Bruce on the Issues

Education -  I will work to help enact the "No child left behind" legislation signed by President George W. Bush.  Arizona is currently one of the lowest ranking states in education.  This is not acceptable.  I have taught for twelve years and have never had a student who I felt couldn't learn.  We have a great bunch of kids, most whom are eager to learn.  Different students have different strengths and they should be encouraged in those strengths.  While it would be wonderful for more of our students to continue their education, it is estimated that about 70% of our graduates do not go to college.  I would like to see more support for vocational education so that these children can develop skills that will help them in their future.

    Once they have completed a general education through the eighth grade, in order for your children to be properly educated, their high school teachers need to have a strong background in the area they are teaching.  As it stands, there are extremely low standards for a teacher to teach a specific class, sometimes as little as 2 college classes in the subject. I will seek to increase standards for teachers at the secondary level.

    All school districts and charter schools will need to show accountability, both academically and fiscally.  Districts under a Desegregation order will need to show that the funds are being used in a constitutional manner. As it stands, in the Tucson Unified School District, only 30 "target" schools can access an estimated 62 million dollar desegregation fund. This leaves the other schools out of luck and your children being treated differently based on where they live in the district.  This is wrong.  I have been pointing this out to the district for the past couple of years but they keep making excuses.  The time will come when the excuses won't fly.  I will work hard to ensure your children are treated equally and given the best education that America has to offer.

Crime - According to the Arizona Daily Star (01/29/03), The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission's annual Arizona Crime Trends analysis showed Arizona rose from third nationally in the crime index in 1991 to first in 2001.  Reasons for this are attributed to growth and our proximity to the border. Statistics show Arizona had 6,077.4 crimes per 100,000 residents.  I will work with local and state law enforcement officers to devise a plan to cut our ranking and to help our citizens feel safe.  I will especially work on increasing the punishment for those who commit crimes against women and children.  This includes drug dealers, as many of our youth are being targeted by these greedy criminals.

Capital Punishment - I support capital punishment in limited circumstances.  I believe in Justice mingled with Mercy.  If there is any way of imposing justice and sparing a person's life, I would rather do so.  However, certain crimes warrant death in my opinion.  People who kill children are on the top of the list.  The United States Constitution allows for the death penalty in the 5th and 14th amendments.  "No one shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law."  Therefore, with due process, a person can be put to death.  The 8th amendment helps modify the type of sentence given by prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment.  The punishment should fit the crime and  the death penalty should be limited to extreme cases.

Taxes - I am a fiscal conservative.  While I believe that taxes are a harsh but necessary reality, there are those on both sides of the aisle who go to extremes on this subject.  Some would have almost no tax; a nice thought, but unrealistic.  Others would tax us to death to fund their pet projects.  I believe that the state should only collect enough tax to fund the running of a limited government.  Like a family, the Government needs to abide by a budget based on revenues that are brought into the treasury.  Priorities like Public Safety, Education and programs to help those less fortunate such as the elderly, single mothers, and the working poor should top the list.  Next would be public works projects like roads and so on.  Other programs can be funded based on what is left. When the money is gone, it's gone.  No borrowing, no raising of taxes, and no whining.  If an issue arises that legislators feel warrants an increase in spending, they should take it to the people like they did with proposition 301, which increased sales tax to help increase spending in education.  You work hard for your money.  You should be able to keep the majority of it.

Abortion - I am Pro-life.  This is an extremely emotional issue.  It is also a very sad issue.  I believe, along with the President, that we should encourage a culture of life.  I believe that every person is a valuable human being.  I wouldn't be a teacher if I felt differently.  While I disagree with those who believe abortion is a right, I will listen to all points of view and work to achieve legislation that will allow those who disagree on this subject to find common ground.

Gun Rights - I support the right of Americans to bear arms as both the US Constitution and Arizona Constitution affirm.  While I understand the need to curb the violent crime here in America, I do not believe that infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens is the way to go.

Environment - We have a beautiful state.  It has the most diverse environment in America.  As with most  issues, the common sense approach seems to work best.  We should protect lands currently addressed as state or federal parks while using reason when conflicts arise during growth and development.  Such an example occurred here in Tucson when a school district was forbidden from building a high school due to the lot being a habitat for the pygmy owl.  Approximately 2000 children were told that they couldn't have their school (at least not at that location).  Basically, they were not as important as this one bird.  I believe it is important to protect endangered species.  But I also believe people, especially children, are more important than any creature, endangered or not.

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