Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer on Social Issues:
On the GLBT community:
I advocate repeal of sodomy laws and I support efforts to pass federal, state and local legislation to prevent hate crimes and employment discrimination. I will work tirelessly so that GLBT people are not denied custodial, adoptive or foster parenting options, workplace or housing opportunities, domestic partner benefits and equal marriage rights due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
I oppose any efforts to use legal or constitutional means to discriminate against GLBT persons.
As a religious person, I am deeply troubled by the use of religion to justify discrimination, hatred or exclusion of GLBT people, including denial of dignity and civil rights. I have marched proudly with PFLAG families and will use my personal and public voice to encourage a culture of respect and a politics of equality and fairness.
First, when my wife Sara and I lived in Nicaragua for two years in the 1980s, we learned that many Nicaraguan women died as a result of illegal abortions. Criminalizing abortion doesn’t result in fewer abortions but it often results in needless trauma and death.
Second, I believe the number of abortions will drop as we empower and educate women, provide safe and affordable family planning options, reduce the costs of adoption and achieve greater justice in our economy.
Third, I believe the decision of whether or not to have an abortion lies with the mother and not with the state.
Fourth, I believe it is possible for groups who hold different views to find common ground on some aspects of this issue by focusing on policies that would result in fewer abortions. Examples include:
- The Bush administration’s refusal to fund United Nations’ family planning programs has resulted in millions of additional abortions worldwide. We need to restore those funds.
- The Republican Party’s “abstinence only” approach to sex education has resulted in many unwanted pregnancies and increased abortions. We need to fully fund broader sex education efforts.
- Economic insecurity is a significant factor for many women as they make reproductive choices. Achieving greater economic justice and providing quality health give families a realistic chance to adequately care for a child that may result from an unexpected pregnancy.
Al Franken on Social Issues:
Unfortunately, I could find no evidence of Al Franken taking a stance on either the GLBT community or the issues of choice. While I have no problem supporting a 'Pro-Life' candidate, it seems somewhat disingenuous to try to hide ones beliefs on these issues. Perhaps someone out there has some evidence of Franken taking a stand on these issues and can provide that stance in the comments section. However, the purpose of these posts has been to examine the candidates from the information found on their campaign sites and Franken has chosen not to display such information on that site.I have long been an advocate of the brand of 'Pro-Choice' Mr. Nelson-Pallmeyer advocates. We must continue to keep abortion safe and legal while at the same time finding ways (both economic and educational) to reduce the number of abortions performed in this country and even around the world. One of the easiest ways to go about this is to abandon the failed 'abstinence only' failures across the country and begin teaching true sex education.
What do you think?
3 responses to "Al & Jack: An Issue Analysis (Social Issues)"
Franken's Stonewall DFL questionnaire answers here.
Has done NARAL and Planned Parenthood events.
Jack impresses me, not only by giving the correct answers to all these questions and by not being afraid to answer the hard questions. But he also sees the big picture.
These "social issues" are smokescreens that the neocons use to distract us while they rob us blind. Think about it. What possible danger could a gay marriage pose to a hetero? What is the real danger of a young woman deciding to have an abortion to someone who doesn't want one? What is the actual danger posed by immigrants (as if we here in Minnesota were all full-blood Ojibwe or Dakota)? The answer: none.
These are all issues used to focus attention on false sources of fear while the neocons loot our country, destroy our middle class, take away our common good and destroy our future for the sake of their own personal profit.
I used to think that this whole neocon hate thing was just a kind of meanness. At lower levels, I suppose sometimes it is. But at a higher, more manipulative level, it is a very clever way of picking our pockets while deceived people ending up hating entire the wrong people.
Spot has posted a higher quality version of Al,Debate Jack! It is available at the same link to the Cucking Stool provided in the link, but the embedded version of the video on the post may be taken down shortly.