Response to the San Francisco Women's Political Committee Questionnaire

The goals of the SFWPC are to organize all women in order that they may unite in their efforts to eradicate sexism, racism, ageism, violence against women, and poverty. SFWPC also works for the advancement and election of women in San Francisco. SFWPC will only endorse candidates who express agreement and have demonstrated support for SFWPC goals, purposes and specific issues targeted by SFWPC, including the ERA and CEDAW, reproductive choice, affirmative action, pay equity in the workplace for comparable work, increased access to dependent care, elimination of all violence against women and support for the election and advancement of women.

ERA
The Equal Rights Amendment states "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex." Do you support the ERA?
Yes, I do.

List at least one example that shows how you have promoted the principles of the ERA in the past or how you will in the future.
I promote the principles of the ERA in the way I conduct my relationships with women and will continue to do so in the future.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Do you think Affirmative Action is still necessary for women and minorities? If so, what would be your top priority to ensure affirmative action for women and minorities?
No, I’m not convinced that Affirmative Action is the way to go any longer for women and minorities. A class-based approach may be more effective.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Do you support maintaining a woman’s fundamental right to choose a safe, legal abortion? Yes.
Do you support a minor’s access to abortion without parental notification, parental consent or a court order?
Yes.
Do you oppose restrictions that would interfere with a physician’s medical judgment to determine the safest and most appropriate abortion procedure to use to terminate a pregnancy?
Yes.
Do you support public funding of abortion services without restriction for low-income women who depend on the government for their health care?
Yes.
Are there any restrictions to abortion that you support?
Can’t think of any.

COMPARABLE WORTH
Do you support the concept of pay equity in the workplace for comparable work? If you support this concept, and if elected, what would you do to advance pay equity in the workplace?
I don’t know. Do you have something specific in mind?

ELIMINATION OF ALL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
If elected, how would you improve San Francisco’s response to rape, child prostitution, and domestic violence?
I have nothing specific in mind, but my understanding is that D.A. Kamala Harris is moving forward on these issues and good for her.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
If elected, what would you do to help eliminate sexual harassment?
Again, do you have something specific in mind? Do we need new city ordinances on sexual harassment? As you can see from my website, my campaign isn’t about women’s rights.
There has been a significant increase in the rate of sexual harassment in San Francisco’s schools. If elected, what would you do to address this issue?
Has there? Between students? The issue should be addressed, of course, assuming the board of supervisors is the best place to address it.

SEX EDUCATION
The California Legislature recently passed SB 71 which mandates that any school that offers sex education have programs that are medically accurate, age-appropriate, and starting in 7th grade, must cover abstinence, birth control effectiveness and safety, protection from STD’s, and decision-making. Do you support actively ensuring that schools in your district are meeting these standards?
Yes. Sounds sensible to me.

CAMPAIGN ISSUES
Why are you running for this office and what are your major issues?
I’m offering a critique of SF progressivism, which is often characterized by smugness and a tacit PC ideology that hinders clear thinking about issues. (see my website: www.andersonfordistrict5.net for a more complete argument)

ELECTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN
If elected, would you work with SFWPC to ensure the election and advancement of women? Name two specific examples of things you would be willing to do?
No, I would not. I don’t think women per se bring anything special to the party. I assume you don’t mean women like Margaret Thatcher or Ann Coulter, right? Now, Susan King, one of my D-5 opponents, would be a good elected official, though I’d like to see her disavow Critical Mass.
Would you support the appointment of women to The City’s Commissions and Boards?
Not necessarily. See above answer.
Demographically, or otherwise, who do you consider your base of support and why?
My base of support is rather narrow thus far, but we’ll see as the campaign progresses. My base, such as it is, is composed of those who are disillusioned with a brand of progressivism that has completely screwed up the homeless issue, for example.

PERSONAL DATA
Please list your professional experience.
I’m a working class guy and have worked in a couple of garment factories here in the city, a lumber mill up north, and, in recent years, as a dishwasher in a lot of kitchens here and there. I now work as a dishwasher in three different kitchens here in the city. I spent several years writing for the Anderson Valley Advertiser in Mendocino County, which was owned by my brother and his wife.
Please list your community involvement.
Running for supervisor in D5 is my primary involvement. (I also ran in 2000)
Please attach a list of your endorsements, both groups and individuals.
I’m not asking any individual or group to endorse me. I’m saying what I think and letting the chips fall as they will. In 2000 I was pleased to be endorsed by Darryl Cherney of Earth First! and Dan Hamburg of the Green Party. But I’m not going to bother asking them this time around.