| 1. How do you personally define socialism? |
I'm a socialist because I believe economic democracy will put real power in the hands of people. I want to live in, and help create, a system which enables all people to realize their full potential and which protects our planet. We deserve health care, housing, education and fulfilling work. Society should be organized by citizens who care about each other -- not by profit-making corporations and the politicians they fund. |
| 2. Do you plan on running on the Socialist Party platform and the principles embodied in Socialism as Radical Democracy (including social ownership, worker control, and production for use -- not profit)? Is there anything in the Socialist Party Platform or Statement of Principles with which you disagree? |
I certainly plan on running on the Socialist Party Platform and the principles in Socialism as Radical Democracy -- social ownership, worker control, and production for use instead of profit. I have no disagreement with either our platform or statement of principles. |
| 3. If you take any positions that differ from those of the Socialist Party, are you willing to make clear at all times that your views differ from those of the Party? |
If there should be a situation where my views might differ from, or not be covered by, those of the party I will make it clear. |
| 4. In what way will your campaign take a working-class orientation? How will it differ from mainstream appeals to the working class? |
I consider myself part of the working class and would speak out for the rights of employees to form or join unions to represent their interests unimpeded by their employers. Collective bargaining to my mind is a human right. I would press for repeal of the Taft-Hartley Law and urge that corporations which intimidate workers who try to unionize should have their charters revoked because they are no longer serving the public good. |
| 5. What would be the top three issues you would address in your campaign and why? |
Because I'm spending much of my time now trying to save a beautiful green space in my community and in persuading Vermonters to close a nuclear power plant in 2012 and convert to green energy to replace it before then, those will be two of my issues. The third will be on protecting the rights of workers, both here and in the countries which produce many of the products we as consumers are forced to buy. |
| 6. Please describe your position on the following issues. |
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| 6a. Do you support a woman's right to choose? |
I absolutely support a woman's right to choose. It was a cornerstone of my campaign in 2004. I'm pleased that the SP-USA platform section adopted since 2004 and the statement of principles from our last convention are so clear on this issue. |
| 6b. Do you support Affirmative Action? |
Capitalism has "capitalized" on keeping certain groups lower in its hierarchy over the years and those who have been denied in the past should have their share of representation in all aspects of society now. |
| 6c. Do you support equal rights for non-heterosexuals? |
Everyone should have the human rights to which they are entitled. Marriage is a bond of love and any two people who wish to officially enter it should be entitled to do so. |
| 6d. Do you support equal rights for non-citizens? |
All human beings deserve human rights. Families should be allowed to live together. Global capitalism has created the conditions which force people to leave their home countries to find work. The North American Free Trade Agreement should be repealed because of the job losses it has created in Mexico. Short term worker agreements only play into the hands of capitalists who profit from cheap, disposable labor. |
| 6e. To what extent do you support establishing a socialized healthcare system? |
It's a scandal that the world's richest country doesn't provide health care for all its citizens. Let's do it by taxing the rich, who have been given increasing tax breaks by every president beginning with John F Kennedy -- undoing the tax system put into effect by FDR after the depression. |
| 6f. How do you envision a socialist solution to the most common problems in the public school system (i.e., funding, assessment, and integration)? |
As a retired public school teacher who taught children from low income families for many years, I feel that eliminating poverty would be the first step in ensuring that all children start school ready to learn. Funding for public education should come from fair and progressive taxation from state and federal governments and less from local property taxes. The sadly misnamed "No Child Left Behind " program needs to be repealed. The federal government must deliver on the promises it made to fund special education. |
| 6g. How do you intend to address living wages and affordable housing? |
The SP-USA advocates a $15 minimum wage. That would go a long way to restore the original intent of the minimum wage which was to have been a living wage. Socialized health care, free education from pre-school through graduate school and affordable housing would all contribute to a livable income for all. Federal spending on rebuilding this country's infrastructure would create jobs. |
| 6h. How do you propose to address the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? |
Both wars must end and both countries need to be rebuilt by their citizens with our financial help. Our military should be withdrawn.
The occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan must end and so should the occupation of Palestine by Israel.
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| 7. Do you have any experience running for and/or holding public office? For what office(s) have you run? Have you ever run before as a Socialist? |
I have enjoyed being an alternative party candidate in Vermont. As a regular candidate for Secretary of State in Vermont, I opposed Jim Douglas, now our reactionary Republican governor and received from 5-8% of the vote to maintain Liberty Union's ballot status. I was a candidate for governor in 1996 against Howard Dean and stood for Lt Governor in 2006 as an endorsed Socialist Party-USA candidate. (As I've already mentioned, I was SP-USA candidate for VP in 2004) |
| 8. Do you satisfy the Constitutional requirements for being elected president of the United States (e.g., you are a natural-born U.S. citizen, at least 35 years of age, and have at least 14 years of U.S. residency [foreign military service notwithstanding])? |
Yes. |
| 9. To what extent are you willing/able to travel while campaigning? Do you have any personal commitments that would significantly limit the amount of time you can dedicate to campaigning (i.e., family, school, work, etc.)? |
I do feel somewhat limited by local endeavors and would prefer to do somewhat less traveling than I did in 2004. |
| 10. What strategies and/or methods do you think would be most effective in promoting your campaign? Do you have access to any community resources that might aid in publicizing your candidacy? |
I would have local newspaper coverage and access to radio and community TV and could arrange for appearances in the northeast region. |
| 11. Are you comfortable writing campaign statements, speaking to large audiences (including the media), and participating in debates when opportunities arise? |
My experience in politics has made me feel comfortable in front of audiences, participating in debates and talking to the media. In fact, I enjoy it all very much. |
| 12. What resources (financial, skills, etc.) do you bring to the SP Presidential campaign? And what resources would you request or need from the Socialist Party USA? |
I would need some financial help from the party but do have experience and skills to contribute. |