Name: Jeff Miller
Occupation: Owner, Miller’s Laundry and Fine Dry Cleaning
Party affiliation, if any: Republican
Political experience: None
Endorsements: Sen. Richard Burr; presidential candidate Mitt Romney; former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; former Hendersonville Mayor Fred Niehoff Jr.; Bill O’Connor, Henderson County Tea Party; N.C. Sen. Tom Apodaca; N.C. Rep. Carolyn Justus; Henderson County Commissioners Bill Moyer, Chuck McGrady and Charlie Messer
1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?
The amount of personal and financial support I’ve received from voters is further evidence [of] my message of more jobs and less government is resonating. Their willingness to donate their hard-earned dollars when our state faces such a dire economic condition is a testament to the vision of my campaign.
2) What most distinguishes you from your opponents?
I will always represent our values in Washington and vote for what is best for Western North Carolina. Rep. Shuler’s votes represent more of Nancy Pelosi and Washington than they do the district. I promise I’ll never apologize for being an American, and I will never vote for Nancy Pelosi.
3) What are your top three legislative priorities?
• Unemployment;
• the economy;
• our national debt.
One of the main reasons I’m running for Congress is because if the reckless deficit and thoughtlessness continues, it’ll not be me but my son and his children who’ll have to pay for it years from now.
4) Do you support the end of the Bush tax cuts, especially on households making over $250,000, as Democratic leaders in Congress have proposed?
I support to extend all of the Bush tax cuts.
5) What steps should be taken to deal with the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site? What’s your opinion on the EPA’s beginning the process to add the site to the Superfund list?
CTS is a clear example of government inadequacies. If the government enforced the regulations on the business and the EPA properly responded to the situation, this problem would never have existed. We need to hold government agencies more accountable. Government has become inefficient, and I will work to change that.
6) What's your opinion of the Defense Department's “don't ask, don't tell” policy if the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend its repeal?
I have full confidence in our military leaders to address this policy with the utmost care, since they are on the front lines. I’ve never had the opportunity to serve in the military, and I believe it should be left up to the military to decide on this policy.
7) How do you believe the federal government should deal with the immigration situation?
It’s our federal government’s job to secure our borders. We must be more vigilant in ensuring that all people in America are here legally. In addition to homeland-security concerns, illegal immigration is costing North Carolina’s families and businesses millions of dollars every year.
8) What steps do you favor to deal with WNC’s high unemployment?
As a business owner, I know firsthand government doesn’t create jobs. It’s government’s job to create an environment where businesses can flourish. The top two job creators are business startups and expansions. I’ll make sure government improves the business climate instead of putting barriers in the way of job creation.
9) What legislative steps, if any, do you favor to deal with climate change?
It is our moral responsibility to take care of the environment. I don’t think forcing unfunded mandates such as the “cap and trade” bill are the right steps. This bill passed by Congressman Shuler will cost North Carolina 40,000 jobs and up to $4,000 per household. We can do better.
10) What do you believe is the best course for the U.S. to take in Afghanistan?
Our troops need to stay until the Afghan government can operate effectively. I do not agree that we should set a date for withdrawal. I do not believe politicians should determine the rules of engagement for our troops in combat. That should be left up to the military.
Let’s recap Mr. Miller’s interpretation of answers to the 10 questions posed.
1. No answers given. Completely ignored the questions.
2. No real answer, other than to remind people he’s running against Nancy Pelosi.
3. Sounds nice, but as is typical, not one iota of a specific proposal, just feel-good talk.
4. So he wants to perpetuate this unfunded drain on the treasury, without any demonstration it will do anything more than allow the rich to pocket more and invest more in third-world countries.
5. He wants to reduce government, but also to hold it more accountable. No specifics on exactly HOW he would “make it more efficient.”
6. Confusingly thinks the military is the decision-maker on this matter, or perhaps knows it isn’t but seeks to use weasel-words to avoid a position.
7. Vague comments, once again devoid of any specifics. Just worn-out phrases.
8. What does “improve the business climate” mean? More tax cuts, gutting environmental laws perhaps? No one knows, he continues to be non-specific.
9. It’s our “moral responsibility” but don’t ask for any actual funding or legislation to accomplish this. It might cost some minimum-wage jobs and eat into corporations’ profits.
10. He isn’t even really answering the question. Evidently, an open-ended commitment of American lives and treasure are fine with him, while he fails to recognize that defense policy, including what military actions to pursue, are the purview of civilian leadership, something he either doesn’t understand or with which he disagrees.
Yet many will find all of this hollow, generic rhetoric convincing.