Life Issues / Family Ethics Political Action Committee of Southwest Washington |
2008 Clark County
Commissioner
Questionnaire
Candidates: You can copy and paste the survey questions below into your email write screen, type your answers and then send to lifepac@lifepac.org. Alternatively, you can send in your own composition using some of the survey's themes. Responses will be authenticated.
AN ETHIC OF LIFE IN PUBLIC
POLICY
1. From a "consistent ethic of life" perspective, do you think
county 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 county government is
able to promote greater respect for human life through its public policy?
Yes No
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." County Commissioners in
Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties appoint and confirm Ft. Vancouver
Regional Library board members to 7-year terms.
Will you as a commissioner appoint and confirm only library board candidates who oppose
the inclusion of pornography in public
libraries, whether by internet or print materials?
Yes No
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
3. Should Clark County partner in any way with the nation's biggest abortion
provider, Planned Parenthood, who received over
$336
million dollars in governmental grants and contracts in 2007, and aborted
nearly 265,000 babies?
Should Planned Parenthood be
contracted with to make community presentations, provide literature, birth
control chemicals or devises, and/or abortion services?
Yes No
REGULATION OF SEXUALLY
ORIENTED BUSINESSES
4. 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 support municipalities that 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?
Yes No
ABORTION
5. 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?
Yes No
6. Do you believe that a unique human life begins at conception?
If not, when? ___ 3 mths ___ 6 mths ___ 9 mths ___ 1 yr ___ 18 yrs? |
Yes No |
_____ No, it's never permissible _____ Yes, to save mother's life _____ Yes, in cases of rape or incest _____ Yes, for physical deformity |
_____ Yes, for gender _____ Yes, for race _____ Yes, to punish spouse _____ Yes, it's always permissible |
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN MINORS' ABORTIONS
8. Peer reviewed scientific
studies have shown that family involvement laws reduce the occurrence of risky
sex in teens, and more than 30 states currently have some form of them.
Either the teen refrains from engaging in sex or is more careful before having
sex. These laws help teen mothers and fathers get the support and guidance
they need from parents in this important decision. Not having them risks
parental estrangement or alienation from the child when in the greatest need and
denies the dignity of the family. Minors already must have parental
approval for even the most minor types of medical procedures or medications and
should also for the complex procedure of abortion. Without
family
involvement, a minor impregnated by an adult often times is pressured into
having an abortion so as to conceal the fact that the adult is guilty of
statutory rape. Do
you support family involvement laws (with judicial override) for minors when
seeking an abortion?
Yes No
GAMING
9.
A proposed casino off I-5 near Ridgefield is projected to be one of the largest
in the nation. What is your position on the building of this casino?
Mark an “X” along the line below for your answer.
____________________________________________________________________________
Fully Support |
Neutral |
Fully Oppose |
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY
CONTRIBUTIONS
10. "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: | Yes No |
FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
11. 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 the federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative, in
keeping with the First Amendment free exercise clause, lawfully ensures fair
treatment of faith based charitable work and is it good for our community?
Yes No
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMMENTS
12. Please state your qualifications for office such as professional,
educational, family and community accomplishments. You may also add any
any further comments regarding the relationship of your candidacy to respect
life issues.
13. May LifePac post your returned survey on our website? Surveys are posted only with your permission.
Yes No