Gail Lightfoot in 2012 CA Senate debate

On Abortion: Oppose embryonic stem cell research

Lightfoot selected, "Oppose."

Lightfoot added, "Again, this is a private sector area of concern. The ethical issues are for scientists and physicians to resolve and for you & me to decide if we agree enough to support their research. Government research is paid for with taxes we pay under threat of punishment. That is no way to improve our lives and allow each of us to decide where our money ought to go.

On Education: STEM education is important for science advancement

Lightfoot selected, "Very important."

Lightfoot added, "Rapid advancement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics mean a greater understanding of the same will be needed by individuals in the future. Keeping up will be a challenge that our young people will embrace naturally, given the opportunity."

On Health Care: Everyone benefits from health research, but not by gov't

Lightfoot selected, "Part of the solution".

Lightfoot added, "Everyone benefits when good research leads to wiser decisions about health maintenance."

Q: How important is research and development (R&D) to your state's economy?

Lightfoot selected, "Very important."

Please comment on the importance of the federal government's role in supporting R&D conducted in your state.

Lightfoot stated, "Such research and development is best performed by business and industry, not by government. Governments are there to keep the peace so individuals can follow their ideas and dreams improving all our lives with new ideas and products via the marketplace."

On Health Care: Repeal ObamaCare & replace it with private sector

A: Repeal the current health care legislation. In the end, involve the private sector more than any tax supported government sector. Government should be last resort safety net only not a solution for everyone. Return control to local agencies and encourage volunteer organizations with tax exempt status and tax credits for time or money contributions to keep the private charitable organizations strong. Individually, we are responsible for ourselves, our families and our communities. We cannot pass the buck to some higher government agency because it sounds easier. We have to step up and take care of ourselves first, our families second and our communities through volunteer efforts. Contributing time and money to the well-being of our communities.

On Technology: Not up to government to provide R&D for business & industry

Lightfoot selected, "Not too important".

Lightfoot added, "It is not up to the government to provide R&D for business and industry. Business and industry does R&D in order to create new products and make money from those products. That is the natural order of things and must be preserved. Government investment in R&D or any other thing stifles private investment and places artificial control on innovative minds.

Q: Do you agree or disagree that, even if it brings no immediate benefits, basic scientific research that advances the frontiers of knowledge is necessary and should be supported by the federal government?

Lightfoot selected, "Disagree."

Lightfoot added, "Business and industry are the proper place for basic scientific research, not government."