The $135,000 Reason to Support Demboski

Even if you don’t live in Anchorage, you probably have friends or family members or co-workers who do.  Please forward this email and remind them to vote in the crucial election TOMORROW – Tuesday, May 5!

Entering the final hours of the mayoral race, we continue to hear from the political “chattering class” the tired old conversation about whether too much time is being spent talking about “social issues.” Shouldn’t we be focused on the fiscal issues instead?  But the longer I observe politics, the more convinced I am that the “social issues vs. fiscal issues” debate is a red herring distraction that simply wastes our time.

The real issue that unites both social and fiscal concerns in this race is freedom.   To understand this clearly, let’s consider the case of Aaron and Melissa Klein.  The Kleins live in Oregon, where they operated “Sweet Cakes,” a small family-run bake shop.  Unfortunately, the Kleins are in big trouble with the state government.  In fact, a judge just ordered them to pay $135,000. 

What crime did the Kleins commit?  Well, they ran afoul of a state law in Oregon that is identical to the law that Ethan Berkowitz wants to bring to Anchorage – a law that creates special rights for so-called “transgendered” persons and homosexuals.  A law that empowers them to smash anyone who happens to disagree with their views about human sexuality.

In early 2013, the Kleins declined an offer to bake a wedding cake for a homosexual couple.  It conflicted with their Christian beliefs that marriage can only be a union of one man and one woman.  This happened in uber-hip Portland, Oregon, where surely a hundred other bake shops would have been delighted to take the money of the lesbian couple and bake them a cake.  No matter.  The lesbian couple’s feelings were hurt, and they decided this was good enough reason to ruin the lives of Aaron and Melissa Klein.  Lawyers were hired, charges were filed, and then in late April a judge ordered the Kleins to pay $135,000 to the lesbian couple – to compensate them for “emotional suffering.”  (Apparently the emotional suffering of the Kleins for being persecuted for their religious beliefs is of no concern to the government).

The law that the Kleins are accused of violating is exactly like Proposition 5 – the disastrous 2012 proposal that was rejected by 57 percent of Anchorage voters.  Ethan Berkowitz actually campaigned for the passage of Prop. 5, and made a large donation to that campaign.  Berkowitz did this, despite all the evidence that such a measure would bulldoze religious liberties, and also lead to other stupidity, like men being allowed to use women’s restrooms, because, well, the man is “confused” about his true gender.

In the current campaign for Mayor, Berkowitz has not only said he would support a law like Prop. 5, he commented:  “It would have been proposed by me.”  Meanwhile, Amy Demboski has been very clear that, if elected Mayor, she will veto freedom-killing measures like Prop. 5.  The contrast between these two candidates is stark.

Imagine if you were to ask Aaron and Melissa Klein, “What’s more important, social issues or fiscal issues?”  I suspect they would answer, “They’re one and the same.”  When you’re facing a $135,000 penalty for simply running your business in accordance with your values, they really are the same.  

There is no freedom to prosper when the government wields this kind of power.

Click HERE and HERE to see how freedom is squashed when laws that Ethan Berkowitz support are enacted.

So freedom is the issue that matters most in tomorrow’s election.  The freedom to prosper, and the freedom to live according to your values, are not contradictory.  They are two sides of the same coin.  You can protect both by casting your ballot for Amy Demboski.

This communication was paid for by Alaska Family Action, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska.  I am Jim Minnery, President of Alaska Family Action, Inc., and I approve this message. This NOTICE TO VOTERS is required by Alaska law.  We certify that this communication is not authorized, paid for, or approved by the candidate.  Top three contributors are Lawrence Partusch, David Hultquist, and Alaska Pro Truckers of Anchorage.