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Life
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Family
Ethics
Political
Action
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Survey Response:
A CONSISTENT ETHIC OF LIFE IN MUNICIPAL PUBLIC POLICY
A consistent ethic of life requires the broad applicationof
moral principles valuing the sacredness of human life (see here,
here and here). The major issues are abortion, fetal
plundering, euthanasia, persistent poverty, unjust war, capital
punishment, the use of nuclear arms, violence, racism,
trafficking and exploitation. While these are nationally
debated, there are local community manifestations that can be
addressed. For example, by facilitating community pregnancy
clinics, successful schools and local works of charity. 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?
Yes. All life is from God, and must be treated with respect.
PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
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.
REGULATION OF SEXUALLY-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
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 of these businesses 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?
COMMUNITY PREGNANCY CENTERS (CPC's)
In recent years, attempts have been made by abortion advocates
in Washington and other states to pass legislation targeting
pro-life pregnancy centers, even though such centers provide
those states with valuable community services. In Washington
State in 2012, HB 1366 and SB 5274 required of CPC's: (1) The
listing of non-provided services both orally and in writing.
This would have set 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 would have allowed 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 did not regulate conduct, but instead were directed only
at the speech of pregnancy centers. King County imposed such
rules in 2017. Do you support the work of pro-life community
pregnancy centers, and will you oppose efforts to suppress
them?
Yes. There is immeasurable value in these centers in supporting
the community and saving the lives of the unborn.
REGULATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA AND PARAPHERNALIA
Recreational marijuana was legalized in Washington State in 2012
by Initiative 502. The drug though is still banned federally,
and considered dangerous by many, including the FDA, the AMA,
and The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana (CALM) states "The
normalization, expanded use, and increased availability of
marijuana in our communities are detrimental to our youth, to
public health, and to the safety of our society." The Alaska
Association of Police Chief describe some of the negative
aspects of legalizing the drug here. For additional dangers
see here. For an extensive report by the National Academy of
Sciences (Jan 2017) see here. What is your position on the
legal production, processing and sale of recreational marijuana
in the jurisdiction of the office you are seeking?
__x__ Support
_____ Oppose
_____ No Opinion
_____ Other:
ABORTION
Even dedicated proponents of abortion acknowledge that life
begins at conception. What do you believe? Does a unique human
life begins at conception?
Yes. And ending a pregnancy for any reason is murder.
If not, how long after conception does a human life begin?
___3 mths ___6 mths ___9 mths ___1 yr ___18 yrs?
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?
Absolutely.
Is taking the life of a pre-born child through abortion ever
morally permissible? Check all that apply:
__x__ 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
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN ABORTION
Peer reviewed studies have shown that parental 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
parental 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. 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). Do you support:
Notification? Yes
Consent? Yes.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
The nation's biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, in
the 2017-2018 fiscal year received $564million
in tax payer funding and aborted 332,757 babies. Should Planned
Parenthood be contracted with to make community presentations,
provide literature, birth control chemicals or devices, and/or
abortion services?
No. Planned parenthood should be shut down for its involvement
in mass murder.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
"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 where at: Yes. Currently attending Church
on the Rock in Battle Ground.
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS
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. Is the collaboration of
government with faith-based charitable works good for our
communities?
Yes. If the government is to be involved, it should be with
churches.
CIVIC PRAYER
In the 2013 US Supreme Court ruling of Greece v. Galloway, all
nine justices (following Marsh (1983), affirmed the
acceptability of having an invocation at the beginning of public
meetings. Writing for the court, Justice Kennedy stated:
"Ceremonial prayer is but a recognition that, since this Nation
was founded and until the present day, many Americans deem that
their own existence must be understood by precepts far beyond
the authority of government to alter or define and that willing
participation in civic affairs can be consistent with a brief
acknowledgment of their belief in a higher power, always with
due respect for those who adhere to other beliefs. The prayer in
this case has a permissible ceremonial purpose. It is not an
unconstitutional establishment of religion." What is your
position on your city council instituting (or continuing) a
prayer at the start of the meeting?
A prayer may be instituted, so long as involvement is not
forced.
QUALIFICATIONS
Please state your professional experience, community
involvement, education, family successes and other
qualifications for a mayoral or city council position.
I am currently in the process of taking part ownership in a
local business. I spent 6 years as a cadet in the civil air
patrol, serving at local events. I was a member of the Clark
County Sheriff's Office Search And Rescue team for several
years. I was born 4th in a family of 13 children, and raised
that God created all and is over all.
POLICY POSITIONS
You may state here any policy positions you have in relation to
the office you are seeking:
May LifePac 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: Facebook
@VanGelderforBG
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