Ed Potosnak's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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Ed Potosnak refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2010 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.
Issue Positions
For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2010.
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Ed Potosnak. For Labor Day: Potosnak Highlights Priorities for Job Creation. 3 September 2010. "Investment in our infrastructure will create jobs now and for years to come while raising property values throughout the 7th district. I promise to be a strong advocate for transportation projects, and won't be a roadblock like my opponent," said Potosnak. "We know that the development of transportation infrastructure creates lasting jobs and raises property values. Our district cannot afford to lose out on vital projects necessary to improving our way of life. I know what it takes to create new jobs here in the district. I'm working for America's future and not a political career." (votesmart.org)
- Ed Potosnak. Issue Position: Financial Regulation. "Working families are struggling to make ends meet in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Ed is ready to take on the powerful financial industry to ensure another crisis like this does not occur again. Ed will work to protect consumers and limit the risky practices of big banks on Wall Street that led our economy into the gutter." (votesmart.org)
- Ed Potosnak. Issue Position: Social Security and Medicare. "Ed is committed to seniors. Social Security is critical for millions of seniors, and Ed will ensure step are taken to preserve Social Security and Medicare in the long term. He applauds the recent successes in closing the prescription drug donut hole that cost many seniors thousands of dollars a year and will continue the effort to ensure that no senior will have to choose between their medical care and their next meal." (votesmart.org)
- Ed Potosnak. Potosnak Meets with Seniors. 18 August 2010. ""I believe we must keep the promise we've made to our retirees and the hard working men and women set to retire," Potosnak said, in a conversation regarding Social Security." (votesmart.org)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Ed Potosnak. Issues: Education. 12 October 2010. "Ending One-Time, High Stakes Tests Ed supports measures for rewarding all schools for improving. He knows that through offering solutions to struggling schools we can remove longstanding roadblocks that have prevented their progress. Through a policy of rewarding the consistent progress of schools, we can promote a more sustainable and working education system." (www.edpotosnak.com)
- Ed Potosnak. Issue Position: Education. "As a teacher and scientist, Ed knows the opportunities and challenges in American education. New Jersey needs Ed in Congress so he can take advantage of his classroom experience and extensive knowledge of education policy to improve our schools and promote innovation in education." (votesmart.org)
- Ed Potosnak. Congressman Lance is Working Against the Interests of New Jersey Parents. 30 August 2010. "Ed Potosnak, Democratic Candidate for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, agrees with 78% of New Jersey parents and families who want to see education made a higher priority. A Zogby poll found that 78% of New Jersey parents believe that New Jersey should be spending more on education. Potosnak criticized his opponent, Congressman Leonard Lance, for voting against education funding for New Jersey schools. 'Last year, Congressman Lance voted against stimulus funding that provided New Jersey schools with $1.5 billion in resources. In March, Mr. Lance voted against removing $80 billion in fees on student loans that go directly to the big banks. Earlier this month, Congressman Lance voted against $258 million for New Jersey schools,' said Potosnak. 'A pattern is emerging with Mr. Lance: He does not value education or New Jersey's students.Governor Christie, slashed $800 million from New Jersey school budgets in January and added insult to injury with last week's $400 million mistake on New Jersey's application for federal education funds. Our Congressman and Governor are making it crystal clear to parents and families that the New Jersey students are at the bottom of their list of priorities,' said Potosnak. 'Parents and teachers throughout our communities continue to be disappointed by the Christie-Lance education agenda.'" (votesmart.org)
- Ed Potosnak. Issues: Energy. 12 October 2010. "We must decrease our dependence on fossil and mineral based energy because they are finite and create harmful pollution. Energy reforms such as Cap and Trade fail to adequately solve our energy problems because they unfairly reward polluters in the short term. Most notably, an overemphasis has been placed on measures that transfer the cost of change onto consumers. Though traditional, carbon based energy sources are the cheapest and most abundant, the ultimate goal of reforming our energy system is to allow it to occur in a competition based economy. Compelling consumers to carry the burden of energy reform - as with Cap and Trade - will only work against true reform." (www.edpotosnak.com)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Ed Potosnak. Remarks from Ed Potosnak (NJ-7th) on Health Care Reform. 22 March 2010. "Tonight's House vote on health insurance reform represents a major and historic step toward making sure all Americans have equal access to health care. I am pleased with what this deficit-reducing legislation does for the 7th District of New Jersey, including keeping health care costs under control for our families and providing expanded benefits for seniors on Medicare." (www.edpotosnak.com)
- Ed Potosnak. Issue Position: Health Care. "Ed supports reforming health care because the current system is still broken and is hurting Americans. Ed strongly supports ending restrictions on pre-existing conditions and is encouraged by Congress' action to enact deficit-reducing legislation to improve the access and the quality of healthcare. In Congress, Ed will continue the fight to keep costs low through increased competition, focus on preventative care, and make sure nothing comes between a doctor and their patient." (votesmart.org)
- Ed Potosnak. Issues: Immigration. 12 October 2010. "In order to reduce unlawful immigration, Ed knows must improve legal channels to immigrate to the United States. Both our employmentbased immigration and family-based immigration systems create obstacles that are often insurmountable for business owners who depend on foreign workers and families long separated by borders. By reforming our laws and addressing the needs of the business community and immigrant families, we can and will stem the tide of unlawful immigration. As Congressman, Ed will proudly support comprehensive immigration reform and other legislation that will improve our immigration system and protect our national security." (www.edpotosnak.com)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Dailykos: Double the OUT members of congress! 25 February 2010. "Ed is a teacher, small business owner and former education staffer for Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA). This is the first time Potosnak has run for elected office and after New Jersey defeated gay marriage, the LGBT community is hungry for a electoral win. Anti-incumbent sentiment will come into play in this race. Because he just entered the race, Potosnak has not made a financial filing." (www.edpotosnak.com)
- Johnson, Chris. Washinton Blade: Gay candidates harp on opponents' 'Don't Ask' votes. 29 June 2010. "Potosnak, a former staffer for Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.) and public school teacher, said Lance's vote is evidence the lawmaker has changed since he was elected to office. 'The vote against repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' really goes a long way in demonstrating that Lance is just out of touch,' Potosnak said. Potosnak said Lance's vote on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - as well as other votes the lawmaker has cast in his career - show he's 'on the wrong side of history.' As the campaign progresses, Potosnak said voters 'will have the opportunity to see how much he has changed since going down to Washington.'" (www.edpotosnak.com)
- Ed Potosnak. Issues: LGBT. 12 October 2010. "Ed supports marriage equality. Constitutionally, there is no justification for prohibiting same-sex couples from participating in civil marriage. Ed is opposed to state legislation, like Proposition 8 in California, which violate the Constitution. Ed supports overturning the federal Defense of Marriage Act, also called DOMA, which allows states to refuse to recognize a same-sex civil marriage performed in another state. Ed also opposes a federal amendment to the Constitution to define marriage. Writing discrimination into the U.S. Constitution does not help America get its edge back." (www.edpotosnak.com)
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