
Michael Bagdes-Canning
Green | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael Bagdes-Canning
Party
Green
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 64
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Slippery Rock University of PA, Slippery Rock, BS, 1978
Clarion University of PA, Clarion, MS, 2003
WORK & MILITARY
Wilkes County Board of Education, Interrelated Resource Teacher, 3
Grove City Area School District, Reading Specialist, 29
AFFILIATIONS
Wilkes Association of Educators, President, Grove City Area Education Association
Vice President, Building Representative, Beyond Extreme Energy, member
Marcellus Outreach Butler, Planning Group / Community Organizer, Green Party of Pennsylvania
member, World Wide Marriage Encounter, Presenting Team (with Karen)
Direct Support Fund Mountain Watershed Association, Grant Committee member, Edgy Elders
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Vice President, Cherry Valley Borough, 1989-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Butler County Commissioner, 2015
Representative, PA House, District 64, 2016
Race
Previous Races
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Did not answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Disagree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Did not answer
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Did not answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Neutral
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Disagree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Did not answer
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Agree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I am an advocate for Medicare For All.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Disagree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Disagree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
No Answer
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
This question attempts to pigeonhole politicians into meaningless categories. It assumes that what is currently called "conservative" and "liberal" have any mooring in their historical meaning. Conservatives don't conserve, liberals don't liberate. And they are both engaged in policy that harms us. If I were going to classify myself, I would call myself extremely conservative - I believe in the radical concept that formed this nation, the government should be of, by and for the people. God's creation is despoiled for profit, liberties are subsumed in the name of national security, war is called peacemaking, the "war on poverty" becomes a war on the poor. Instead of a government of the people, we have become a government of the highest bidder. Here's one public source that speaks to my answer: https://archive.theincline.com/2016/10/05/the-story-behind-the-edgy-elder-arrested-at-donald-trumps-pittsburgh-rally/
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am, and have been, an elected leader in my community since 1989 and currently serve as Vice President of the Cherry Valley Borough Council. I have also been engaged in social and environmental justice issues for years.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Did not answer
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Did not answer
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Did not answer
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Did not answer
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Absolutely. Any "ism" that reduces people to less is a threat to domestic security. Our Constitution, in the 14th Amendment, states, "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." Events of this past year have made plain. If people perceive (rightfully) that they are not being treated fairly by the state, it is a threat to domestic security, is, in fact, the manifestation of domestic insecurity.
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