Candidates for US Representative were invited to respond to these questions. Answers were not edited in any way, except to truncate for length.
BIOGRAPHY:
B.A., Government, Clark University, 1970; JD University of Maryland School of Law, 1973. Practiced law in California: United Farm Workers; Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance; sole practice. Currently semi-retired. Active in anti-war movement. Board member, Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition. Member of Social Justice Council at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universal...
IMMIGRATION:
We are a nation of immigrants, and immigrants contribute to our culture and our economy. We need humane policies that allow immigrants to earn legal residency and citizenship, and that promote family unification.
US MILITARY:
Along with Dennis Kucinich, I advocate a policy of strength through peace. The military should have a role limited to defense of our people and our borders. The war in Iraq must be ended, and our troops brought home immediately. We need to respect other nations, and work through diplomacy.
DEFICIT:
The war in Iraq in particular, and military spending in general, has been a tremendous drain on our economy. We need to refocus our resources on domestic programs to alleviate the effects of poverty—in areas such as housing, health care, and education.
HEALTH CARE:
I favor legislation sponsored by John Conyers and Dennis Kucinich for universal, single-payer health care—publicly funded, quality health care for all, with individual choice of health care provider. No American should be denied quality health care which should be considered to be a human right.
ENVIRONMENT:
Global climate change is truly a threat to our quality of life and our very survival. I support tax incentives and other incentives for the development and implementation of clean energy solutions, such as solar and wind energy, increased fuel efficiency for automobiles, including hybrid technology.
CIVIL RIGHTS:
The U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, as well as various policies and practices of the Bush Administration have seriously eroded civil liberties in this country. Yet our strength as a people depends in large part on our abilities to exercise our First Amendment rights. We need to reverse course.
