for State Representative 187th
Recently, I had a call from a resident of the 187th. He had one question, “What’s your stand on abortion?” I was happy for the opportunity to discuss my pro-choice position with him. In the broadest sense, reproductive and otherwise, choice is the issue. How else might we define freedom, but as the ability of individuals to make their own decisions with as little government interference as possible? Besides, in a polyglot, pluralistic society such as ours, can there be any other way?
The real issue might be the nature of laws and what makes a good law. Many years ago now, almost 40, I sat in a constitutional law class. The professor, a man named Earl Latham, asked “Why do we need laws?” and “What constitutes a good law.” The first question was easy; the second turned out to be rhetorical. No one had a satisfactory answer even by our own lax, freshman standards, so Dr. Latham answered himself. Basically, he said that "a good law grants the most choice to the most people and restricts the others the least." This is the philosophy underpinning the pro-choice position.
Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel once said that “Answers divide us; questions unite us.” I look forward to discussing more questions with constituents of the 187th during the days and weeks leading up to the November election. I hope you will consider the totality of my positions as you deliberate for whom to vote, who most closely represents your hopes for the future, and who is most likely to convert those hopes to reality.
I have devoted my life to teaching. Running for public office had never been an interest in the past. Nevertheless, as I personally saw the impact of government decisions on the lives of people close to me, I felt I had to get involved. For example, a family I’ve known for years (almost identical to my own) has had to face the devastating effects of fighting an adult son’s life-threatening cancer without health insurance. Down the road from where I live, Wal-Mart is likely to build a supercenter on an already congested Route 309 against the wishes of most of the community. In addition, powerful forces are working to dismantle public education which has always been and remains the gateway to pursuing the American Dream. Families, neighborhoods, and entire communities in my district seem powerless against these forces. Government should be about ensuring life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; lately, it seems to be more interested in power and greed. The only people I intend to be accountable to are my neighbors and communities of the 187th district I hope to serve.
My primary election success came about because diverse members of the communities in which I’ve been a member were supportive beyond any measure I could have anticipated. When they learned of my desire to run, my family, friends and colleagues, parents, students, and even people I had counted as just acquaintances expressed two things: “I am so glad you are doing this,” and “What can I do to help?” The success of this campaign or any other modest achievements I’ve experienced came about because that extended family made it happen.
If I get to Harrisburg, my sole reason for going will be to represent each and every member of the 187th district and the citizens of Pennsylvania. I have been blessed and lucky. I know families and people, who through no fault of their own, have been devastated by bad luck. Government should serve these people and be the means to support our families, neighborhoods, and communities. Frankly, I don’t think it has been doing a very good job of late. Although I have met conscionable men and women on both sides of the aisle during the past few months, we need more.
During my life, I have come to know some of the brightest people who have tremendous knowledge of the various issues that face us. I intend to, as I have from the beginning of this and other endeavors, seek their counsel, tap their expertise, and employ their advice to help fashion legislation that serves the needs of the people in the 187th and state. I am not a politician and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
Government should support the common good. The decisions that officials make are not about capitalism, socialism, communism, liberalism, conservatism or any other ism. William Faulkner’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech spoke about the writer’s duty; his comments apply equally well to government officials. The decisions legislators make should “help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.” The legislator’s “voice “can be one of the props, the pillars to help him (man) endure and prevail.” I hope to be that voice.