Name: Jeff Miller
Occupation: Owner, Miller's Fine Dry Cleaning
Party affiliation, if any: Republican
Political experience: None
Endorsements: N.C. Sen. Tom Apodaca; N.C. Rep. Carolyn Justus; Commissioner of Labor Cherie K. Berry; Henderson County Commissioners Bill Moyer, Chuck McGrady and Charlie Messer; Mayor Stephen Little of Marion; former N.C Sens. Robert Carpenter, Dennis Davis, Keith Presnell and Fred Smith; former Mayor Fred H. Niehoff Jr. of Hendersonville, Bill O'Connor (Henderson County TEA Party), former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin, former Polk County Commissioner Ted Owens.
1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?
As of March I have raised $111,260. COH of $99,260.
2) What most distinguishes you from your opponent?
My small-business background and record of civic service. I'm the only candidate who knows how to make a budget and meet it; I know what it means to sign the front of a payroll check and have to back it up. Helped found the nonprofit Honor Flight Network for veterans.
3) What are your top three legislative priorities?
Bringing down the national deficit. Creating good-paying private-sector jobs. Veterans' affairs.
4) What's your position on the recent health-care reform legislation passed by Congress? What steps should be next in tackling health care?
The manner in which it was passed was unconstitutional. We need to allow private market mechanism drive the change in health care, not government intervention. Defund the current bill, then increase competition amongst insurance companies, work on tort reform and tax credits to businesses that supply health care to employees.
5) What steps should be taken to deal with the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site? What's your opinion of the EPA's handling of the cleanup?
It wasn't handled properly. We need more accountability. People should have been made aware of this when it was found out. We need to work on cleaning the site up and removing the trichloroethylene from the water supply. Levels keep going up in the ground water, and that's not acceptable.
6) What's your opinion of the Defense Department's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy?
I stand behind it.
7) How do you believe the federal government should deal with the immigration situation?
We need to strengthen our borders. Allow governors who border another country to use their National Guard to keep illegal immigrants out. If we can't control what's coming in and out of our country we'll never be safe. Who's to say terrorists or drug cartels won't smuggle suicide bombers in?
8) What steps do you favor to deal with the economic downturn?
Tackle out-of-control spending in Washington. Consumers will never feel confident seeing leaders recklessly spend money they don't have. Freeze all new spending. Pay off our commitments and work on deconstructing inefficient parts of the government. Then give tax breaks so businesses and people can keep more of their hard-earned money.
9) What's your position on abortion?
I am 100-percent pro-life.
10) What do you believe is the best course for the U.S. to take in Afghanistan and Iraq?
War is a terrible thing. We need to stabilize the government in both countries and allow the people to take control after making sure the country has that capability. A timetable to withdrawal would only help terrorists recruit and send the wrong message, opening the door to more terrorists attacks.
[b]10) What do you believe is the best course for the U.S. to take in Afghanistan and Iraq?
War is a terrible thing. We need to stabilize the government in both countries and allow the people to take control after making sure the country has that capability. A timetable to withdrawal would only help terrorists recruit and send the wrong message, opening the door to more terrorists attacks. [/b]
I just LOVE how Republicans are spinning this war they cheered, championed, packaged, and sold to the American public. Such amnesia. They all need medical attention.
they talk about ‘fiscal responsibility’ and ‘bringing down the deficit’, after championing a war that is one of the main contributors of our financial predicament, which they now agree, heads solemnly shaking, is a terrible, unfortunate thing.
Miller: “I’m the only candidate who knows how to make a budget and meet it.”
FALSE.
An eye surgeon running his own business must make a budget and meet it. Dan Eichenbaum has run a successful solo medical practice for 35 years. He currently provides jobs for eight full-time and one part-time employee. Several of his employees have been with him going on ten years, two of them nearing 20. I think any person who runs a successful business knows how to manage a budget as well as make a payroll.
Miller: “Endorsements from N.C. Sen. Tom Apodaca; N.C. Rep. Carolyn Justus; Commissioner of Labor Cherie K. Berry; Henderson County Commissioners Bill Moyer, Chuck McGrady and Charlie Messer; Mayor Stephen Little of Marion; former N.C Sens. Robert Carpenter, Dennis Davis, Keith Presnell and Fred Smith; former Mayor Fred H. Niehoff Jr. of Hendersonville, Bill O’Connor (Henderson County TEA Party), former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin, former Polk County Commissioner Ted Owens.”
All of these endorsements by established party people ought to make voters’ skin crawl. It does mine. This is a liability, not an asset.
And Bill O’Connor’s endorsement is a personal one and NOT that of the Henderson Tea Party.
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