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Candidate Loraine Goodwin, M.D., J.D.
Congressional District 19
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TO SEE PART 1 of ISSUES click here
Denham's
California Online Poker Bill Defeated June 28On Tuesday August 3rd, Senate Bill
1485 will be debated in the California Senate Governmental Organization Committee. The measure,
introduced by Rod Wright (D-Inglewood) and Jeff Denham (R -Atwater), paves the way for legalized and regulated
online poker in the west coast state, which has been plagued by budget shortfalls. The Morongo Band of Mission
Indians has come out against SB 1485, with tribe spokesperson Patrick Dorinson telling the Palm Springs Desert
Sun newspaper, “We’ve always supported the concept of intrastate poker in California because of consumer
protections, revenue to the state, and the fact it would bring the game out of the shadows. But we cannot support the bill
in its present form.” According to a separate article by the Palm Springs news outlet, the measure governing online
poker has been granted special consideration despite the legislature’s full plate: “Because more than 20 pending
measures are expected to be heard [on June 29th], the online legislation has been given a special order of business status.
That guarantees a hearing start time for 3:30pm.” The proceedings will take place in Room 3191 of the
State Capitol in Sacramento. SB 1485 authorizes three “hub operators” to provide legal
internet gambling games to California residents for a period of five years. Because of its legalized status, an operator must
fork over “at least 20% of its gross revenues” to the state’s newly created Internet Gambling Fund every
month. Moreover, California residents who play on unauthorized channels will feel the long arm of the law and every online
poker player must be at least 21 years of age. Senate Bill 1485 notes that legal live poker exists en masse in California;
however, the state has not yet elected to tackle the internet version of the game. During the upcoming 2010-2011 season
of the World Poker Tour (WPT), the most populated state in the Union will play host to the Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Casino in August. After a six-month
hiatus, WPT officials will return to California for the annual Celebrity Invitational and L.A. Poker Classic, both of which
are held at the Commerce Casino. Finally, in March 2011, the WPT’s premier bounty event, the Bay 101 Shooting Star,
will emanate from San Jose. The text of SB 1485 claims that the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
(UIGEA) authorizes internet gambling “as long as all players and the online wagering activities are located within the state
and the games are not played by minors.” Hollywood Park, the Commerce Casino, Hawaiian Gardens, and The Bike
have joined the Morongo Tribe in its opposition to the legislation, according to the Desert Sun. The opposition implored,
“We believe what plays in California should stay in California. By licensing foreign operators and Las Vegas gaming
interests, this bill allows money to leave the state instead of helping California’s economy.”
Page 2 of CAMPAIGN ISSUES
Seniors Seniors WILL be Protected Our seniors are treasured.
They carry many valley stories. These men and women who developed the Central Valley must be treated with the respect and
dignity they deserve in their golden years.
Social Security and Medicare Must be Protected
FDR’s crowning domestic achievement was the creation of a retirement
system that is reliable and immune to fluctuations in the stock market. Social Security works and provides a necessary source
of income for our seniors. In Congress, I will never allow Wall Street to touch Social Security, and I will never support
cuts to benefits – benefits very much deserved and needed.
Seniors love Medicare. They are able to get regular checkups and frequent access to specialists.
All Americans, and especially our seniors, deserve access to quality medical
care without the prescription doughnut hole. In Congress I will ensure seniors have affordable prescription drugs.
Elder Protection Court / Elder Fraud / Elder Abuse
The establishment of elder courts offers seniors an opportunity to have
most of their dealings with the justice system handled by judges fully versed in the issues that impact them, and I think
these are systems that should be expanded nationwide. Our seniors are taken advantage of too frequently, and elder abuse is
also far too common. I encourage the promotion of the Ombudsman as a protector of seniors.
Transit for Seniors and People with Disabilities
Our seniors and people with disabilities often have special needs that must be taken into account when planning
regional public transit. All our buses must be made accessible, and regional paratransit must be protected and expanded. Some
of this can be achieved with grants from the federal government. In Congress I will work to secure the necessary funds. I
also support increased availability of bus and train transit so seniors can travel more easily for shopping, restaurants,
education and local regional outings.
Addressing
the Housing Crisis
I would rather have a family with
kids in a foreclosed home over pushing the family out and giving the property at low cost to real estate flippers. In Congress
I will continue to push for fast reasonable mortgage modifications to save family homes. Our valley families should not be
homeless.
The foreclosure crisis has hit seniors on
fixed incomes especially hard, and we must not tolerate a system that allows seniors to lose their homes needlessly. I support
allowing bankruptcy judges to modify home loans to allow more seniors to stay in their own homes while paying off debts with
a more sustainable monthly payment and a moratorium on foreclosures is appropriate.
We must also not forget renters. I support housing subsidies for low-income residents, especially seniors and
the disabled. No senior should be homeless.
Senior CenterComputer and Job
Training Services and Free Internet for Low Income Children
All children have to have access to computers for improved modes of education. In Congress, I will work to provide internet
service to all students.
Senior centers provide an opportunity
for seniors to learn computer and Internet skills, enabling them to stay informed, connect with shared-interest communities,
find services, play games and ward off Alzheimer's. I support computer and internet access for seniors.
Social Justice
ChildrenI
have zero tolerance for child abuse. As a Central Valley mom, I will always protect our children and ensure they have access
to a great education and a great quality and way of life.
