Matthew Shepard
Other | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matthew Shepard
Party
Other
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 28
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lansing Community College, Lansing, AAS Aircraft Maintenance Technology, 1997
Lansing Community College, Lanisng, AAS Alternative Energy Management, 2013
University Of Phoenix, Lansing, BS/BM, 2008
US Navy, Memphis, Aircraft Electronis Repair, 1987
US Army, Newport News, Aircraft Maintenance, 2004
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, E-4, 8
Michigan Army National Gaurd, E-5, 15
AFFILIATIONS
Mount Hope Church Michigan, Ministry of Hope, Greater Commission United
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Shiawassee County Commissioner, 85th District State Representative, 24th District State Senator, Perry School Board, 10
Race
Previous Races
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
100% against abortion, as there are alternatives such as adoption that should be considered. 3800 babies are killed each day, and the fetal tissues are sold to the highest bidder. Abortion should not be considered, as it has been for a few decades as a birth control measure. God detests the shedding of Innocent Blood, as written in Deuteronomy 12:31 as a part of 7 things God detests; the 3rd being "A hand that sheds innocent blood-to shed innocent blood is to take the life of one who has sone nothing worthy of death." "God will not hold any blameless for the deaths of the Innocents." Deuteronomy 19;13 As I stated at the Michigan Board of Canvassers Meeting August 31st when Democrats tried to push their Reproductive Freedom initiative through for Ballot Approval, God holds Nations under judgement for the Shedding of Innocent Blood, and many nations are still under judgement to this date, even those who participated in the killing babies and/or offering children as sacrifices from early world history. In fact, America has been under judgement for a few decades since abortion was made an acceptable practice. The Bottom line is Abortion is Murder and should not be allowed further. From the Declaration of Independence: Our Creator granted us with the inalienable Rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. God gave us those Rights, and only He may take them away.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
None of the Taxpayers money should go towards funding anything that is in direct opposition to God's word.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Assisted suicide is still suicide; the same as lesser evil is still evil.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Eliminate Excessive taxation, Property taxes, and income taxes of the working class. Implement Fair/Flat Taxes
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Any department that refuses to adhere to the Constitution; this includes any expenditures which are not within the guidelines for approval under the Constitution.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
A person's higher education should not be the public's responsibility. The last I recall, we are under a Constitutional Republic form of Government not a Socialist Democracy or Communist Regime. There are federal tuition assistance and grant programs that a person may apply towards college education. However, the person should be responsible enough to select a career field that they can obtain quantifiable employment in which to reimburse Taxpayer funded allocations.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
We have 1st Amendment Rights to Religious Expression and should not be forced to go against our religious affiliated beliefs.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act prohibits government from arbitrarily shutting down a church.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
Answer C. and why: Healthcare should not be regulated by government for all of its citizens, but should be a concern for those who cannot afford private healthcare.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None, as the past two years have shown that vaccines have done nothing to prevent people from contracting the so-called covid bug. of those who elected to take the poisonous concoctions called vaccines, hundreds of thousands have died and millions have had adverse side effects. Now, even Dr. Fauci is saying that when a person contracts a virus or bacterial infection they are protected better than having a synthetic vaccine given to them, as there is no way of knowing which strain to protect a person from with a particular vaccine.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Make Peace not war. Every war since World War II has been a profit venture to make the rich more rich. Meanwhile, over one hundred thousand good men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Protect our Boaders and stop being a military police force for the world.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
As Judeo-Christians, we should continue to support Isreal, as they are the key to long-term stability in the Middle East.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Criminals are bringing dangerous drugs across the border along with human trafficking of minors and women. Most men entering the United States without families are of military age and may pose a threat to our Constitutional Republic. The same occurred with the mass absorption of Islamic refugees during Obamas presidency.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Only those who truly want the American Dream of living life to the fullest Under God, indivisible, for Liberty and Justice for all that will swear true allegiance to our Nation and the United States Constitution.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
People who pay for their children's education should be afforded tax vouchers and /or excluded from paying property taxes which are set for public education
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Only a Virtuous People are capable of maintaining Freedom. As Nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters,
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Born again Christian Pentacostal: When we ask God to forgive us of our sins, He is Faithful and just to do just that. We must also repent of our sins (try not to be tempted to repetition), Ask Jesus to enter into our hearts to be our confidant, Lord and Savior. He will guide us through His Holy spirit in our walk of life and never leave us nor forsake us. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we only have to ask forgiveness of our sins again to maintain a loving lasting personal relationship. For God so loved the world that he sent His one and only son, Jesus Christ, into the world, not to condemn the world but to save the world.John3:16 He that believes in this shall live life everlasting with God and not fall peril to the depths of hell.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voting is a highly important right of every citizen of the United States, and to maintain our Constitutional Republic, Voter Identification should be made law not only suggested. A legal citizen must have identification for making banking transactions along with purchasing firearms, ammunition, alcohol, and tobacco products, So, why should voter identification not be made mandatory?
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Campaign contributions should only be made by individuals, not corporate conglomerations that do not have the express permission from all who support the organizations.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. We all come from God and the only difference is the pigmentation of our skin. We are all one Race the Human Race.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
All of our ancestors were enslaved at one point or another by forces that overcame them. I have not heard of reparations being made or considered for anyone else.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
Answer B to protect the earth and those living on it.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
Use of hydraulic fracking should be allowed while maintaining safety and environmental guidelines.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
At our Nation's inception, Benjamin Franklin wrote our Nation's Motto: Rebellion to Tyranny is Obedience to God. As of Now, we have a totalitarian dictatorship. However, with the Power of the People restored, we can Save America and Restore our Freedom through Peaceable Assembly. Our government needs to be reminded that they work for us not the other way around. So, Stand up and be a Voice of the People, by the People, and for the People! WethePeople need to Stand Together against oppression and Fight for what is Right!!! Per the Declaration of Independence, we have not only the Right but the Duty to throw off such forces of tyranny which erode our Liberty piece by piece, thus taking away our ability to preserve our future posterity for generations to come. Then and only then will government do what is intended of them to as determined in our US Constitution: We the People of the United States, In Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. We should all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately-Benjamin Franklin. May God Bless America, again.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Letters to the Editors of Lansing State Journal , Owosso Independent News, Argus Press, Meridian Newspaper, Clinton County Newspaper
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I am a 23-year military veteran who retired in 2008. For the past 12 years, I have been providing awareness of corruption in every level of government. I have attended countless Rallies for Freedom, county commissioner meetings, and legislative sessions to express grievances of how our government operates. I have participated with a few Initiative petition drives to provide corrective action in good governance. the Only question I have for those Voting this year: Would you like a person who will fight for your Rights and the betterment of the People, as I have for the better part of my life, or would you want another career politician that is only concerned with furthering their career as a crooked politician and diminishing your rights bit by bit? Tyranny may only have a foothold when People of good conscience do nothing. Thomas Jefferson
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
if a police officer breaks the law then they should be prosecuted within the Rule of Law.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
There should be NO infringement upon a person's 2nd Amendment Rights, as long as the person has not committed a felonious crime of theft, murder, or rape.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
No. Are victims of vehicular homicide allowed to sue automotive manufacturers?
