California elections

I've received word from my California correspondent that he vetted the the political candidates running for office in his state and this is what he said:

The following candidates are running for Governor of California:

Robert Newman-Independent newmannotes@roadrunner.com
Tim Donnelly-Republican tim@timdonnelly.com
Luis J. Rodriguez-Green Party info@rodriguezforgovernor.com
Richard William Aguirre-Republican richard@aguirreforgovernor.com
Joe Leicht-Independent jedleicht@aol.com
Cindy L. Sheenan Peace and Freedom cindy@cindy2014.org
Glenn Champ-Republican bjhancock@netptc.net
Andrew Blount-Republican andrew@andrewblount.com

The following candidates are running for Lieutenant Governor of California:

Ron Nehring-Republican ron@ronnehring.com
Alan Reynolds American Elect reynolds4california@gmail.com
Eric Korevaak-Democratic electamoderate@voteforeric.com

The following candidates are running for Attorney General of California:

Orly Taitz-Independent orly.taitz@hushmail.com
Jonathan Jaech-Libertarian jonathan@jaech.net
John Haggerty-Republican johnkhaggerty@yahoo.com

The following are running for state Assembly:
Marc Steinorth

The following email was sent to all of them:

I am a men's rights activist. I advocate for men's issues and I have the following questions for you.

Where do you stand on:

1. Capital punishment-currently in capital cases only men receive the death penalty while women are spared. Not only that but when women are sentenced they are given a finite sentence while a man would receive life without parole. Does this sound fair to you? It doesn't to us.

2. When a man and a woman are arrested for the same crime the prosecutor will make a deal with the woman to convict the man,even if the woman is the mastermind. Not only that when they are sentenced men receive more time for the same crime than women do. Does this sound fair to you? It doesn't to us.

3. Prisons-women's prison's are in nicer condition than men's prisons. Also women are given privileges that men are denied,such as access to their children while incarcerated. Also there are allegations of female staff members and correctional officers abusing their position to coerce sex or other favors from the prisoners. What would you do to combat this?

4. There are a lot of at risk young men out there who are fatherless. These fatherless boys often become gang members who commit crimes and populate the state's prisons. If elected what would you do to combat fatherlessness?

I await your answers to my questions.

Sincerely,

XXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXX,
Men's Rights Activist,Registered Voter
and Concerned Citizen

The following are their stance on gender issues:

Orly Taitz:

As I stated before, I believe in non-discrimination and equal rights for men and women.
Women fought for equal rights and they should get them.
I hope your organization helps my campaign and donates to my campaign

Eric Korevaar:

Thanks for contacting me with your questions.

1. I think we should eliminate capital punishment in California for a number of reasons. It is not administered equally (you have pointed out one example), it is very expensive, and the process drags on, delaying closure for the victims.

2. Men and women should be treated equally if the circumstances are the same.

3. I don't know enough about your 3rd question to comment on it.

4. I don't have a specific plan to combat fatherlessness. If you have some suggestions, or some material you feel I should read, please feel free to share it with me. I do support family planning and a woman's right to choose, and believe that it is best when parents want their children and have made a conscious decision to have them and nurture them.

Sincerely,

Eric Korevaar, Candidate for Lieutenant Governor

Jonathan Jaech: He states that he is in favor of equal rights for men and fathers and that he is for equality. He is against jailing men for child support. He is also opposed to victimless crimes.He also states he is open to input.

Joe Leicht:

Thanks for the inquiry, I appreciate the opportunity to reply.

1 - I am not in favor of the death penalty in any circumstance. I think that is the one penalty, on the off chance someone is wrongly convicted of a heinous crime, we as a society cannot go back and change that. 2 wrongs don't make a right, so as Governor, I would work to eliminate the death penalty as a punishment. To answer your question more succinctly, no, I do not thaink that sounds fair.

2 - Again, no, I do not think that sounds fair. The law is supposed to be colorblind and should also be gender neutral. The law should equally apply to both men and women, and, to my knowledge makes no exception based on gender. Frankly, to the victim, it means nothing if the perpetrator was a male or a female.

3 - As far as conditions in the prisons go, I would have to do some research into that issue. I think that is a question that would have to be addressed with an investigation into prison conditions, and working with the Attorney General to ensure that guards are held to the same standards of ethics.

4 - I agree that children who grow up without a father lose the opportunity to have a positive role model, and it certainly increases their risk. Obviously, that doesn't mean there won't be successful people who overcome seemingly EVERY adversity, but we could do more. I'm happy to be involved with a group called YOCF, Your Own Community Foundation, a non profit that helps families through difficult times. On my facebook page, we just recently started a campaign, "What can you do for California?" It's along the same lines as JFK's question, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." We are not asking for money, that helps, but what we are asking is that people get involved. There will always be people in need, and at risk. It's the age old question, If not now, when, if not you, who? When you see someone in need, what is your reaction? Is it, "wow, that's a shame, government should do something about that?" or is it "wow, that is awful, let me go see what we can do to help." The latter help is immediate. Often times, a lot of people want to help, but don't know how. The best way to help is get involved, either through church, or through groups suchs as YOCF. You can find out more about them at www.YOCF.org. But don't forget about the YMCA and the YWCA, Rotary Club International, Kiwanis, the Key Club, or even local community centers. There are plenty of ways to help. You may be involved in one or several already.

I don't mean to sound "preachy" but unlike Ms. Sheehan, I have a much more optimistic view of society as a whole, and I believe working together, we can effect a positive change in society. Will it happen overnight? No, of course not. But as a public servant, it would be my job (and my pleasure!) to help bring attention to issues such as these, so that working with people such as yourself, we can truly "be the change we wish to see".

Thanks again for your question, I appreciate it,

Joe Leicht

Cindy L. Sheenan: Major feminist. Not friendly to men


The following are running for Congress District 31:

Eloise Gomez Reyes
Paul Chabot
Lesli Gooch

The following email was sent to the candidates for Congress

I am a Men's Rights Activist. I have a problem with the federal government overlooking men's needs and I have the following questions for you:

1. Under the selective service program men are the only ones required to sign up if they want to stay out of jail. Women,on the other hand,are exempt from this requirement. That doesn't sound very fair. That is not constitutional as per the 14th Amendment.

2. There are federal programs for women but very few for men even though men suffer most of the on-the-job fatalities. There is a Whitehouse Commission on Women and Girls but none on boys and men. Does that sound fair to you? It doesn't to us.

3. When a man and woman are accused of a federal crime the prosecutor will make a deal with the woman to implicate the man even if the woman is the mastermind. Not only that men are given longer prison sentences than women. Does that sound fair to you? It doesn't to us.

Thank you for you time.

XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX,
Men's Rights Activist,Registered Voter
and Concerned Citizen

I have not received any replies.

The fact that he received no replies is telling. It tells me they are less than sympathetic to our plight. If that is the case then we only vote for those who were considerate enough to respond. The rest can stay in the private sector.