Candidates respond to readers’ questions

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With eight candidates – six Democrats and two Republicans – vying to represent Maine’s 1st District in Congress, voters need to know which candidates share their concerns and solutions. Through ClickBack, the editorial pages’ online feature, readers submitted questions that were sent to all the campigns. Four candidates, Democrats Michael Brennan and Mark Lawrence, both former lawmakers, and state Sen. Ethan Strimling, and Republican businessman Dean Scontras, responded. Here are their condensed responses. For more detail, go to www.bangordailynews.com and look for the ClickBack logo.

Would you be willing to push for more research money to make ethanol from nonfood grains, using instead wood, grass or some other nonfood source? Additionally, as part of energy policy, should there be more regulation of the commodities markets?

– dinikiqod

I support putting more research and development funding into cellulosic biofuels, which come from wood, grass, sawdust, etc. These sources are more efficient than fuels that come from products such as corn and sugar. Additionally, funding for development of these sources could be a boon for Maine’s economy, which is resource-rich.

Tighter regulation of commodities markets is needed.

– Mark Lawrence

While there may be better choices for alternative fuels, such as biodiesels from soybeans, or non-food materials like grasses, we need to ensure against negative impacts on our agricultural production and that we don’t produce a food crisis while looking for an energy solution.

We have to ensure that not only are there adequate federal regulators to police the commodities market but also guard against legislative loopholes, like the one exploited by Enron, that allow manipulation of the energy market.

– Ethan Strimling

We are now learning that ethanol is neither good for the environment or energy-efficient. For example, the price of corn has doubled yet we still provide subsidies to growers of corn. I am confident that free market forces as opposed to subsidies, tax breaks and regulation are much better suited to achieve our goals.

Regulation of the commodities market makes sense. Currently, there is no oversight over oil futures. As a result, malicious forces could work to inflate the price of oil by trading futures at the cost of the American taxpayer.

– Dean Scontras

How important a challenge do you think climate change is and what do you think Congress should do about it? – mcpd

The science of climate change should be left to the ecoscientists and not the politicians. We should allow ourselves the right to argue this intellectually without political scare tactics or the censorship of scientists who dissent. Regardless, all would agree that we are best to reduce our dependence upon foreign oil.

– Dean Scontras

I would support Sen. Barack Obama’s plan to mandate that 25 percent of electricity consumed in our country be derived from clean, renewable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by the year 2025.

In the Maine Senate, I fought and won a two-year battle to pass a bill that encouraged the development of community wind power generators through incentive credits. These generators might be a single turbine on a farm or a small cluster of turbines owned by local residents, but they are all a step toward energy independence through a clean, renewable resource.

– Ethan Strimling

Congress needs to act to support policies that will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050. I took a pledge last November to show my support for this effort.

As it stands now, oil companies receive tax credits to search for more oil. Instead, we should use our tax code to create incentives for entrepreneurs to develop alternative sources such as solar, wind, tidal, and cellulosic biofuels. Incentives should also be given to homeowners to better insulate their houses, and to builders to construct homes that take advantage of passive solar. We also need to encourage conservation.

– Mark Lawrence

What is your opinion of the current campaign finance arrangement and what would you do to change it?

– Hampdenite

I deeply oppose the current system of campaign finance and would fully support a public financing model in Washington.

Although I recognize that I do still have to work within the system that exists as a candidate now, I have made a real effort to be conscientious about who I am willing and am not willing to take money from. I am doing everything I can to make sure the voters know that when I go to Washington, I will not be beholden to corporate interests or any other interests except for the people of the district.

– Michael Brennan

Maine has a wonderful system of campaign financing in our Clean Election financing laws. Clean Elections have gone a long way to not only negate the influence of wealthy individuals and special interests but to also open opportunities to more candidates.

I would definitely support a system of public financing for congressional and presidential campaigns. That is why I am the only candidate in this race who has pledged not to take any federal PAC money or any federal lobbyist money.

– Ethan Strimling

There are two things in particular that need to be done to change Washington:

1) Significant reform to end the revolving door between congressional employees and the lobby.

2) Public financing of elections similar to the Clean Elections system we have in Maine.

– Mark Lawrence

As a political outsider and one who has never run before, I am shocked by the amount of money in politics. Time spent raising money should be time spent with voters.

However, money buys staff and media cycles. Career politicians hold a distinct advantage in the fundraising element of public office because of larger donor lists and files.

Public financing of campaigns is not the solution. Ultimately, an informed and involved electorate should require more from their elected officials than that which money buys.

– Dean Scontras