Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 6

Political Philosophy

I believe that every citizen should have equal access to the political process. I have entered into this campaign for many reasons, the most important being that I have a passionate commitment to work for my district on health care reform. My background as a health care provider and a health educator gives me the best credentials and the most hands-on experience of any of the other candidates.

But another factor was to determine how easy would it be to enter a political race as a regular everyday citizen and not as a professional politician. I have received quite an education about the process. I am disturbed when the first question I am asked is, "How much money do you have in your war chest?" and not, "What do you hope to accomplish for your district if elected to office?"

I do not believe that holding office should be equated with having the most money. I am living the example of campaign finance reform and operating my campaign from a grass-roots level. I am not actively soliciting for campaign donations other than the posting on my web site for anyone who wants to help defray the costs of filing papers and leaflets for face-to-face distributions. I have decided not to accept PAC money, if offered.

I am trying to see how far my campaign will take me by using the support of my friends and colleagues in health care settings and by using the public media and forums to send my message to the voters. I applaud the League of Women Voters for their commitment to keep this web site going. I also have appreciated the free and public access to the newpapers, radio, and public television forums. This is a start...but more can be done. For example, I would work for campaign spending limits. I believe that six figure expenditures would better serve our schools, homeless populations, and health services than to buy votes.

I was encouraged by the power of the voters in the San Francisco mayoral race who made a statement by their write-in voting. I believe in the power of the individual voters and hope that my candidacy will arouse other prospective candidates who feel they can serve their communities to engage in the process and not be disuaded because they don't have the "big war chest".

I also believe that communities can not expect government to solve all of their problems. Many of our problems can be addressed by activism from citizens about the issues that are important to their local communities. All of us have a responsibility to make our neighborhoods better places to live. Each of us has our own special talents that could benefit our communities, whether it's being a soccer coach, volunteering to help in schools, hospitals, or homeless shelters, writing letters to our representatives so they are informed, starting neighborhood watch programs, and the list could continue.

So in conclusion, I believe that our government really should be for the people and run by the people and not run by special interest groups and big money. I believe that our candidates should be elected based on who will best represent the district on the important issues of the district and not because they raised the most money and had the glitziest campaign. I will continue to work for this issue whether or not I am elected to office.