While campaigning for the presidency in 1988, the elder George Bush famously chided his Democratic rival, Michael Dukakis, for once proclaiming, "I'm a card-carrying member of the ACLU."
During a presidential debate, Bush expounded on his criticism, adding, "That was what he said. He is out there on out of the mainstream." (Yes, it's not just the son who mangles the English language.)
Dukakis was too tepid to respond forcefully enough. That was left to the fictional character, Andrew Shepherd, in the 1995 film, The American President.
"For the record: Yes, I am a card-carrying member of the ACLU," Shepherd said, responding to criticism from his opponent, Sen. Bob Rumson. "But the more important question is why aren't you, Bob? Now, this is an organization whose sole purpose is to defend the Bill of Rights, so it naturally begs the question: Why would a senator, his party's most powerful spokesman and a candidate for President, choose to reject upholding the Constitution?"
In the years since, the mission of the American Civil Liberties Union has only become more relevant as Bush’s son, Dubya, rides roughshod over the Bill of Rights.
This election season, the ACLU of Ohio has issued a list of 10 questions that it believes people concerned with upholding civil liberties should ask all candidates seeking elective office.
Here are the questions distributed by the group. The first set is for candidates at the federal level, and the second set is for state level contenders.
Federal:
1.) Do you believe accused terrorists should be able to challenge their detention in U.S. courts?
2.) Would you support a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage?
3.) What are your thoughts on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy?
4.) With a disproportionate number of minorities on Death Row and a rising number of exonerations via DNA evidence, what’s your stance on the death penalty?
5.) What changes, if any, would you propose to the PATRIOT Act and the FISA Amendment Act to better protect civil liberties?
6.) During the past 10 years, 200,000 college students have been denied financial aid through the federal government after being convicted of drug offenses, including first-time misdemeanors. Do you support a change to this law?
7.) Inexplicable delays of months and years have so far kept hundreds of thousands of people from becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. Will you work to clear this backlog?
8.) Since 2003, at least 83 undocumented immigrants have died while in federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement custody. Do you promise to improve conditions at detention facilities in order to avoid such regrettable and preventable deaths?
9.) Is it ever acceptable to profile people based on their race or religion?
10.) How would you ensure that faith-based groups receiving federal money do not discriminate against clients and employees?
State:
1.) Do you support laws that make it illegal to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity?
2.) What would you do to ease the transition of prisoners back into society?
3.) Currently in Ohio, prosecutors are under no legal obligation to share evidence with defense attorneys. Would you support legislation to open the discovery process?
4.) In your opinion, which is the better method for teaching sex education in public schools — abstinence-only or comprehensive sex education?
5.) What method of voting technology do you prefer for Ohio voters and why?
6.) Do you favor giving police in Ohio the authority to assist with enforcement of federal immigration laws?
7.) Would you support a moratorium on capital punishment in Ohio so it can be researched whether the death penalty in our state is administered fairly?
8.) Do you think it’s acceptable or desirable to segregate school children by gender?
9.) Would you support legislation to study the issue of racial profiling by police in Ohio?
10.) In your opinion, is there any place for the teaching of biblical creationism or “intelligent design” in Ohio’s public schools?
Also, the ACLU of Ohio has launched a new Web page entitled, Vote! The site is described as a one-stop voter empowerment resource and contains information such as voter registration forms, absentee ballot applications, Board of Elections contact data and a feedback form to let the ACLU know how their voting experience at the polls went.
Founded in 1920, the ACLU is the nation’s oldest civil liberties organization and has been a strong, nonpartisan voice on issues such as voting rights and access to the polls.
— Kevin Osborne
Comments