Blueprint

By Merrily T. Karr

Positions on certain issues/topics

PLATFORM/BLUEPRINT

1)PUBLIC SAFETY:

Improve existing conditions in 33rd Assembly District so that citizens are secure both under ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. (Governor Davis is cutting the budget by 15% for most programs. The exceptions for these cuts are Public Safety and The Fire Department). For example, a fire fighter from Santa Maria concurred with me that the street signs in the San Luis Obispo area (and elsewhere in the District) are not always `there' or identifiable. All National Guard members in the area and fire fighters need to identify where they are and thus save valuable moments in case of crises. Also, at present, only hospitals, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army teach CPR to the public. Since the Fire Department budget is not being cut next year and since the population may require it--the teaching of CPR could be made available at local fire departments.

2)EDUCATION:

Improve the curriculum in schools (K-12 and colleges). Instruction in The Differences/Similarities Between Collective (Asian, Latin-American, African and some Arab cultures) and Individualistic Societies (North American and Western European). (Ethnocentrism Theory in colleges). Use the `seven intelligences' approach to learning in addition to the `three R's'. These are: musical, linguistic, spatial, logico-mathematical, kinesthetic, intra-personal and inter-personal. In Collective societies in particular, the social and artistic intelligences are highly valued. In the U.S., music, art, social relations, introspection and dance are not as valued as the abstract intelligences (logico-mathematical, spatial, linguistic). I believe we ought to recognize and value different intelligences in our immigrant nation so that all people proudly contribute their skills while, complementarily, they learn other means of intelligence. (This coincides with the new education bill of the present administration that enlists the revamping of curriculum where necessary to meet proficiency standards for our children).

3)COMMUNITIES:

Improve communication among various special-interest groups in District so that `inclusiveness and facilitation' are the techniques rather than merely `separation-of-interests.' In problem solving, competition chiefly exists in the United States inclining the population to be divisive, adversarial and judgmental. Now is the time for us to identify a problem, achieve consensus through an additional method of dialogue and seek win-win solutions. (Since competition is part of human nature, we need not be concerned about its existence--it will remain...).

4)TOURISM:

Evaluate and improve north/south transportation corridor consistent with improved train service on the Central Coast. The benefits for train use are: less congestion/pollution, economic considerations (trains proportionately use less fuel than autos and (in the `health arena') one actually might experience less stress while traveling toward a destination. Though the latter is a long-term consideration, it is, nevertheless, viable and would affect health costs. Jobs come with increased tourism in the state and is a point for planning the future as present transportation modes are developed and revamped. Since California citizens are the mainstay of the state tourism industry, (245 million person-trips annually with Los Angeles County the most popular destination), the north/south trains transportation corridor is extremely important. (California Tourism annually generates approximately 75 billion dollars to the state with 5 billion dollars in taxes).

5)HOUSING:

Improve compliance with state-recommended housing targets through consensus through community groups--city councils, colleges and other pertinent parties. In accordance with tourism statistics, increased housing is foreseeable but, again, consensus and dialogue are important aspects in addressing the ramifications of growth. With 300,000 new people entering the state each year, this is a definite point for communication.

6)HEALTH:

Improve method of payment for senior medication. This is something that could be addressed through NAFTA. Canada and Mexico charge less for drugs and the availability of these for seniors would expand all economies--trade monies to Canada and Mexico--(where many North American Pharmaceutical Companies have plants at present). This also would lessen the burden on the Medicare Program as we know it.

7)IMMIGRATION:

Amnesty to be provided for immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for four years or more and who pay taxes on wages earned. Insure a `guest worker' program in the U.S. (formerly known in 1956 as the Bracero Program) wherein attorneys from the U.S. and foreign country involved would arrange agreement. As an interpreter in Mexico for the Richmond-Times Dispatch Article, `Forgotten in the Fields,' I believe this program in our country is essential for agricultural maintenance and growth. Since I manufactured furniture for Pier I Imports, Inc. and Williams-Sonoma in maquiladoras in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico, I am well- acquainted with workers' issues and will continue to seek appropriate treatment of each group involved in this effort.

8)YOUTH AND MENTORING:

Support current Social Services approach of `families-at-risk' rather than `youth-at-risk' only. This reduces the concept of `victim' among youth and, therefore, contributes to a more stable family and societal environment. Having been both a Mentor and a Case Manager in a Mentoring Program--and realizing that the extended family no longer is prevalent in our nation, involvement in a Mentoring organization is a necessity for a continued great social fabric.

9)ENVIRONMENT:

Intrinsic to all categories above. In the 21st Century, regulating infrastructure for communities and the nation is challenging but necessary. The `hybrid' car is an example of our re-adjusting our mindset and behavior toward an ecological resolution in energy consumption.