Candidate for
State Representative; District 31; Democratic Party

The role of government is to help people live a life of dignity. Dignity is having self-worth, and the freedom to bestow that worth upon the world. These are the virtues I believe government can help citizens instill in themselves to lead a more dignified life.

Knowledge

Knowledge is more than just power, many people need it to simply survive. These are the tools we should be able to rely upon to build a more knowledgeable, empowered Ohio: Public schools are the only way to ensure education for every Ohioan. Libraries provide access to a variety of knowledge for every person, regardless of income. Information services connects people with the resources they need without burying them in bureaucracy.

Compassion

Without love for our fellow citizens, we are lost. These are the ways that government helps us to care for one another: Nonprofit charities, with the help of competitive public grants, make compassion part of the public sphere. Public spaces, like Cincinnati's parks and squares, are the venue for meaningful interaction with a diverse group of people. Interfaith alliances help us find meaning in shared experience.

Capability

A doorway is useless if you aren't allowed through it; capability and opportunity are the keys to freedom in Ohio: Nondiscrimination policies are the grounds on which success can be built for historically disenfranchised populations. Labor rights are the best way to create a vibrant and inclusive middle class.

Mobility

A stagnant society breeds discontent and resentment. Ohio must provide physical and social mobility to move forward: Public transit must be upgraded to meet people's needs; a city where a car is a necessity makes it impossible to escape crushing poverty. Debt forgiveness frees Ohioans who were locked into a cycle of poverty by predatory lenders. Microlending is an efficient, market-oriented way to engender entrepreneurship.

Health

Health is the essence of a happy life; above all, government must provide basic health protections for the people: Universal health care means Medicaid, Medicare, employer-based insurance, and the state health insurance exchange must work in unison to create an consumer-friendly, holistic health care system for Ohio's citizens. Preventative medicine must be accessible from community providers if we are to lower our catastrophic infant mortality, sexually transmitted infection, and maternal death rates. Environmental protections raise air and water quality, which saves money by improving health outcomes across-the-board.