Issues

The importance of two parent families:  The very keystone of society is the family.  It is not an exaggeration to say that without peaceful families, there cannot be a peaceful society.  Family breakdown is at the very root of all major social problems.  This includes out of wedlock pregnancy, high rates of juvenile crime and violence, high dropout rates and lagging school achievement, and a lack of a clear vision for a happy future for our youth.

 I see a city where stable two parent families provide a supportive environment for the children that will be born from the loving union of that couple.  Ninety percent of children living in intact two parent families do not become involved in delinquent behavior even in crime ridden neighborhoods.  These families follow the natural Order and Principle that God created.  James Madison, our nation’s fourth president said, “Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.”

Rights are endows by the Creator, just as Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence.  And so are responsibilities and principles that must be followed to maintain life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I am for making the family where mothers and fathers care for their children the point of reference for all policies and laws.  Laws should protect the family, not lead to confusion over what a family is.  This confusion is especially damaging to our youth.  City government should do all it can to encourage and assist the formation of  the basic unit of society, families consisting of mothers and fathers.  

Definition of Marriage:  I am for a DC where marriage is defined as being only between a man and a woman.  I believe that Washington DC voters should be able to vote on this issue.  I will work with my new council colleagues to bring the definition of marriage before the voters of Washington, DC.  I am for a DC where you can teach in public schools that marriage is between a man and a woman without being ejected because you are now violating the law that says marriage is between any two consenting adults.  Yes, that’s right, it is now illegal to teach that marriage is only between a man and a woman.  You must also say that it is between two men or two women, or you are not following the law and you will be ejected.  This has already happened in Massachusetts and other states that have legalized same sex unions, and it has happened here in DC even before the same sex “marriage” law was passed.

Families that consist of a mother and a father can create children that will be future productive members of society.  They also follow the natural principles of love, which requires plus and minus elements, so to speak, creation of new life, which also requires plus and minus elements, and the continuance of human society, which also requires plus and minus elements, or men and women.

HIV/AIDS Prevention & Youth Character Development:  With 6.5% of black men and 2.6 % of Black females infected with HIV/AIDS, and many more infected and not reported we must take action immediately to promote sexual abstinence and faithfulness between couples.  The message is simple:  don’t have sex outside of marriage or a lifetime monogamous relationship and remain faithful to one partner to stop the spread of HIV/AIDs.

I am for a DC where every 6^th grade youth will be able to participate in a club that supports and encourages them in their desire to have a happy and successful future by staying abstinent from sex, drugs and alcohol.  This education and mentoring will continue through high school.  This is what parents want for their 6^th grade girls and boys, not HPV shots that have caused 1000 serious adverse reactions nationwide, including 32 deaths.

The nonprofit that my wife of 27 years, Stacey (recognize her) and I founded in 2003, ULTRA (Urban Life Training & Reality Assessment) Teen Choice has already successfully formed these clubs in half a dozen Washington DC public schools, with some 250 youth participating.  They are very popular with parents and students.  I will work with my colleagues so that any student who desires to participate will have the opportunity to participate in one of these clubs, which will be called STAR clubs, for Students Teaching Abstinence And Responsibility.  Older college and high school youth who are practicing abstinence will guide the younger peers.  This program will be self funding, since teen childbearing in DC costs at least $26 million per year. and that does not include many of the related costs, like more youth who are born to teen parents being incarcerated.

Corruption in Government:  RUforDC.  I am.  I am for a DC where public service comes before selfish conflicts of interest.    Several of the current councilmembers and the Mayor have been, or are being investigated for conflicts of interest and corruption.  I will work for more transparency in the government and in the schools.

Taxes:  Thousands of DC residents were just hit with a huge property tax increase due to a little known  change in the DC tax code that was voted in last year by the City Council.  My property tax is now 120% greater.  Yes, that’s right, it is more than twice what it was last year.  Yet, at the same time, tens of millions of dollars have been stolen and misspent under the watch of the current City Council.  As a small business person and the co-founder of Urban Grocery LLC, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that small businesses are not burdened with excessive regulations  and taxes.  I will work to modify tax codes that cause married couples to pay more taxes than couples who are not married.

I will also work with my colleagues to ease the tax burden on poor and lower middle income working families.

Public Schools:  Firing hundreds of teachers while at the same time ejecting and blocking community groups that want to work in public schools but don’t necessarily meet the political agenda of the current school chancellor is just plain wrong.  I will work with my council colleagues to restore an elected school board and to remove Michelle Rhee as the School Chancellor.

Philosophy of Government:  City government cannot be all things to all people.  City government should focus on providing basic services well, and on RUforDC?  I am. 

Policing:  Policing should also be more community based.  I will work with my colleagues to encourage more collaboration between the Police Department and the community.