Simon Draws Conservative Line in Sand - Article HerePosted on 02/06/2002 8:59:50 AM PST by Impeach98
-
Simon Draws Conservative Line in Sand - Article Here
-
 |
|
|
Bill Simon makes stop in Santa Maria
By Jasmine Marshall / Times Staff Writer SANTA MARIA -- Declaring himself "a real Republican" before a small crowd of Santa Marians Tuesday, GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bill Simon promised to restore a balanced state budget and promote conservative values if elected. The most recent poll by the Los Angeles Times shows Simon gaining ground on Republican front-runner Richard Riordan. In a primary with low voter turnout, Simon is projected to pull in 21 percent to Riordan 26. Simon, the scion of former treasury secretary William E. Simon Sr., has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in New York and founded an investment firm and Christian television station PAX-TV. Simon has been courting cultural conservatives and the agribusiness vote by visiting communities like Bakersfield and Santa Maria as he enters the homestretch for the March 5 primary to pick a GOP challenger to incumbent Gov. Gray Davis. At California Grill on Broadway, Simon sought to draw a distinction between himself and Riordan -- who also stumped in Santa Maria on Jan. 24. "I'm proud to be a Republican, but I don't think Dick (Riordan) is," Simon said. "I think Dick is a Democrat in Republican's clothing." His comment drew cheers from the crowd. Simon promised to promote "a culture of life" if elected. He said he favors laws requiring parental consent for minors to get an abortion. Asked what can be done to promote "alternative lifestyles" in schools, Simon said he would promote conservative values through careful appointments in key state positions. Like Riordan and Davis, Simon talks about accountability when it comes to public school education. His education plank calls for making performance testing mandatory for all schools, without exception. Simon said the performance downturn in California's schools is more the fault of administrators than teachers -- and advocates charter schools as a way to give educators "more of a voice." Opposing bilingual education, Simon said "new Americans need to become assimilated in American culture." That includes mastery of the English language, he argued. Several Santa Marians asked how Simon plans to solve the current $12.4 billion budget deficit. His answer includes over $12 billion in cuts to state programs, leaving state job vacancies open and a job promotion package he claims could create $1.5 billion in tax revenues. While he still thinks privatization of the energy market is "a good idea," Simon said the state should get out of the power business. He blames the energy cost not on deregulation itself, but the law he called flawed that made it a reality in California. To keep the state from another energy crisis, Simon favors encouraging private industry to build more power plants, and peruse options such as solar and wind power. With the specter of the Enron fallout haunting the campaign trail, Simon said he supports president Bush's new plan to allow employees more flexibility to sell their 401k options as a way to avoid similar catastrophic losses in the future. While not "rampant," Simon said practices that brought Enron down are "not isolated" in cooperate America. He said he's withholding judgment as how much more regulation of industry is needed. Simon promised to make agricultural concerns a centerpiece of his administration. "I like to say my first act as governor would be to declare farmers an endangered species," he said, drawing applause from the audience. To keep agribusiness healthy, Simon favors ensuring water is available for farmers through stream storage facilities, promoting conservation and using recovered water sources. Like Riordan, he favors reducing agricultural regulations, and adds plans to cut out "middlemen" in workers compensation claims. * Staff writer Jasmine Marshall can be reached at (805) 739-2219, or by e-mail at jmarshall@pulitzer.net. |
=====================================================
GOP's Simon brings his campaign to town
By Emanuel Parker
Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - -->ARCADIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon hailed his conservative heritage Tuesday as he rallied campaign workers and supporters before this weekend's state GOP convention.
Simon addressed about 75 people at a small campaign office in Arcadia and afterward joined them for pizza and soft drinks in the parking lot.
Simon vowed not to raise taxes to balance the state budget, to renegotiate the long-term energy contracts signed by Davis and to restore the state's roads, power plants and water sources.
He promised to revitalize school facilities, called for more charter and magnet schools and more local control of education. He said every California student should be able to read by the third grade.
"You've got to start with ideas," Simon said. "You need vision, ideas and specifics; anyone who doesn't have those should not be running for office."
