Vote Kim James for Faithful Leadership
Utah needs leaders who will faithfully represent its people.
|
Kim's Perspectives* CARING FOR PEOPLE The only reason to be elected is to be a public servant who cares about people. That means listening to the people, anticipating and responding to their needs, and shaping government to improve their lives. A public servant respects the people's opinions and voting rights, and allows them to raise concerns through citizen initiatives and judicial decisions, as indicated in the Utah Constitution. In recent times, we've seen the majority in Utah's Legislature lean more toward protecting their own interests and power than respecting the will of the people. Political leaders aren't elected to increase power or wealth for themselves or a select group of friends. They are elected to make sure that all the state's residents have access to the essentials of a decent life. As a follower of Jesus, Kim believes that good government must be like the Good Samaritan who took time and sacrificed resources to care for someone who was suffering. HAVING A WIDE VIEW Over four decades of serving congregations and communities and 65 years of life, Kim has seen a lot that has stretched her understanding of individuals and society. Her experience ranges from big cities to small towns, from agriculture to academia, from poverty to prosperity, from the happiness of 70th wedding anniversaries to the grief of divorce and death, from the celebrations of graduations and newborn babies to the agony of mental illness in families, from the horrors of homelessness to the joy of new homes. Because we are not all cut from the same cookie cutter, Kim believes that government should be flexible. All the state's residents deserve dignity, respect, and positive opportunities. IT'S TIME FOR A DIFFERENCE! Some folks think that R is the only letter in the alphabet that counts. Kim thinks that D is an important letter also. Decent--Let's offer respect, value, and Dignity to every person. Dynamic--Let's embrace the future for ourselves and our children. Down-to-earth--Let's focus on the basics we all need: jobs with living wages, healthcare, education, affordable housing, and a hospitable environment. Dependable, Dedicated, and Determined--Let's elect leaders who can be trusted to serve the public good. Let's vote D for Democrats! THE ENVIRONMENT Kim grew up in northwestern Montana, in the mountain valley town of Libby. During her childhood, a dam was built there on the Kootenai River, as the community and larger governmental agencies dealt with concerns around water, flood control, and power generation. Growing up in Libby, Kim was also surrounded by concerns about public lands, as the U.S. Forest Service and logging companies debated proper management of the natural resources of the Kootenai National Forest. Many people, including Kim's father, worked in the local vermiculite mine, where they were exposed to Libby Amphibole asbestos. Hundreds of Libby miners and other residents have died from that toxic substance. The burning of wood for heat added to air impurities in that valley community, so Kim is keenly aware of the problems associated with environmental pollutants. These experiences from her hometown inform her in regard to water, air, and power issues here in Utah. Kim will advocate for clean air, sufficient water in the Great Salt Lake, and safe and affordable generation of power. We can't stick our heads in the sand about climate change, as it's having an adverse effect on our mountain snow and increasing the risk of wildfires. All these environmental impacts affect our bodies and our budgets. HEALTHCARE Kim cares deeply about the affordability of healthcare for all Utahns. She was actively involved in 2018, when Utah's voters passed the proposition to accept federal dollars to expand Medicaid for more Utahns. While Utah's Republican leaders at that time resisted the expansion with all kinds of dire warnings, none of their fears have come true. In fact, that expansion and the federal expansion that followed during COVID have proven especially beneficial to Utah's small business and agricultural economy. When federal dollars are available, we should absolutely take advantage of the opportunity to improve the health of Utahns! All political leaders at every level should be seeking ways to make health care affordable. HOUSING AFFORDABILITY Utahns are feeling financial stress. Housing is unaffordable to many, making it difficult for young Utahns to realize the American dream. Kim's not-at-all-wealthy father and mother bought their first house when they were 28 and 24 years old. That's hard to imagine today! Kim will strive to find solutions to this problem. WORKFORCE SERVICES Kim needs to learn more about this important agency in Utah which manages SNAP, Medicaid, and other social safety nets. Kim would appreciate some discussions with the Dept. of Workforce Services leadership. Her experiences to date (helping persons in need) have left her with the impression that updates and reform are needed in the ways this department operates. Many who are looking for jobs need more assistance in finding the right opportunities that fit their skills. Those who are tech-challenged need more help in navigating and understanding the website and its communications. The staff of Workforce Services should be able to use the software more efficiently. (For example, a staff member should be able to correct a name that is misspelled in the system!) The time delays create confusion. Hopefully this agency can be improved, so that it actually serves the workforce of Utah. AFFORDABILITY, BUDGET, & TAXES By nature, Kim is a fiscal conservative. In her own personal finances and in her church leadership over decades, she always has lived within her means and kept a carefully balanced budget. So she finds it frustrating when the Republican leaders in our state too often waste our tax dollars on poorly-vetted and rushed pet projects that benefit a certain few individuals and businesses instead of solving real problems for the majority of Utah's residents. Wise budgeting isn't just about spending less. It's also about increasing income for the necessary costs of life. Some in our state have the ability to pay more, without being negatively impacted. Increasing taxes on the wealthiest could provide a helpful reprieve to other residents who need tax relief or better services. Recent efforts to reduce income taxes have benefitted the wealthy more than those with low incomes. Increased home values are causing property tax stress on Utahns. Taxation should be done in a fairer way. Over the past 12 years, Kim has been involved in many attempts to persuade the Utah Legislature to eliminate taxes on groceries. (Utah is one of only 10 states that still tax groceries.) However, the supermajority of Republicans has repeatedly insisted that eliminating grocery taxes isn't possible under current constraints. Kim intends to continue pushing this and other issues of affordability. Tax policies and budgets are moral documents. They tell us what and whom our leaders value and whom they expect to carry the burdens of our society. CIVIL RIGHTS & LABOR Kim grew up in a family supported by union wages and benefits. She was the middle child between two brothers. She had to learn to exert herself to get what she needed. That helped her become a strong and capable person. It also helps her to see that women, minorities, and laborers won't always be given the rights they are due unless someone advocates for them. The Utah Legislature is predominately male (70%). It's time to elect more women! It's time to make sure that jobs pay living wages. Kim will advocate for those who are missing from the capitol. EDUCATION Kim enjoyed math and science classes in school and had a teacher who tried to recruit her into his drafting class. But Kim followed God's calling by studying the humanities. Societies need lots of engineers, electricians, plumbers, accountants, doctors, nurses, and welders. We also need people who are skilled in language, literature, history, music, and art. Let's make sure we keep balance in our educational systems and fund them adequately. GUNS Growing up in northwestern Montana, Kim did what most other 11-12 year-olds did: She took her Hunter's Safety course in time to get her deer hunting license. Kim grew up in a family that ate venison and grouse. Kim also is aware that guns can be very dangerous. She advocates for sensible gun handling and for reasonable limitations on weapons and ammunition. RIGHT TO CHOOSE Kim and her husband chose to adopt children because they believed that there are children already born who need parents to love them. Kim and her husband waited until they had the financial ability to provide for their children. That right to choose how and when we create our families is important. The number one reason why some choose abortion is because they can't financially support a (or another) child. Kim has seen the emotional and physical suffering that can happen when children are born into untenable circumstances. Women should be trusted to make the best choice for themselves and their families. *Kim is always learning and growing and invites conversation. If you would like to help her become more wise, please use the CONTACT FORM. |