Abortion
Congressman Alan Grayson is a liberal politician who believes in progressive ideas. As a result, he supports women’s right to choose. His ideas on social issues like abortion were revealed during the 2010 campaign face off between Grayson and Republican Dan Webster. His opponent was a pro-life supporter who believed that women should bear children even when rape or incest led to their pregnancy. Grayson was the progressive candidate in this matter because he attacked such a view point (Allen 15). He affirmed that such thinking, which attempted to minimize women’s control over their body, has no place in American politics.
Stem cell research is one of the areas that people discuss when talking about abortion. This form of science involves the use of embryos as a source of tissues and cells for research. Pro-life advocates believe that it goes against their moral teachings since its dependence on embryos eliminates their chances of survival. Alan believes that stem cell research is not unethical because it helps to develop treatment for hard-to-treat diseases like cancer. This support comes from Grayson’s work with a research group focusing on the aging population.
He also believes that the public should finance abortion in the event that a person should choose to do it. Alan and legislators like him hold this viewpoint because they reason that public funding already exists for other medical expenses. Therefore, it makes sense for the same to occur for abortion, which is still a medical procedure. Finally, Grayson believes that even churches can be involved in the matter of birth control. He asserts that they ought to provide contraceptives to attendants in order to eliminate the need for an abortion.
War in Syria
Alan Grayson’s history in law provides the background for his stance against the war in Syria. He spent a substantial amount of time battling fraudulent contractors during his legal career. It was during this period that he learnt about the military industrial complex. Grayson has appeared on various media outlets talking about his opposition to US involvement in Syria. He even started a website called “Do not attack Syria” and went on to garner votes to oppose US entry in Syria when presented to parliament. The congressman has stated that the US would be acting as a world policeman if it participated in the Syrian conflict. He believes that the country has no basis for a Syrian strike. Alan asserts that evidence is questionable on whether the Syrian government has used chemical weapons. Further, even though the US received unquestionable evidence, it would still be hypocritical to strike Syria as the US also has chemical weapons.
In the same aggressive style that he has used in other national matters, Grayson attacked the defense contractors who feed the military industrial complex. He cited companies like Raytheon, which had a lot to gain in a US air strike against Syria. In fact, he cited an increase in stock prices of the same company during the period when the US was discussing entry into Syria. Shareholders of this missile manufacturer are likely to propagate US involvement in the war because they want to safeguard their interests (Grim 21).
Alan has branded himself as an advocate of the people. He holds that the country must cut down on expenditure in all fronts. Medicare, social security, and educational expenditure have all been reduced. Therefore, it makes sense to hold back on an attack which has minimal impact on the lives of Americans. He believes that focus should be on domestic issues. Furthermore, if the US starts a ten year-long attack in Syria, it might create enemies in the target country and cause Syria to attack the US.
Gun control
The congressman supports gun control as he has signed into law the national standard for concealed weapons, summarized as HR 197 & S.845. Grayson supported the instatement of a national standard that would allow a person to bear a concealed firearm between states. The legislation allows a person to carry firearms from one state to another provided that the person has a license for any of them. However, in the event that the state under consideration does not offer licenses to carry weapons, then the restrictions that apply in the issuing state will be carried forward into the next state where he or she is carrying the weapon. Additionally, the person may not carry the weapon in public facilities such as schools, courts or sports events if he enters a non-issuing state. Therefore, this legislation is a form of gun control.
Grayson has not talked about his reasons for supporting gun control in the past. However, he has alluded to them in interviews about other candidates. For instance, when asked about the possibility of passing gun control in the latest term, Grayson was skeptical about it. He asserted that Republicans vehemently oppose gun control because their sponsoring institutions put them under pressure to do so (Pinsky 9). He believes that it is reasonable to instate some gun control especially because of the high incidences of violence in the country.
However, the legislation that he signed into law on gun control (mentioned above) does allow considerable freedoms for those with licensed weapons. It does not try to prohibit gun usage among civilians. Nonetheless, it attempts to add an element of responsibility amongst those who have weapons in the population. Alan claims that the only way to defeat gun violence is to eradicate community apathy against it. He has participated in meetings that speak against gun violence.
Education
Congressman Grayson believes that the US is yet to fully exploit its potential in the education sector. For a country with a development record like the US, proficiency in key subjects is still less than desirable. Grayson cited the case of an international exam that ranked students’ performance in mathematics (Committee to Elect Alan Grayson 3). It was found that the US was 31st in the test. It missed the bottom position by a whisker. This was the reason why he supported the Green School Act in 2009. The legislation intended on modernizing public schools by investing in infrastructure, technology and green facilities. Schools would work on repairing their facilities and introduce new ones for the purpose of being green. It was also a mechanism for saving costs within the school system. It would facilitate the creation of new jobs and also teach learners the relevance of green living.
