Candidate for
Member, Democratic Party County Central Committee; County of Santa Clara; State Assembly District 28

Some time ago, my father asked me, in effect, what I believed. Politically. In the same conversation, he asked when, if anything the government has done well.

My answer back then was inadequate, over time, I have developed this list of elements of my political beliefs.

This is my credo: what I believe.

Thoughts on Government

I believe that our form of government is unique and represents nothing short of a new step in human evolution.

I believe the only legitimate form of government is one based on the consent of the governed.

I believe in balanced government, where the people are protected against the tyranny of the monarchical executive and the tyranny of the majority.

I believe in an independent judiciary which can be buffeted by neither by the whims of the executive or the passions of the people.

I believe that the balance of power between our executive and legislative branches is as close to perfect as is possible.

I believe that devolution of power to the states is inherently dangerous.

I believe that citizens have the right to be free of unnecessary governmental interference.

I believe that in exchange for self-government, the people must contribute to it.

I believe that government, because of its size and position, is the proper solution for some problems.

I believe that we as a people can not let those who are most helpless fend for themselves, and government is the best instrument to assist in this.

I believe that the abortion issue is the single most divisive issue in american politics.

I believe that government should not play any role with regard to abortion, either for or against. It is a moral issue.

I believe that unbridled capitalism is ultimately a threat to society.

I believe that regulation of business must be done with extreme caution.

I believe that government can be an instrument of good.

I believe that government is the right and proper location for certain societal functions. For example:

The Bureau of Economic Analysis
The Consumer Products Safety comission
The Interstate Highway system
The Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health
The National Weather Service
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Cooperative Extension Service

(Admittedly, some of these were suggested by James Carville in one of his books).

I believe the government has done great things that have improved the lives of the public

The Clean Air Act
The Clean Water Act
The Voting Rights Act
Head Start
The Social Security Act
Medicare
Food labelling
The School Lunch Program
WIC
AFDC
Ban on leaded gasoline
Ban on DDT and PCBs

I believe this government has, in the past, done terrible harm.

The Alien and Sedition Act (1800)
The Dred Scott Decision
Prohibition
My Lai/Abu Gurhaib
Executive Order 9066, the internment of Japanese Americans
Treatment of Native Americans

I believe we are a nation of heros:

George Washington
John Adams
Abraham Lincoln
Fanny Lou Hamer
Rosa Parks
Martin Luther King
Franklin Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Henry Wallace

I believe that creating new laws should be done with extreme care, as some laws necessarily diminish our liberty.

I believe government should be an instrument of wealth redistribution, in order to avoid concentration of wealth into too few hands.

I believe that if too much wealth falls into too few hands, revolution will occur.

I believe that the flat tax is regressive, ultimately favoring the wealthy and should be avoided.

I believe that people who do not vote get the government they deserve.

I believe that government has an obligation to support but not select the Arts

I believe the United States was founded as a theistic nation.

I believe in the separation of Church and State.

I believe in our manifest destiny as a nation.

I believe in the essential goodness of this nation.

I believe that without the unifying influence of a common language, our nation is at risk.

I believe our system of government is the future for the human race.

SPECIFIC POLICIES

I believe that encryption should not be treated as a munition

I believe that the burden of current export laws are too extreme, and should be loosened, especially with respect to computers and encryption.

I believe that patent law is broken and most software patents should be rescinded and are an hindrance to the development of technology.

I believe that business process patents are an abuse of the patent system and should be outlawed.

I believe that the Green Line in San Jose should be defended, and its term extended.

I believe that new transit corridors should be developed in Santa Clara county.

I believe that planning codes should be modified to focus on developing multi-story high-density housing, similar to San Francisco.

I believe that the focus of new development should be target near transit corridors.

I believe that the city of San Jose should work to support the San Jose symphony.

I believe that the city of San Jose should support the formation of a public radio station in San Jose.