As submitted by
the candidate:
2009 Mayoral / City Council Survey
AN ETHIC OF LIFE IN MUNICIPAL
PUBLIC POLICY
1. Do municipal governments
have a serious responsibility to advance a consistent ethic
regarding the respect of human life? A consistent ethic of life
often focuses on major policy issues, including first abortion
but also others such as poverty, euthanasia, capital punishment,
war, racism, nuclear arms and exploitation. While these are
national issues, municipalities can and should address local
policy and social factors. A consistent ethic of life
recognizes that each and every human being is unique and
important, that no person is defined by someone else's choices,
and that 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 municipal governments have a serious
responsibility to implement public policy and facilitate
community action to further the respect of all human life?
Simply stated; Absolutely. As
an individual, I am tired of waiting for our State and/or
federal Government to provide proper leadership and bring
responsible solutions to this, and other issues. It is necessary
for local leaders to provide the leadership not only within our
communities, but to become an example to other communities
around us, and to our State and Federal Government. In short, a
grass roots, ground up, leadership by example approach may be
the only way to bring our country back onto the right track.
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 as printed
materials?
I support the people’s right to freedom of
speech/expression. I also support a parents right to make
decisions for themselves and their children. I do not believe
that government knows better than I do not support the use of
public funds and resources to be used to obtain, store and/or
disseminate pornography or any other material that a reasonable
person would find inappropriate/objectionable. I also feel a
strong need to protect children from being exposed to such
things in an environment where responsible parents should feel
safe in allowing their children unsupervised access to any/all
materials in a public library. My voting history will support
this statement.
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 including 1. Increased Crime -
rape, sexual assault, prostitution and illegal drug sales; 2.
Decreased Property Values - both residential and commercial; and
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?
My voting record as a Councilman clearly demonstrates my
agreement with this statement.
ABORTION
Do you believe that it is scientifically accurate and honest to
say that human life begins at conception?
Yes, I do.
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 that the State has a compelling
interest in protecting that life?
I do not believe in abortion. I
am willing to consider that in rare and special cases that
abortion may be permissible. Yet because I do not agree with
abortion, I remain deeply conflicted on this point.
5.
Is taking the life of a pre-born child through abortion ever
permissible? Check all that apply:
|
_____ No, it's never permissible
X
Yes, to save mother's life
X
Yes, in cases of rape or incest
_____ Yes, for physical deformity
_____ Yes, for genetic predispositions |
_____ Yes, for gender
_____ Yes, for race
_____ Yes, for economic hardship
_____ Yes, to punish spouse
_____ 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?
Absolutely.
A judicial bypass of parents
would be allowed when necessary.
I am suspicious of allowing
this. I do not believe that the courts have the right to
arbitrarily subvert the rights of parents.
Notification?
Yes, parents need to be notified when
an attempt to obtain an abortion has occurred.
Consent?
Consent of the parent is an absolute.
The only exception might involve the case of incest. Parental
consent should still be required in the case of rape.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
7. Should your city partner
in any way with the nation's biggest abortion provider, Planned
Parenthood, who received over
$350 million dollars in governmental grants and contracts,
and aborted nearly
305,000
babies? Should they be contracted with to make community
presentations, provide literature, birth control chemicals or
devises, and/or abortion services?
I do not support the use of
public monies to fund Planned Parenthood, or any other like
entity or activity.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS
ORGANIZATIONS
8. "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?
My family and I am not are not
active members of a particular church at this time.
If so, you may state here where
at:
( Though I am not a
current/active member, I still consider Faith Center in Monroe,
whether I was baptized, my home church. My/our most recent
attendance was with the Monroe Baptist Church.)
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS
9. The White House's Office
of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships 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.
Does the collaboration of government with faith-based charitable
works lawfully ensure fair treatment of religious organizations,
and is it good for our communities?
I wholeheartedly support the
partnering of government with faith based organizations. I
believe that it is not only consistent with the law, good for
the community, but it makes good sense as well. These
partnerships have proven to be more effective, and far more cost
efficient than government run programs. My voting record will
show my support of the Monroe Gospel Women’s Mission, for
homeless women in our area, as just one example of my support
for this concept. As an aside, I have also been a financial
contributor to this Mission to help ensure its continued
existence and success.
QUALIFICATIONS
10. Please state your professional
experience, community involvement, education and other
qualifications for a mayoral or city council position.
I have been actively involved
in Monroe since moving here to here in 1979 after completing my
service in the U.S. Army. I have been a Monroe City Councilman
since 2004. Prior to that I was a Parks and Recreation Board
Member for the City of Monroe for approx. 3 years. Prior to
that, I was a Commissioner and Board president of a rural water
utility district. I have been involved with the Miracle League,
a baseball program for the handicapped/disabled. I am a disabled
veteran. I have provided counseling for youth at risk in the our
local schools, been a volunteer firefighter-EMT. I currently
serve as the representative of the City of Monroe to, and as, a
Board Member of the French Slough Flood Control District. I am
the current Chair of the Council sub-committee on Public
Works/Public Safety/Parks and Recreation, and the past Chair of
the Council Finance Sub-Committee.
11. May LifePac post your returned survey on our website? Certainly.
Surveys are posted only with your permission.
Please give your campaign web address if you have one.
I may be reached by email at; MitchRuth4Mayor@yahoo.com . I may be contacted by phone at; 360-794-7007 office, or 425-359-8203 cell
