Gary W. Franklin

In cases where competent medical authority deems it absolutely necessary to save the life of mother. In cases where the baby is born alive, all appropriate measures should be taken to assist in his or her survival. I am the father of twins born at 26 weeks. That’s the second trimester. In many jurisdictions, that would be legal to abort. As I stood by as they performed the emergency c-section, it was readily apparent that we are talking about babies….not fetuses, not unborn tissue. Babies.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

I support advanced directives where individuals have the freedom to specify the conditions under which they should not be resuscitated, and what medical treatments they want and which ones they will decline. It is not in the state’s interest to permit euthanasia or assisted suicide.

Texas’ current combination of sales taxes and ad valorem property taxes is not perfect, but it works. I am not inclined to fix things which work. Tax rates can and should be lowered as property values increase and the state learns to restrain unnecessary spending. The problem is never not enough tax revenue-the problem is that governments tend to spend too much.

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Strongly Disagree

I am a strong advocate of Texas’ residential Junior College network (like Cisco, Ranger, Blinn) and would work towards increasing their visibility and role, via partnerships with state universities, to make college more affordable. Competitive academic scholarships could be used to increase enrollment in these valuable but often overlooked resources.

Strongly Disagree

Religious liberty is a constitutional right. It exists between God and the individual, and the government has no standing to intervene.

None, although that would not preclude state or local governments from prosecuting cases against individual church members for violating criminal statutes. Some examples might be a denomination that received “a new revelation” where it was doctrine to practice human sacrifice, marry underage girls, or consume dangerous illegal drugs as part of worship.

C, with exceptions. Medicare recipients have paid for this program with their taxes and should not be subject to having the rules changed on the late in life. We, as a merciful society, do not want to deprive the truly indigent, helpless, or afflicted by handicap of medical care. Tricare and the health care available through the Veteran’s Administration is something which was earned by men and women who served in our armed forces. Employers should be encouraged to provide group health plans for their workers and families. Insurance should be less regulated in terms of the type plans they can offer.

The federal government should not be involved. This is a question which must be addressed by the states, or by the people. States can require vaccinations for public school attendance, but the vaccines must address (a) a childhood disease that presents significant risk of health problems, communicability, and loss of classroom productivity and (b) be a vaccine that has been in use and fully studied and proven safe and effective. Vaccines against Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Polio, and Tetanus would easily qualify. The new vaccines of the MRNA type against Covid would not. Religious exemptions for individuals whose faiths proscribe vaccination should be favorably considered.

Our country’s only guarantee of peace is to always be prepared for war. Our leaders must never make empty threats unless they are prepared to act. It would further help if the U.S. government would recognize Islamic terrorism as a philosophy totally incompatible with our western Judeo-Christian values.

Strongly Disagree

Israel is possibly the United States’ most valuable and reliable ally in the world. We must NEVER betray Israel, it is our duty to stand beside them in any future conflict.

Strongly Agree

The state of Texas should continue to invest in wall/barrier construction if the federal government fails to live up to its responsibilities.

Illegal immigration should be stopped at the border and those attempting to do so turned away. Legal immigration is to be encouraged, with the exact numbers and countries of origin to be determined by America’s employment needs and ability to assimilate new residents.

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I am a fundamentalist Christian who believes the Bible inerrant in matters of faith.

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Eliminate ballot harvesting, drive thru voting, 24 hour voting, and the mailing of ballots unless requested by a voter for good and valid reasons.

The United States is capable of succeeding as a color blind, multi racial society if the legacy media and political pundits will discontinue trying to make everything about race. Texans, in particular, focus on individual character, knowledge, ability, and qualities rather than skin color or ethnic background.

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A. I am a retired energy industry professional. The industry, in general, is over regulated. Companies want to be good stewards of the environment and to maximize recovery of fossil fuel resources.

Strongly Agree

My only caveat is fracking often requires massive quantities of fresh water and care must be taken not to impact sources of water for household and agricultural use.

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Very few. Felons shouldn’t own guns. Minors should receive gun safety training before being entrusted with a weapon. There are situations where a mentally Ill or suicidal individual should not be granted access to a weapon, but care must be exercised to prevent abuse of these type provisions.

Strongly Disagree