Social Issues

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My focus will be on Economic growth, Access to healthcare, and Reducing tax burden.  I also understand that social issues can be the most important issue to people especially if you are in one of the demographics whose rights are in the balance.  So even though I am not necessarily campaigning on any of these particular issues, I want to tell you where I stand so you can make an informed choice as a voter.  

In general I support the right of a woman to choose what to do with her own body.

• Allowing the procedure up to the Roe v Wade precedent
• Allowing for procedures if the mother or child is in danger
• I think the right should extend to anybody who is in Maine
• I do not think we should be undermining the laws of other states through mail order services because we do not want other States undermining our laws.
• I agree with funding for abortion procedures.  Before you lose your mind...  We all pay for stuff we do not like.  For context..  

The estimated total spent on abortion services by the State is less than $1 million annually.

The estimated total cost of no property tax on just Catholic churches is over $10 million annually.

Neither is a budget problem big enough to deal with for the foreseeable future.

As a reminder.  We got them...

I understand that there is a debate of whether religious organizations can discriminate against Gay and Lesbian couples in the adoption process.  I  hear you!  As an openly gay person I understand the struggle we went through.  I remember being out there with all those Orange signs.   

Counterpoint...  

Only about 3% of adoptions in Maine are handled by religious organizations.  I think it is possible for our LGBT community to adopt from the other 97% peacefully.  I believe in us, and with the passage of time and seeing that we can be wonderful loving parents too, that will sort out.  I am not sure that picking a fight with a few small religious organizations that at the end of the day are trying to save children is a priority.

This is the topic where I lost the most endorsements.  Both sides were at the extremes for me.  And for context I have played over 30 seasons of LGBT sports leagues.  I have met and played with more transgender people than most of you are ever going to meet in your life.  If you love them and let them play, they are gonna be fine.  Even on the boys team.

Transgender adults:

• Gender identity should be included in the Maine Human Rights Act
• Individuals who have transitioned can use the bathroom that now matches
• Treatment and Surgery should be covered.  Before you lose your mind... we are talking about a cost of less than $2 million.

Transgender highschoolers:

• Should be able to get counseling without parents consent
• Should not be able to get prescriptions or advanced treatments without parents consent
• Should not have transitioned so should not be in the other bathroom
• Should not have transitioned so should not be on the other genders sports team

Transgender Youth

• Should not be getting hormone treatment or advanced treatments 
• Should not be getting any treatment besides counseling without parents consent
• Schools should be tracking gender of students when they enter system

I generally:

• Support the right to keep and bear arms.  
• Believe that poverty, social media, and mental health have a lot to do with gun violence. 
• Think that criminal organizations do not follow gun regulations 
• Think with the advent of 3-d printing this is battle is changing.
• Think only law-abiding citizens are affected by ammunition, and other restrictions.