2014 June 16 , a blogger asked me to answer five questions in my own words. The open-ended questions came with word limits, so I spent the time to sculpt tight answers. Enjoy.
1. Why are you the best candidate in your race? – 200 word limit
Electing me would put a fighter for ordinary people into the legislature. The causes and consequences of poverty are well known and can be cured. I am determined to put evidence-based policies in place to make society work for everyone. Every school should be a good school, every job should be a good job, and every business should be an asset to the community. I will fight to change the system so everyone can succeed.
Re-electing the incumbent Republican would mean business as usual. He is wealth oriented and seems completely disinterested in his job to promote the general welfare and provide for the common defense. He brags on how many private schools are in his district, while he votes to cut public school funds. He approves of spending those diminished funds on charter schools, which cater to the well behaved children of two-car-one-income families. He sees no problem with leaving the rest of our children in under-funded schools, in over-crowded classrooms, trained to pass hi-stakes tests, and subjected to humiliation and/or arrest for minor rule violations.
2. Why should voters choose you on Election Day? – 200 word limit
As part of the state legislature, I will improve Texas laws to be more properly of, for, and by the people. That means focusing on the needs of ordinary people, rather than a wish list from the wealthy. Health, Education, Jobs, and Voting. These are the foundation of civilization, the necessary tools for success, and we must ensure they are of decent quality and available to all residents.
I earned an engineering degree from UT Austin. I started out as an assembly language programmer at NASA, worked for my uncle as a Systems Integration Tester, and later retired from Siemens as a Quality Manager. I believe that every man-made system has a purpose, can be measured, and should be constantly improved upon.
Our government is such a system.
3. Why do you feel voter participation is important – 300 word limit
Voting is how we choose which of “we the people” will write laws, spend tax money, and so forth. Not voting is choosing to remain a child, trusting whoever’s driving to get you wherever they decide you need to go. Well, our electeds are driving. They are always hearing from lobbyists, campaign donors, and primary voters, so not voting is a risk; you risk being overlooked, dismissed, or even scapegoated.
Texas has the lowest turnout of all 50 states and DC. Less than half of those qualified vote even in presidential elections! Less than 10% turn out for other elections. That means a tiny few are deciding who will govern us all. If that tiny fraction doesn’t much look, live or think like you do, your needs may not get met! States with better turnout have better schools, better roads, mass transit, clean air and water, plenty of social services, quick police response ... you name it, it’s better. All due to higher voter turnout, which keeps their elected representatives attentive to the ordinary issues of ordinary folks.
Texas could have a high quality government, with updated infrastructure, a tight safety net and all kinds of ladders out of poverty. This is what our taxes are supposed to pay for. To achieve it, lots of ordinary folks will have to get registered and start voting, and vote for those of us who will prioritize the public’s best interest. No matter who wins, keep track of what laws they vote for and against, and let others know. Call, write and visit your representatives. Bug the heck out of them; tell them what you care about, how much it matters to you and those you know. If you and all your friends do this things will change for the better!
4. Why are you a Democrat? – 200 word limit
Government is a function of a civilized society. Some parts of our government protect us (provide for the common defense), and other parts support us (promote the general welfare). Government is to provide and promote things we all benefit from that very few of us could afford alone. In America, we have a safety net and some ladders out of poverty, including labor laws, public schools, and social services. I believe those are noble goals worthy of hard work and vigilance to keep and improve.
It seems to me that Republicans have lost sight of that. They have become a shrinking tent, dismissing as unAmerican any who disagree with any plank of their recently radicalized party platform. New laws increasingly imperil the public school system, exclude the most vulnerable of us from voting, criminalize normal aspects of poverty, and protect Big Money’s right to trash our environment and exploit our workers.
Democrats are more accepting of my idealism, my fact-oriented solutions, and my willingness to hear out anyone with an idea. That’s why I’m running as a Democrat.
5. What is your stance on abortion? -- 50 word limit
Family planning focuses on preventing conception. However, when other methods fail, abortion stands as the last resort for birth control. It must remain legal, strictly between a woman and her caregivers, and regulated exactly the same as any other day surgery.
6. What is your stance on gay-marriage? -- 100 word limit
Legally, marriage is just a contract between two people to be each other’s next of kin, with power of attorney, shared property, inheritance, and so forth. I don’t see any problem with any two people signing up for that contract via a Justice of the Peace. On the other hand, any church-affiliated celebrant is free to set their own requirements, as is the venue.
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Here is the link to the published article: http://aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com/... ...
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