Life Issues / Family Ethics Political Action Committee of Southwest Washington |
2007 Mayoral / City Council
Survey
AN ETHIC OF LIFE IN PUBLIC
POLICY
1. From a "consistent ethic of life" perspective, do you think
city government is in a position to effectively advance respect for human life by means of
public policy? Although a consistent ethic of life principle includes
concern over major issues such as abortion, poverty,
euthanasia, capital punishment, war, racism, nuclear arms and exploitation, many
of these issues can and should be addressed in some measure at the local level. Each and every human being is unique and important.
No person is defined by someone else's choices, and no one exists solely as a
means to someone else's happiness. The choices we make, as individuals and as a society, must be weighed in light
of their impact on human life and dignity. Do you think city government is
able to promote greater respect for human life through its public policy?
PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
2. In the US Supreme Court ruling United States v. American Library Association, Inc, 2003,
which upheld the use of library internet pornography filters, Chief Justice Rehnquist
stated for the plurality that "to fulfill their traditional
missions, public libraries must have broad discretion to decide what material to
provide to their patrons. Although they seek to provide a wide array of
information, their goal has never been to provide 'universal coverage,'" and "most
libraries already exclude pornography from their print collections because they
deem it inappropriate for inclusion." Will you as a city council person appoint, recommend or
request (depending on your level of authority) only library board candidates who oppose
the inclusion of pornography in public
libraries, whether by internet or print materials?
REGULATION OF SEXUALLY
ORIENTED BUSINESSES
3. The U.S. Supreme Court in Young v. American Mini Theaters, Inc., (1976) and
Renton v. Playtime Theater, Inc., (1986), concluded that municipalities have
"substantial governmental interests" in protecting and preserving the quality of
life for its community against the adverse secondary effects of sexually
oriented businesses while allowing for "reasonable alternative avenues of
communication." Land Use Studies from cities around the United States were
cited in both U.S. Supreme Court cases documenting
the harmful secondary effects caused: 1. Increased Crime - rape, sexual assault,
prostitution and illegal drug sales 2. Decreased Property Values - both
residential and commercial 3. Urban Blight - people and businesses fleeing the
community. Will you diligently seek
and maintain
zoning ordinances, licensing procedures, permit requirements and operational
regulations which serve to minimize the adverse secondary effects of Sexually
Oriented Businesses?
ABORTION
4. The 14th Amendment states "nor shall any state deprive any person of
life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person
within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The Supreme
Court in Roe v. Wade, 1973, stated that "if this suggestion of personhood is
established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the fetus' right to
life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment." The
Court regrettably concluded though that "we need not resolve the difficult
question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines
of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the
judiciary, at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a
position to speculate as to the answer." Do you believe that
life begins at
conception and is present throughout pregnancy, and that, therefore, the State
has a compelling interest in protecting that life from and after conception?
5. Is taking the life of a
pre-born child though abortion ever permissible?
_____ No, it's never permissible
_____ Yes, to save mother's life
_____ Yes, in cases of rape or incest
_____ Yes, for physical deformity
_____ Yes, it's always permissible.
6. Do you support parental notification and/or consent before a minor (under 18 years of age) could have an abortion? A judicial bypass of parents would be allowed when necessary.
Notification?
Consent?
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
7.
Should your city partner in any way with the nation's biggest abortion
provider, Planned Parenthood, who received over $305 million dollars in
governmental grants and contracts last year, and aborted nearly 265,000
babies? Should they be contracted with to make community
presentations, provide literature, birth control chemicals or
devises, and/or abortion services?
COWLITZ CASINO
8.
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is seeking a 152 acre site near La Center for
their initial reservation and a
super-sized Las Vegas style casino. At over 134 thousand sq. ft. of gaming
floor, it would be the 14th largest in the nation, and the largest on the
west coast. The social costs of casino gambling are well
documented and include increased gambling addiction, crime, and
bankruptcies. The video slot machines, which in Washington are allowed only
in tribal casinos, are known to be especially addictive and are referred to
by some as “the crack cocaine of gambling.” Crime rates tend to begin rising
3 or 4 years after a casino begins doing business in a county. What is
your position on the building of the Cowlitz casino?
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY
CONTRIBUTIONS
9. "Religious communities are the largest and best-organized civil
institutions in the world, claiming the allegiance of billions across race,
class, and national divides. These communities have particular cultural
understandings, infrastructures, and resources to get help where it is
needed most" (World Conference of Religions for Peace). Southwest
Washington has a broad range of religious communities that contribute
substantially to the welfare of families, children, seniors, the homeless, sick,
and refugees. They are a highly valued part of our community which respects
and defends human life at every stage. Are you an active member
in a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or other religious assembly?
If so, you may state here where at:
FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
10. The federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative ensures that
religious and other community organizations are able to compete on an equal
footing for participation in Federal programs without impairing the
character of such organizations and without diminishing
the religious freedom of those served. Do you agree that this initiative,
in keeping with the First Amendment free exercise clause, lawfully ensures fairer treatment of faith based charitable work and is it good
for our community?
QUALIFICATIONS
11. Please state your professional experience, community involvement, education
and other qualifications for a mayor / city council position.
12. May LifePac post your returned survey on our website? Surveys are posted only with your permission.
Please give your campaign web address if you have one.