Whenever you go to a campaign website for a congressperson, they usually have a one page summary of the issues and their stand on them. Honestly, I use that information to decide who I am going to vote for and any candidate who does not put one up is least likely to get my vote. So, here's my version with where I stand on issues.
I consider myself left of center but with some (but not many views further
to the right).
If I get turned down for a job or contract based on these views, then the employer must be very closed minded and has no interest in the diversity of their employees and/or contractors.
Marriage Equality
I support full marriage equality.
I feel that marriage is a civil matter, not a religious one and that Christianity is wrongfully making claim to the word marriage.
Procreation is not the basis for marriage. Love and commitment is.
The public and private sectors as well as foreign governments must recognize legal civil unions at the same level as marriage.
In states with legislatures that continue to remain morally opposed to same sex "marriage", same sex civil unions are acceptable as long as they are recognized in a manner similar to marriage.
Trans* Issues
I identify as transsexual.
I believe in the existence of a gender binary.
Those who are transsexual and intersex are not "transgender".
Gender identity and expression are two different things and need to be protected differently.
Gender identity is a medical issue that requires a clinical diagnosis and a commitment to a transition process.
Gender expression is a social issue and its interference in sensitive issues such as sex-segregated public accommodations (restrooms) and on-the-job transition has overshadowed the true medical need of those who have been clinically diagnosed to obtain access to these facilities.
I support housing and non sex segregated public accommodation rights as well as "outside workplace" employment anti-discrimination rights based on gender expression.
While every effort should be made to obtain rights to sex-segregated public accommodations and on-workplace employment rights based on gender expression, I am willing to accept legislation where only gender identity is covered in these categories.
So-called "GLBT" organizations may represent me for being a lesbian, they do not represent me for being a transsexual.
With the availability of passport cards in the USA to provide you an identity document that is congruent with your gender with a physician letter, there's no reason why we can't use this as a person's recognized gender for the purposes of the law.
State level agencies and foreign governments should not require surgery as a requirement to change the gender marker on birth certificates and other identity documents. Only physician certification should be required.
I oppose the REALID Act.
I oppose the Social Security Administration's use of a "gender no-match" report as long as they continue to require surgical procedures to change gender in SSA records.
Immigration
I oppose illegal entry and overstaying of visas. I do feel though this should be enforced at the federal level or in worst case scenarios, at the level of the state police/highway patrol. It should not be in the hands of city police or county sheriff departments.
If state police departments can enforce immigration laws, it must be based on federal law and implemented by state law.
I support employer sanctions at the state level.
I support legal entry into the USA including the diversity lottery.
I recognize that children of illegal aliens are brought to this country against their will.
I do not support the DREAM Act as written. I would support it if it required completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree while maintaining a 2.0 GPA throughout the entire time. Military service should not be an option.
Financial aid, grants or taxpayer subsidized scholarships should never be offered at to children of illegal aliens.
I support efforts such as in the Tucson public schools to restore ethnic studies programs. I do not believe these programs promote racism.
I support the "Baja Arizona" cause.
I support repeal of the "birthright citizenship" aspects of the 14th Amendment. A child born on United States soil should be a citizen of the parent's nation of citizenship unless the parents are legally in the USA as a resident alien (green card).
I feel that most social services and benefits that are taxpayer subsidized should only be available to legal residents.
Choice
A woman has a fundamental right to make decisions about her own body.
Rape is a violent crime, not a political chip.
I abhor the use of abortion for sex selection.
Abortion must be available without the requirement of parental consent or notification.
Education
We need to restore arts, music and foreign languages beyond Spanish back into the public school system and if necessary, can be done at the expense of football, basketball and cheerleading programs.
It has been proven that schools with strict uniforms have higher academic achievements due to the lack of distraction from socioeconomic competition.
Bullying is REAL. "Boys will be boys" is no longer a valid excuse to appease the situation.
Gay/Straight Alliances in schools are for promoting tolerance, not sexuality.
School board members should be voted on their qualifications in the education field, not which congregation they attend.
Religion
I do not blame religions for terrorism. I blame the people who follow them who specifically engage in terrorism.
America must be a secular nation and laws should not be written based on biblical principles.
Some Muslims are terrorists, most are not.
Some Christians are terrorists, most are not.
Government
In the decade since 9/11, no terrorist has ever entered the air transportation system through a TSA checkpoint and this was before the body scanners.
The TSA processes discriminate against transsexuals, transgender persons and cancer patients.
Broadcast and other Spectrum Issues
I support caps on non-commercial broadcast ownership.
I support caps on translator ownership.
Local broadcasters should have priority over distant broadcasters.
I oppose mergers that will create monopolies or near-monopolies in a radio service or protocol (e.g. DISH/DIRECTV, XM/Sirius, AT&T/T-Mobile, etc.)
I believe in full handset and local number portability.
Hosted by REC Networks - Opinions expressed by Michelle are her own and may not reflect those of REC.