Steve Larrick for United States Senate

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April 24, 2008: Steve Larrick participated in a forum sponsored by the State Association of Insurance and Investment Advisors. Listen to the NPR story or visit the NPR page directly.May 23, 2008: Larrick started a bike tour across the state on Nebraska Bike Trails. Leaving from the Wyoming border, he crossed northern Nebraska from Valentine to Norfolk on the Cowboy Trail to promote alternative energy and transportation, peace, and a more sustainable world. Click here for a press advisory with background information on the US Senate candidate.Contact Steve Larrick through this website using a contact form.Steve’s Blog at WordPress.com

League Of Women Voters U.S. Senate Candidates Comparison, Primary 2008 here

US Senate Candidates’ Debate, August 23, 2008, click here, then click on “State Fair Senate Debate.”

Steve Larrick interview with NetNebraska  here

(NetNebraska interview will launch Windows Media Player)

Steve Larrick’s Politcal Courage Test Link here

Steve Larrick’s VoteSmart.org biography

Steve Larrick’s Rural Development Policy, here

Omaha World-Herald Student Voter’s Guide Candidate Profile here

Media Coverage: Lincoln Journal-Star July 6, 2008 Larrick: End one war, don’t start another

Larrick’s answers to Lincoln Journal Star 2008 Primary Election Voter Guide Issue questions for US Senate candidates:

Candidate’s name: Steve Larrick, Nebraska Green Party

  1. Should the United States begin a phased withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq?I support an immediate phased withdrawal of combat troops and private contractors from Iraq. All U.S. troops and contractors should be out of Iraq within six months. This war based on lies is breaking Iraq into smaller and smaller pieces the longer we stay. Furthermore, it is bankrupting the United States financially and morally while severely weakening our military.
  2. What should our policy in Iraq be?We must end violent interventions by the United States and bring together all parties in Iraq to rebuild the country’s infrastructure and civic life. As violence subsides, the United Nations, the Arab League, and others can be brought in to help rebuild Iraq. We owe apologies and reparations to Iraq for invading and occupying the country based on false pretenses.
  3. Recognizing that every candidate supports increased border security, what should U.S. policy be in dealing with the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants already settled here?We must enforce our labor laws and eliminate exploitation of working immigrants by providing legal channels toward citizenship for people of all educational backgrounds. Educational opportunities should be made available for all U.S. residents. Many American families have both documented and undocumented members. Insensitive crackdowns tear families apart, stripping children from their parents. We need more humane immigration policies.
  4. What should the Congress do to deal with a struggling economy that already may be in recession?Congress should quickly enact meaningful regulation of the financial sector. Deregulation is causing economic tragedies. Our economy needs an end to the Iraq War and a redirection of our nation’s economic resources toward healthcare, housing, education, energy conservation, renewable energy development and public transportation. We also need public policies to better conserve our land and water for long-term environmental health.
  5. Do you favor direct, unilateral talks with Iran in an effort to resolve some differences? If so, what should be on the table? At what point, if any, should the United States consider a military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities? I favor direct, unilateral talks with Iran. There are no circumstances in which we should attack Iran. The U.S. intelligence community has assured us that Iran quit its nuclear weapons program. Our bluster and threats only weaken Iranian democracy and force Iran to increase military threats toward us. All issues should be on the table with peaceful co-existence the goal.
  6. What, if anything, should Congress do now to change entitlement programs and secure the long-term financial stability of Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid?Social Security is safe through 2041. Modest increases in the cap on income eligible for taxation can cover the shortfall thereafter. More immediate threats to Medicare and Medicaid can be eliminated by adopting a universal single-payer healthcare system. This system would cost us less to cover all Americans than our current system costs while failing to serve 47 million people.
  7. What should Congress do to resolve rising health care costs and assure access to health care?Congress must adopt a universal single-payer healthcare system. Europe and Canada cover all their people at 60% of the cost of our system which is failing to serve more than 47 million Americans. Moreover, Europe and Canada have better health outcomes. About 60% of our healthcare system is already run by the government through Medicare, Medicaid and the VA anyway.
  8. What specific goals would you work to accomplish, if elected?If elected, I pledge to: (1) end the Iraq War and strengthen diplomatic efforts worldwide; (2) provide health care and educational opportunities for all Americans; (3) better protect the environment for future generations; (4) restore the U.S. Constitution damaged by the Patriot Act and illegal spying on Americans; and (5) respect international law and treaty obligations with the United Nations.

 

League of Women Voters – Greater Omaha Voters Guide Questionnaire – United States Senator

  1. What measures will you take to improve the economic outlook for middle class Americans?My HELP program includes: (1) HEALTH CARE for all through single-payer health care; (2) ENERGY CONSERVATION for all through green building and zoning codes and high efficiency vehicle standards; (3) LAND CONSERVATION practices in support of farmers and rural communities; and (4) PEACE through an end to the Iraq War.
  2. What changes should the United States make in its immigration laws and what steps will you take to create a workable immigration policy?I will apply international law to limit violent overt and covert interventions by military and corporate elites which perpetuate poverty throughout the developing world. This will reduce the flow of immigrants and provide developing nations with economic security to encourage the development of local economies to their fullest renewable potentials.
  3. What would you do to make health care affordable for all Americans?I will introduce legislation to adopt the Canadian single-payer health care system. This will eliminate a vast network of unnecessary red tape and provide quality health car for all Americans for less cost than our current privatized system which leaves more than 47 million Americans without health care coverage.
  4. What should be the criteria for ending American involvement in Iraq? Explain.The invasion and occupation of Iraq was wrong. More than 80% of Iraqis want the U. S. out of Iraq now. We must withdraw all U.S. troops and private contractors within six months but continue working with Iraqis, the United Nations and the Arab League to provide for peace.
  5. What energy policy would you pursue in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil?I will introduce tax reforms to reduce income taxes and implement a carbon tax to discourage the import of foreign oil. A carbon tax will reduce toxic pollution and global warming gases while funding the development of energy from wind, sun, geothermal, and other clean and renewable sources of energy.
  6. How do you propose protecting the civil liberties of American citizens whil assuring national defense?I will support legislation to restore the Constitution by eliminating the Patriot Act and the illegal wiretaps against the American people. I believe if we treat other nations fairly as we would have them treat us, we will restore America’s standing and reduce many of our national defense threats.