Mohammad Said

1. EDUCATION
A strong education system builds a strong state. When people have access to a high-quality education starting with K-12, people have a stronger chance of obtaining economic stability. In Washington, not all schools are meeting the challenge to build a strong foundation for success. Students of color and low-income students are disproportionately affected by the achievement or opportunity gap in Washington state. How will you reduce or eliminate the achievement gap and ensure that all people have access to a high quality education?

I do not have any specifics at this time, but with family encouragement and through increased funding.

2. REVENUE
Washingtonians need a strong infrastructure and the resources, critical investments, and community services to support a vibrant and inclusive community and economy. What changes will you propose to our state’s revenue structure to ensure that we can adequately invest in our communities?

I propose increased revenue through increased taxes on tobacco and alcohol, including beer.  I will also use some the the revenue coming from tourism, which I will elaborate later on.

3. SAFETY NET
A strong safety net is the foundation of a strong state and workforce. Programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and similar programs such as Housing Essential Needs and Aged Blind Disabled (HEN and ABD), are keeping many of our families, children, and disabled adults alive. What will you do to protect funding for basic need services that provide a safety net for Washington families?

Cut part of the military budget, which is wasting our money, in adventures overseas to be used for this safety net. At the same time, find jobs for those families.

4. RACIAL JUSTICE
Institutional racism is a daily burden that our communities face when accessing housing, credit, the ballot box, and interfacing with the criminal justice system. This oppression is often codified in the rules, allowances and governance of these institutions as “business as usual” and creates significant consequences for people of color. What will you do to address the consequences of institutional racism that create barriers for our members’ ability to prosper?

I found this racism is visible in some quarters of our society, not just for people of color, but also people who are Muslims and have names like myself.  I will elaborate in the future.

5. JOBS
Wages have stagnated while cost of living has increased, making it difficult for low income families to meet their basic needs.  What would you do to help low income families support themselves?

Adjust wages according to the cost of living, though this needs to be studied further.

6. DEBT AND LENDING
Everyone, regardless of their income, should have fair and reasonable consumer protections when they borrow money. Fringe financial industries like debt settlement companies and predatory lenders push our communities into a cycle of debt. How would you protect Washingtonians’ ability to avoid this cycle of debt?

Unfortunately, those financial industries are very powerful.  There should be some institution who can lend smaller amounts, like what happens in some third world counties. I will elaborate on that in the future.

 7. CRIMINAL JUSTICE
People leaving the criminal justice system face many roadblocks to reentering their community.  This includes housing and employment discrimination and mounting debt from legal financial obligations.  What changes would you make to the criminal justice system?  Please include any ideas you have to reduce these roadblocks to reentry.

Criminal justice should be reformed.  I have met many inmates, as I’ve been a volunteer in a correction facility for nine years.  many of them are very-well reformed, but still face tremendous difficulties because of their former convictions of felony.  That should be eliminated.

8. HEALTH CARE
Health and well-being is critical for all Washingtonians to thrive. Everyone should have high quality, essential health care services including reproductive health and preventative medicine.  What will you do to ensure that all Washingtonians have access to affordable, high quality, and culturally appropriate health care?

I have lots to talk about health care, as I hold one of the highest medical degrees in the United States.  There is lots of waste and duplication.  I believe in universal health for the basic.  See my comprehensive health plan dated July 25,2009 sent to President Obama, found on my website drsaid.net.

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