The Access Press Candidate Survey
Ken
Pentel
(Green Party)
As governor of Minnesota I will listen to the needs of the disability
community. I have been a strong advocate and worker for justice the
last 27 years. The goals of the Ken Pentel and Danene Provencher
campaign for Governor/Lt. Governor are to invest in the health of
our natural resources and the needs of people so we can live dignified
lives.
As governor I’m focused on establishing an honest democracy
and honest economy that leads to healing our planet and communities.
This campaign’s goals are to promote policies that reward local
economies in energy, agriculture and other sectors of the economy,
so hundreds of millions of dollars are recycled back into our communities
rather than the stress of money pouring out of the region. Then,
it will be easier to fund: full-housing, healthcare, education, transportation
and living wage jobs for all.
To achieve these goals we will need to get big money out of politics
(In 2004 MN was #4 in the county in lobby money spent.). We also
need Instant Run-off Voting and Proportional Representation in our
electoral system. This will more honestly reflect the values of Minnesota
voters. Through these improvements in the democracy we will better
translate, through our government, what is the common good rather
than the existing system which is creating greater ecological, social
and economic stress. My campaign is about healing the earth and our
communities.
One of my main goals
is to have a mandate from Minnesotans for single-payer universal
healhcare coverage. The people want this coverage but the political
system will not allow it. It’s time we end the dysfunction
in the political system and have coverage for all.
A society that invests in the needs of the disabled will be a stronger
community. I will fight for the full funding from the federal government
for the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). If the federal government
will not cover fully the ADA, the state will attempt to pick-up
the short-fall. I will advocate and support legislation that reverses
the cuts to personal care assistants. I support in-home community
based approach to assisted living. Programs will be designed in
such a way that families will not have to go broke to provide for
their loved ones.
Through funding mentoring programs and vocational institutions
we can provide education for the disabled and care providers. I
will also reward students with free college tuition as an incentive
to fill needs as care providers, health care workers and other
support needs for the disabled.
I will need to listen and
learn from the people and families that have insight and wisdom of
the disability community. I do not have all the answers, and any
candidate that says or acts like they do should be looked upon with
suspicion.
I want a healthy, strong and enduring Minnesota. Your vote and help
are needed to make this happen.
Thank you.
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