Thursday, October 26, 2006
Baltimore Sun Article vs. Questionnaire Responses
On October 25th, the Baltimore Sun published the following article about Rick and the other Legislative District 12 candidates:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-md.ho.twelve25oct25,0,5099467.story
While the article seems to treat all the candidates fairly, it left out some key points Rick and others have made that distinguish them from the incumbents. Read Rick’s Baltimore Sun Candidate Questionnaire answers below to see where he really stands on the issues.
Some quick points:
1. The people of District 12 are overwhelmingly moderate to conservative in their political views, yet the incumbents have consistently voted strictly with the liberal party line rather than truly representing their constituents. The incumbent Senator consistently voted against the Governor, including voting more than 40 times to override the Governor’s vetoes. He followed his mentor and boss, Mike Miller, rather than representing his constituents.
The voting records show the District 12 incumbent Democrats’ liberal actions despite their claims of being moderates. For example, Sen. Kasemeyer has supported the interests of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland 100% of the time while supporting MD Right to Life 0%; the liberal action group Progressive Maryland gave him a rating of 87 out of 100 for supporting their interests while he only supported the interests of the Christian Coalition of MD 20% of the time in 2005, the MD Catholic Conference 38% from 2003 through 2006, and the Association of MD Families 29% in 2005.
2. The balance of power is out of kilter in Annapolis. Examples include the Legislature’s BGE rate hike law (and veto override) which took away the consumer’s choice to opt out of the plan, the “Wal-Mart” bill which was struck down by the Federal Courts, the HMO bills which taxed middle and low income people and the blocking of the slots bill.
3. It is important to have a Senator who will support legislation that is pro-family, traditional marriage and respect for life in all stages.
The Baltimore Sun: Legislative Candidate Questionnaire
1. Do you favor the death penalty? Should the state’s moratorium on the death penalty be reinstated? How should the state proceed with regard to lethal injection executions?
No. I am personally against the death penalty. The sanctity of human life should be a high priority, and it has been shown over time that the threat of the death penalty is little, if any, deterrent to criminals who choose to use potentially lethal force. Furthermore, equal protection and due process issues, which vary amongst jurisdictions, need to be investigated before a decision can be reached on lethal injection. Despite my personal feelings, I do believe that the State justifiably should be entitled to utilize the death penalty in extreme situations.
2. Legislative budget analysts have predicted a return to billion-dollar deficits in the next term. What steps would you take to address this problem? Please indicate any specific taxes or spending you would raise or lower.
Of course I would suspect that legislative budget analysts would predict such a return because they anticipate that the party in power will inevitably overspend. The problem is not the taxes raised, but the way the money is spent.
To address any potential budget problems I would promote the creation of slots in Maryland. Such an institution would both support the horse racing industry and recoup State money lost at Rocky Gap. Additionally, the money could be used for the full funding of State education and the much needed repair of State roads and bridges.
3. What measures would you take to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay? Please include in your answer what role, if any, you envision for the state in controlling sprawl?
I fully support and would continue Governor Ehrlich’s Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act. What we consider “smart growth” must become smarter. One way of doing this would be to stop the rapid concentration of townhomes on small acre plots when former farm acreage is available for development.
4. What would you do to bolster Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund and address the state’s worsening problems with congestion? Discuss an increase in the motor fuel tax – or any other tax or fee – that will be needed in the next four years.
It is necessary to repair and expand State roads and bridges. As I stated previously, a potential solution to this problem would be to use money created by slots in Maryland to fund the repairs. Such a solution is a cost-effective method that would benefit the State while minimizing potentially necessary increases in motor fuel tax. We all need to become more energy-efficient. I would be a proponent of trying to influence national automobile manufacturers to put greater efforts into creating more fuel efficient cars.
5. Is the state-city partnership on the Baltimore school system working? What role should the state play in city schools? How far should its oversight extend? Should the takeover proceed?
State takeover of the most troubled City schools should continue. Our childrens’ needs must be placed above saving the reputations of City politicians and School Board members.
6. Should the state support Maryland’s horse industry with revenue from slot machines?
We must do something to stop the millions of dollars of Maryland money that steadily flows to neighboring states such as Delaware, West Virginia and New Jersey. The horse racing industry in Maryland has been a cultural institution and part of the identity of Maryland for many years. Efforts need to be taken to preserve this industry, and slots would go far in promoting the preservation process.
7. How would you address Maryland’s health care needs? Comment on the “Wal-Mart bill” that was enacted last year and the proposal to double the state’s cigarette tax to reduce the number of uninsured and ensure employers offer reasonable health insurance benefits.
There is a critical need to continue Governor Ehrlich’s health care initiatives to provide access to health care.
8. Two years ago, a state task force on school construction found that Maryland needed to invest at least $250 million annually for nearly a decade to address school construction needs. The addition of thousands of new federal employees to the region is likely to intensify those needs. How would you address the lack of classroom space?
Build new schools and expand existing schools in certain heavily populated areas.
9. How can the state best adapt to a growing immigrant population?
I would make English and citizenship information and skills available to them at reduced cost. I fully agree with Theodore Roosevelt who, in 1907, said, “In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American… There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language…and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
10. What are the three most important issues of concern in your district?
(1) My District is moderate to conservative and overwhelmingly voted for Bob Ehrlich for Governor in 2002 (12A – 67%; 12B – 57%). The incumbent Senator voted consistently against the Governor, including voting to override the Governor’s vetoes. He followed his mentor and boss, Mike Miller, rather than representing his constituents.
(2) The balance of power is out of kilter in Annapolis. Examples include the Legislature’s BGE rate hike law (and veto override) which took away the consumer’s choice to opt out of the plan, the “Wal-Mart” bill which was struck down by the Federal Courts, the HMO bills which taxed middle and low income people and the blocking of the slots bill.
(3) It is important to have a Senator who will support legislation that is pro-family, traditional marriage and respect for life in all stages.