Frederick Collins Q & A

1) What is the No. 1 issue in your district and how would you address it?

Job creation: The financial disaster has left a permanent emotional and physical scar on our nation.  We now feel the tight grip of uncertainty as we face overwhelming unfairness and disparity that is seen in the eyes of our families, friends and neighbors. With the current downgrade of U.S. debt, unemployment tipping over nine percent and the lowest GDP growth in recent history, I question: where is the so-called recovery?  How has giving billions of tax dollars to banks and failed green technology companies helped us?  Small businesses cannot acquire credit, grow financially nor add new employees… citizens cannot buy homes and cars.  Where is the economy going?

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2009-2010 was the window for investment in stimulus and infrastructure programs that would have assured employers and markets alike. However, the government failed to act and unemployment proposals faced legislative gridlock until after the following election.

The problem is twofold: businesses will not invest in human capital if they believe that the general economy is neither stable nor on the road to solid ground.  Employers will also avoid hiring when the government is relying on their goodwill, rather than boldly taking secure steps to restart the economy with measures that promote spending and fiscal growth.

Our lawmakers in Washington need to embrace pragmatism instead of blankly staring at the jobless question.   Spending is not the sole solution; the key is trust between the public and private sector. The reality is that no one will hire without incentives.  Businesses need to be confident that profits that will rise, so that people can be offered work – moving America toward vibrant growth and strength.

2) How would you promote job growth in your district?

To boost confidence, businesses need tangible incentives to hire employees.

Compensating business owners for on-the-job-training or temporarily supplementing salaries of new hires are short-term solutions to reduce unemployment but not a strong comprehensive answer to the problems we face in the current economy.   We must realize that to grow our economy, the muscle power required is not just in our arms and back, but in our mind. By utilizing the creativity, wisdom and knowledge that lie within ourselves, we can set forth a new path for prosperity for all who dream of a promising tomorrow.  With this combination punch – partnered with a ready and willing work force that is also well-educated – we will be a nation second to none.  A great American once said: “Some people see things as they are and say why? I dream of things that never were and say why not?”

Developing a system of national high-speed railways is a perfect example of public investment. Private companies have the chance to create this new industry. Towns, villages, and cities could benefit from the influx of jobs, faster transportation and resulting tourism income. Government spurs economic activity and fosters new industry across the country without being the sole operator or a continuous provider of subsidies.

3) Should the federal government cut spending and where?

In cities across the country, residents watch the drastic effects that debt and deficit have had on their communities and economies. Some cuts are necessary.  Eliminating redundant levels of bureaucracy that are inefficient and programs that are no longer relevant can save billions of dollars.
Unfortunately, government usually cuts the meat, not the fat. The result is a heavy burden for states, local communities and individuals who are already suffering from today’s ills and wasteful spending on programs that do not work.  No sector is immune from the reform of discretionary and entitlement programs that must occur, before blind and ill-advised cuts are put in place.

Military spending should be subject to a harsh review – but defense reductions can adversely affect local economies and businesses that are dependent on Pentagon contracts.  Cut too much and the hemorrhaging will resume. Chiseling away at entitlement programs will severely affect communities and families already struggling. For those who are lucky enough to have a paycheck, the current administration wants higher taxes.  Where is the fairness in that?

Vigilance is a vital part of the solution. Cracking down on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security fraud along with stringent reviews of government contracts and grants can ensure that spending and the taxpayer’s dollars are no longer wasted.

4) If Republican, which GOP presidential candidate do you support?

I will support the republican nominee selected by the citizens I represent.

5) Give an example of something you’ve done that is bipartisanship in nature.

As a third generation, veteran Chicago Police Officer for over 20 years, I have learned that listening is a key ability to bipartisan cohesiveness and understanding. If more public servants honed the skill of true listening, we could come together for the American people and get down to solving the problems we have in our country

6) Name one good policy idea that comes from the opposing party.

President Bill Clinton’s commitment to the reform of welfare.  If we could resurrect, replicate and expand these initiatives, the US job market & economy would make quantum leaps toward improvement.

7) How do you define family values?

The key elements in family values are : unconditional  Love, Loyalty, Trust, Forgiveness, Understanding and Compassion.

8) What are your thoughts on the healthcare law?

Unfortunately, new healthcare reforms still fail to solve the problem of increasing expenditures.  If we do not reduce payments, the nation may overtax the program and burden recipients with higher premiums with even higher deductibles.

The healthcare overhaul will have a significant effect on Medicare by broadening coverage and eliminating some of the subsidies that are exhausting the program.

An increase in Medicare taxes for high-income earners designates more funding to the program, but cutting some payments to medical providers and subsidies to Medicare Advantage may mean that patients and hospitals will suffer in the long term.

New laws encourage innovation and a better quality of care, but innovation is expensive and the impending regulations may drive some to see fewer patients or drive others to the brink of insolvency.

Vouchers are not the solution.  We need a Medicare program that sustains low costs for seniors.  However, if doctors and hospitals are not receiving payments then there is no question that healthcare costs will rise for everyone.

9) Who is your political role model?

I would like to have a cross between Abraham Lincoln and Robert F. Kennedy. Lincoln put the people first - not a party to save our great nation, Kennedy placed the rights of the people above out -dated ideas to insure the right of all Americans.

10) What’s on your iPod?

Great Chicago Blues - the artists that have made Chicago known as the Home of the Blues.
Podcasts of strong leaders’ speeches and motivational trainings.

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