Bryan Shepherd

Under no Circumstance is abortion allowable.

Strongly Agree

I do not believe state or federal funds should support the abortion industry.

Yes

The Declaration of Independence is very clear on this issue; the fact is, if every woman exercised a "constitutional right" to abortion, in one or two generations American society would cease to exist.

Strongly Disagree

Many changes are called for. The vehicle tax should be abolished, as schools are already funded through the home property tax. State income tax on purchases should be done away with. Cigarette tax should be drastically decreased, if not done away with. The home property tax -although it is a local, not a state issue - should be drastically reformed. My personal home property tax went up $900 this year. We have 30-year high inflation, and now I must pay an additional $900 a year?

This is a multi-faceted question and answer. At the federal level there are literally hundreds of federal offices, many of which are not warranted by the Constitution. In Business Ethics my students had an assignment, "Research and write about a federal or state agency that you know nothing about." One young lady did a Google search of "federal agencies" and counted three hundred before she got to the letter "D." This is totally ridiculous, and we all know that the states tend to follow suit when it comes to "spending" the money of the people. Part of the problem with the budget is the willingness of the legislature to engage in risky bonds. Reckless spending is a problem; but reckless investments is equally a problem.

Disagree

College students already qualify for grants which are tax-payer funded. One might ask the question: One-third of Americans go to college; is it fair for two-thirds of Americans to pay for the one-third to go to college? If we have tax-payer funded schools, then parents should have the option of charter schools, schools of their choosing.

Strongly Disagree

During Covid many business owners were faced with a dilemma, "If I force my employees to get a vaccine, they might walk out and I will be forced to shut the doors." The key word here is "force." If a business owner wants to require vaccination, that is one thing; but to be forced to by law, that is another.

Under no circumstance should this be done. People went to church during the War for Independence, during World Wars I and II, during pandemics and sicknesses, etc. I cannot envision a situation where it is advisable for the legislature or governor to dictate church worship.

C) The problem with any government-funded program, once it is in place, the people become accustomed to it. This is true of Food Stamps, Social Security, etc. I am in favor of a gradual phasing-out of the Medicaid/Medicare system. The hospitals are beholden to the state because they receive this state money. If the state holds the purse strings, this opens the door for corruption/collusion between the state politicians and the hospitals. This is not a good scenario. As a state politician I have little or no power over federal law - Medicare/Medicaid.

I do not believe a government, school, or employer should have the authority to require vaccinations. Some individuals have had issues with the ethics of vaccination long before the current Covid situation. There is the question of metals in the vaccines, i.e. aluminum and mercury, as well as other issues. When an agency dictates cosmetic behavior, such as uniforms, hairstyles, etc.; this is different than vaccination, which is mandating what a person puts inside his body. If vaccines are mandated, does an agency have the authority to require perpetual vaccines, i.e. a vaccine every six months or every year? I adopt the philosophy that natural immunity and healthy living is the best deterrent when it comes to viruses?

Islamic terrorism should be more specifically defined. If one holds to strict Shariah law, I support barring entrance to America. I do not support foreign entanglements. America supports Saudi Arabia monetarily, yet during the month of Ramadan Americans must eat secretly (behind a curtain) if they are visiting Saudi Arabia. I do not support the idea that America must "police" the world, including Moslem-held lands.

Neutral

I take a "neutral" stand because I believe it is economic insanity to think that we have a multi-trillion dollar debt in this country, yet we will send money to other countries, hoping to fix their problems. Imagine the father of a family being in debt up to his ears, yet writing various checks to charitable institutions. It is insane!

Strongly Agree

It is critical that the United States maintains strong border protection. An open border is like an open door to one's house, anyone can come in.

Certainly there should be a criminal background check done on those seeking entry; and depending on the felonious offences committed, the person should be barred entry. The Bill of Rights is a good starting point for citizenship. If a man believes the government should be able to enter my house without a warrant, do I really want him to be my next door neighbor?

Neutral

The phrasing of this question leaves me confused. As a general rule it is not the state's province to educate, but rather the parents' obligation. If the state does take and allocate money, it should be left to the parents to decide how to educate. State dollars should go equally to private or homeschool children, as well as public school children.

Strongly Agree

Disagree

I support "gender at birth," meaning gender as listed on the birth certificate.

Strongly Disagree

If American institutions are fundamentally racist, then why is it that so many people seek to come to America and live?

I am a traditional Catholic. I uphold traditional marriage between one man, one woman; abortion is wrong; I do support capital punishment; men and women should be secure in their property and persons; taxes should be limited and unobtrusive; the Income Tax should be abolished as the federal tax code says that it is a 100% "voluntary tax." I am a firm believer in limited government.

Strongly Agree

Marriage is between one man and one woman. The state should be allowed to dictate certain laws so long as the integrity of this union is upheld. Canon law dictates that the minimum age for marriage is 16 for the male and 14 for the female. Some states do not honor these age minimums, but the general principle is to honor the laws of the state when practicable.

Strongly Disagree

One can obtain a Kentucky state I.D. which is not a driver's license. This I.D. contains a photo of the person. This should be a minimum requirement for voting.

I would require picture I.D. with verifiable address. A driver's license or state I.D. satisfies.

No, racism is not a domestic security issue in America. It is difficult to arrive at a definition of racism, simply because it is difficult to define "race." If a person says he does not like mixed people, he is essentially saying he does not like anyone, including himself, since all nations are mixed peoples.

Strongly Disagree

There have now been several generations since the abolishment of slavery. It would be unjust to demand any reparations for the "sins of the great-great-grandparents."

A) The free market, generally speaking, will determine good behavior, including environmentally safe practices. Henry Ford forced the other automobile manufacturers to raise their salaries because he paid Ford employees a higher wage. This was done without the help of a union or government agency.

Strongly Agree

I support fracking so long as homes and businesses are not destroyed in the process.

Government is only meant to protect the citizens in their general welfare. A national or state military is needed to meet certain emergencies. I can also see a need for a general tax for the support of the poor, but certain qualifications would need to be in place. Local government should support police, fire protection, roads, parks, animal control, and public water, but that is about it.

Very Conservative

I have never held a public office and have maintained a relatively low profile. But that could certainly change should I get elected to state office.

I have never been convicted of a felony or sex crime.

I will always vote my conscience, which I would classify as a well-formed, traditional Catholic conscience. I have a moral duty to uphold the family, and to vote only for those laws which protect the sanctity of the family and the safety of society. A person has a right to own and protect private property; any laws should look to this end.

Agree

So long as the department policy does not infringe in any way on the rights of an individual as enunciated in the federal Bill of Rights. For instance, an individual has a right to video record officers while on duty. If a department allowed officers to restrict this practice, that would be a violation of illegal search and seizure.

Strongly Disagree

Funds given to the police department should remain with the department or be returned; there is the possibility of fraud when funds are redirected.

I do not support any laws restricting gun ownership. Provided the person is not a criminal guilty of violent crimes, I support the 2nd Amendment entirely. I read the book "More Guns, Less Crime" by Dr. John Lott, and the book makes sense.

Strongly Disagree

This is insane logic. It is like me suing Ford because my mother was run over by a Lincoln Navigator.

Choose not to answer

I am not sure what the question is asking by "expansion?" Horse racing is legal in Kentucky. I do not have a moral issue with slot machines or card playing. I do believe the county governments should have the authority to allow/disallow these activities.

Strongly Agree

I do not support these agendas. It is unfair in sports when biological males are allowed to compete against females, even if they have had a sexual alteration. It is inappropriate to allow males and females to intermix in the dressing room/showers, etc.