Simon will vie with GOP candidates Richard Riordan, the former Los Angeles mayor, and Bill Jones, California secretary of state, in the March 5 primary to decide who will face Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in the fall.
Simon noted former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed him for governor, even though Giuliani worked with Riordan for years as they led the nation's two largest cities.
"He picked me because of my leadership abilities," Simon said.
Simon said his campaign speech doesn't vary, whether he's speaking to conservatives, liberals or moderates.
"My dad always said if you tell the same story to everybody, you don't have to remember what you told each person," Simon said.
In his introduction of Simon, former state Sen. Richard Mountjoy said only those with high moral standards should seek high office.
"If that happened, you would not need campaign reform. I always look for (high morals) in candidates I endorse, and Bill Simon is that kind of person. He's a man of principle, the Constitution and of God," Mountjoy said.
"He's wonderful," said Betty Flippen of Arcadia, a Simon volunteer. "This is the third time I've seen him and he gets better each time. He's my man, definitely."
Jack Etter of Arcadia liked what he heard.
"I thought it was a great speech and he will make a great candidate," he said.
-- Emanuel Parker can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4475, or by e-mail at emanuel.parker@sgvn.com.
Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - -->ARCADIA -- Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon hailed his conservative heritage Tuesday as he rallied campaign workers and supporters before this weekend's state GOP convention.
Simon addressed about 75 people at a small campaign office in Arcadia and afterward joined them for pizza and soft drinks in the parking lot.
Simon vowed not to raise taxes to balance the state budget, to renegotiate the long-term energy contracts signed by Davis and to restore the state's roads, power plants and water sources.
He promised to revitalize school facilities, called for more charter and magnet schools and more local control of education. He said every California student should be able to read by the third grade.
"You've got to start with ideas," Simon said. "You need vision, ideas and specifics; anyone who doesn't have those should not be running for office."
Simon will vie with GOP candidates Richard Riordan, the former Los Angeles mayor, and Bill Jones, California secretary of state, in the March 5 primary to decide who will face Democratic Gov. Gray Davis in the fall.
Simon noted former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed him for governor, even though Giuliani worked with Riordan for years as they led the nation's two largest cities.
"He picked me because of my leadership abilities," Simon said.
Simon said his campaign speech doesn't vary, whether he's speaking to conservatives, liberals or moderates.
"My dad always said if you tell the same story to everybody, you don't have to remember what you told each person," Simon said.
In his introduction of Simon, former state Sen. Richard Mountjoy said only those with high moral standards should seek high office.
"If that happened, you would not need campaign reform. I always look for (high morals) in candidates I endorse, and Bill Simon is that kind of person. He's a man of principle, the Constitution and of God," Mountjoy said.
"He's wonderful," said Betty Flippen of Arcadia, a Simon volunteer. "This is the third time I've seen him and he gets better each time. He's my man, definitely."
Jack Etter of Arcadia liked what he heard.
"I thought it was a great speech and he will make a great candidate," he said.
-- Emanuel Parker can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4475, or by e-mail at emanuel.parker@sgvn.com.
© 1999-2002 MediaNews Group, Inc. and Los Angeles Newspaper Group, Inc.
