Mark Binder - Issues and Answers

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Issues, Questions and Answers

Some of these issues are discussed in more detail or with a twist on the home page, policy statements page, and in the web log.
- Mark Binder

Complex Issues

The War in Iraq: I opposed it before it started. I spoke at rallies, bought "No Iraq War" posters and gave them away.
I think we're wasting our resources and lives of soldiers -- not to mention creating more terrorists and alienating much of the world.

How do we leave?: Aye, there's the rub.
Now that the mess is in place, it becomes very difficult to simply bail. The threat from Iran as well as terrorists and ex-Saddam insurgents inside Iraq make a quick exit difficult.
But what is the cost if we stay? Will we be propping up another CIA sponsored regime?
Time and again, this country has tried to impose Democracy from the outside, and we've consistently failed.
I vote for getting out as quickly and gracefully as possible. John Kerry's idea to get other nations to help maintain the peace is a good one -- if the United Nations can be persuaded to take over, that might be the best solution. It's a big if.
If the UN declines, the longer we stay, the more death, the more expense, and the worsening of the United States image in the Muslim world.

Talk about the Patriot Act...: It should be repealed. Even in war time, and I have issues with that, the government must not be allowed to trample on our rights. Individual portions of the act may make sense from a law-enforcement point of view, and these can be written into law that will not be unconsitutional.

How do you feel about political prisoners?: I am appalled that the United States has participated in torture and humiliation. We owe the world an apology.
What can be done about healthcare?: It's a mess. The health care system needs to be overhauled. It's absurd that doctors can't afford to practice because of malpractice insurance. It's absurd that HMOs, insurance companies, and drug companies spend billions on advertising, and then pass the costs along to the consumer.
A single-payer system or national health insurance may be the answers, but passing such legislation will take a completely new government than the existing one.

Education: John Kerry said we need to stop spending money on prisoners and start spending money on students. I agree. No Child Left Behind is a wonderful concept, but needs to be funded. Teachers must be responsible for the results of their students, but can not be expected to do the impossible. I would like to see teachers unions take more responsibility for education. If elected, I will increase funding to educating all students -- to try and mitigate the effect of property-tax based education. I would also encourage after school programs and evening programs to reduce the use of television and video games as baby sitters.

The Arts: Funding the arts is an obligation of government. Education without art is hollow and meaningless. Schools with art and music programs perform better than schools without. In communities, the arts become a focal point, like sports, a place for neighbors to come together. Political art, in particular, can be encouraged because it can raise issues that a timid media and timid politicians prefer to ignore.

The Economy: Our world is a mobile one. Jobs move around. America's strength is innovation, creativity and the ability to turn on a dime. For example, more and more Americans have become craftspeople and artists. Most of their work is sold (or not sold) locally. The Federal Government can create programs to market and sell this work overseas. We cannot depend on a service economy. We can not depend on a software economy. Nor can workers count on holding a single job for their entire working lives. Education must become more dynamic, reaching out to adults to give them the tools to retrain.

Hot Button Questions

Are you Pro Choice?: Yes, I am pro choice. As Howard Dean put it, those decisions are between a woman and her physician.

What is your position on Gay Marriage?: If two people want to get married, let them.
Family values aren't just for one kind of family. Discrimination must not be institutionalized into our legal system.

How do you feel about gun control and the second ammendment?: I believe that the second ammendment was designed to protect citizens from tyranny. The British made a practice of collecting guns from colonists. There is no need to attack deer with assault rifles.