Issues Aileen Cares About
Business & Economy
A robust economy and business climate that creates jobs and economic opportunity for all is fundamental to the promise of the American Dream and the spirit of California. Work provides a sense of dignity as we contribute to both our individual and collective growth. We also contribute to the tax base for the programs and policies we champion as individuals that support economic justice and the redistribution of wealth.
Children, young Adults, and Their Families
Aileen believes that we must invest in the well-being of children and young people in order for them to become thriving and productive members of society. To do so, Aileen will work to provide them with a healthy start, a solid education, and a safe community.
Civil Justice
Aileen supports a strong and accessible civil justice system to defend public health, safety and the environment, and to vindicate the rights of consumers, injured persons, employees, and all of our citizens equally. The Seventh Amendment right to trial by jury in civil cases was intended by the Framers to put a check on the potential abuse of power by the government and place control in the hands of the "common people."
Criminal Justice
Aileen is committed to the public safety, while supporting a criminal justice system that provides fair and equitable treatment for all. Crime prevention and rehabilitation must focus on evidence-based programs and investment in alternatives to incarceration.
Aileen is committed to eliminating racial and economic disparities within the criminal justice system and to ending mass incarceration in California prisons and jails.
Criminal justice reform must incorporate every aspect of the criminal justice system, including what we choose to criminalize; the practices and behavior of law enforcement professionals; charging, sentencing, and bail; treatment of those incarcerated, diversion and rehabilitation; and, reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society.
Culture & the Arts
Aileen believes in freedom of expression without compromise, public support of the arts, and the principles promoted by the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). We further commit to involve artists and cultural organization workers in the planning and implementation processes of artistic endeavors.
Death with Dignity
To ensure death with dignity, Aileen supports the right of any competent adult suffering intractable pain as a consequence of a terminal illness to obtain the assistance of medical doctors in painlessly ending one's own life with current and humane methods available. Aileen support safeguards to ensure that this right of the patient self-determination will not be misused by either family members or health care personnel to precipitate the demise of any person, including any disabled person who desires to continue living.
Disabilities
Aileen believes in the full equality of people with disabilities and oppose ableism in all forms. People with disabilities have an inalienable right to participate as equals in all aspects of civic and political life. Aileen supports the empowerment of people with disabilities to control their own lives and recognize the strength of diversity true equality for people with disabilities brings to society. Aileen will work to break down systematic, structural and/or physical barriers preventing equality of opportunity for people with disabilities. Aileen will work to ensure the creation of a strong social safety net by providing accessible affordable housing, quality education, job training, increased employment and other tools for independence.
Education
Aileen believes in a universally well-educated population. To achieve this, California students must have access to world-class pre-K - 12 public education that will prepare them to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world. We must prepare our students for postsecondary education, career technical education, and active citizenship in the 21st century. We must fully fund public education to correct years of insufficient allocations, increase funding to put California in the top states in per student spending, and equitably distribute funding to school districts in most need.
Energy & Environment
Climate change is an existential threat to humanity. Aileen believes California must lead in forging a robust global solution to the climate crisis. Further, all Californians, urban, suburban, and rural, hold a shared interest in preserving and protecting the environment that sustains us. Aileen will lead the way toward effective solutions to problems arising from our industrial society - resource extraction, waste disposal, and pollution - and their disparate impact on our forests, family farms, the poor, persons of color, and indigenous people. Aileen will prioritize energy and environment.
Equality of Rights and Opportunity
There is a growing disparity between the top two percent and the rest of Americans. Aileen understands that institutionalized discrimination against protected classes, including racism, classism, sexism, ageism, and anti-LGBTQ bias contribute to that disparity, and Aileen believes that everyone in this country deserves the opportunity to participate fully in the economic, cultural, political, religious, and societal facets of society. Racism is a public health issue that affects the physical and emotional well-being of persons of color. We must recognize and correct adverse outcomes that stem from systemic racism at all levels of government and within our education and health care systems. We take pride in and celebrate our diversity and work to foster the common values and commitments that unite all people regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural heritage, national origin, citizenship status, disability, physical attributes, socio-economic status, gender, race, or personal views on religion. Aileen is committed to the full equality, inclusion and acceptance of people of all gender identities and gender expressions. This includes the support of religious freedom that respects pluralism, and rejects the misuse of religion to discriminate.
Gun Violence
Aileen recognizes the increasing impact of gun violence in the lives of Californians, especially in communities of color. California leads the nation with some of the most stringent gun laws, reducing our state's firearm mortality by 55% since 1993. Still, more than 3,184 Californias die as the result of gun violence in a single year.
Health Care
Aileen believes that health care is a human right not a privilege. Aileen recognizes the health and well-being of Californians cannot continue to be based on arbitrary private and public financial decisions and therefore advocates legislation to create and implement a publicly-funded single-payer, privately delivered, fiscally tractable, affordable, comprehensive, secure, high-quality, efficient, and sustainable health care system that provides universal coverage for all Americans.