=======================================================
 |
|
|
|
Governor hopeful comes to town
He talks with residents about housing, water and state bureaucracy The Tribune San Luis Obispo -- Gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon, crisscrossing the state in search of votes in next month’s GOP primary, fielded questions from area residents Tuesday at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. Applause and welcome signs greeted Simon as his plane landed. He was in Los Angeles a few hours earlier to gather support for his bid as governor of California. Simon, 50, will face off March 5 against former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and Secretary of State Bill Jones. Recent polls show he’s running a close second, trailing Riordan by about five percentage points. Simon faced queries on topics including housing, issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, and his stance on funding for state-mandated programs. His approach was simple: “Reduce the bureaucracy in Sacramento,” and allow local officials to deal with problems. “Local government … is where people understand problems best.” “From my perspective, we need to control borders,” he said, in response to a question about giving illegal immigrants driver’s licenses. “I’ve said that before Sept. 11. Citizens deserve priority.” Simon also pointed out his efforts to reach out to Californians by city-hopping all over the state. Tuesday he was to continue on for a campaign event in Santa Maria. “I’m the only candidate not to raise taxes,” Simon asserted. “I’m the only candidate to come forward with a vision.” With the theme of “Renewing the California dream,” Simon’s focus rests on the state’s budget, education, the energy crisis, roads and water. He wants to make accountability mandatory for all schools to improve the quality of education. On the state’s water issues, he hopes that off-stream facilities and more dams will prevent farmers from suffering the loss of their lands. Those are the same issues that concern San Luis Obispo resident Don Lee, 73. “There’s the worry of losing ag ground,” Lee said, adding that he felt that was something Simon could do for San Luis Obispo. Then there’s Simon’s affable nature. “He’s got no negative baggage,” said 56-year-old Matt Kokkonen. “I believe he’s the man for the job.” Kokkonen first saw Simon at the California Republican Women’s Convention in December, liked his approach and has been a supporter since. “Can’t conservatives reach out as much as liberals?” Simon asked, before continuing, “Liberals have no monopolies on leadership, no monopoly on ideas.” |
No. I said any person intent on breaking the law. What your talking about is regulation. Failure to obey the regulation would be a violation of the law, but you still wouldn't be arrested for what you intend to do with the gun unless you've already violated some law (e.g.conspiracy to commit murder).
"The equitable solution would be either give the pregnant woman the opportunity to exercise her freedom, and for the opposing people to either pay her to have her baby, or let her have the abortion in peace. In making her have the baby, you are taking away her freedom to do with her life as she pleases, and note that in her doing so does not diminish one whit your freedoms as well."
I don't know what equitable has to do with it?..but notice you've backed off your statement "I agree that pro-life/anti-abortion is the correct moral choice":
1. The pregnant woman already exercised her freedom;
2. Not only are the opposing people paying but everybody is paying for either the birth or the abortion, they call it insurance. (The price of Insurance is based on what they are required to pay for.);
3. As I stated, freedom is a only a concept. Its intended to allow someone to do as they please so far as they don't hurt someone else. The Constitution is merely a tool which guarantees "our" freedom of action by obligating the government to respect it unless we injure someone else. (e.g. commit a crime against someone else.) Whenever the government fails to protect someone's freedom, and we allow it, our own freedom is at risk. That means I'm at risk and that's more than one whit of my freedom.
"As far as government and laws being based on moral principles, tell that to the widow of Donald Scott"
I said laws, not government. That's a perfect example of what happens when the government fails to protect the freedoms of someone else.
I haven't backed off my statement. Pro-life/anti-abortion is a moral choice. If I subscribe to that choice, it was because I want to do so. I should not dictate to others what to choose in THEIR situation. Since they are the one that has to live with their choice, its it theirs to make. Not mine. That is why I said in an earlier post... "Fine. Put me down on the pro-abortion side then. But make sure you put down 'cheapskate, not for govt-subsidized abortions'."
Govt-subsidized means that I have to pay for their choice, and that is not what I want my taxes to go towards. I'd rather it go into my pocket if the time ever came that I have to make the choice of abortion or child-rearing.
What is your solution? Absolutely no abortion for others? If you take abortion away from them, why shouldn't they take away something else of yours that isn't theirs? When does it end?
Its not my desire to take anything away from anybody. My desire is to give life back to the unborn. If you can figure out a way to do that and still support choice, I'll support it along with you.
"why shouldn't they take away something else of yours that isn't theirs?"
I wish I could say "they" have never taken away anything(rights)of mine....The list is so long I won't even attempt to list them....you mentioned serveral earlier. Unfortuneately, that's the price of civilization. The Government's role is supposedly to act as a fair and impartial arbitor, to protect us from each other. True, the interest of one citizen sometimes conflicts with another citizen. That's when government is empowered to make rules. Those rules should be to inflict the least harm upon the fewest number of people.
That's why abortion is a travesty that should be stopped. It harms the most people in the worst possible way, it deprives them of the right to live in exchange for an someone else's inconvenience. It likewise paves the way for the government to decide others are unworthy of life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
