Robert Pendleton
No Party Preference | California
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Robert Pendleton
Party
No Party Preference
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 49
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, MD, 1990
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, PhD in Biochemistry, 1990
University of California, Davis, Davis, MS in Chemistry, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
Pendleton Eye Center, Medical Director, 20
North Coast Surgery Center, Medical Director, 7
Tri-City Medical Center, Staff Surgeon / Ophthalmology Division Chief, 20 / 13
AFFILIATIONS
American Board of Ophthalmology, Diplomate, San Diego County Medical Society
Contributor / Member, Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) International, Contributor / Volunteer Surgeon
University of California, Davis, AlumniAssociation, Contributor / Member, American Society of Cataract and RefractiveSurgery
Contributor / Member, San Diego Art Institute, Contributor / Artist / Member
Oceanside Museum of Art, Contributor / Artist / Past President/Board Member, Carlsbad and Vista Rotary Clubs
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)
George Gorton, International Politcal Consultant
Tengu Muna, Entrepreneur and Coach
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Darrell Issa
National Republican Congressional Committee
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Disagree
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.
Strongly Agree
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
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
No Answer
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Neutral
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Disagree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Agree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Disagree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
The United States should protect its sovereignty from the United Nations.
Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I strongly support a woman's right to choose, but have reservations about late term abortions. The decision to have an abortion is difficult, and personal, and is best left to be made in private by a woman in consultation with her physician and closest confidants.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Overwhelming force is the only recourse when our nation is directly threatened by extremists, but combating the radicalization of extremists is an ideological battle that can only be fought by our rhetoric, our religious tolerance, and our respect for the sovereignty of nations. No amount of communications monitoring can accurately predict when the next extremist will drive through a crowd or commandeer an airplane. One step towards defusing the extremists’ belief that the United States is a party to a holy war against Islam is to abide by the wisdom of our founding fathers and strictly uphold the principle of separation of church and state. The US dollar is the standard unit of currency for trade of commodities, is used by non-US companies in globalized markets, is the world’s foremost reserve currency, and is coveted by individuals around the globe as a hedge against inflation, and every bill we print has a bold statement on the back linking the US to Judeo-Christian ideology.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Our founding fathers recognized that government is a force that continually expands, progressively impinges upon freedoms, and if left unchecked, predictably devolves to dictatorship. They recognized that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The division of power into legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and safety mechanisms such as the power of impeachment and the convention of states were designed to ensure that freedom will forever prevail over tyranny.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I have strong spiritual beliefs, and an equally strong belief that religion should not be a part of politics in any way.
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?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
In 2016 I founded the K9 political party, a moderate political party based upon principles out of frustration with a broken two party system and political gridlock, and after realizing that the world would be a better place if our politicians acted more like "man's best friend". Dogs give us unconditional love, they have simple needs, and they are ready to defend. Adapted to national politics these attributes become Socially Progressive, Fiscally Conservative, and Militarily Prepared. Adapted to international relations the attributes become Altruistic, Sovereign, and United, and adapted to public policy and our personal lives the attributes become Loving, Lean, and Strong. These make up the nine, K9 principles. Together they work harmoniously to produce Freedom, Security, Health, Happiness, Tolerance, and Peace. Register to vote as a K9 at registertovote.ca.gov. For more information please visit K9USA.org.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Health care is based upon doctor-patient relationships. One of my proposals is to re-introduce free market forces into these relationships by empowering both parties with economic incentives. Since 1986 EMTALA has provided us with de facto universal health coverage. This congressional act allows any person to walk into an ER and receive treatment, regardless of ability to pay. The cost for this, on average, has been 6% of hospital revenue, although the costs to ER physicians has been much higher. I propose an expansion of EMTALA’s reach to all physicians, requiring them to provide 6% of their care at no cost, and in exchange, allow physicians to set their prices free of Medicare control. Patients would be economically empowered by “depositing” their Medicare and health insurance payments into a personal account, similar to HSA’s, which would be transferable or convertible to cash upon death, if not utilized, and health care expenses would be deducted as used.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
The economy works best when governmental regulations are kept to a minimum, and free market forces are allowed to maximize efficiency and decrease costs. It is no coincidence that every one of the top ten corporations, by capitalization, are US Corporations, and that fully half of these corporations were created in our lifetimes. The United States is the land of opportunity. No other nation has the economic freedoms that would allow a college drop out to form one of the world's most successful corporations in his father's garage (think Apple and Steve Jobs). It is imperative that government regulation be minimized so that economic opportunity and realization of the American Dream will always be protected and available to every citizen.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
Simplification, with incremental changes designed to create a system of taxation that is equal and fair to all wage-earners and doesn't encourage corporations to move their operations abroad.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Unemployment is currently 4.1%, a 17 year low. The best way to further lower unemployment is to limit regulations and taxes that impede economic growth, and to increase investment in infrastructure and science.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
I support incremental changes to Social Security so as to ensure its long term viability.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a father of two adult children and small business owner, and for 20 years have been restoring people's vision at the Pendleton Eye Center. In addition to an MD, I have a PhD in Biochemistry and can evaluate complex issues like global warming from the perspective of a scientist. I am also a visual artist, and now I have a vision for a better world. I am a natural leader, rising to leadership positions in the organizations where I have participated; I am currently the Medical Director for North Coast Surgery Center, and recently served as President of the Board of Directors for the Oceanside Museum of Art. I am a lifelong moderate, and have never felt comfortable designating myself as either republican or democrat, so in 2016, I founded the K9 political party, a moderate political party based upon nine principles. In Congress I will bring innovative solutions to our nation’s most vexing problems using the wisdom of science, the discipline of medicine, and the creativity of art.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
pendleton@K9USA.org Cell phone 760-512-8819
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
One of my highest priorities is to fill 50% of congressional seats with moderate women. I will fight for individual rights and smaller government: A congressional act which allows licensed professionals to practice in any state will eliminate redundant state licensing boards, increase freedoms, and decrease costs. Elimination of third parties will lower health care costs: Insurance company profits should be reimbursed to policy-holders, not distributed to shareholders. I support a consumer bill of rights that forces corporations to inform us, then reimburse us for selling our personal data, and protects us from implicitly "opting in" to data sharing. I support term limits, elimination of gerrymandering, campaign finance reform and a repeal of Citizens United. I support merit based immigration, the Constitution and it’s amendments AND greater restrictions on military style assault weapons. I support compromise and progress through incremental change, and I humbly request your vote.
