2014 Survey Response: State Questionnaire  THE NATURE OF PRO-LIFE ISSUES 1. Direct threats to human life include first of all abortion, which takes the lives of well over a million US children annually; embryonic stem cell harvesting; euthanasia; and cloning. Additional threats to human life include poverty, capital punishment, racism, war, nuclear arms proliferation and exploitation. Since each and every human being is unique and important, one's personhood or worth should not be arbitrarily determined by another's choice. No one exists solely as a means to someone else's happiness. The choices we make, as individuals and as a society, must be weighed in light of their impact on human life and dignity. Do you acknowledge both the breadth of pro life issues, and the primacy of some of those issues, namely abortion, embryonic stem cell harvesting, euthanasia, and cloning? I absolutely acknowledge both the breadth and primacy of pro-life issues.  It is important for any policy maker to realize that what we know think of as life extends beyond the birth of a child. ABORTION 2. Do you believe that a unique human life begins at conception? YES.  I believe that unique human life begins at conception. If not, when? ___ 3 mths ___ 6 mths ___ 9 mths ___ 1 yr ___ 18 yrs?   3. The 14th Amendment states "nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, 1973, stated that "if this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment." The Court regrettably concluded though that "we need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer." Do you believe that the State has a compelling interest in protecting human life beginning at conception? Yes.  I believe that the State does have a compelling interest in protecting human life beginning at conception.  I believe that I have shown my commitment to this issue in my time serving as a State Representative. 4. Is taking the life of a pre-born child through abortion ever morally permissible? Check all that apply: I think that many individuals struggle with this question as it relates to the topic of saving a mother's life.  The question inevitably arises as to how do you determine which life should be saved, and which should be ended.  This was an intense discussion in our own home as we prepared to have our first child.  Luckily, we were never faced with that situation.  I would not pretend that this would or could be an easy decision.  Medical professional's opinions, personal beliefs, and religious beliefs would all have to be weighed very carefully in this answer.  Because I do not have the answer to the question of how to choose between the life of the mother and the life of the child, I have arrived at the answer below: _____ No, it's never permissible __X__ Yes, to save mother's life _____ Yes, in cases of rape or incest ____ Yes, for physical deformity _____ Yes, for gender _____ Yes, for race _____ Yes, to punish spouse _____ Yes, it's always permissible EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS AND CLONING 5. Do you oppose embryonic stem cell research or human cloning, whether publically or privately funded? YES.  I also believe that there are alternative forms of medicine and science that can and will allow doctors and researchers to gain the end result that they are seeking. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN ABORTION 6. Peer reviewed studies have shown that parental involvement laws reduce the occurrence of risky sex in teens, and more than 30 states currently have some form of them. Either the teen refrains from engaging in sex or is more careful before having sex. These laws help teen mothers and fathers get the support and guidance they need from parents in this important decision. Not having them risks parental estrangement or alienation from the child when in the greatest need and denies the dignity of the family. Minors already must have parental approval for even the most minor types of medical procedures or medications and should also for the complex procedure of abortion. Without parental involvement, a minor impregnated by an adult often times is pressured into having an abortion so as to conceal the fact that the adult is guilty of statutory rape. Will you promote/support parental involvement laws (with judicial override) for minors when seeking an abortion? YES.  As parents, we strive to do the best job possible in raising our children.  We wish to be there for the good times, and more importantly need to be there during times of struggle.  It is unimaginable to me that a parent could be legally kept in the dark as it relates to their minor child seeking an abortion.  Parents need to be there not only to offer advice and guidance, but to provide comfort.  The impacts of this decision are life altering, a parent should absolutely be involved. MEDICAL CONSCIENCE CLAUSES 7. "The trend toward accepting the termination of some human lives as a normal part of medicine is accelerating ... Courts, policymakers, media leaders - even the elites of organized medicine - increasingly assert that patient rights and respect for patients’ choices should trump the consciences of medical professionals. Indeed, the time may soon arrive when doctors, nurses, and pharmacists will be compelled to take, or be complicit in the taking of, human life, regardless of their strong religious or moral objections thereto." (Westlie J. Smith, 2009). Should doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals be granted the right to refuse participation in the provision of medical services that violate the person's moral, ethical or religious beliefs? YES.  I believe this to be one of the most basic building blocks a free society.  