Life Issues / Family Ethics Political Action Committee of Southwest Washington

2010 Clark County Commissioner Questionnaire

Candidates: Copy and paste the questions below into your word processor to write your response. Alternatively, you may compose your own statement addressing some of the themes of the survey for posting. Email your response to lifepac@lifepac.org.
 

PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
1. 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 commissioner appoint and confirm only library board candidates who oppose the inclusion of pornography in public libraries, whether by internet or print materials?

 

REGULATION OF SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
2. 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 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?   

   

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
 3. Should Clark County partner in any way with the nation's biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, who received over $350 million dollars in governmental grants and contracts in 2008, 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?
   

THE NATURE OF PRO-LIFE ISSUES
 4. Direct threats to human life include first of all abortion, which takes the lives of well over a million US children annually; embryonic stem cell harvesting; euthanasia; and cloning.  Additional threats to human life include poverty, capital punishment, racism, war, nuclear arms proliferation and exploitation.  Since each and every human being is unique and important, one's personhood or worth should not be arbitrarily determined by another's choice.  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 acknowledge both the breadth of pro life issues, and the primacy of some of those issues, namely abortion, embryonic stem cell harvesting, euthanasia, and cloning? 

 

5. Do you believe that a unique human life begins at conception? 
 

     If not, when?  ___  3 mths  ___  6 mths  ___ 9 mths  ___  1 yr  ___ 18 yrs?

 


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 State has a compelling interest in protecting human life beginning at conception?
 


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

_____ 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?

   

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?

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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:  


Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
 11. The Federal 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.  Do you agree that the federal Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, 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?

   

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. Do you have a campaign website?  What is the address?
 

 
WEBSITE POSTING PERMISSION
14. May LifePac post your returned survey on our website?  Surveys are posted only with your permission.