Bill Hammons, US Congressional Candidate

BILL HAMMONS FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS

ACROSS COLORADO'S CONTINENTAL DIVIDE

 Lake Isabelle, Colorado's Continental Divide




BILL HAMMONS FOR UNITED STATES CONGRESS 2008



Scientists and Engineers for America Q&A Answered by Candidate Bill Hammons



Innovation

Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America’s continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

I am encouraged by John McCain’s proposal for a $300 million prize for a new car battery, but I would go much further. America’s native innovative spirit could be best encouraged and channeled with what I would call the United States Prizes: ten different $100 million bounties, offered up on an annual basis for a total of $1 billion, for innovative technological breakthroughs such as a better car battery, a more efficient power transmission line, and a privately-built spacecraft which can achieve orbit (space is the next natural frontier for both the United States and the world as a whole; we both need a new frontier for the national spirit and need to lead the way in pushing that frontier).



Climate Change

The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

I once supported a carbon tax, and would still support such a measure if it was offset with lower income taxes, but I believe a global cap-and-trade system is the only way we will be able address the worldwide emissions which are causing global warming. I also support increased fuel-economy standards (I purchased a hybrid in 2007 to practice what I preach), and I of course would support the encouragement of climate change research with funding for the prizes I described above (perhaps a $100 million prize awarded by the US government for a commercially viable prototype of a 100mpg SUV).



Energy

Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

Per my climate change response, I would support a cap-and-trade system which would gradually reduce our carbon emissions and thus wean us off oil, which mostly by definition these days is foreign oil, which again mostly by definition comes from unstable regions of the world. At the same time, I would support tax incentives encouraging alternative and sustainable energy sources, including solar and wind. The one exception I would make from the “sustainable” criterion is clean coal technology; the US has the largest coal reserves in the world, and the pursuit of technology which would prevent the emission of coal’s carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by pumping it underground into former natural gas deposits is definitely worth pursuing.



Education

A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

I believe No Child Left Behind should be amended to allow (or force) states to fire teachers who are not suited to the teaching profession. At the same time, federal funding should be provided for bonuses to teachers who dramatically raise their students’ performance in a measurable way (there is no reason an excellent teacher shouldn’t earn a comfortable six-figure income). I believe such incentive programs would be especially useful in attracting math and science teachers who might otherwise be drawn by the higher salaries of the private sector.



Water

Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

One of the United States Prizes described above could be $100 million for a more cost-effective and energy-efficient desalinization process. Since most of the country’s population still lives near the coasts, the desalinization of seawater to allow the diversion of more freshwater to inland regions is the obvious solution.

Also, solar and wind are the natural energy sources for local desalinization and/or purification projects (water can be prepared and stored for drinking when excess energy is available), and this is yet another reason to encourage those energy sources with tax incentives.



Research

For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

First and foremost, I support a Balanced Budget Amendment enshrined in the Constitution through the Amendment process; if we don’t permanently rein in deficit spending, there will be even less funding available for future generations of American scientists (that money will instead go to interest payments on the Federal debt).

Within the constraints of balanced federal budgets, I will give top priority to basic research which has the potential to solve many of our national and global problems, including energy security and global warming.



Health

Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

I support embryonic stem cell research; the potential for cures derived from such research is too monumental to be ignored. However, I share the concerns of many regarding stem cell research and believe we should be eternally vigilant about unintended consequences of such research.

Also, I support universal health care funded (but not run) by the US government, with modest co-pays to control costs. Such a vast and sustainable market for the US medical and pharmaceutical industries would encourage the research and technology needed to maintain the development of new cures and treatments and thus dramatically improve the human experience.