Rick Laib: Candidate profile

Bio

Party: Republican

City: Joliet

Office sought: U.S. House, 11th District

Age: 44

Family: Parents, siblings, nieces, nephews

Occupation: Sergeant, Will County Sheriff's Office

Education: ThM Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, MA Biola University

Civic involvement: Republican andidate, 2018 Illinois House, 86th District

Elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were first elected:

Website: ricklaib2020.com

Twitter:

Facebook: Rick Laib for 11

Questions and Answers

1. What have the past three years of Donald Trump's unconventional leadership taught us about politics in the United States? What is the best thing his presidency has done? What is the most significant criticism you have of it?

President Trump has reduced taxes, reduced regulation, appointed conservative judges, advanced protection of the unborn, and supported religious freedom. His style may be deemed unconventional but it has proven to be effective in protecting our inalienable rights.

2. What needs to be done to get Congress to work constructively, whether that be senators and representatives of both parties working with each other or Congress itself working with the president?

It's my view that government should concern itself with restraining evil and providing for freedom. Working with each other will continue to be difficult when we do not share this focus.

3. What do you see as the most important issues to address regarding immigration reform? If you oppose funding for a wall, what steps do you support to try to control illegal immigration?

We must protect the border. We must fund staffing the protection of the boarder. We must discourage illegal immigration and strengthen immigration enforcement. Future legal immigration reform should include provisions for embracing American patriotism.

4. Please define your position on health care reform, especially as it relates to the Affordable Care Act.

The government should get out of the health care business. Attractive health care programs have been developed, and can continue to be developed and fostered, solely between employers and employees. The government need not involve itself in order for the public to have better and more attractive health care options.

5. What is your position on federal funding for contraception, the Violence Against Women Act and reproductive rights?

The VAWA was originally authored to protect women in domestic relationships with the term "relationship" narrowly defined. Who the bill now protects and impacts has been changed, altered, and widened leaving a bill that will become weaker if it's not brought back to its narrow definition.

I'm against federal funding for contraception. I would not support funding for initiatives that would take an innocent life.

6. What do you consider America's role in world affairs? What are we doing correctly to fill that role? What else should we be doing?

It is attractive to the goals of the U.S. to work with other nations and develop strategic alliances, but we must do so in a manner that would protect our freedom, security, and prosperity. What Congress should do is keep its focus on restraining evil and providing for true freedom for America. Ultimately we will become natural ambassadors of promoting good democracy.

7. Do you believe climate change is caused by human activity? What steps should government be taking to address the issue?

I am not persuaded to believe climate change is caused by human activity and I'm not convinced there is an industry consensus in this area. However, I do see the value in developing technology that would, in one way or another, take care of the planet. What is incumbent then on Congress is to concern itself with lowering taxes so that individuals and private industry are in a better position to develop those technologies and helpful practices.