Jobs: How would you spur job growth in Maine and, specifically, in which industries?

Michaud: “We must fix our trade policies and eliminate tax incentives for companies that ship jobs overseas. I introduced legislation to create a regional economic development commission that includes $40 million for the northeast. In the transportation bill, I secured $47 million that could create 10,000 jobs in our district.”

Economy: Is the economic outlook good, fair or poor in the 2nd Congressional District? Why? If fair or poor, what should be done to improve it?

Michaud: “Maine has lost over 17,000 jobs due to unfair trade agreements, which is why I introduced legislation to level the playing field regarding trade. We must invest in research and development, transportation infrastructure and higher education in order to protect the jobs we have and encourage new industries.”

Social Security: Should any or all of Social Security be privatized? What is the best way to ensure longevity of the program?

Michaud: “No, I do not support privatizing any part of the Social Security system. We need to protect Social Security: no raids on the trust fund, no cuts in benefits and no means testing. I have introduced a constitutional amendment to protect Social Security from these sorts of proposals.”

Health care: What is the best way to provide health care coverage to the estimated 45 million uninsured Americans as well as the underinsured?

Michaud: “To increase access to care we must take steps to make health care more affordable, including negotiating for lower cost prescriptions, providing health-care tax credits for the self-employed and small businesses, and establishing small-employer health-benefit plans similar to health plans available to members of Congress.”

Prescription drugs: Do you favor making reimportation of prescription drugs legal? Should the federal government be able to negotiate prices for prescription drugs on which it plans to provide discounts to seniors on Medicare?

Michaud: “I voted to allow re-importation from Canada. I introduced America Rx, based on the Maine law I helped pass in the Maine Legislature, requiring the government to negotiate lower-cost prescriptions like other industrialized countries. My record on these issues earned me the endorsement of the Maine Council of Senior Citizens.”

Abortion: Do you favor placing any restrictions on abortion? Do you support a constitutional amendment that would outlaw abortion?

Michaud: “I did support legislation to ban late-term abortion but oppose a constitutional amendment to overturn Roe v. Wade. No one wants to have an abortion, which is why I strongly support funding for family planning education and prevention programs. We must work to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies.”

Marriage: Do you favor passage of federal laws aimed at preventing gay and lesbian couples from marrying? A constitutional amendment? Do you support passage of civil unions or other means for gays and lesbians to enjoy some of the benefits currently enjoyed by married couples?

Michaud: “I believe marriage should be between a man and woman. I voted against the federal marriage amendment because I oppose writing discrimination into the U.S. Constitution or allowing the federal government to overturn state’s rights on such issues. I do support allowing states the right to pass civil unions.”

Patriot Act: Do you support all or part of the Patriot Act? If only part, which portions should be changed?

Michaud: “The USA PATRIOT Act was passed without the appropriate consideration. Necessary aspects should be preserved that improve communication within the intelligence community; however, troubling aspects like expanded “sneak and peek” provisions for bookstores and libraries should be removed. America can be safe without sacrificing the freedoms that make America great.”

Iraq: Knowing what you do now, would you have supported the Bush administration’s decision to send troops into Iraq when it did? Should U.S. troops stay in Iraq? How long?

Michaud: “No. The president didn’t prove weapons of mass destruction existed or a link between Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. We lacked a real coalition of allies, exit strategy and plan to win the peace. We need a new strategy to win the peace and bring troops home quickly and safely.”

Terrorism: Should the United States leave Iraq as soon as possible and shift its military focus back to Afghanistan and concentrate its efforts on tracking down al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden?

Michaud: “Yes. The United States took its eye off the ball and must refocus the war on terrorism to Bin Laden and his terrorist network. We must also refocus our attention on North Korea and Iran and making America’s ports, transportation network and chemical plants more secure.”