Key Positions facing all Californians

By Jonathan Daniel Kraut

Discussions of Illegal Immigration, Importation of Perscription Drugs, Same Sex Marriages, Right to Life and the Freedom to Choose

The comparative strength of the U.S. economy and attraction of the American lifestyle encourages those with hope for a better life and determination to leave their homes to come join our workforce. Although illegal immigration is a matter involving a Federal jurisdiction, it affects us all and I have some very clear objectives to accomplish that will help resolve the unfairness and social issues that illegal immigration causes.

The Problem:

The U.S. Federal Government is unable or unwilling to control and regulate our borders. The Courts have ruled that undocumented migrants and their families are entitled to the same basic benefits, education, health care, and State services as any other California resident. The Courts have also ruled that only the Federal government has the authority to determine compliance with Federal law, and that the States have no authority to interpret whom might meet Federal immigration standards.

The Result of Current Policy:

Undocumented workers easily survive in an underground economy, are not permitted to pay their fair share in taxes, yet receive full benefits.

My Proposed Solution:

1) Support a Guest Worker Program, that allows for skilled and semi-skilled Immigrants to reside or work in the U.S. for short periods of time (about 2 years at a time). Guest Workers will be required to pay into Federal and State tax system and help foot the bill for the benefits that they already receive.

2) California should allow limited state services (currently we offer unlimited services) for documented Guest Workers and their families.

3) California should charge a registration fee (perhaps up to $1,500 per person) for every Guest period (less than the amount being paid to illegal smugglers to get over the border) and insure that taxes are fairly assessed and paid.

4) After a one-year grace period for registration has expired, the Federal government should conduct sweeps for undocumented workers (where undocumented workers congregate), and levy large sanctions against employers, making illegal employment very difficult.

5) Support a Federal Identification card system, issued by the U.S. government, which places Federal responsibilities back into Federal hands.

Issue: IMPORTATION OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Less expensive prescription drugs are manufactured at FDA approved facilities worldwide.

The Problem:

As local economies and production costs differ from country to country, so differ the costs of manufacturing. Drugs are available at a fraction of American produced drug prices yet U.S. law prohibits importation of less expensive imported drugs.

The Result of Current Policy:

Many of these life-savings drugs are identical to U.S. products, and are even manufactured by the same companies, but are produced at a fraction of the cost. U.S. drug manufacturers have successfully lobbied for maintaining a monopoly on U.S. distribution that artificially keeps drug prices high.

My Proposed Solution:

1) Support legislation that allows the import of safe, less expensive drugs.

2) Create a modest import surcharge (as low as a few cents a dose) that helps balance the differentiation between the local and foreign costs of drugs and also drives down U.S. prices (by breaking the monopoly). The surcharges will fund FDA safety certification of the imported products, insuring the same safe standard as found in domestic drugs.

3) Establish a reserve account that takes the excess funds from the surcharge to fund emergency medical treatment and care for the elderly (those who will contribute most to the surcharge), medical training scholarships in biotechnology, and helps sponsor the development of new drugs and medical research.

Issue: SAME SEX MARRIAGES

The Problem:

Marriage between same-sex partners has enraged religious leaders and those with specific traditional values, yet the California Constitution and Federal statutes forbid discrimination solely due to life-style choices.

The Result of Current Policy:

California currently grants "marriages," which is a religious rite, and yet forbids civil unions between same-sex partners, as embodied in Proposition 22. In other words, California executes religious authority through authorizing "marriage," yet does not permit "civil unions" (equal protection) for same-sex partners. This is a contradiction.

My Proposed Solution:

1) Allow California to grant civil approval to all unions, called "civil unions," to include same-sex unions, as required by the California Constitution and Federal statutes.

2) Remove California authority to grant "marriages," which is a power exclusive to religious institutions, and permit only ordained persons and recognized religious orders, to include Native American practices, to marry according to their beliefs.

3) Permitting California to have only civil authority offers equal right protection to all our citizens and residents, regardless of life-style choices.

4) Empowering religious institutions to make religious decisions preserves the freedom of religion as guaranteed by Constitution of the United States.

Issue: RIGHT TO LIFE AND FREEDOM TO CHOOSE

A debate regarding respecting the sanctity of an unborn life versus a woman's right to control her body is as divisive as an issue in American society.

The Problem:

American culture and beliefs are self-contradictory. Some pro-life supporters also advocate the death penalty. Pro-choice supporters also are against capital punishment. The Federal government is strictly forbidden by the U.S. Constitution to impose authority on local issues and states rights, yet Federal rulings have shaped local and California policy.

The Result of Current Policy:

Current American policy and dialogue are focused on the choices that are available because of unwanted pregnancy and ignore preventive measures.

My Proposed Solution:

1) Devote a considerable effort through the public school system to educate and inform our youth of the danger signs and measures that help prevent unwanted relationships in the first place.

2) Form a coalition with religious organizations that support mature and respectful relationships.

3) Make available every effort to prevent unwanted pregnancy through abstinence and education, which help to preserve the sanctity of life, yet protects a woman's right to choose in the first trimester of pregnancy.