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Candidate Name: Walter Wm. Hofheinz
Telephone: 214.363.2400 Email: walter@hofheinz2002.org
Office: U.S. House of Representatives
District: 32nd District of Texas
Please circle the response that most accurately reflects your position on the
following issues.
(SF=Strongly Favor; F=Favor; U=Undecided; O=Oppose; SO=Strongly Oppose)
Hofheinz general response:
I have attached a copy of my general statement regarding the role and scope of action through government.
I strongly believe in individual liberty and freedom from government interference in personal choices. One of the fundamental differences in viewpoint I believe finding expression in our society today is the conflict between those who want to tell everyone else what to do and how to live their lives, and those who want to live and let live. I hold to the second of these views.
1. Ban on abortion except where it is necessary to prevent the death of the mother.
Hofheinz response:
SO Medical treatment decisions are a matter for private decision by the physician, patient, and patient's family, without governmental interference.
2. The Employee Non-Discrimination Act, which adds protection to workers on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Hofheinz response:
SF I believe sexual orientation is not a valid basis for discrimination regarding any life activity, including employment.
3. Replace the current tax code with a flat tax or a national sales tax.
Hofheinz response:
SO I believe a progressive income tax best serves the majority of people. Accordingly, I oppose a “flat” tax or a national sales tax.
4. Send 80% of U.S. Department of Education money by block grant to the states and local school districts, instead of attaching federal directives.
Hofheinz response:
SO Generally, I oppose all block grant programs (see general principles), and would oppose any such use of federal funds. I believe that the governmental authority expending funds should impose the taxes that raise those funds. When government expends funds it is responsible for directing with particularity the expenditure of those funds, to enhance accountability for decisions made. State and local government are primarily charged with public K-12 education, for both historical and policy reasons, and federal action is only appropriate when there is no or minimal association of place and problem addressed.
5. Human cloning for therapeutic purposes.
Hofheinz response:
No response addresses my position. I do not believe that this is a matter appropriate for governmental action.
6. Quick and full development and deployment of a missile defense system, such as SDI.
Hofheinz response:
SO Such a system is not technically feasible and would destabilize the current balance of power, reducing the likelihood of further reduction of all nuclear arms, which I believe remain a great threat to life on earth. I favor continued research on the technologies involved, particularly space-based.
7. Hate Crimes law that punishes criminals differently based on the class of the victim (i.e. race, sexual orientation).
Hofheinz response:
SO I would not support such action since these matters are appropriate for state, not federal, action. See general principles. I hold this position since crimes against persons are tied to a particular place, and all actors are within the criminal jurisdiction of a state, thus there is a direct relationship between place and problem; federal criminal laws should prohibit only actions involving interstate or international activities. In addition, on general jurisprudential grounds I am opposed to the criminalization of motivation, as opposed to acts.
8. Halt governmental funding of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Hofheinz response:
U While I do not believe direct funding of the arts is an appropriate federal government action, I believe art education is appropriate.
9. Require parental notification before Title X clinics may distribute contraceptive drugs or devices to minors.
Hofheinz response:
SO Medical treatment decisions are a matter for private decision by the physician, patient, and patient's family, without governmental interference. By the time a child is sexually active, he or she must assume adult responsibility for individual decisions made.
10. A waiting period for gun purchases.
Hofheinz response:
O I am in favor of real-time, comprehensive background checks prior to sale.
11. Federal tuition tax credits for parents who choose private education for their child(ren).
Hofheinz response:
SO Market-based decision systems are not appropriate for allocation of public funding. Such decisions are properly political decisions subject to public debate and policy. In addition, I oppose all funding programs which do not direct with particularity the expenditure of funds (see general principles).
12. A federal constitutional amendment allowing states to recognize marriage as only between one man and one woman.
Hofheinz response:
SO I support civil recognition of same-sex partnerships, with the same benefits and obligations as civilly recognized heterosexual partnerships. I also believe that this matter is not appropriate for federal action (see general principles).
13. Increase governmental financial assistance for childcare.
Hofheinz response:
F It is essential to the creation of a just society that all people have equality of opportunity, regardless of their initial social or economic circumstances, and early childhood education and assistance programs are an essential component of providing such opportunity. Frequently, without such assistance, individuals cannot become or remain self-sufficient.
14. Post the Ten Commandments in Federal Buildings.
SO History teaches that to implement religious values through government weakens both.
Walter Wm. Hofheinz
2401 Turtle Creek Blvd.,
Dallas, Texas 75219
214.363.2400
walter@hofheinz2002.org