2008 LifePac Survey Response

AN ETHIC OF LIFE IN PUBLIC POLICY
1. From a "consistent ethic of life" perspective, do you think county government is in a position to effectively advance respect for human life by means of public policy?  Although a consistent ethic of life principle includes concern over major issues such as abortion, poverty, euthanasia, capital punishment, war, racism, nuclear arms and exploitation, many of these issues can and should be addressed in some measure at the local level.  Each and every human being is unique and important.  No person is defined by someone else's choices, and no one exists solely as a means to someone else's happiness.  The choices we make, as individuals and as a society, must be weighed in light of their impact on human life and dignity.  Do you think county government is able to promote greater respect for human life through its public policy?

PUBLIC LIBRARY PORNOGRAPHY
2. In the US Supreme Court ruling United States v. American Library Association, Inc, 2003, which upheld the use of library internet pornography filters, Chief Justice Rehnquist stated for the plurality that "to fulfill their traditional missions, public libraries must have broad discretion to decide what material to provide to their patrons.  Although they seek to provide a wide array of information, their goal has never been to provide 'universal coverage,'" and "most libraries already exclude pornography from their print collections because they deem it inappropriate for inclusion."   County Commissioners in Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties appoint and confirm Ft. Vancouver Regional Library board members to 7-year terms. Will you as a commissioner appoint and confirm only library board candidates who oppose the inclusion of pornography in public libraries, whether by internet or print materials?

PLANNED PARENTHOOD
3. Should Clark County partner in any way with the nation's biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, who received over $336 million dollars in governmental grants and contracts in 2007, and aborted nearly 265,000 babies?  Should Planned Parenthood be contracted with to make community presentations, provide literature, birth control chemicals or devises, and/or abortion services?

REGULATION OF SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
4. The U.S. Supreme Court in Young v. American Mini Theaters, Inc., (1976) and Renton v. Playtime Theater, Inc., (1986), concluded that municipalities have "substantial governmental interests" in protecting and preserving the quality of life for its community against the adverse secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses while allowing for "reasonable alternative avenues of communication."  Land Use Studies from cities around the United States were cited in both U.S. Supreme Court cases documenting the harmful secondary effects caused: 1. Increased Crime - rape, sexual assault, prostitution and illegal drug sales 2. Decreased Property Values - both residential and commercial 3. Urban Blight - people and businesses fleeing the community.  Will you support municipalities that diligently seek and maintain zoning ordinances, licensing procedures, permit requirements and operational regulations which serve to minimize the adverse secondary effects of Sexually Oriented Businesses? 

ABORTION
5. The 14th Amendment states "nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, 1973, stated that "if this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment."  The Court regrettably concluded though that "we need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer."   Do you believe that life begins at conception and is present throughout pregnancy, and that, therefore, the State has a compelling interest in protecting that life from and after conception?

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS
10. "Religious communities are the largest and best-organized civil institutions in the world, claiming the allegiance of billions across race, class, and national divides. These communities have particular cultural understandings, infrastructures, and resources to get help where it is needed most" (World Conference of Religions for Peace).  Southwest Washington has a broad range of religious communities that contribute substantially to the welfare of families, children, seniors, the homeless, sick, and refugees.  They are a highly valued part of our community which respects and defends human life at every stage.  Are you an active member in a church, synagogue, temple, mosque or other religious assembly?

FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVE
11. The federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative ensures that religious and other community organizations are able to compete on an equal footing for participation in Federal programs without impairing the character of such organizations and without diminishing the religious freedom of those served.  Do you agree that the federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative, in keeping with the First Amendment free exercise clause, lawfully ensures fair treatment of faith based charitable work and is it good for our community?

13. May LifePac post your returned survey on our website?  Surveys are posted only with your permission.