LaPolice interviews with The Bulletin speaking about his platform. “My concern was that the polarization and the hyper partisanship was going to destroy the country,” LaPolice said.
The Democratic House of Representatives candidate, Alan LaPolice, came Oct. 27 to Emporia and met with community members and talk about his stances on issues.
“When I first decided to run, it was because Congress was becoming more and more dysfunctional,” said LaPolice.
LaPolice is running for congress for the third time. “I nearly won on a very positive message, on a very centrist message,” LaPolice said. “My concern was that the polarization and the hyper partisanship was going to destroy the country and by God, every day I am proven right.”
La Police has never been elected.
“I think the one thing that Alan and I both agree on is neither of us are in this because we have any dream of being a professional politician,” said Jim Hannon, board of education candidate. “I think we both have the idea that we have the opportunity to help, to do some good and that’s what we’re here for.”
In 2014, LaPolice ran in the race as a Republican candidate and in 2016 he ran as an Independent. None of his views have changed from 2014 to now, he said, and he has always had a centralist platform.
Family platform
“The Republicans always say how they have family values,” LaPolice said. “I have family values. I believe in family values. And taking food away from hungry people? That’s not a value that I share. Stopping people at the border and separating kids from their parents? Not a value I share. Constant lying and attacking the other side? Attacking the media?…That’s not a family value I share.”
LaPolice said his Republican views remain intact. He said the number one thing for the government should be fiscal responsibility through fair trade, which comes about from using bi-partisan trade.
‘Pro-life’ not ‘pro-birth’
LaPolice defines himself as a pro-life Catholic but he clarifies he is “pro-life,” not “pro-birth.”
“I want a child born, fed, (and) I want a child educated,” LaPolice said. “I want a child given opportunity.”
LaPolice also said he believes that there are circumstances in which women might need an abortion.
“I believe the law of the land protects women in certain circumstances where they need procedures done and it’s only a decision to be made between a woman and her (health)care giver,” said LaPolice.
Education
Another issue he said he wants to carry across the aisle is education.
“I haven’t adopted Bernie Sander’s idea of universal college, (and) universal education for everybody because I don’t think we can afford it and I don’t think we want to incentivize that,” LaPolice said. “I would fire Betsy DeVos. I think the best thing I could ever do is find a way to get the senate to impeach Betsy DeVos.”
LaPolice spent 17 years as an educator. “I’ve been a classroom teacher, I’ve been a high school principal and I’ve been a district superintendent,” said LaPolice “I also spent about two years in a community college, so I know education top to bottom and I’ll defend it.”
The 2nd Amendment
“I’m an advocate of 2nd Amendment, but I know how to read, and I know what the second amendment says, and I know what it doesn’t say,” LaPolice said. “I know that states and municipalities and especially college campuses, if they want prevent guns on campus then by God they have the right to prevent guns on campus…Don’t tell me that’s what the 2nd Amendment says.”
LaPolice is a combat veteran, giving him a different view on gun control than a normal civilian. “I believe in universal background checks,” said LaPolice. “I want to have laws that keep us safe, but laws that also protect my ability to responsibly own a firearm.”
Immigration
One belief he has is strongly influenced by his wife, Sonia LaPolice, a Salvadoran immigrant, who migrated to America at the age of two.
“There’s two types of immigrants,” said Alan LaPolice. “There’s economic immigrants who are just here to find a better life …The second one is your humanitarian or political immigration.”
Sonia LaPolice took part in a panel about immigration at the Lyon Historical Society Saturday.
“I never felt shame over my migration until recently,” Sonia LaPolice said.
In recent months there has been an uproar about immigration policy in America, which is something Alan LaPolice feels strongly about.
“It’s Congress’s crime that they can’t address these two issues,” said Alan LaPolice. “It’s Congress’s sin that they won’t address this absolutely essential, fundamental responsibility that they have for 30 years advocated.”
Freedom of the press
LaPolice said he wanted to be upfront on his feelings about the press and media.
“I think the press is vital to the future of any democracy,” Alan LaPolice said. “I think an informed elector is the most powerful thing in the world. Now power scares certain people and some people try to take that power away…Without it, we are lost. Without it we are subject to anybody’s persuasive perversions.”
Around 30 people showed up to the meet and greet Saturday.
“I’m a believer, I find him inspiring, to me he gives us this sense of hope,” Hannon said. “He enjoys meeting the people and listening to what they have to say. He cares about people and I think that is a great thing, he really does care about people.”
His willingness to listen reached others as well.
“He’s so believable,” said Anne Fritz, democratic precinct committee member.