Rowland Martin

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?

Since there is no longer agreement on standard teaching method or standard testing I believe allowing more parental choice using vouchers would better match method to student and improve outcome.

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 believe consumption taxes are the fairest method and allow individuals to economize.  Income taxes merely promote and enable destructive envy. I would close special tax treatments and subsidies and decrease the bureaucracy.

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?

At this point it should be clear that the social welfare system has created more problems than it has solved.  Of course the legitimately disabled should be cared for at a basic level.  Virtually no one gets a perfect life and the state can never provide that to all.

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?

A good example of such a barrier is the Bacon-Davis Wage law that forces non-market wages to be paid to a select few on government projects.  Removing this barrier would allow more hiring of persons seeking to get their foot in the door.  Seattle needs to stop saying “no” to any business interested in the state or in this district.

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?

It again should be clear that a century of Progressivism has not improved wealth distribution.  If there are problems, blame the century of Progressive schemes and blame 30 years of Democrat-run Washington.  Wake up, stop voting for the same incompetent foolishness that promises utopia but never delivers it.

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?

More opportunity, more decent jobs.  Less growth-strangling bureaucracy.

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.

Persons who remain a threat should remain in prison.  Persons (felons) who are rehabilitated should have a process for restoration of full rights.

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?

The problem with this “question” is that a government rationed system can never determine how much medical care each person should get, or what kind.  Government care will end up being a fiasco, stop this phony discussion of healthcare as a “right”—it isn’t.

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