Progressive E-Board Coalition
DNC Candidate Questionnaire from Aleita Huguenin
If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues:
a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq-
My anti- war days began with Vietnam and continue until this day. The only
element not in this action is the involuntary draft of young citizens for old
men’s wars. I strongly believe that we (the American people and Congress) we
systematically lied to about the intelligence, the threat (Weapons of Mass
Destruction etc.) and we lied to the world. (See UN statements by Colin Powell) As will
happen in a democracy the “truth” will come to the surface and we welcome
all who join us in getting out of this mess as soon as possible.
We have literally spent our children’s future on this war.
b) Eliminating Poverty-
I guess the most important thing I work on that effects this area is
supporting groups that work in this field and I work tirelessly to keep our public
schools funded and staffed to accommodate all students. Education is in the
long run the way out of poverty.
C) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
We have worked hard to see this day come. I cannot tell you how hard we have
worked to even get the Healthy Family program easy to sign up for in our
schools. We must dedicate the funds to make this happen—we should have the same
plan as Congress and we should make it a right not a privilege. The best
thing about the Democratic Primary this year was the discussions among our great
candidates on how to move this goal into policy.
D) Ensuring Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted
as cast)
I have not directly participated in the count in Florida etc.
I have attended many hearings at the Sec. of State’s office and talked to
many of our county clerks about this issue. I find that in the Western States
we have a huge variety of vote counting methods. All of them are under the
microscope and all of them are trying to move to the most secure systems
possible.
-- Bigger issue is how do we assure that all eligible voters get to vote?
Who are being “purged” from the roles and what are the criteria?
F) Preserving a free and open Internet
I have supported all efforts in this area. While I am not an expert I know
value when I see it. I don’t want this wonderful communication system
destroyed! The internet is like our modern day version of the Federalist Papers!
(True you have to be very careful about the validity of some stuff but the
freedom of communication is great!
G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
I worked for Congressman Jerry Waldie when he brought articles of
Impeachment against Richard Nixon (over the un-authorized bombing of Hanoi). I know
how much effort this sort of path takes. We were lucky that the Butterfield
tapes and other items came out and the Senate was able to proceed with other
charges. We never got that sort of break with this administration. I am so disgusted
that after it is too late Bush’s own press secretary now blabs that we were
all correct. What a hero!
H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not
incarceration
This has been one of my goals for 45+ years. Look at my record. It is a core
value.
I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality
Again- this has been a value before it was a fad. I am pleased that it is
finally going to happen. We must, however, defeat the measure on the November
ballot . That is why I am going to be working on the measure with the firm who
has been hired to run the campaign.
J) Promoting public financing of elections-
I don’t yet think anyone has come up with a realistic formula on the funding
of this measure. The rich will always have an advantage—the Courts have
already given that to them at a National level. We have another cycle coming and
perhaps the language will come that will implement the dream.
K) Abolishing the death penalty
—I have never believed in the death penalty.
L) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence
I have been a strong advocate of this topic for years. I have family members
who work on nuclear power in Europe. They have an interesting view on this
topic that is not allowed to be discussed in the U. I have friends interested
and informative on wave energy. I am open to anything that doesn’t continue
to rape our earth and poison our world.
I have solar for my home; I drive a hybrid car,
If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent
178-billion dollar war package?
NO. But I would have found it hard not to support our troops with food,
equipment and things needed to keep them alive until they are brought home. We
must get a larger majority of Democrats in both Houses of the Congress to help
stop this nonsense and bring our troops and National Guard home.
What qualifies you, in terms of your organizing work, to represent
progressive values on the E-Board?
See above.
Why should progressives on the CDP E-Board vote for you as a DNC delegate?.
I have been in the front of getting Howard Dean to be the chair of the NC. I
worked to get the first forum (Sacramento) to challenge the assumed chair by
the DNC beltway guys. Our support of him at that point was the cutting edge
of breaking through a barrier that made it possible to get him elected and to
get the Democratic Party to realize that the DC beltway look at our country
was just wrong.
I worked with the Western States to make this plan not a dream but a
reality. We have made huge gains in the west—we defied the beltway folks and while
their targeted candidates faltered our 50 State Strategy folks won and we
began to take back Congress and our Country. The dream is alive and we push on
now to elect a President and end this nightmare. No one is going to be left
behind!
Do you think we should have super delegates? Why or why not?
Yes—I think that having people who are not just elected from states and
afternoon caucus meetings benefit from the advice and knowledge of people who
have had to run campaigns and be around through many battles in their states.
If we were to eliminate them then they would just run at the district
caucuses and win most of the seats because of name recognition etc.
Are you running on a slate with other candidates? If so, who are the other
candidates running on your slate and what was the process for choosing these
candidates to run with you?
The incumbent DNC females decided to run as a group. We have worked hard, we
are very active and they deserve another term. I personally believe,
however, that elected members of Congress have many ways to get on the DNC and that
slots should be left open for regular active members as they have no other
way to participate.
What experience has prepared you to run as a DNC member?
On which committee(s) would you like to serve and what are your personal
goals for each committee?
I am on the Executive Committee by a vote of all the DNC members in the
Western States, (Guam, American Somoa and Democrats Abroad). They thought I was
the best of the west to be on the Executive Committee and vote for them and
their issues. I take their trust and support very seriously.
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