Ben Dewell

Disagree

A life is a lifetime responsibility. Until cradle to grave support is law, the decision to have and to raise children is only the individual's (or partner's) right to make for themselves.

Agree

The continual physical suffering of others is not mine to prolong.

The right to choose is settled law. It is not my decision to tell others what to do with their bodies and how to conduct their lives, as long as it does not directly affect others. I would support study of inclusion of the "father", if/when available, into the decision making process.

Neutral

Appropriate, progressive taxation is not "redistribution of income". It is time for the super wealthy, who have benefited the most from the U.S. economy, to pay their fair share of support to keep the economy prospering. The vast separation of economic classes now surpassing the Gilded Age puts workers, who are responsible for keeping the economy moving at its basis, further and further behind, unable to support themselves through the basic dignity of work. This is critical infrastructure.

Neutral

Spending is appropriate and required when necessary, as in times of national imperilment, be it economic, or necessary conflict. The problem has become that the rich have been favored so frequently over the last four decades that a larger than normal pendulum swing of fairness needs to occur. It's time for the health of the U.S. economy as a whole, for the upper economic classes, to share the burden of the lower and middle economic classes. National debt will be paid down in this fashion.

First, it should be simplified across the board so that average taxpayers have no need of enlisting accountants, and loopholes filled for those not currently paying their fair share. Second, upper tax brackets should be reinstated to levels appropriate to maintaining both the physical and human infrastructure upon which this country and the wealthy prosper.

Strongly Disagree

Religious liberty is codified law within the Constitution of the U.S. It already has the highest, constitutional, protections within established law. These laws neither condone nor allow the imposition of religious principles on others. I find it reprehensible that those seeking to impose their will on others have twisted the intent of the framers of the Constitution to declare infringement of their "religious liberties".

Neutral

Private individuals, businesses not receiving governmental funding should be allowed to conduct their businesses as they see fit.

No. However, this does not mean, and has never meant, that individuals, be they in government or not, cannot use their guiding principles, religious or otherwise, in their decision making. There have been consistent attacks on the separation of church and state throughout the history of this country by those who would impose their views on others. These attacks violate the precepts and established law of the Constitution of the United States and the very principles upon which this country was founded. Church-state involvement always leads to one result – totalitarianism, and diminishment of free will. It is un-American.

Vaccinations are proven public health measures to severe and debilitating communicable illness. Public health laws already require those working in public settings do so in a safe manner that does not risk other's health. This is no less than already fully accepted and mobilized within our armed services for the general good and readiness of all. Vaccinations to achieve “herd immunity” are mankind’s only real hope of defeating a ruthless pathogen enemy.

B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options – would be my first choice in a perfect world without greed. However, that not being the realistic case, removing the profit motive entirely from the process is the only certain way of assuring quality, equitable care for all.

B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. "Selectively" being one key word here. Another being"intelligently", while others may be "exit strategy". We must stop entering into endless nation building conflicts with no demonstrably clear result. We are at a tipping point with mass communication where a nation's peoples seeking freedom are no longer ignorant of the possibilities beyond their shores. Of course the prima facie example of the moment, which perhaps few saw coming and some attempted to prevent, is Ukraine. The Ukrainian people have demonstrated their desire and worthiness of defeating totalitarianism. For those who have forgotten, or never learned, Ukraine is US, reminding us of a great struggle for independence shared by a great people.

Agree

Agree

There is no doubt that China under Xi Jinping is a threat economically and militarily to free nations everywhere. Much of the non-military nation assistance that could have continued to support democracies in the Third World was squandered by the previous administration in its unwise zeal of self-protectionism and isolation.

The U.S. should actually be the paragon of individual rights, liberty and justice that democracy promises through majority rule, minority rule. It must continue to support budding democracies in Islamic nations.

Agree

"Physically", in terms of strengthening electronic border defenses, not walls. Walls were made to be breached, standing as tangible records of defeatist policies. Latin America, and particularly Central America must be supported in non-military ways to reduce and eliminate the economic refugee migration – to keep them at home, where they may become become freedom's agents of change.

