2014 Election Issues - Civil Liberties and Gun Control

Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make.  An individual's right to make choices in life is protected by our constitution and is a foundational freedom.  It does not mean that I necessarily approve or disapprove of those choices. As Voltaire is supposed to have said: "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Full freedom of expression and opposition of government censorship, regulation or control of communications media and technology is critical to the functioning of our Republic. 

Additionally, the freedom to engage in or abstain from any religious activities that do not violate the rights of others is a protected constitutional right. The government should take no actions which either aid or attack any religion.

The Fourth Amendment grants citizens to be secure in our persons, homes, and property. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure should include records held by third parties, such as email, medical, and library records.

Government exists to protect the rights of every individual including life, liberty and property.  Criminal laws should be limited to violation of the rights of others through force or fraud, or deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm. Actions that actually infringe on the rights of others can properly be termed crimes.We need to look at all criminal statutes on the books and repeal those that do not fit that description, while vigorously enforcing laws that protect the rights of our persons, home and property. 

When a crime is committed, part of the punishment needs to provide for restitution to the victim to the fullest degree possible at the expense of the criminal or the negligent wrongdoer. The constitutional rights of due process, a speedy trial, legal counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of innocence until proven guilty, must not be denied. 

Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the government's treatment of individuals, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships.

Having been raised in a home where abortion was viewed as a moral wrong, I do not and cannot personally support abortion.  However, recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, I believe that government should neither support nor oppose (through funding or otherwise) abortion - and leave this difficult question to each person for their conscientious consideration.

It is critical that the individual right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms not be infringed, and individuals exercising their rights of self-defense should not be punished for it. Law abiding citizens should not have their right to own, buy, sell, transfer or carry firearms taken from them.