Miriam Berry
Republican | Vermont
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Miriam Berry
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., At Large
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Regents College, Albany, NY, ASN, 1986
Fanny Allen Memorial School for Practical Nursing, Colchester, VT
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Daybreak Community Church, Colchester, VT, musician, Community Bible Church, So. Burlington, VT
musician
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am a Registered Nurse. I am pro-life. Exceptions for "the life of the mother" may be permissible. At issue, however, is that abortion providers have been shown to widely define "life" to include mental and even financial health. From a medical perspective, any healthcare practitioner already has the power to elect procedures that include abortion. She or he will continue to do so regardless of legislation for or against abortion in the case of "the life of the mother." Strategically, this is my approach: Pro-life citizens should press for regulation of medical procedures. This includes regulation of abortifacients. This includes abortions for minors. This includes inspection of facilities that provide abortions. By doing so, pro-lifers will reclaim authority and respect among moderate to undecided citizens.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
I am open to examining the whole Social Security system.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Examine U.S. aid to countries whose leadership hates us or our allies. Before offering assistance to other countries, they must prove humanitarian aid goes directly to the people needing it, not rotting on the docks or being sold to fill bureaucratic pockets. Scrutinize recipients of taxpayer monies. Cut taxes.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
This should be given to the states to determine. For example, Vermont has a program for graduate nursing students. College is not for everyone. Taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for college educations that may or may not result in employment.
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.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
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?
Separation of church and state is not a concept codified by the Constitution.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Eliminate waste. Encourage the free market of insurance providers. Require heathcare practitioners to provide prices for basic services such as checkups or dental care. Consumers will be provided with estimated price ranges for complex care. No veteran should have to pay for health care in old age. He or she should be able to choose providers that meet his/her needs. I work in long term care and serve veterans. We can never repay their sacrifices. We owe it to them to take care of them.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
I favor strong borders. I favor careful vetting of non-citizens entering the United States. We should not be supplying arms and monies to nations whose leadership hates the United States. If we are supplying humanitarian aid to those nations, they need to prove that the aid isn't rotting on the docks or filling the pockets of bureaucrats. We must continue to support Israel as one of our most loyal allies. We as a nation should be less concerned with making other nations like us. I would far prefer to be respected and even feared than to be liked. A strong military is part of this approach.
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 Agree
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
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.
Agree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I prefer for those who would come to the United States to pass through certain filters. I list them in no particular order: 1. Refugees fleeing for their lives or due to religious persecution. 2. Skilled workers who are able to join the workforce within a brief period of time upon entering the U.S. 3. People desiring U.S. citizenship with all of its responsibilities. These filters would not necessarily prevent all people from immigrating; I believe that first we must care for our existing citizens first. When we are strong as a nation, we are all the more able to welcome immigrants into our national family.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I grew up in a Baptist church and was baptized with a confession of faith at ten years old. I believe that we have a holy and loving God who came to us as the man Jesus to bear our sins through a horrible death on the cross. He arose from the dead and is now with the Father, granting us His Holy Spirit to dwell with us and guide us until we see Him face to face. I believe that we who love God are called to share His goodness and His love. I believe that we do this not only by talking about our faith but by living it in business, in play, in volunteering and in sharing our gifts and talents with the world. I believe that the Bible provides the most comprehensive method of living in a socially conscious, kind society. Even if one doesn't believe it as the word of God, the codes established involve the environment, social justice, immigration, finances, animal welfare and human rights.
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
ballotpedia.org biography/survey miriamsmindset.blogspot.com berry2020.net
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?
Why haven't I gone the traditional route of school board to legislator to state senator and only then run for Congress? Frankly, I can't afford it. I am still working full time while running for federal office. Second, I believe that Vermont and our great nation need change now. Not in 10 years. I worked my way from nursing assistant to LPN to RN. I have served in VT healthcare for 25+ years. This is exactly why you should consider supporting my candidacy: I know what it's like to labor for minimum wage. I know what it's like to go without insurance. I've had the landlord knocking on my door. I remember the shame of not being able to give a $10 gift at an office party. I also know the pride of accomplishing what seemed nearly impossible. I pledge that I will never forget how hard you work to care for yourself and your loved ones. If chosen to represent you in Congress, I will bring your voice with me.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I do not favor further restrictions upon gun ownership.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Simplify bills. My constituents should be able to read any legislation in ten minutes or less. 2. Evidence based legislation. We need to learn from the failed social experiments of other nations. I prefer to delay legislation rather than pass a bad law and try to fix it later. This also applies to legalizing substances, physician assisted suicide, etc. 3. I find it detestable when special interest groups try to insert their agenda into emergency legislation. I loathe when special interest groups jump in and try to make political hay when tragedy or emergency strikes.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes.
