Interview: John Stevens (D) for U.S. House for 10th District of Virginia

By: Joe Urban 

3.   What is the greatest challenge of public service?
The greatest challenge is twofold.  First it is to look beyond the loud
voices of those who have the resources to be heard, and to remember the
needs of those whose needs are greatest and voices are faintest.  These are the poor, the children, the working families who struggle each day to make ends meet and who do not have resources or knowledge to manipulate public opinion or the political machinery.  Secondly, it is to remember that we live in a complete, coherent community and that every action we take affects the entire community.  No issues stands on its own, and without considering the well-being of the entire community with each decision, we run the risk of doing more harm than good.

5.   What advice would you give someone thinking of running for public
office?
Don't hesitate.  Far too few consider themselves potential candidates.
There are a million other ways to contribution to the community than through candidacy and elected office.  The status quo thrives on people not being involved.  If you aren't satisfied with the choices you have on the ballot, step up to the plate and provide a new option to the people.

6.   What is your favorite political book?
"Reinventing Government."

7.   What was your favorite political TV program?
News programming covering political events such as the State of the Union, debates, party conventions and elections is of the most interest to me.

8.   How did you become involved in the (D) Party?
I have been interested and involved in policy & government for as long as I can remember.  I became involved by joining the Loudoun Democratic Committee as soon as I moved to Loudoun county in the early '90s.  Democrats know that the work we do to improve any part of the community benefits us all, and work to strengthen those who are working hardest to realize the American dream.

9.   Who are your political mentors?  What are some of your favorite
political quotes?
John Stuart Mill, Abraham Lincoln, John Kerry, John McCain, Bill Clinton, but most of all Thomas Jefferson:  For genius, humanity and enlightenment combined with frailties and faults.


10.  Will the U.S. invade Iraq by December 2002?    Should they invade?
I will not make a prediction, but I know that December 2002 is not enough
time to attempt to fully resolve the issue diplomatically and through the
use of inspectors.

11.  If you were in Congress today, what would be your first bill to
sponsor?
I would look for bills intended to reduce domestic violence and improve the health of America's poorest children.

12. Why should the citizens of the 10th District elect you on Nov. 5th,
2002?
We need a Community Congressman who will bring a fresh, local perspective to Congress.  I will bring local leaders together and federal resources to bear to solve our most difficult problems.  I will support local smart growth initiatives and make rail to Dulles our top transportation priority.  I will push for educational innovation and public school choice and fight for heath insurance reform.  I will fight to strengthen our nation's commitment to civil liberties.  I will be your Community Congressman.

14. What is your view on the recent Enron debacle? Will the new federal
law be effective?
A Community Congressman knows that the people who own Wall Street are the people who live on Main Street.  Increased jail time for corporate abuse is a help, but requires a long-term commitment to putting resources into white-collar prosecutions, which is difficult to do in the face of corporate PAC contributions and heavy corporate lobbying.  We need preventative reforms such as allowing employees to diversify their 401(k) portfolios so that they don't lose their jobs and their savings in one fell swoop.

15. What type of Health Care reform is needed in the U.S. today?
There are so many reforms needed that it is tough to know where to begin. The first priority should be to extend insurance coverage to all uninsured children as a commitment by the rest of the community to those most vulnerable.  We need to cover prescription drugs under Medicare, bring down the price of prescription drugs, and change the practice of insurers cherry-picking their clients from the healthy and the wealthy.  We need to ensure that families can afford comprehensive insurance on a single working person's salary.

16. How do you improve education in Virginia and around the U.S.?

Our public schools are the hope and the responsibility of everyone in our community.  They are the embodiment of that fundamental American promise that we will make tomorrow better than today.  They are an integral part of our communities and a pillar of our economy.  Even in a time of financial strain we must fully fund our public schools.  We must enable and encourage innovation.  Federal standardization and voucher programs make the claim that communities are not able to evaluate and improve their own schools, and then take away the tools with which to do so.  As your Community Congressman, I will fight for a return to local control, restoration of public school funds, and rejuvenation of this national treasure.