Neutral

1) Those for whom returning to their home countries would prove fatal (i.e, those seeking political asylum). 2) Those who meet the requirements of becoming citizens, or can show intent not do so.

Agree

It simply is not up to me to judge others' sexual orientation or gender identity. It is up to me to be accepting and understanding from those different than I. This is an American value. I am also understanding of those for whom unwanted societal change has made them uncomfortable.

Neutral

I have not studied CRT, do not have any knowledge of where it is being taught outside of a few universities, and cannot judge it's merit at this time.

Raised Mennonite, ecumenically spiritual. I believe in the "Golden Rule".

Neutral

I am open to government approved photo ID, from many sources, to prove identity. However, no current data has ever shown that this is actually necessary to reducing voter fraud, which time and time again has been shown to be basically non-existent.

Eliminate the Electoral College, replace with direct vote. One person, one vote. Universal Mail-in (with verifiable ID).

Neutral

There may be other solutions to accomplishing historical racial parity than to penalize the descendants of non slave holders.

Racism is a threat when it results in domestic terrorism. It wouldn't harm anyone in an increasingly polarized society, no matter their race, visible or otherwise, to be a bit more self reflective in their interactions with, and prejudices of, others. One may look no further than the Rwanda genocide of the mid 1990s for the inevitable result of tribalized polarization.

Neutral

Fracking is an inherently dirty technology. If it is to continue, well owners must provide guarantees to clean up their drilling sites and the water table. In the end, fracking of hydrocarbon based energy is a finite extractive resource that would be better replaced by renewable energy sooner than later.

B) Nothing less than the present certainty of the well forecast and now established global warming, costing the U.S. and the world incalculable sums to live and evolve to the new normal of melting ice, increasing tides, ever more extreme weather, torrid cities, and parched farm lands, should be sufficient evidence to prove the true cost of not observing science and the laws necessary to protect us from ourselves.

Lean Liberal

I lean liberal in most social issues for one simple reason. It is not up to me to judge how others live their lives as long as their conduct does not affect others negatively. Once upon a time, this was known as the embodiment of the "Golden Rule" – the philosophical basis of all the major religions. I will demand strict accounting for any fiscal measures, balancing the cost with common good.

I have a voting record with the Stallion Springs Community Service District, where I have been governing since 2018.

No.

I'm a an eleventh generation American, and a native Californian. I am a fiscal conservative, social progressive – independent of thought and action. I deeply resent and refute the proclivities of attention seekers both in elected office and some media outlets to paint anyone with a broad brush who does not agree with their particular rigid, unyielding opinions. My number one priority is to strengthen democratic principles embodied in the Constitution, to thwart any undemocratic policies by authoritarians and their disciples. I have a proven track record of a willingness and desire for compromise. Compromise is the lubricant of progress, no matter how slow and difficult. Progress is inevitable, necessary, and must be welcomed within the ever changing world of which we are a part. An economy as vast and vital as the United States must continually move forward, or perish among the stagnant, dead empires of history. We... we owe it to ourselves, our children, and to the world to be the leaders of free and independent democracies. I am a lifelong Democrat who has too often found himself voting more as an independent, who will, in this election cycle, finally have a name on the ballot to endorse without reservation.

Strongly Disagree

Law enforcement (LE) must be responsible and accountable unto the laws that they themselves enforce. Respect for LE officers among the public at large cannot happen in any other fashion.

Neutral

I support increased funding for mental health and community programs so that mental health/social issues may be offloaded from actual necessary policing. As a harm reduction specialist who works with Law enforcement (LE), I know first hand what a proven and valuable approach for both LE, and the public they serve, this can be.

Registration of all firearms. Ownership restricted to weapons of self defense. Strict accountability of parents for minors' use of firearms.

Agree

It is actually a shame that it has come to this. The shame may be placed squarely upon the shoulders of powerful gun lobbies, purveyors of grief, death and destruction. Other nations have dealt with gun violence effectively without infringing upon the rights of gun owners. "American Exceptionalism" must be broadened to include the respect of other nations and their proven remedies to social ills.