Candidate for
Judge of the Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 14

The great political issue of our times is not liberalism versus conservatism or capitalism versus socialism. It is personal responsibility and freedom versus governmental paternalism and domination.

You are responsible for your life and, more broadly, for your society. Our Constitution, and especially the Bill of Rights, was intended to empower us to bear this responsibility.

• I believe in personal responsibility and accountability for everyone.
• You should otherwise have the right to live your life as you choose.
• Violence and harm to others should be appropriately punished.

Consistent with this philosophy, I advocate a Public Defender who is elected, not appointed (as happens now). The Public Defender should be truly a "Public" Defender, as the title of his office states. See why at the Elect Our Public Defender web site. You will wonder why this has not been proposed before.

I believe that the 3 most important issues facing the judiciary today are:

• Integrity and independence of the bench.
• A judge must be a stand for the community he serves. Government must serve the people, the people are not here to serve the government.
• A judge should hold individuals, government and corporations responsible and accountable for their behavior. Holding an individual accountable can include both punishment and rehabilitation.

I have not and will not accept any financial ($) campaign contributions in this judicial election. I take full responsibility for my judicial integrity and independence. This pledge to you will prevent the possibility of judicial influence peddling. My opponent thinks otherwise.

In coming to your own conclusions before voting, ask yourself these two questions.

• Do you believe that government is responsive to you, or do you now fear the power of your own government?
• With approximately 80 sitting superior court judges in Santa Clara County, do you want an homogenized bench, or do you want some independence and diversity of thought?

About me:

• Trial lawyer for over 22 years; numerous jury trials to verdict;
• Intelligent, with the capacity to argue cases before various courts including the California 6th District Appellate Court, California Supreme Court, Federal District Court, and the United States Supreme Court;
• Expertise in civil and criminal law;
• President of a Statewide lawyer association;
• Former Army Officer, 3 1/2 years active military service, including service in the Vietnam theatre;
• Broad, Diverse and Rich life experience, having resided for over a year in Asia & and almost a year in Mexico;
• Wisdom & Common Sense;
• Courageous regardless of challenge or situation;
• A person of the highest integrity;
• Highly respected by peers;