Citizens for Community Values Candidate Survey

At last its here! Citizens for Community Values has excellent candidate survey questionnaires. I saw the answers given for my local candidates. I really like this because they ask good questions of all local candidates—something that no other organization (that I know of) in my area does. But in this election, they also had different questionnaire that was answered by the presidential candidates. I am wondering why the questions they were given were different than for the local candidates. They seem less relevant. The content of this page has changed twice in recent days, so I would strongly suggest checking it again on March 4th (Election Day for Ohio voters) before voting.

In this post, I would like to comment on some of Ron Paul’s answers that some people may not understand. Most of these questions have to with stem cell research, cloning, and such.

1. What form of stem cell research would you permit access to federal funds?
• Therapeutic cloning (SCNT)• Adult stem cell research• Leftover embryos derived from in vitro fertilization• Embryo destructive research• Human/animal hybrids• Umbilical cord blood banks
It says under Ron Paul’s name “Did Not Answer”, but this is because he is against federally funding of any of these types of research. He did in fact, vote against federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

2. Would you support a federal law prohibiting states from engaging in research in which (or which relies on research in which) a human embryo is destroyed?
Ron Paul answered “no”. He is known for his strong beliefs in states rights. But there is another reason for saying “no”. Why have a law specifically prohibiting research? Why not just say that all human life from conception onward should be protected under the law (as Ron Paul has already said). If such a law would not prohibit the destruction of human embryos, but only the research, then it would be completely meaningless. He explains why such a law would be heavy-handed here. Ron Paul’s Sanctity of Life Act, if it had passed, would have actually protected human embryos from destruction.

3. Would you support a federal law prohibiting human cloning?
Ron Paul answered “no”. He did in fact vote against such a law. First of all, though human cloning is an abhorrent procedure, it doesn’t necessarily involve the killing of a human being, and therefore, in these cases, does not violate anyone’s constitutional rights. Secondly, we don't need a specific law for every procedure which does harm to an individual. This issue should be left up to the states.

4. Would you support, and continue, President Bush’s ban on the use of federal funds for research on human embryonic stem cell lines created after August 2001?
Ron Paul answered “no”. I don’t know why, but again, look at his voting record.

5. In light of the recent scientific discoveries regarding skin cells would you support/oppose continuing federal funding of destructive embryonic stem cell research?
Ron Paul gave no answer. Probably because he thinks that recent discoveries are irrelevant.

6. Would you support laws requiring abortion clinics to show all women an ultrasound image of their unborn baby?
Ron Paul gave no answer. These laws neither bring justice to killers nor protect the unborn.

7. Would you support or oppose a federal parental notification law?
Ron Paul said “oppose”. Again this law takes the focus off of what the real issue is—murder. Parental rights have traditionally been an area in which the states have sole authority.

8. Will you support the continuation of the Faith Based Initiative (on the federal level) to guarantee the right of religious social service providers to access federal programs on an equal basis?
Ron Paul said “no”. Government should stay get of the “social service” business altogether. The reasons he gives here are the similar to Alan Keyes statements on this issue.

9. Do you support or oppose federal legislation limiting the ability of government to take private land for private development purposes?
Ron Paul said “support”. Huckabee and McCain gave no answer.

Ron Paul also said that he opposed a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as “one man and one woman” only. Of course he is not in favor of gay marriage, same-sex civil unions, or the like. I explained his opposition to the FMA in a previous post, in which I provided a link to Ron’s opinion on this issue in his own words. Also read this link (scroll down to where it says, “Protect all voluntary associations; don't define marriage”).

For the rest of the questions, Ron Paul gave answers that you would expect a conservative to give.

The presidential candidate portion of the survey I found to be disappointing. One could answer all the questions favorably (from a pro-life standpoint) and still be a total pro-abort. The local candidate questions are better. If you don’t live in Ohio, but want to see more of this survey, click here for republican candidates and here for democratic candidates.