Joe Reed
Independent | Georgia
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe Reed
Party
Independent
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 129
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Georgia State University, Atlanta, B.S. in Early Childhood Education, 1978
Georgia State University, Atlanta, M.Ed. in Special Education, 1983
Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ed.S. in School Administration and Supervision, 1994
WORK & MILITARY
DeKalb County School System, Teacher and Principal, 35
AFFILIATIONS
Monroe Reads with Ferst, Volunteer, High Falls Lake Association
Volunteer, Friends of High Falls State Park, Volunteer
Brushy Creek Homeowners Association, President
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
none
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.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Neutral
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?
The Supreme Court has ruled consistently on abortion. Efforts to change this ruling with legislation has only hardened attitudes. We must work to change hearts and support families who make the tough decisions to give birth to special needs infants.
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.
Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce corporate welfare and overseas defense spending. I would freeze or limit the projected growth of welfare and social security until a balanced budget is achieved.
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.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Neutral
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?
The state cannot dictate to the church what it can or cannot do unless the church's actions harm citizens physically, mentally, sexually or financially. The church cannot dictate to the state its role in the lives of citizens. Individual members of the church may petition the state as their beliefs dictate.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I would require healthcare providers to publish costs for normal procedures. I would encourage all health insurance providers to offer financial incentives for their clients who exercise, are at a healthy weight or working to lose weight, are not smoking or working to quit smoking, and are not engaging in dangerous behaviors.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
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.
Neutral
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.
Neutral
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Vetted applicants who apply at embassies and consulates should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. Priority should be given to those who already have family or friends willing to provide initial support once they enter the country.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God and try to treat everyone I meet as a special and valued person in the eyes of God.
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My platform is available at www.joereed4gastatehouse.com
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have been a teacher and school principal for forty years. I have always worked to bring people with opposing viewpoints together to be productive for the greater good.
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?
I believe in competitive elections. 61% of state representatives and state senators ran unopposed in Georgia in 2018. Gerrymandered districts make it to easy for the incumbent to stay in office and cater only to the people in their party. I have walked over 420 miles to secure the 1900 signatures I was required to obtain to make certain that I would be on the ballot in November. Neither of my opponents was required to do more than pay the same $400 application fee that I also had to pay. Both of the major political parties are pulling farther and farther away from the center of political thought and refusing to work with the other party in a productive way for our country, its communities and individual citizens. It's past time to stop placing blame and start working together to solve the problems we all face.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Registration of all guns, licensing of all gun owners, training required of all new or first time gun owners.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Neutral
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Agree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. To promote competition for elected office I will sponsor legislation to reduce the signatures required of Independent and small party candidates to 1% of registered voters from the current 5%. 2. To promote savings among lower income groups I will support emergency and retirement mutual funds for all low income workers with a state match on the first 1% of deposited funds. We must foster savings habits for all citizens. 3. To promote better health and reduce the obesity epidemic that contributed to the high risks from COVID-19, I will support local efforts to incentivize better health habits with matching state funds in grants.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
In some places it is. Too many people have been denied jobs, loans and other opportunities only because of their race.
