Questions and Answers

• What is your position on Working Families?
  • Unfortunately, the American society has evolved to where it is nearly a necessity that both parents must work in order to support the family.  This creates issues involving the children that range from suitable day care to after school activities.  I would like to see government subsidized day care for low-income families.

• With my proposed budgeting reforms for the education system, schools will be able to offer more after school activities.  The activities should be broadened in range and not limited to just sports.  Jobs and internship programs are a fine example.  The infrastructure of the schools can help facilitate programs such as these.

• What is your position on the Energy Crisis?
  • High price of energy
    • Compared to its value, the current cost of energy is relatively inexpensive, even though it has tripled for most people.  This huge increase was the result of a deal made by Governor Davis to buy power for California on a long-term contract.  After the contract was signed, the competing power companies offered lower prices than those specified in the contract.  The governor made a smart move, in principle, however there was no provision to cancel the contract or any clause to adjust the prices to stay competitive.

§         My main concern here is that low-income households must be given a significant price break in order to provide basic power for living.

• Alternative sources of Energy
  • Here is one of the very best ways of combating the high cost of power in the current market place.  I am not only in favor of implementing alternative energy programs to provide power, I am in favor of subsidizing research to find new alternative ways to obtain or generate energy.

• Does that mean you are going to purchase / re-regulate the energy market?
  • We should look at the possibility of state ownership of power suppliers within the state.

• What is your position on Environment in General?
  • I am very concerned about the environment.  The biggest concern I have is about ACTING, rather than REACTING, to situations.  I am in support of environmental conservation, but not in support of radical reactionary measures used by a number of “environmental organizations.” 
  • Furthermore, I would like to extend the state parks systems through acquisitions of additional lands; these purchases and operations would be funded once again through my naming rights program.

• Oil companies pollution
  • As long as the Oil companies follow the laws, I have no issues.

• What about Southern California stealing Northern California’s Water?
  • Southern Californians are not “foreigners.”  They are not “stealing” water.  This is a situation for engineers to figure out how to best distribute the state and federal resources so that we all have water.

• Nuclear Power
  • Nuclear power is another hot topic, and I believe that my opinion at this juncture will make little difference.  Additionally, there are much bigger issues to deal with before this subject will be an issue in California.

• What is your position on Federal government involvement with multinational civil wars (world politics)
  • Iraq
  • Iran
  • Syria
  • N. Korea
  • Afghanistan
    • I support all US Actions against terrorism and in peacekeeping missions.  I also support our Commander in Chief no matter what, and will do so with my own life and limb, if need be, as I promised when I proudly signed my draft card in 1981.

• What is your position on INS/Immigration?
  • This is largely a federal program.  However I am in favor of FULL enforcement of all state and federal laws.

• How to keep people in the state?
  • Through the reforms outlined in my platform, I expect to increase the quality of life for Californians, create a business friendly environment, increase the abundance of jobs and improve overall prosperity; so that there is no reason for people to leave.

• What is your position on Affirmative Action?
  • I would support Affirmative Action if it underwent some reforms.  This is another one of those items that can’t be solved overnight.

• What is your position on Health and Education for Illegal immigrants?
  • I support this ONLY for immediate humane needs.  Illegal immigrants should be deported immediately.  A one-way flight ‘home’ will be provided courtesy of the United States.  I do support all federal refugee programs mandated by the federal government.

• What is your position on Transportation Issues?
  • Highways
    • The highway systems in the greater metropolitan areas definitely need major work to improve traffic flow and reduce commuter traffic.  I also believe that we could use another major interstate highway.  This would help alleviate congestion, if designed properly; and generate federal funding for California jobs.

• High Speed Rails
  • I believe that the Bay Area Rapid Transits system works well, and could use more expansion.  Additionally, I propose construction of a very high-speed train that runs non-stop from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

• What is your position on Agriculture?
  • I give 100% support to the farmers of California.  The farmers of California provide more food to more people than any other state in the union.  They are quintessential to our economy and our livelihood.

• Plans to support Wine industry?
  • Personally, I support a free enterprise system, and want to promote business, including the wineries.

• What is your position on the Homeless?
  • Most of the homeless are trapped by their situation.  It is very hard to bootstrap your way out a situation like this.  I am in favor of a program to help those that want help to get back into productive society.  There are some programs in place, but I believe some reform is needed.  Furthermore, under all circumstances, each program should have a system of measurable progress and finite limits.  Lastly, we as Americans have created the greatest possible governmental system in the world.  This system affords people freedom; which includes the choice to remain homeless.  Therefore, there will always be some homeless people.  We have to accept this as being part of our society.

• What is your position on Affordable Housing?
  • In a free enterprise system, housing costs are controlled by what the market will bear.  As far as housing for the low-income families, I believe that there are programs in place now that work to some extent, but could use some streamlining.

• What is your position on Trade?
  • I fully support free and open trading markets; inter- or intra-state, as well as international, as long as they do not favor the external states or countries in deference to California.

• What is your position on Women’s Issues?
  • Women’s issues are nothing more than human rights issues; they just happen to be gender specific.  See my response on Gay Rights and Abortion. 

·        However, I have specifically supported some woman’s issues.  I will mention a few.  My company has generated funds that have been donated (100%) to several breast cancer foundations.  I also support help in terms of social programs and counseling for single mothers.  I support much harsher sentencing of sexual offenders and repeat offenders of domestic violence.

• What is the state government’s role on basic infrastructure for citizens and businesses? 
  • We need to provide the minimum level of services to ensure that businesses and individuals are successful.

• What is your position on Civil Rights?
  • I fully support the Constitution of the United States and the opinions of the Supreme Court.

• What is your position on Needle swap programs?
  • Normally, I would never support anything illegal such as possession of illegal paraphernalia.  However, there is a major health issue here.  I feel that if a local legitimate authority institutes a clean needle exchange program that is the best interest of public health, then I will not oppose it.  However, I would like to require that each person exchanging a needle be handed a flyer instructing him or her on how to get free help for his or her problem.

• What is your position on Gun Control?
  • Gun Control is a hot topic with much heated debate.  I have my views, but at this juncture, faced with the problems currently plaguing Californians, I prefer to put this topic on the shelf until there is ample time to prepare some reforms.

• What is your position on Abortion?
  • I will not comment on the moral issues since I believe that moral values are self-defined.  However, I believe that the state should pay for abortions for those that cannot afford it, yet desire it.  Those that desire abortions would not accept the responsibility to raise a child to be a productive member of society; and that child could eventually become a tax burden later in life.

• What is your position on Gay Rights?
  • This should not even be an issue at all.  Sexual preference is a personal choice.  “Rights” is something that has a basis in the constitution.  The constitution does not define “rights” based in sexual preference; simply as a human.  I support human rights as defined by the constitution.  Gay people are human and are entitled to the same rights as every other person.

• What is your position on Gay Marriage?
  • I believe that “marriage” itself is a “man-made” concept as we Americans commonly know it today.  Therefore, if two people want to make a marriage vow, they should be free to do so.  Additionally, insurance programs, social programs, and other programs that provide “husband and wife” with benefits should afford those same benefits to EVERY couple, whether same sex or not; just as a some institutions are now recognizing “domestic partners.”

• Do you have a pet project?
  • Yes.  I would like to have the state stay on Daylight Savings Time year round.

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