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Nov. 1st, 2004 12:58 pmPRESIDENT
John Kerry - A solid democrat, though by no means "the most liberal," a stauncher supporter of Israel than his opponent, has a health plan that at least brings home a little bacon while being a giveaway to the insurance industry, as opposed to a health care plan that is nothing but a giveaway to the insurance industry. Opposed the Defense Of Marriage Act. Voted to fund Iraq reconstruction by reducing tax-cuts, opposed funding Iraqi reconstruction through deficit spending.
US Representative District 04
Betty McCollum - My only disappointment in her is that she dismissed my warnings about the PATRIOT act. Otherwise her votes have consistently advanced my agenda. I may not have survived my unemployment period with legislation to extend it that she authored.
State Representative District 67A
Tim Mahoney - I've been happy with him. Despite Mark Jorgensen's charges that the East Side has lost businesses like Taco Bell, it is worth noting that lots of family owned and run businesses are being developed on the East Side, and that Mahoney has been actively working with these business owners to promote their success.
Soil and Water Supervisor District 2
Dorothy Waltz - A stronger sense of purpose is evident in her self-presentation than in Gwen Williams'. Both seem to be strong conservationists as opposed to industry lobbyists.
Soil and Water Supervisor District 3
Marj Ebensteiner - Active in Friends of Lake Phalen. Her opponent, Jill Wilkinson, was once treasurer for the Libertarian Party. Jill was charged with embezzlement and is now paying back the money.
Judicial Races
The Republican Party has published a very nice brochure on Judicial Candidates which can be found at http://www.mngop.com/documents/judicial_voter_guide_2004.pdf - regardless of your party affiliation, this guide is useful.
I am only posting about contested races.
Supreme Court - Position 6
Alan Page - Held that public medical assistance could be used for therapeutic abortion services. Held that searching a boat's open area while it is on the trailer constitutes unreasonable search and seizure. Held against having a new Mayoral election in Minneapolis because candidate John Derus accused the Strib of casting him in an unfavorable light. In short, this is a candidate who will not attempt to legislate morality from the bench.
Minnesota Court of Appeals - Position 3
David Minge - Strong record on free speech and privacy. Opposed putting Visa Expiration dates on licenses. Raised concerns about vagueness in a Child Pornography statute. His opponent, Paul Elliot Ross, is a member of Minnesotans Concerned For Life, which is sufficient to disqualify Mr. Ross from consideration.
Minnesota Court of Appeals - Position 14
Jim Randall - supports the right of the courts to deviate from sentencing guidelines. His opponent both lacks experience, and seems determined to effect his religious values through the court. The difference between them seems to be the difference between the old MN-IR and the modern GOP. I'll take the IR any day.
Second District Court - 14
Patricia Sifferle - Both candidates are reasonable choices for the voter with liberal leanings. I'm leaning toward Sifferle because her work with labor law and human rights.
John Kerry - A solid democrat, though by no means "the most liberal," a stauncher supporter of Israel than his opponent, has a health plan that at least brings home a little bacon while being a giveaway to the insurance industry, as opposed to a health care plan that is nothing but a giveaway to the insurance industry. Opposed the Defense Of Marriage Act. Voted to fund Iraq reconstruction by reducing tax-cuts, opposed funding Iraqi reconstruction through deficit spending.
US Representative District 04
Betty McCollum - My only disappointment in her is that she dismissed my warnings about the PATRIOT act. Otherwise her votes have consistently advanced my agenda. I may not have survived my unemployment period with legislation to extend it that she authored.
State Representative District 67A
Tim Mahoney - I've been happy with him. Despite Mark Jorgensen's charges that the East Side has lost businesses like Taco Bell, it is worth noting that lots of family owned and run businesses are being developed on the East Side, and that Mahoney has been actively working with these business owners to promote their success.
Soil and Water Supervisor District 2
Dorothy Waltz - A stronger sense of purpose is evident in her self-presentation than in Gwen Williams'. Both seem to be strong conservationists as opposed to industry lobbyists.
Soil and Water Supervisor District 3
Marj Ebensteiner - Active in Friends of Lake Phalen. Her opponent, Jill Wilkinson, was once treasurer for the Libertarian Party. Jill was charged with embezzlement and is now paying back the money.
Judicial Races
The Republican Party has published a very nice brochure on Judicial Candidates which can be found at http://www.mngop.com/documents/judicial_voter_guide_2004.pdf - regardless of your party affiliation, this guide is useful.
I am only posting about contested races.
Supreme Court - Position 6
Alan Page - Held that public medical assistance could be used for therapeutic abortion services. Held that searching a boat's open area while it is on the trailer constitutes unreasonable search and seizure. Held against having a new Mayoral election in Minneapolis because candidate John Derus accused the Strib of casting him in an unfavorable light. In short, this is a candidate who will not attempt to legislate morality from the bench.
Minnesota Court of Appeals - Position 3
David Minge - Strong record on free speech and privacy. Opposed putting Visa Expiration dates on licenses. Raised concerns about vagueness in a Child Pornography statute. His opponent, Paul Elliot Ross, is a member of Minnesotans Concerned For Life, which is sufficient to disqualify Mr. Ross from consideration.
Minnesota Court of Appeals - Position 14
Jim Randall - supports the right of the courts to deviate from sentencing guidelines. His opponent both lacks experience, and seems determined to effect his religious values through the court. The difference between them seems to be the difference between the old MN-IR and the modern GOP. I'll take the IR any day.
Second District Court - 14
Patricia Sifferle - Both candidates are reasonable choices for the voter with liberal leanings. I'm leaning toward Sifferle because her work with labor law and human rights.