The right to conscience should not be infringed upon. PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE 8. Washington State Initiative 1000 which was passed in 2008, legalized Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) by allowing doctors to prescribe lethal doses of barbiturates to certain patients. An objection to this sanctioning of suicide is that some vulnerable persons, such as those who are feeble, depressed, mentally ill, or handicapped, will likely experience coercion to end their lives. For them a right to die, already protected in the Natural Death Act, (RCW 70.122), may become a duty to die. The American Medical Association (policy H-140.952) as well as the Washington State Medical Association (2007 Resolution A-7) oppose PAS. The AMA stated that "physician assisted suicide is fundamentally inconsistent with the physician's professional role." The initiative uses vague language that enable doctors "acting in good faith" to assist mentally ill or depressed patients to commit suicide, while protecting doctors from civil and criminal lawsuits. Health care insurers can cut costs by providing prescriptions for suicide. Will society's sanction of suicide have unintended consequences? Sponsor and former governor Booth Gardner says that this is only a “first step” in legalizing assisted suicide for anyone who wants it. When society fails to protect vulnerable people in their troubles, but instead offers them the violence of suicide, has not society abandoned them? Do you oppose physician assisted suicide? YES.  MARRIAGE PRESERVATION 9. Children develop best within the context of a biologically related family. This is a scientifically proven fact which the Washington State Supreme Court referenced when in 2006, it ruled on the state's 1998 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The court determined that the state's limitation of marriage to heterosexual couples "is constitutional because the legislature was entitled to believe that limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples furthers ... the well-being of children by encouraging families where children are reared in homes headed by the children’s biological parents." In concurrence, Justice James Johnson wrote "The unique and binary biological nature of marriage and its exclusive link with procreation and responsible child rearing has defined the institution [of marriage in law]." In order to affirm and protect children’s rights and the primacy of those rights over adults’ aspirations for novel family forms, do you oppose laws that change the definition of marriage to include homosexual and polygamous relationships? It is important to note that the voters of the State of Washington have chosen to allow for homosexual marriage.  That is now the law of the land (at least within our borders).  With that being said, there are individuals who will continue to push the boundaries of the definition of marriage.  Polygamy is only one of the many changes that certain segments of the population would like to have amended.  I will oppose laws that will change the definition of marriage. PUBLIC SCHOOL SEX EDUCATION 10. The Washington State Legislature in 2007 passed ESSB 5297 requiring school districts to teach "scientifically accurate" (aka comprehensive) sex education, if they teach sex ed at all. The typical comprehensive sex education program spends as little as 5% of the time teaching abstinence principles (Zogby 3/27/07), instead spending significantly more time teaching students how to put condoms on models of male genitalia and promoting alternative forms of sexual activity called outercourse, which may include showering together and mutual masturbation as effective ways to avoid pregnancy and disease. In contrast, an emphasis on abstinence means teaching students about building healthy relationships and bolstering self worth and self-control. Given that ESSB 5297 allows school districts a wide range in how the law is applied, will you work to maximize sex education that is wholesome, not dehumanizing and truly safe? YES.  I believe that our schools should be teaching the facts as it relates to sexual education.  I will continue to work towards this goal. DEATH PENALTY 11. The death penalty in the United States should: _____ not be used ___X__ be used about the same _____ be used less _____ be used more GAMING 12. A proposed casino off I-5 near Ridgefield is projected to be one of the largest in the nation. What is your position on the building of this casino? The latest news can be found here on the Citizens Against Reservation Shopping blog. As a State Representative for the 18th Legislative District, I am a member of the Government Accountability and Oversight Committee.  One charge of this committee is to deal with all gambling related matters.  I have worked to oppose a mega-casino on I-5 since I have been in office.  I will continue to do so. QUALIFICATIONS AND COMMENTS 13. Please state your qualifications for office such as professional, educational, family and community accomplishments. You may also add any any further comments regarding the relationship of your candidacy to respect life issues. It has been a great honor to serve the people of the 18th Legislative District as their State Representative for the last two years.  In that role, I have worked tirelessly to make sure that their voice is well represented in Olympia.  I have been charged with the unique task of serving on more legislative committees than any other member of the Washington State Legislature.  They are:  Appropriations Committee, Finance Committee, Business and Financial Service Committee, Technology, Energy, and Economic Development Committee, Government Accountability and Oversight Committee, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, and the Legislative Ethics Board. I believe that I have gained a reputation as both a leader, and someone who can be trusted.  I cannot thank the people of SW Washington enough for this opportunity. Outside of the legislature, I am married to my high school sweetheart.  Together we have one daughter.  We make out home in the Felida area of Clark County. When not working in Olympia, I am the sales and marketing manager for our family landscape construction and maintenance company.  Vick Landscaping has been serving SW Washington since 1961.  My experience in small business has allowed me to be an effective advocate for the employers and employees of our area. I am proud to be an Eagle Scout, and am involved in several community organizations and boards.  Our family is proud to call Clark County home, and being an active part of the community is a top priority for us. 14. Do you have a campaign website? What is the address? Yes!  www.ReElectBrandonVick.com WEBSITE POSTING PERMISSION 15. May Life Pac post your survey response on its website? Absolutely!