Women
I have practiced women’s health and preventive medicine since the 1980’s. In Congress I will continue to
work to ensure that women will have equal opportunities in school and the workplace. I have zero tolerance for domestic violence.
I will work with women abroad to speak against the stoning and maiming of women.
LGBT Issues
throughout our country's proud history, every
generation has faced a national debate on civil rights issues. While these struggles have often been slow and arduous, as
we have witnessed for more than two centuries, the trajectory of our society is toward more equality under the law. I fully
support eliminating barriers to equality for all Americans, including the LGBT community.
Eliminating Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT): Gay and lesbian men and women have fought and died defending our freedoms.
They deserve the ability to serve without fear of reprisal.
Passing the Employment
Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA): We are blessed to live in a state that bars discrimination in the workplace based on sexual
orientation or gender identity. I support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, because I believe all Americans deserve the
ability to work without fear of unjust termination.
================================================Improved Quality of Life
Crime Crime is out of control in the Central
Valley.We all need safety and security in our homes, on the streets, and at work and school. We do a great job trying to decrease
gangs, but we need a lot more. I have worked with law enforcement officials for years as a member of the Madera Unified School
Board and as a member of the Madera Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board. We are experiencing an increase in shootings, break-ins,
smash-and-grabs, and home invasions. Police are also being targeted. This is not the lifestyle we want and I will work to
provide assistance to stop the rising crime and protect our residents, visitors, and law enforcement employees.
Transportation
The 19th Congressional District is a major transportation corridor, connecting
the Bay Area to the Central Valley and the nation. Congestion on the freeway adds to air pollution. In Congress I will seek
to expand public transportation systems and improve highways that serve the district.
Transit Villages/Livable Communities: Madera is emphasizing mixed-zoning livable communities where it is possible
to live, work, and play in the same area. The best way to get residents out of their cars is to, whenever possible, remove
the need to commute. I will fight for improved transit throughout the district.
Bicycling:
The 19th Congressional District is beautiful and green,
perfect for biking. Biking provides healthy exercise and green technology. I encourage area residents to bike when commuting
or going to school and I support building safe bike paths. I will work for an expansion of safe bike paths and bike lanes
in the district.
United States and Israel
The
United States has a moral and strategic interest in a strong, secure and viable Israel.
The special relationship between the United States and Israel is based on shared values
and a commitment to democratic principles. Israel is a democracy and values human rights, having been created not only out
of biblical history, but also out of the worst violation of human rights in recent centuries - the Holocaust. Israel remains
the only true democracy in the Middle East; therefore it is in the critical interest of the United States to strongly support
Israel and its people.
Israel and the United States
have a long and valued history of mutual economic and trade interests, shared research goals and programs in the biotech,
medical, information and energy sectors and many common diplomacy objectives.
The United States must continue to support the defense of Israel, including honoring its foreign aid commitments
as set forth in the August 2007 Memorandum of Understanding on U.S. Military Assistance. Further, our nations must work jointly
to eliminate domestic and international terrorism and to stop the spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
The Palestinian – Israeli conflict requires a solution based on the
two-state strategy which can best be achieved through the resumption of bilateral negotiations between the Palestinian Authority
and Israel. The United States should be the principle convener and mediator while continuing to be friend and supporter of
Israel. The United States should seek to reduce Hamas’s influence, while strengthening the Palestinian Authority. Israel
must not go ahead with plans to build additional housing on the disputed land and both sides must show good faith during peace
negotiations. China: I
will work with the administration to stop China from undervaluing its currency and hurting our economy. I will also examine
China's passive-aggressive continuing actions in exporting poisonous toys, foods,dog foods and drywall which made thousands
of new homes uninhabitable. China has also put defective bumpers on repaired cars and used other defective parts. I will investigate
the possible problems with the millions of computers or schools and others have imported over the years. Our national security
must always be a priority. I will investigate the plastination business in Dalian China to ensure healthy people are
not being sacrificed for exhibits. China is still working towards its own interests and we must prevent any aggressive
move in the future. I support our formal political ties and relationships to help ensure safety.
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Veterans Veterans will Receive Benefits and Security I care about our veterans and I support them fully. Our active soldiers and veterans deserve our respect,
our thanks and our assurance that we will support them in every way we can. Many return with life-long injuries. Most will
adapt. In Congress, I will advocate for improved VA hospital services along with veteran education, job training, healthcare,
and housing. I spent years visiting veterans in the Fresno VA. My Uncle, Judge Hugh Goodwin, resided there and received
excellent and loving care. The Fresno VA is a great facility and I will support continued funds for repair and upgrade
to all Central Valley VA facilities. I
want veterans and all Central Valley residents to become productive citizens and able to earn a decent living. To ensure this
I feel we need to continue to commit to job training, counseling, and healthcare. There is no better investment in our future
than education. It prepares Californians for good paying jobs and revenues stimulate the economy that can then be reinvested
to improve the lives of all Californians. In Congress I will expand our education and vocational training systems. Currently our mentally ill soldiers are being mistreated by having
the soldiers take psychiatric medications while continuing to work in the extreme heat, heavily clothed in stressful
conditions without heat stress precautions. We must remove mentally impaired soldiers from the battlefield and bring them
home for good. In Congress, I will work on getting that done as soon as possible.
REGISTER, VOTE FOR GOODWIN
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