Questionnaire and answers:
Orange County Register

[Note: By request of the Orange County Register, responses are limited to 30 words.]

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:

1. What's your occupation?
Newspaper editor

2. What's your date of birth?
Thanksgiving Day, 1957 (Nov. 28)

3. Name of spouse and number of sons, daughters. (Also the children's ames if they are under the age of 18).
Wife: Kyoko Kawashima; one daughter, Mirano (8)

4. Where do you live?
Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County)

5. What's your educational background? (Please be specific and list degrees and schools they were received at).
Attended Miami-Dade Community College and Florida International University (left both without a degree to work in newspapers)

6. Do you have any political experience. (Elected positions or prominent political appointments only, please).
I am the Liaison to the Secretary of State for the Green Party of California (equivalent to a state party chair) and have been involved in politics for three decades.

7. Who is your role model and why?
Ralph Nader and Upton Sinclair, because each displayed the courage to demand that America live up to its ideals, as well as to hold corporations accountable for their actions

8. What is your campaign Web site address?
http://www.votecafiero.com

ISSUES:

1) What are your views on universal health care coverage?
I am unequivocally for universal health care, and I am a strong supporter of SB840. Health care is a basic human right, not a privilege afforded only to those who can pay for it.

2) Should employers be required to provide their workers with health care coverage? Why?
Absolutely. For all the contributions employees make to a company, the least an employer can do is to provide for the health of his or her employees.

3) Should car insurance premiums be based on a driver's ZIP code? Why?
Premiums should be based on driving record only. Insurance alternatives -- like pay-at-the-pump auto liability insurance for all drivers and/or no fault insurance -- should be explored.

4) Should Californians be required to carry earthquake, flood insurance or other natural hazard coverage based on where they live? Why?
Californians should not be required to carry insurance, but common sense says they should obtain coverage. Also, the state should expand coverage veterans get through Calvet mortgages to everyone.

5) What do you think is the most important role of a state insurance commissioner?
The insurance industry has an army of lobbyists at their disposal. The Insurance Commissioner must be a consumer advocate, defending the people's interests and the interests of the state.

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