Hot-Button Issues
My basic opinion on these hot-button issues is that the government should remain neutral on people's personal beliefs and should allow people to make decisions for themselves.
- Abortion: I believe that life is precious and should be protected, and as such women should be allowed to make their own decisions during pregnancy until the point of viability of the fetus. I oppose statues like the Mideast's, which would ban all abortions except in specific limited cases, as an invasion of the private lives of individuals.
- Gay Rights: I fully oppose any attempts to repeal the Elimination of Civil Marriage Law and Establishment of Civil Unions Act and support it continuing as our law regarding marriage; religious organizations should be allowed to follow their own beliefs on the matter so long as they do not impose such beliefs on others.
- Stem-Cell Research: I oppose efforts to ban stem-cell research, yet am not a huge fan of government funding of the practice.
Could you speak on the Equal Rights Amendment?
If Senator Scott adds in an amendment (which he mentioned in Sen. Clarence's office) that would exempt specific organizations (ex: Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts), then I have no concerns about it and would enthusiastically support it.
Would you support an exemption for religious institutions?
Do you consider such an exemption needed in light of what the Constitution says about freedom of worship?
