I know that Maura from Virginia has already posted once about Al Weed. I want to be sure that all Kossack's are aware of this fine man, who is running against Virgil Goode, who was elected as a Democrat, then went independent, then Republican. The district went heavily for Bush in 2000, but Mark Warner, our Democratic Governor carried it on his way to victory. The district stretches from Southside (on the N Carolina border -- think Danville) up along the mountains and includes Charlottesville.
Over the next few days I will give information about Al, details about the district, and so on. I hope to encourage Kossacks to support Al --- this is a district that is winnable by Al, as you will see as you explore.
I live in Arlington (near DC) and our long-term County Treasurer, Frank O'Leary, dedicated part of his annual St Patrick's Day bash to help Al, because he believes this is a winnable seat.
My own district is held by Jim Moran, and is safe for a Democrat. Therefore I have been looking for someplace I could direct my efforts that would be more meaningful. After meeting Al, I explored his webpage
http://www.AlWeed2004.com
and contacted some Dean people from his neck of the woods. I am so convinced that this is doable that my wife and I are driving to Charlottesville for a breakfast tomorrow where Al is going to speak.
Let me in this first, of what I expect will be one-a-day diaries for a few days (at least until I can persuade the campaign to begin advertising on dailykos -- Al is thinking about it) , paste below Al's own statements on several issues of importance. I think that almost all who post regularly will be at least comfortable, if not downright impressed.
BTW Al graduated from Yale the same year as Shrub. But there is a difference - Al had started Yale earlier, dropped out and enlisted in the Army where he served as a combat medic (Special Forces) in Vietnam before returning to finish at Yale. He stayed in the reserves until he completed 42 years of service, the last 20 or so as a command sergeant major, and he spent some time in Bosnia on active duty. When he is elected, he will be the only former high-ranking enlisted man to be serving in the US Congress.
Here's the positions:
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Beliefs
Affirmative Action
Until all schools, at all levels, are funded fairly, and all children, of all races, are given the opportunity to succeed in life, as enabled by access to a good education, we will need some system of compensating for the system's imbalances. Affirmative action, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, is a bad system, but is better than everything else.
Campaign Financing
We are right to seek limits on how campaigns, and candidates, are funded. Free speech involves the right to communicate with our elected representatives, yes, but it should not depend on the ability to buy the access that gets an audience before all others.
Capital Punishment
Since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty over 850 persons have been put to death. In that same time, over 100 have also been released from death row, showing that our justice system is far from perfect. The death penalty does little to deter crime and much to brutalize our society. As a Congressman, I will vote against efforts to expand the Federal death penalty laws.
Civil Unions
The nature of legal unions should be determined at the state level. Such unions should be those that encourage family stability and legal fairness. "Marriage" is a religious concept that has no proper role in public policy (see "religion" below) and we need no constitutional amendments to protect it. I support legally recognized civil unions between adult couples. Couples formed under state law should have all rights, in all states, as do any others, including the right to adopt, jointly own property and make medical decisions for a partner.
The Flag
When I was serving in Viet Nam the newsweeklies would occasionally show a flag-burning on their covers. This moved most of us to realize that we were in that war, in part, so people at home had that freedom. As long as some of us use the flag to demonstrate our support for certain policies, or for a particular form of patriotism, or to make a commercial statement, we should expect those opposed to these positions to use the same symbol against us. When all of us agree not to use the flag to make a statement, then desecration of the flag will no longer seem necessary. The First Amendment says all we need to say about the flag in the constitution.
Free Speech
This right, along with that for a free press, is central to our democracy. It is one of every elected representative's core responsibilities to ensure these rights.
Government's Role
In our modern free enterprise society government has the crucial role of mediator between big business and the rest of us. It is vital that private enterprise be given the support and leeway to bring together the resources and labor needed to provide prosperity - no other economic system works as well. Government helps to prepare workers and the infrastructure for this system, but must also ensure that business works for the good of all. Effective regulation benefits all of us by limiting the reach of human greed, and taxes pay for efficient government.
Gun Rights
Guns are an integral part of the American culture and firearms owned by law abiding citizens for self-protection and sport are not an issue. People on both sides of this question should work together to limit the access of criminals and children to dangerous weapons. As a soldier I understand the deadly nature of firearms, and believe American culture should not be defined by our positions on gun ownership.
Military Service
Service, under arms, to our country is a right, privilege and moral obligation that should be denied to no citizen. By the same token, those who chose to serve in other ways should be respected for the quality of their service.
Opportunity
The strength of America lies in its ability to provide opportunity for all. I will evaluate every policy decision I must make by asking if the decision will help or hinder opportunity for the least of us.
Religion
We are a Nation founded by religious men who, nevertheless, understood full well the limits of religion in public life. Public servants must make policy decisions based on facts, seeking the best public results. It is not the role of democratic government to support, validate or make decisions based on religious dogma. In fact, it is only when religion is securely outside of government that it is truly secure.
Reproductive Rights
An unwanted pregnancy is a tragedy, but one that should be resolved by the woman, her family and her doctor. There should be no governmental involvement in these decisions. Those of us concerned about the heartbreak of abortion should work together to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Unions
I support the absolute right of working people to organize in the workplace, without interference by employers, under the full protection of federal laws. I also support Virginia's "right to work" rules, that give workers choice about joining a union.