I’m a firm Constitutionalist. I believe that the Constitution is one simple document that has outlined very clearly how this country needs to be run and it should not be open to interpretation. The 2nd Amendment is a perfect example of that. We, the People, have the right to bear arms. Period. There should not be restrictions in place that restrict our right to purchase or own a firearm whether it is for self defense or otherwise.

As a general rule, I support the idea of School Vouchers, or in this case more appropriately labeled “Opportunity Scholarships”.

I have read and fully understand the details of SB 1405, and I am willing to give my full and unequivocal support of the Bill. SB 1405 offers opportunities to the poorest families in school districts with a history of poor performance. It also provides sufficient limitations and controls to prevent misuse or abuse.

When does life begin, when is abortion permissible, how are end of life decisions made?

First, I’d like to state that I am Pro-Life. It has been said that I am “Pro-Abortion” and that could not be further from the truth.

From a basic constitutional standpoint I believe that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. In it the federal government sets rules on when a woman has a right to an abortion. I disagree with the ruling because it interferes with the 10th Amendment to the Constitution by taking away state’s rights. This clearly should be an issue of legislation at the state level and not the federal level.

Let me next tell you where I stand on several specific issues regarding current abortion laws and legislation as follows:

(1) I support the ban on partial birth abortion. Period.

(2) I DO NOT support any law or mandate that provides for public funding of abortion. If an individual makes a personal choice to take part in an abortion, they should take full moral, emotional, and financial responsibility for that decision. This includes the cost of procedures for military personnel. I DO NOT support public funding for any abortion procedures under any circumstances.

(3) I support legislation requiring parental notification and consent. If a minor wishes to have an abortion, she should be required to have the written consent of her parents and she should be required to seek counseling along with her parents before a decision is made. Counseling should include education, discussion of ALL options, a medical examination, and a supporting sonogram procedure.

(4) I support legislation requiring a mandatory waiting period for all abortion procedures. This is not a decision that should be made quickly or hastily. Individuals seeking an abortion should be required to seek counseling to discuss ALL options, and they should be required to wait a minimum of 24 (preferably 48) hours before the procedure is performed.

(5) I support a medical professional’s right to refuse to perform an abortion under the ‘conscience clause’. No medical professional should be forced to perform a procedure that they feel is wrong (whether it be for medical, professional, or moral reasons).

Regarding the following specific questions . . .

When does life begin?

I was raised with the belief that life begins and ends with a heart beat.

When is abortion permissible?

I believe that there are exceptions (like rape, incest, and medical necessity) that need to be taken into consideration, and I support the “woman’s right to choose” in those instances and in a narrow and limited window during the very early stages of pregnancy.

How are end of life decisions made?

This is a particularly personal issue for me as I faced it on more than one occasion with my own family. My oldest sister passed away in 2003 due to complications associated with Multiple Sclerosis (which she struggled with for over 15 years). My sister’s life could have been extended with the insertion of a feeding tube and some levels of life support. There was NO living will in place. The decision was a difficult one that was handled between her husband and my family. We were also assisted in the process by the Ethics Committee of our local hospital where we all worked together to decide what my sister would have wanted. The decision was made to have my sister taken home on hospice care so that she could pass peacefully at home. The decision was a private one and was determined by the family.

Two years later, my father was admitted to the hospital with a hemorrhagic stroke. It was determined that he had suffered significant brain damage. After the situation with my sister only a few years earlier, all of my family members prepared Living Wills. My mother took my father’s living will to the hospital and made arrangements for him to be taken off of life support and a ‘do not resuscitate’ order was put in place.

Both experiences were very difficult, but in both instances the final decisions were made by the family (and those that knew and loved the individuals the most). The decisions were made based on what my sister and father would have wanted.

Will you vote in favor of any tax payer funded abortions in Pennsylvania?

As stated earlier, I DO NOT support any law or mandate that provides for public funding of abortion. If an individual makes a personal choice to take part in an abortion, they should take full moral, emotional, and financial responsibility for that decision. This includes the cost of procedures for military personnel. I DO NOT support public funding for any abortion procedures under any circumstances.

What types of legally recognized partnerships/marriages do you support?

I personally believe that a marriage is a sacred vow that is taken between one man and one woman in front of God and witnesses. Marriage licenses are used in the State of Pennsylvania as a way to formalize a union between a man and a woman, even if no sacred vow is taken. Couples can legally unite in marriage with assistance of only a Justice of the Peace if they so choose.

While I do not do not discriminate (legislatively or personally) against any individual for their specific lifestyle choices, I do support protecting the definition of marriage. I believe that a marriage should remain limited to a union between one man and one woman.

Will you support an Amendment to the Pa. Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman?

Yes.

Gambling is legal in Pennsylvania. If it is to remain legal, it should be controlled through a system of limited and highly controlled casinos. Some legislators (and the Governor) have suggested expanding gambling to allow poker machines in local taverns throughout the State. I completely disagree with this type of expansion. My reason for disagreeing is based on the problems with logistics and the high probability of corruption.

Note: I wrote about the above topic on more than one occasion in my blog. Links to those articles are provided below

02-05-2009 -- Governor Rendell Wants to Put the Screws to Casino Owners

04-24-2009 -- Video Poker is Just a Carrot on a Stick

Interpret the Constitution under "Original Intent" or “Living Document" philosophy?

The Constitution was established as a very simple (and extremely short and concise) document. Outside of the first 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights, there have been only 17 additional amendments in over 200 years. The Constitution has adapted perfectly to modern society with minor modifications, but to call it a “Living Document” or state that it is somehow outdated and irrelevant is manipulative. James Madison explained it perfectly when he said “Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government.”

One of the few key responsibilities of the Federal Government is to protect our borders. There are clear laws on the books regarding immigration (both legal and illegal), but they need to be enforced.

What is my very quick answer to solving this very complex problem? Secure the borders first!

What do you like and dislike about it?

I do not support ANY part of the health care reform legislation that was passed earlier this year. Do I believe that there are significant problems with our current health care system? Yes.

To summarize, I never did and still don’t support ObamaCare. I personally feel that health care reform is an important issue, but I was disappointed with the options that were investigated as well as the end result. As one of the many uninsured in this country, I would like to have seen the priorities be tort reform, the ability to purchase insurance across state lines, and additional steps that would make the health insurance industry more competitive. In the end, I believe that there needs to be a way for high-risk individuals and patients with pre-existing conditions to purchase insurance through a larger group where the risk can be offset. In the past I have referenced the term “public option”. By that I was specifically referring to an option that could be PURCHASED from a government entity for those that could not find a private resource. Pennsylvania’s CHIP program is a perfect example of that. CHIP provides health insurance coverage for children in Pennsylvania, and the cost of the coverage is based on income. Even individuals that make in excess of $100,000 are able to purchase insurance, but the cost is higher based on their ability to pay. Unfortunately, as ObamaCare began to evolve the term “public option” became a completely negative reference that translates into universal government paid health insurance, which I’ve never supported.

Note: I wrote about the above topic on more than one occasion in my blog. Links to those articles are provided below

05-11-2009 -- PA House GOP Takes a Closer Look at Health Care
09-21-2009 -- The Truth About Health Care "Guarantees"

I am a Christian as I believe in Jesus Christ. I live my life based on the teachings of Jesus, the Bible, and basics of right of and wrong.

I am not currently a formal member of a local church, but my husband and I attend church regularly. During my childhood, my mother taught us our religion and faith at home. My life experiences have brought me closer to my faith. I have read and studied the Bible on my own for personal fulfillment and to achieve a greater understanding of Christianity. I consider my faith to be extremely personal.