Women’s reproductive health is a very sensitive topic. I respect and understand where all sides are coming from on this issue.
Here is what I know from having listened to the women around me. I have Democratic friends who are strictly anti-abortion. I have Republican friends who have had abortions.
It Should Be Not a Political Issue
Over the years I have come to realize that this is not a political issue. It is an individual matter. Regardless of the politics you follow, reproductive health has always been a personal and/or spiritual decision.
The Republican Party used to be pro-choice. It has beendocumented that office-holding Republicans have modified their stance even though they have not always practiced what they have come to preach.
Regardless of the politics one follows, choice should always be personal and/or spiritual. Your faith will lead you on the right path, not your political party. This is such a sensitive issue that I feel it is time that we stop using it as a political wedge. There has been too much hypocrisy on this issue to also claim the moral high ground.
A quick story that seems relevant to my position here… Did you know I used to sing in a church choir? This Jewish guy singing in a church choir. Imagine that. It was such a beautiful environment. I loved every minute of it. The church needed tenors and I was excited to learn more about religion while following my passion for singing. The pastor of the church was a proud Republican. He was sweet and loving and pro-life…right up until the moment his wife got pregnant. They were middle-aged and not ready to start the process of raising a newborn all over again. So, they made a personal decision and had an abortion. For them, it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately, word got out though many of the church patrons were accepting of their choice.
I am telling this story to illustrate a point…. women, regardless of political view have made pro-choice decisions.
And conversely, many Democratic women are strongly pro-life.
This issue is genuinely not a political one.
As long as men continue to force their decisions over women’s bodies this conversation will never be equal.
For generations, principled, spiritual and honorable individuals have been making choices regardless of politics, and they will continue to do so for generations to come.
Working with the elderly and creating opportunities for them to feel healthier in their bodies is important to me.
Centenarians
While researching Centenarians (people living to 100 and older) from around the world, I compiled a list of tips to them living very long, healthy and happy lives. With proper implementation, we can take this anecdotal information and create lifestyle options so Oregon can be the best state to grow old in!
My administration will consult with elderly lifestyle specialists and medical experts to create plans that will help more seniors age with grace.
My administration will focus on 6 areas of lifestyle improvement:
As governor, my administration will design an “Aging-With-Grace” interactive website so we can all learn more about how to do our part to support our seniors and offer them valuable resources.
Where you live often determines how well you live and your overall life expectancy. I want Oregonians to live longer and healthier lives while having fun in one of the best states in America.
What good is a governor if they are not doing everything in their power to help its residents live longer, healthier lives? To me, nothing is more important than making sure each Oregonian is as healthy as they can be.
Together
As governor I plan on issuing an executive order making the declaration for the formation of a new state office, Live Longer Oregon. This robust and in-depth department will be available to all Oregonians who are interested. Never a mandate. Only healthy helpful suggestions. I will be alongside top medical specialists and experts as we walk Oregonians through simple and easy steps to help lead a healthy and long life, both physically and mentally. We can do this together.
The goal is simple: Add more healthy years to your life.
Did you know that Oregon ranks 15th for overall life expectancy? To me that is unacceptable. The financial drain on both the patient, their family and the state is astronomical. It is a very achievable goal for Oregon to be in the top 5 of states with the longest and healthiest lifespan. With that comes a more prosperous Oregon.
40-Somethings
Why am I so passionate about health? I’ve had too many friends die young or middle-aged from preventable illnesses.
I recently visited my 42-year old best friend while getting treatment at an Oregon chemotherapy lab. I was shocked to walk in and see an entire room filled with people in their 30’s and 40’s all hooked up to these chemo machines for cancer treatment. Many had a look of crushing sadness in their eyes. My best friend did not live another year. I often think about these same rooms all across the US and the overwhelming heartache families must be going through.
As your governor, I will oversee the development of this Live Longer Oregon state office. Under my watch, it will be my goal to have more Oregonians living longer and healthier lives.
If Oregonians don’t feel safe in their own neighborhoods, then their elected representatives have failed them.
I plan on issuing an executive order making the declaration and funding for the formation of a new state office for gun violence prevention. It’s time we prioritize our safety.
— Suppress gun crimes from high-risk adults and youth.
— Adopting violence prevention services such as street-based violence intervention.
— Emotional or trauma-related therapy and recovery services.
— After schooland summer programming to increase youth school attendance and reduce contact with the criminal justice system.
The future of Crime Prevention Technology will be Transformational.
As your governor I am going to be using innovative technology to battle crime. What this will allow for is more accountability, safer neighborhoods, fewer avoidable deaths and stopping more criminals in their tracks.
If you can spend the time to get a drivers license then you can spend time getting a gun license. It’s time for accountability.
Furthermore, those who sell unlicensed guns…they too need to be held accountable, regardless if it’s an individual or a licensed gun retailer. Getting more unlicensed guns off the street will be a solid step towards more safety.
Police Support
Let it be known that I fully support our police and do not want to defund or abolish them. They put their lives in harms way everyday to protect my family and yours. The more protected they feel out on the streets the less of a shaky trigger finger they will have. So let’s think of ideas to help protect them. One of the more exciting developments taking shape is the development of a sophisticated Smart Belt. The gear they wear should be more advanced. Deploying smart robotics in a potentially dangerous scenario can also limit the risks officers take.
Police accountability
Though I do fully support the police, I also support police accountability. They have a lot of power. Misuse of that power has created so much distrust from within the community.
From the moment they walk out of their police vehicle there needs to be an enhanced body camera worn by all officers. Cameras need to always be on, with an in-depth microphone as well.
We need to phase out guns as their automatic default weapon. There are much less lethal weapons that can quickly stop a criminal in their tracks.
Technology to fight crime
Gunshot detection isn’t in use by many police departments, but it can be a very helpful way to monitor for gunshots in specific areas.
Using mapping and electronic sensors, gunshot detection allows officers to respond immediately and accurately.
Automatic License Plate Scanner: The same technology that enables toll collectors to automatically scan and collect your license plate #’s is now being used by police for a variety of law enforcement purposes, from identifying stolen cars to catching up with people who have active warrants or monitoring “Amber Alerts.”
Electronic monitoring systems. The concept of house arrest is nothing new, but technological advances are making it a more workable option. When criminals are prosecuted for minor offenses, and they present no risk to the community, using electronic monitoring systems to allow them to serve their punishment at home has some benefits. Low-level offenders need not be in prison. Prison hardens people.
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