Politics & Government
Meet Bill Driscoll, Candidate for 6th Congressional District Representative
Republican Bill Driscoll is running against Democrat Derek Kilmer for 6th Congressional District Representative.
Editor's note: Patch has submitted questionnaires to both candidates in the 6th Congressional District, and plans to post the responses verbatim as we receive them.
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NAME: Bill Driscoll
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OFFICE SOUGHT: Congress, 6th District
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
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TOWN OF RESIDENCE: Tacoma
CURRENT OCCUPATION: Commercial Real Estate
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I have more than 20 years of actual business leadership experience. I have worked as a union laborer and I have run businesses. I’ve worked in manufacturing, logistics and I’ve sold forest products around the world. International trade drives Washington’s economy. We lead the nation in exports and Asia is by far our largest trading partner. My wife, Lisa, and I lived and worked in China for 4 years – that’s important experience.
I’ve also served as a Marine with two combat tours. Veterans are a hugely important component of our great district – my experience as a veteran ensures I have the perspective to represent this important group of constituents.
It is also important to highlight what I am not. I am not a career politician and I have no interest in becoming one. Given the uncertain times ahead, our country needs leaders with experience living and working in the real world. I have that experience.
WEBSITE: www.electbilldriscoll.org
WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FACING VOTERS IN YOUR DISTRICT:
Today our country is confronted with a challenge which has the potential to destroy us if we don’t act decisively. This enemy isn’t Al Qaida or the Taliban. It’s not China or Russia. It is our national debt and annual deficit. We must come together as a country and rally ourselves to address it in a pro-active and decisive manner. Our Federal Debt now exceeds 100% of GDP, the last time it reached this level was World War 2.
Many of your remember the 1980’s when interest rates hit 17 or 18%. In 2012, 6% of our Federal Government’s spending will be interest on our debt. Despite having an average interest rate of only 1.7%, we will still pay $256 Billion. If, by 2017, interest rates climb to just 4%, we will have to pay over $800 Billion in interest – and it will amount to 18% of projected Federal Spending. If politicians in DC allow this to happen, we will either cutting huge amounts of spending or we will be borrowing to pay our interest.
As the father of two young children, I am committed to ensuring we do not handcuff their generation with a burden of excessive debt. This is why I am running for Congress. It will take strong, bold leadership to bring our country together to fix our budget crisis but we can, and must, get this done.
The deficit is creating massive uncertainty which limits job creation. By addressing the deficit, we will spur job growth in a sustainable and decisive manner.
IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IN OFFICE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?
Congress and the country is facing a huge issue with draconian across the board cuts and tax increases which will absolutely force the economy into the ditch and destroy what little economic growth we are seeing today. The first priority of every member of Congress will be to ensure there is a reasonable and timely resolution to this budget crisis.
More specifically I will be working hard to get on those committees where I can do the most good for the District. My focus will be to get on the Natural Resources Committee and a committee which takes advantage of my experience in the military with a primary focus on veterans’ issues.
Finally, I will take advantage of those six months to continue to listen to my constituents across the entire district.
DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE REFERENDUM 74: SHOULD GAY MARRIAGE BE LEGAL IN WASHINGTON? BRIEFLY, WHY?
Support R-74: Every citizen must be treated identically by our government.
DO YOU SUPPORT/OPPOSE, INITIATIVE 502 TO MAKE SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA LEGAL TO PEOPLE 21 AND OLDER? BRIEFLY, WHY?
I do not support I-502 because local law enforcement is substantially against it and federal law prohibits it.
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