I Won't Ask You to
Vote for me because
I'm Jewish.
•
I CAN'T.
Of the four candidates in the race for State
Representative this year, only Milton Dzodin, a perennial candidate
making his third try for public office in three years, is Jewish.
I WON'T ask you to vote for me because of a long list of Jewish
supporters, either. Anyone who has lived in Southfield as long as I
have ought to have Jewish friends, and I'm proud to have such strong
support. But I can't see why someone would vote for me because of
my friends.
ON EDUCATION • •
I've never been a politician, but I am a parent. And really, that's why
I've become a politician. Because I believe education comes first —
but the legislature doesn't seem to agree. It isn't about raising taxes
— that's not what we need. It's about deciding priorities. For me,
education is first.
AND ADULT EDUCATION • •
It's just crazy. Our Governor says he wants to reduce welfare, but
cuts funding for adult education. How can people on public assis-
tance get off welfare, without education and training? I'll vote to
spend our tax dollars to train people for work — instead of spending
more for welfare, and leaving people in poverty.
ON OUR GOVERNOR • •
When John Engler cuts back on funding for the environment, he
doesn't seem to remember who uses our parks and wilderness, and
who's health is at stake. When he cuts education and job develop-
ment programs, he doesn't seem to be thinking about the prospects
for our children. And when he closed Lafayette clinic, he didn't
seem to consider the people he hurt. My job as legislator will be to
educate John Engler when I can — and fight him when I can't.
ON OUR RIGHTS • •
I believe in the right to privacy, and a woman's right to choose. As a
hospice volunteer, I've seen far too many people with terminal
illnesses — and I will never support any government attempt to
restrict a person's right to choose the way they will die. I believe
government has no place in people's private affairs. Period.
I CAN ask you to vote for me for what I've done, and what I
hope to do as our next State Representative.
Below, I've described some of my background, and what I believe.
You might consider supporting me because of my active work in
our community. You might vote for me because of my determination
to make a difference on issues in Lansing.
Or you might decide to vote for me because I've tried — and will
continue to try as our new legislator — to be a mensch.
ON CRIME • •
We ought to punish criminals severely — and we'd better try to prevent
crime first. Community policing is one answer — putting police back
on the street, where criminals can see them. Taking special pains can
help, too — like legislation to require background checks for workers
in senior care centers, where older people are vulnerable to attack.
We need to target our resources against violence, starting with crimes
against our most vulnerable neighbors — the old and the very young.
AND CRIMES OF HATE • •
Southfield and Lathrup Village are a mosaic — the most diverse com-
munities in all of Michigan. That's our strength. That's why recent
attacks right here — the victims are members of the orthodox Jewish
community, but everyone is at risk — must be dealt with promptly and
without hesitation. I support additional criminal penalties for crimes
of hatred and bigotry, to punish the haters until they stop.
ON DRUG USE • •
It's hard to imagine why young people with full lives ahead of them
would ruin them with drugs. But it's hard, too, to imagine why we
don't treat drug addiction. If we don't provide treatment for convicted
offenders who want to kick the habit, we'll never get a handle on
crime. We'll just keep re-filling our prisons.
ON WELFARE • •
I believe in helping those who need it. We can. To pay for welfare
programs, we've got to go after deadbeat parents who can support their
children, and don't — that's not what welfare is for. If we do, we'll have
the money to help the poor and handicapped, and people on fixed
incomes, who really need help. We should.
Paul Condino
SOUTHFIELD/LATHRUP
VILLAGE/DEMOCRAT
Paid for by The Committee to Elect Paul Condino, 30555 Southfield Rd. #400 • Southfield, MI 48076 • 810/647-4280 Voter Information Services 1996