AN ETHIC OF LIFE IN MUNICIPAL PUBLIC POLICY
1. Do municipal governments have a responsibility to advance a consistent ethic regarding the respect of human life?  A consistent ethic of life focuses first on abortion, but also on issues such as end of life care, poverty, capital punishment, war, racism, nuclear arms and exploitation.  While these are nationally debated issues, they have street level manifestations that municipalities can address.  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 responsibility to implement public policies and facilitate community action that further a consistent respect of all human life?

Yes, I believe that local government has the appropriate authority to advance respect for human life.  I believe that the more difficult the issue, the more local the decision should be.  Government, whether local or national, has only the authority that individuals have delegated to it.  Therefore, if an individual cannot do an action, a government cannot be delegated that same action.  I believe it is the individual’s responsibility to protect the life of those who are unable to protect themselves.  Similarly, as recognized in the Declaration of Independence, governments are appropriately authorized to protect life, liberty, and property (pursuit of happiness).

COMMUNITY PREGNANCY ASSISTANCE CENTERS
2. Currently, attempts are being made by pro abortion advocates to pass legislation in several states targeting pro-life pregnancy centers, even though such centers provide those states with valuable community services. In Washington State HB 1366 and SB 5274 require: 1. The listing of non-provided services both orally and in writing.  This sets a dangerous precedent allowing any organization with political clout to saddle its competitors with burdensome requirements of saying or listing what they do not do.  In January of this year, a federal judge ruled that "the Ordinance violates the Freedom of Speech Clause of Article I of the Constitution of the United States" (pg. 2) and has a "lack of viewpoint neutrality ... a particularly offensive form of content-based discrimination" (pg. 20).  2. These bills allow any Planned Parenthood employee, private citizen, or government entity to bring petitions for injunctions even if they are repeatedly thrown out of court.   A local pregnancy center, surviving on donations, cannot defend itself in Superior Court pro se (without representation) and cannot afford to pay a lawyer to defend them even once, yet alone multiple times.  3.  These bills do not regulate conduct, but instead are directed only at the speech of pregnancy centers (www.protectwomenwa.com, 2011).   Do you oppose bills such as HB 1366 and SB 5274 that attempt to burden pro-life pregnancy centers? 

Yes.

PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
3. 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."   In 2010, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that public libraries' use of internet filters does not violate the state constitution. 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?

Yes.

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 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? 

 Yes.

ABORTION
5. Do you believe that it is scientifically accurate to say that human life begins at conception?

Yes.

6. 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?

Absolutely.  If we cannot defend life, we cannot defend liberty.  Recently, I visited OMSI and experienced their exhibit of preserved fetuses at all different stages of development.  It had preserved eggs, zygotes, embryos all the way up to full term fetuses.  If a person were to stand in the middle of that room, he is faced with a continuous development from less cute, but definitely human embryo, to a fully developed baby.  When people define the stage at which they would be willing to kill the fetus, I believe they do it in ignorance of what that baby actually is.  It would be difficult for me to believe that the Supreme Court Justices would render the same decision today if they were faced with such an exhibit, and pronounce judgment condemning a baby that was seen.  I also believe that God will judge a nation based, in part, upon its defense of those who cannot defend themselves.

7.  Is taking the life of a pre-born child through abortion ever permissible?  Check all that apply:

8. 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?

Yes.  I believe that the minor is under the appropriate jurisdiction of the parent.  The life of the baby is more important than the embarrassment of the under-aged mother in telling her parents.  This would also lead to some form of potential saving of the life of the unborn child by intervention on behalf of the parents.

Consent?     
 Yes.  While I oppose abortion, the parents would at least have the option of not consenting, and that would save some lives.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
9. 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?
 No.

GAMING
10. The recently approved casino off I-5 near Ridgefield would be one of the largest in the nation.  What is your position on the building of this casino?

 This casino is out of my jurisdiction, and I have no influence over whether it is built.    

CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
11. "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: 
 Gateway Community Church in Washougal

FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS
12. 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?
 No.  The restrictions that will come with such a partnership are a liability to faith-based organizations.  I believe that faith-based organizations should be free to do their work unimpeded by the government.  Their progress should have nothing to do with promotion by the government.   In becoming partners with the federal government, a faith-based charity will limit its ability to criticize or work against the interests of the state.  Take for instance the recent battle that the Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford, Illinois had with the State of Illinois.  The charity ended its partnership with the state because a new law would have forced the charity to place adopted children with homosexual partners.  For religious freedom to exist, the government must stay out of the affairs of the church.  At the same time, for religious freedom to exist, church members must stay involved in the affairs of government.

QUALIFICATIONS
13. Please state your professional experience, community involvement, education and other qualifications for a city council position.

In June of 2009, I was appointed to the City Council.  I won the election that November to serve the remainder of the term.  On the council, I have served on the Policy Review Committee, Finance Committee, and Ethics Policy Review Committee.  I am an airline pilot, and have lived in Washougal since 2002.  I have been a student of politics for many years, beginning in my homeschool years.  In 2008, I ran for Congress in the 3^rd Congressional District, and received 121,828 votes.  Along with my wife, Katja, I help co-coordinate Washington State Campaign for Liberty, a 501 (c)(4) non-partisan lobbying organization dedicated to preserving and defending liberty.

14. 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:

Yes!  www.michaeldelavar.com.  (Also, note that my votes are listed on the website as well.)

michael@michaeldelavar.com

(360) 771-4859

Friends of Delavar for City Council

PO Box 1185

Washougal, WA 98671