Mary L. Sanders
Green | Connecticut
Candidate Profile
Far Left
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mary L. Sanders
Party
Green
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Capital Community College, Hartford
Central CT State University, New Britain
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Spanish Speaking Center of New Britain, Executive Director
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Howie Hawkins (2020)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe in a woman's right to choose what's best for her body and her family, but there should be more support and resources for pregnant woman faced with an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy. This might encourage them to carry and deliver their child, whether to raise themselves or to allow an adoptive parent the opportunity to fulfil their dream of raising a family. Ultimately it is the woman's right to choose until fetus is viable, unless continuing the pregnancy endangers the mother.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
The federal government should have codified Roe long ago.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
I believe that separation of church and state is very important. The government should not interfere with anyone's religious beliefs or practices as long as those do not interfere with someone's else's rights to do the same. While I believe that religious institutions should be involved in social justice work, they should remain absolutely non-partisan.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
I think it depends on the situation and whether or not another individual is available to provide the service. In general, I would not require anyone to provide a service that violates their moral/religious beliefs unless not doing so endangers someone's wellbeing. If it's not the particular service in question, but the recipient of said service, then it's a case of discrimination against a certain group and illegal.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Disagree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
The United States' relationship with Israel is important but only as important as our relationship with other countries. We should work with all countries to diplomatically foster peaceful relationships, reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons that could end life as we know it, develop mutually beneficial trade agreements, reduce dependency on fossil fuels and develop clean renewable energy sources and for the elimination of poverty and child hunger throughout our shared planet.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Never-ending wars for resources and domination.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Schools have a responsibility to keep students as safe as possible, but parents should have the right to opt out if the child's physician signs off for medical or other reasons. Government has no business here and employers it depends on the field.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
I've been a longtime advocate for Universal Healthcare and now Medicare for All. Working in social services for 30+ years I met far too many uninsured/ underinsured individuals, many buried in medical debt. I believe healthcare is a human right and as a member of the Green Party, would work to establish a National Healthcare Service which would eventually replace private hospitals and medical insurance with a publicly owned healthcare system, including pharmaceuticals.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
1) Reduce the oversized military budget and stop forcing Americans to subsidize never-ending wars. 2) An Economic Bill of Rights establishing the rights to a living-wage job, affordable housing, Medicare 4 All, free childcare, free college to start.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Disagree
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
Yes but, sometimes these do not reflect risks adequately. Potential for greenwashing or other tactics and lack of standardized ratings could be misleading.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigrants come to the U.S. for many reasons, and we count on many of them to labor in hot fields and other low wage jobs, Families are fleeing conflict, persecution, lack of food or needed healthcare. Many qualify for asylum, but our system is overwhelmed and so broken that people wait many years for that opportunity to come, so they find a way to enter. We need to move away from detention / enforcement and develop a dignified path to citizenship for immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Neutral
This might depend on the type of school, who would be allowed to benefit, etc. I support any family's right to choose where their child receives an education but, public schools need to be adequately funded so all students can thrive, I don't believe tax dollars should be used to benefit a few lucky students while others lack the resources they need.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Disagree
The U.S. Department of Education should work with the states and municipalities to develop fairer ways to fund education so that all students, regardless of where they live, have the educational resources they need to thrive.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We must ban the sale of assault rifles and establish a buyback program to get as many of guns off the streets as possible. Mandatory waiting periods and background checks for all gun purchases to prevent persons from obtaining a weapon they might use to harm themselves or others. Those with a history of domestic violence or violent crimes should not have access to guns. People with guns in their homes should be held accountable for children accessing them and injuring themselves or others.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Lean Liberal
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
It should be working for 100% of the people, balancing the needs of corporations, the ultra-rich, the wealthy, middle class, working class and those living in poverty. Laws should be passed taking into consideration all of these and mitigating any negative outcomes resulting from their decisions. Resources should be allocated to ensure that those most in need, will have those needs met. There is much waste and duplication within the government and little accountability.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
Marriage may be a sacred / religious based union to one couple to others it may be a legal / civil union. The government shouldn't have the right to determine whether or not 2 adults have the right to such union.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Neutral
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual beliefs and values were passed down thru generations but have evolved thru my life. I was raised as a Catholic, attended other Christian churches thru the years, worshipped at Kingdom Halls, with Quakers, at temples, mosques, and under the trees. My religion is one of love for all beings, which means no wars, sharing of resources, caring for those most vulnerable, and for the planet,
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
While a photo ID is preferable not everyone always has that available. Voters should be able to prove their identity in other ways.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
I do believe that there is structural racism in most of our institutions but I do not know enough about CRT to speak to this specifically.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Neutral
It depends on the space, the stakes, the risks to other women if any, and the risks to the person in question if placed in an all-male facility.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
We must work on energy efficiency & conservation. We need to leave fossil fuels & develop more solar and wind resources to have a livable planet with a stable climate, healthy food, clean air and water. Green Party wrote the original Green New Deal.
