2013 Survey Response: A CONSISTENT ETHIC OF LIFE IN PUBLIC POLICY 1. A consistent ethic of life (see here, here and here) focuses on the major life issues of abortion, euthanasia, persistent poverty, unjust war, capital punishment, the use of nuclear arms, violence, racism and exploitation. While these are nationally debated issues, there are community manifestations of these that municipalities can address. Will you as a city council member do all in your power and authority to implement public policies and facilitate community action that further a consistent respect for all human life? I consider myself to be 100% pro-life.  I am against abortion in all cases except a very narrowly-defined case of life of the mother (with court order before an abortion can take place).  I am against euthanasia in all cases, including assisted suicide.  As to persistent poverty, unjust war, the USE of nuclear arms (which is different than having a nuclear deterrent), violence, racism, and exploitation – my position is that no sane person would be for any of these things.  I believe though that the best deterrent to nuclear war is to be armed to the teeth.  Just because we destroy our nuclear weapons in good faith does not mean that the other side will do so (as we have seen).  Pragmatism demands that while we work to disarm those who would use nuclear weapons against innocent populations, we should continue to maintain an intimidating nuclear weapons capability – precisely for the purpose of never having to use them.  “Peace through strength” I believe was the phrase attributed to Ronald Reagan. I do however differ from a few of my pro-life brethren on the issue of capital punishment.  Capital punishment is completely appropriate in some cases, when due process has been followed.  Due process is the key to this issue.  I am against vigilantism and abhor lawless behavior.  However due process is biblical, which is why our U.S. Constitution has it as a centerpiece.  To me the main and defining difference between capital punishment and abortion is that in the case of capital punishment, the criminal has had the benefit of a trial by jury of his peers, competent representation, and the appeals process in order to make sure the death penalty is appropriate.  In the case of abortion, none of these benefits are available to the unborn person.  Capital punishment is not a “life” issue; it is a crime issue.  I am convinced by the data available that it is a credible deterrent to murder in many cases.  Please see this article regarding capital punishment as a deterrent to violent crime:  http://www.heritage.org/research/testimony/the-death-penalty-deters-crime-and-saves-lives I certainly will as a city council member do everything to further the cause of life in any way I can.  And I assure you I will be looking for ways to promote the life issue in Camas, because it is of central importance to me. COMMUNITY PREGNANCY CENTERS 2. In recent years attempts have been made in several states by pro abortion advocates to pass legislation targeting pro-life pregnancy centers, even though such centers provide those states with valuable community services. In Washington State, HB 1366 and SB 5274 required: 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 2011, a federal judge ruled in Maryland on a similar law 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. Do you support the work of community pregnancy centers and will you oppose efforts to suppress them? I heartily support the work of community pregnancy centers.  I have donated to them, prayed for them, and participated in charitable fund-raising efforts for them (Walk for Life) in the past few years.  I am interested in learning from LifePac and other like-minded organizations how I can help them as a City Council member. PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY 3. The US Supreme Court in its 2003 ruling United States v. American Library Association, Inc, 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 councilor 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 printed materials?  Yes.  I am against having pornography in the public libraries (and anywhere else for that matter!) 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? Ordinarily I am against too much regulation of business in general; however I am very interested in in making it uncomfortable, difficult, and unprofitable as possible for sexually oriented businesses. ABORTION 5. Even dedicated proponents of abortion acknowledge that life begins at conception. What do you believe? Does a unique human life begins at conception? If not at conception, when? ___ 3 mths ___ 6 mths ___ 9 mths ___ 1 yr ___ 18 yrs?  Human life begins at conception.  Period. They are a person from that moment on. 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 the right to life of the unborn child is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment? Yes.  I believe the Personhood movement (the effort to get states to recognize that Personhood begins at conception) should be used to directly challenge Roe v. Wade. 7. 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 only in very narrow and verifiable circumstances and with a court order. My thought process is that if the mother dies, the baby is going to die too. _____ 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 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. A 2013 poll commissioned by Human Life WA, found Washington State voters are widely supportive of laws requiring "parental involvement" in abortion decisions for girls under the age of 18 (62-29% with just under 10% undecided). Read a summary of the results here. Do you support: Notification?  Yes, if we can’t abolish altogether, then let’s restrict the heck out of it. Consent? Yes, see above. PLANNED PARENTHOOD 9. The nation's biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, in the 2011-2012 fiscal year received a record $542.4 million in government funding and aborted a record 333,964 babies. Should Planned Parenthood be contracted with to make community presentations, provide literature, birth control chemicals or devises, and/or abortion services?  I’d like to see Planned Parenthood completely shut down.  There are better ways to help people get safe birth control and mammograms than by spending taxpayer money on these abortion mills. GAMING 10. The hotly debated 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? I am against casinos operating anywhere. 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?  Yes. If so, you may state here where at: City Harvest Church in Vancouver, WA. 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?  I think it’s great, as long as government does not interfere with the efficient operation of the charitable works of the faith-based organizations, or try to force them into things that violent their conscience. QUALIFICATIONS 13. Please state your professional experience, community involvement, education and other qualifications for a mayoral or city council position.  I have been a resident of Camas for more than 14 years.  My husband and I have a blended family of 5 children, all of whom are Camas High School graduates.  I was a single mom for nearly 9 years at the time my husband and I married in 1999.  This gives me unique insight into the need for a good and safe community in which to raise families. I am a member of Mensa, have a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas (Business) and have done post-graduate work through Regent University in Constitutional Law and Public Policy.  My professional career in Information Technology spans more than 30 years, and includes positions at Clark County Department of Community Services, Energy Trust of Oregon (a public non-profit), and private-sector organizations.  I have the unique perspective of having experience in all sectors so that I can draw on the advantages (and mistakes) of each. 14. May Life Pac post your returned survey on our website? Surveys are posted only with your permission. Yes. Please give your campaign web address if you have one:  www.vanheartscamas.com  (Still under construction).   Also, I wrote an essay a few years ago on my perspective on the Life issue.  Clark County Right to Life graciously published it for me on their website.  You can read it here:  http://www.clarkrtl.org/w1/viewers/amundson1.htm Thank you!