transportation and infrastructure to ensure our citizens are protected and our communities can grow through improved roads, airports and rail.

I uphold my promise from day one to strengthen and preserve Social Security and Medicare to those 55 and older, ensuring they experience no change or cuts in their benefits.

Jim Walz.All too often, the word government is seen as a four-letter word. We have to push past our differences and do the work that is in the best interests of everybody (of, by and for the people).

Progressive taxation will raise revenue for the budget while limiting income inequality. Increase taxes on the wealthiest individuals — tax capital gains the same as ordinary income. Stop the practice of corporate inversions that allow for the offshoring of headquarters. Eliminating this practice would close loopholes that allow corporations to avoid their fair share of taxes.

Invest (spend) in our infrastructure. Rebuilding our roads, bridges, water treatment centers, electrical grids, railways and phone/internet lines adds to our efficiencies and safety while creating good-paying, middle class jobs. Studies show that every dollar invested in infrastructure returns up to three times in economic impact. That would get people in the 14th District working again and put money into the pockets of the middle class — the real job creators.

Higher wages create higher demand. Higher demand creates more good paying jobs. In turn, more revenue would be generated. Higher wages push people over the poverty line thereby reducing the size of government — meaning people would not have to rely on social programs such as food stamps and Medicaid.

Q. What immigration policies do you support? Where, if at all, do you see room for compromise to produce an effective policy on immigration? How will these policies affect your district?

Hultgren. My great-grandfather sailed from Sweden and began as a doorman at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. The immigration system then was not perfect, but it welcomed many in search of better opportunities and a better life.

Unfortunately, that system is in disarray. Our borders are porous and criminals are passing through undeterred. Families are being broken up by inept bureaucracy. Scientists and entrepreneurs from other countries who could be creating jobs for Americans are being sent back home. Immigrants in search of the American dream are languishing for years in long lines.

Fixing our immigration system requires a careful and measured approach. For too long, Congress has made legislation too large and complex to pass — leading to delayed action.

We should:

1. Secure the border by ensuring law enforcement has the latest technologies and officers available. Let’s properly implement a biometric entry-exit system.

2. Ensure businesses respect our nation’s laws and American workers by using electronic systems to verify legal status of potential hires.

3. Update our visa system to address agricultural and high-skilled workers, and support the family as the best social safety net. Family breakdown creates dependents of the federal government. I will not accept amnesty. We must ensure all immigrants declare themselves before entering into our society. The undocumented must get right with the law, admit their guilt and pay necessary fines and back taxes. But doing this will not ensure they can stay. Productive members of society must go through the legal process to obtain proper status.

Walz. We are a nation of immigrants. I support the DREAM Act that would allow a pathway to legal citizenship for law-abiding and hardworking young people who want to call America their home. We should address the exploitation of cheap, foreign labor through work visa reform.

Bringing these people out of the shadows would be a benefit to all. In the 14th District, undocumented workers harvest our crops, build our homes, cook our meals and care for our children. It’s not that we have a problem with illegal immigrants — it’s that we have a problem with illegal immigrant employment.

Allowing for citizenship would make it difficult for employers to undercut wages and benefits. Higher wages generate additional revenue that would benefit the economy as a whole and create more demand for jobs.

In a rare act of bipartisanship, Senate Democrats and Republicans came to an agreement on a comprehensive immigration bill. But, then-Speaker of the House John Boehner refused to bring it to the floor due to the “Hastert Rule” (named after now imprisoned Dennis Hastert). The “Hastert Rule” refers to the necessity of the majority of the majority agreeing on legislation.