world is part of the solution, because the followers of the likes of Osama bin Laden are often recruited among the poor, who see themselves as having no future. We also need to focus on the use of diplomacy and on humanitarian aid, rather than causing those we have differences with to hate us by labeling those who disagree with us as terrorists. Our nation will be more secure, if we focus on a plan of building strength through peace, as set forth by Dennis Kucinich. We need to build bridges through communication rather than tearing down bridges between people by going to war. The military should be limited, with few if any exceptions, to the role of defending our borders. This approach would actually make paying for the so-called "War on Terror" a lot less expensive than it has been. Of course, funding the military, engaging in diplomacy, and extending humanitarian aid should be financed by the Federal Government.

Q. Would you make any changes to the way the Department of Homeland Security is run?

Many changes.

Q. What should be done to reform Social Security, Medicare?

With regard to Social Security, raise the cap, so that more of the income of those making a good living is taxed.

With regard to Medicare, expand it to include all Americans, in effect creating a universal, single-payer system.

Q. Should SCHIP be expanded? If yes, how would you pay for an expansion? If no, how would you ensure that people who need health and dental care get it?

Yes, as an interim measure. But we really need a system of universal health care that covers everyone.

Q. What is your position on the death penalty?

For a variety of reasons, both moral and practical, I oppose the death penalty.

Q. What is your position on abortion?

I don't particularly like the idea of abortion; however, I believe that whether or not to have an abortion is a very personal decision which can only to be made by the woman involved, with the advice of her doctor, and if she chooses, her religious or spiritual adviser. Abortion should be safe, effective, and rare; rare because a woman should also have access to comprehensive sex education and access to contraceptives, making abortion something that needs to be considered as an option only on rare occasions.

Q. Do you support same-sex marriage?

Yes.

Q. Do you support the federal No Child Left Behind law?

No, the intention behind this legislation may have been good, but there is far too much emphasis on teaching to the test, which stifles the creativity of teachers, and takes the joy out of the learning experience for students. It is also insufficiently funded.

Q. What, if anything, should be done to assist homeowners at risk of losing their homes because of adjustable rate loans?

There should be Federal legislation aimed at allowing homeowners to renegotiate loans at lower interest rates, and even, in extreme cases, allowing for reduction of the principal owed.

Q. Should slots be allowed in Prince George's County? Should there be any form of gambling at National Harbor?

I do not favor slots in general; it is a poor way to raise revenue, and feeds an addiction to gambling that many have. On the other hand, the libertarian in me says that people should be allowed to do what they want, if others are not harmed in the process. Some deference should be given to the opinions of the people in the region where the introduction of slots is being considered; in other words, to some extent, at least, this should be a matter of local control.

Q. Who should bear the costs of the changes wrought by BRAC?

Primarily, the Federal Government.

Q. What state transportation projects are a priority and how should we pay for them?

We need to expand and improve the Metro system—fix the escalators and elevators, and make sure all of the cars are in good working order, and the tracks are safe. We should encourage mass transit, but with an emphasis on preserving the environment and communities and with attention to actual transportation needs. The Purple Line should not be built along the Georgetown Branch (Capital Crescent Trail) because to do so would spoil the nature of a popular hiker-biker trail, by requiring the removal of thousands of trees, and ruining what is essentially a linear park. Because of the impending consolidation of Walter Reed Hospital with Naval Medical (BRAC), it would make sense to have the Purple Line end at the Medical Center Metro station, rather than Bethesda. Consideration should also be given to putting the Purple Line underground, and making it a seamless connection with the Red Line. The lion's share of the funding for this particular project should be born by the Federal Government.