Candidate for
United States Representative; District 8; Democratic Party

Besides the issues already highlighted in my three position papers I am fighting for you on all these other issues.

Ending NAFTA & the WTO

What sounded like a clever idea to some, "let's employ the under-employed of the world" and lift other countries' economies, has had a devastating effect on our employment and economy here at home. And these principles are not only being applied to manufacturing jobs, in places where workers' rights and protective environmental principles are often ignored, but in the field of technology as well. Let's institute "fair" trade policies that give all countries and all workers what they deserve.

Abolishing the electoral college

When our country was founded, it was felt that this type of representation would be most helpful in having the election finished and confirmed quickly because of the great distance between voting areas. But with such a large population currently, all very well connected, it seems so much more appropriate that we simply tally the "popular" vote, i.e. one voter=one vote. This prevents campaigning for our Presidential election to be focused in certain states, while virtually ignoring others. At the same time, all citizens' right to vote must be protected, from the registration process through to the tallying and transmission process, ensuring that there is no corruptible software or administrative personnel processes.

Stopping human-induced climate disruption

Our energy policies need to be examined with a fine-tooth comb. And besides our government and corporations taking responsibility for making sure we have a healthy planet, individuals will want to be more participatory in learning what habits they can change. Education at a very young age will be crucial!

Equal rights for all LGBT community members

I strongly support abolishing "Don't Ask Don't Tell", full inclusivity for the transgendered in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, passing the Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Act, and I applaud the California Supreme Court for their principled decision affirming full marriage rights for any two people who are committed to each other.

for more, please see the action pages on my web site at http://www.shirley08.com/petitions/index.php