Immigration
California is the most diverse state in the nation and reflects the foundation of America's strength, emphasizing the fundamental principals of inclusion and national unity that respect rules of law and human dignity. Aileen believes that the American immigration system should be inclusive, fair, and just. Immigration must be consistent with American values of freedom, opportunity, compassion, and respect for human rights.
Internet & Free Speech
The fundamental right of free speech requires robust communication technologies and the Internet has proven to be an essential part of preserving it. Unfettered speech depends upon equal and uncensored access to all forms of wired and wireless communication infrastructure and its many applications, including voice, video, and the Internet. Moreover, accessibility to reliable and factual information requires a free and unrestrained press. To protect and advance this fundamental right, Aileen supports policies to preserve and encourage continued innovation of open, fast, accessible, and competitive communication and Internet services for all.
Labor, Economic Justice, Poverty Elimination and Affordable Housing
Aileen will continue to be close partners with organized labor and strong supporters of workers' rights. The 'glass ceiling' for people of color and women must be shattered and there must be equal pay for equal or comparable work. California's future prosperity will depend upon jobs that ensure a minimum standard of living and that improve the quality of life for all its residents. Food, shelter (including affordable housing), clothing, health care, and education are among the basic human rights of all individuals. Aileen is committed to safeguarding these basic human rights through strongly supporting public services designed to climate poverty, hunger and homelessness, and to assist seniors and people with disabilities in order to strengthen all Calfiornia communities.
Political Reform
Aileen believes that a healthy democracy is based on free and fair elections, with all eligible voters able to participate. Freedom to vote without obstruction and to have that vote counted are fundamental to voting rights. We oppose the culture of cronyism and corruption and support public financing of elections. Aileen demands transparency and accountability from all parties and government.
Rural
California draws strength from our diversity, both culturally and geographically. The economy of California is built on the combination of the robust commercial and industrial enterprise of our urban areas and the abundant natural and agricultural resources. We need to encourage elected officials to consider the effect on rural California of any new policies or programs by asking if they are fair and if they will work in rural California communities.
Seniors
Aileen recognizes that there is systemic ageism in our society and she is committed to fight it and to recognize the importance and dignity of seniors who enrich our everyday experiences and who connect us with our past. As the fastest growing age group in the nation, people over the age of 65 are strong driving force in our collective future. Aileen recognizes that older adults are not the "other" but simply in another phase of the life cycle, deserving of respect and dignity. Aileen affirms and embraces the continuing contributions of other generations and is committed to fostering a strong bond between them. Older adults deserve the highest standard of care from the health care industry and a prescription drug program that provides all necessary medication. Aileen is committed to protecting senior home ownership and hard-earned pensions, as well as the support services and assistance the help older adults who are at risk or in need to maintain independence and a good quality of life. Everyone, no matter their age, must be offered the opportunity to remain in jobs so successfully performed. Aileen believes in social and economic safeguards that maintain a decent standard of living, adequate nutrition, physical and mental health are human rights.
Sustainable Communities
Aileen seeks to build healthy, livable, and sustainable communities that conserve natural resources, promote smart growth, are economically prosperous, and are socially equitable. Unsustainable consumption reduces our energy independence, exacerbates both global warming and urban/suburban sprawl, and increases our trade deficit. Aileen is committed to environmental justice, a sustainable lifestyle, and a healthy economy. Aileen believes all Californias have a right to affordable housing in reasonable proximity to where they work, study, and hold community ties. The treatment of animals, including wildlife and domestic and farm animals, is a measure of the treatment of humans.
Veterans and Military Families
California is home to the largest population of U.S. active military members, veterans and their families who have served our country in times of peace and war. All U.S. veterans are entitled to receive equitable treatment and benefits including education, health care, financial assistance and an expedient pathway to citizenship.
Service members, veterans, and their families should receive adequate support; should be treated with dignity and respect and protected from discrimination as a result of their gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability or political affiliation.
Women
California is the proud home of women who have blazed new trails in business, entrepreneurship, culture, and politics. Aileen proudly and vigorously supports a woman's right to choose how to use her mind, her body and her time. Aileen respects women as full partners in family and society.
World Peace and International Relations
Many places in the world remain closed to democracy and have leadership repressive of the most basic civil rights. Terrorism is a plague, but wars are not the solution. Even for the most powerful nation on Earth, eradicating terrorism solely through a strategy of war, brute force, and attempts at regime change is an impossibility. Foreign intelligence combined with effective foreign aid programs better supports our nation's fight against terrorism and our commitment to democracy and human rights around the world.
We must believe that the American people will support truth over the fear mongering by our political adversaries. We must be truthful with our allies and also ourselves. We must be firm with those who threaten the American people and our democratic ideals, whether at home or abroad. We must take the moral path as we strive to promote world peace.