Stephen Dolgos

Americans Elect
Candidate for U.S. House in Congressional District 8
Phone: (623) 428-9745
Email: dolgosforcongress@gmail.com
Website: www.dolgosforcongress.com
Twitter: @stephendolgos
1308 E Gaffney Rd, New River, AZ 85087.
(Mail: 48412 N Black Canyon Hwy PMB 208, New River, AZ 85087)
Name pronunciation: DOHL-gis

Age: 37. (07/09/1974, Pittsburg, PA).

Arizona since: 2006.

Occupation: Financial advisor, USAA, since 2006; financial advisor/compliance officer/registered principal, Ameriprise, 2002-2004 and 2005-2006; compliance officer/register principal, LPL, 2004-2005.

Marital: Married (Kimberlee Kiewel, police officer).

Religious preference: Byzantine Catholic.

Education: Chartered retirement planning counselor, College for Financial Planning, 2007; B.S., history, U.S. Naval Academy, 1996; Baldwin High School, 1992.

Political experience: None.

Memberships: U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Assn (local and national organization); American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Interests: Volleyball (played/coached/refereed), animals, walking/hiking, singing, woodworking.

Political influence: Although I was a young boy when she died and never would have had the chance to meet her, Ayn Rand is the most influential person in my political development. She is by no means infallible, but her writings have given me the tools to properly frame my thinking on the true role of government, the motivations of individuals and the interrelationship of these two forces. Before studying Rand, I viewed myself as a liberal, but have come to realize the folly of that point of view and would now describe myself as a Libertarian conservative.

Top priority: The core issue that needs to be addressed is the immediate balancing of the federal budget. Our greatest national security threat is excessive debt, worsened by an unending deficit and a congress that is absolutely unwilling to do anything about it. Every day that we fail to act on correcting this long-term systemic problem of a lack of fiscal responsibility, we move even closer to fiscal collapse. If we do not take immediate action as a nation to solve this problem, the days of our great nation being the leader of the world will regretfully end.

Respected opponent: Ron Paul is the person that most fits this criteria. Simply put, his fortitude, persistence in the face of unpopular views, and consistency of message is without compare. He has motivated me that if you believe in your cause you should work tirelessly to achieve it.

Job creation measures: First, I support modifying the taxation and regulatory environment that strongly favors large companies. Small business is the main job creation engine in the U.S. and they are overwhelmed with regulatory requirements and tax law complexities. To streamline these areas in favor of smaller businesses would be very helpful. Secondly, we are now five years into our housing collapse. In some cases, it is not as much a question of job creation as it is lack of mobility due to housing disruption that is causing unemployment. I would support limited government action to create conditions to speed the fledgling recovery in this area.

Illegal immigration: First, we need to secure our border by all reasonable means. Secondly, we need to set up a vibrant guest worker program that allows us to match willing workers with willing employers when there is no domestic labor force to fill the gap. Third, for illegal immigrants, but otherwise law abiding and productive members of society, I support a significant, but not punitive fine and/or community service in lieu of deportation. For illegal immigrants that also engage in other criminal behavior, I support a mandated doubling of the sentence for the given offense followed by deportation.

Federal deficit: I support closing unnecessary tax loopholes that are simply political favors in deference to a flatter and lower tax code across the board. This would allow for greater revenues overall and eliminate spending through the tax code. Secondly, I would put all options regarding entitlement program reform on the table to both slow their growth and strengthen them for future generations.

President Obama’s qualifications: Although I did not vote for President Obama in 2008 and almost assuredly will not vote for him in 2012 either, I have never had questions about his qualifications to be elected president.