Alan has also opposed the use of certain strategies by the government to hide inefficiency. For instance, when authorities realized that twelfth graders performed poorly in the TIMSS International test, they decided to eliminate the test. The congressman believes that the only way the country will solve its educational problems is by confronting them rather than running away from them.
Grayson contributed to the passing of the American Recovery Reinvestment Act. This legislation would ensure that various school districts receive a sum of $200 million to support children’s education. He claims that quality education is a right for all Americans. Therefore, authorities ought to work on the public education sector in order to promote this goal.
Welfare
This politician believes that the country should be given some leeway with regard to welfare implementation. For instance, he voted against an Act that would require all welfare programs to have a mandatory work attachment. It was called Preserving the Welfare Work Requirement Act, and was passed into law in March 2013. Grayson believed that having sweeping welfare recommendations for all states was paternalistic. Instead, these states should each decide whether or not they want to have a mandatory work requirement. Therefore, the congressman believes that welfare reform should not be tightly controlled by government. It should meet the needs of its constituents in every state.
Alan Grayson has also supported legislation designed to get people out of welfare programs and into permanent employment. As a result, one may assert that he believes in long term solutions to welfare problems. Nonetheless, they must not be prescriptive in nature. Evidence for this exists in the New Deal for a New Economy Act 2009. Grayson supported the Act because it would ensure that non profits or local governments create jobs on the basis of public projects. This would provide a new avenue for the unemployed, who maybe on welfare, to achieve economic independence.
The congressman also believes in reinventing welfare programs by adopting different pathways to the same. In this regard, he supported the GIVE Act of 2009. It was put in place in order to reinvent volunteerism. Previous experiences had shown some sloppiness in welfare allocation, but this changed with expansion of the national service portfolio. He also asserts that social security benefits should not be cut as he obtained several signatures to this effect (Committee to Elect Alan Grayson 2).
Immigration
One of the reasons why Grayson is perceived as a liberal Democrat is his stance towards immigrants. He has been at the forefront for the protection of their rights. For instance, he showed his support for the Paycheck Fairness Act. This would allow persons who have been subjected to wage discrimination to sue for damages. Many immigrants put up with wage inequity because of fear or lack of knowledge. Additionally, he participated in the passing of the Hate Crimes Expansion Act which protects immigrants and any other victims from hate crimes. He also passed a language housing assistance amendment. This would allow immigrants seeking housing to access translations services.
The individual has supported immigrants’ rights because a large share of his electorate consists of Hispanic immigrants. In fact, they represent 40% of his constituents. Usually, progressive candidates are likely to liaise with this group of individuals. In fact, Grayson has called the Republican Party a racist part because of its stance against immigrant reforms.
Congressman Alan has done a lot of work with undocumented immigrants. He has participated in rallies and meetings that propagate their cause (Grayson 3). Grayson claims that most of these individuals want to participate fully in the development of their nation but cannot do so without the proper documentation. Many of them will work in unsafe or dirty environments simply because they want to hide their undocumented status. He believes that granting them opportunities to attain legal status would allow them to give back to the US.
Biography
Grayson was raised in the New York but later moved to Florida. He has a bachelor’s degree in law and a public policy master’s degree. He initially worked for a telecommunications company, which amassed him a lot of wealth. Alan then became an attorney that fought against unscrupulous government contractors. Later, he attempted politics in 2006 and lost to Charlie Stuart. He succeeded in his second attempt as congressmen for Florida’s 8th District. Grayson lost his seat in 2010 and recaptured it in 2012.
Alan Grayson is currently the representative for Florida’s 9th Congressional District. He is an outspoken man and one of the most productive congressmen in the house. Slate magazine named him the most effective member of congress. Under his leadership, 13 new amendments have been introduced in the house. Additionally, his involvement in various house committees has allowed for the passing of 33 amendments, as well. The most notable laws that can be attributed to Grayson are laws prohibiting military torture, racial profiling as well as the use of drones inside the country.
He has also passed amendments that forbid the awarding of contracts to convicted or indicted persons. In the area of immigration, he has introduced language translation for non English speaking house seekers. The congressman has also done lobbying work. For instance, he mobilized several supporters to oppose US intervention in Syria. He has also solicited three million signatures in opposition to social security reduction. Other lobbying activities focus on domestic spying and opposition to free trade giveaways.
Alan Grayson is a liberal who has publically and personally supported immigrant reform. He also supports gay marriage and abortion rights. The politician is a firm believer in tax cuts for the middle class as well as trade unionism. He has also supported the democrat-endorsed health care plan.
Works Cited
Allen, Greg. Outspoken Alan Grayson gets another chance in congress. 2013. Web.
Committee to Elect Alan Grayson. Alan Grayson: A congressman with guts. 2013. Web.
Grayson, Alan. Grayson to rally with immigration reform supporters. 2013. Web.
Grim, Ryan. Alan Grayson on Syria strike: Nobody wants this except the military industrial complex. 2013. Web.
Pinsky, Mark. Culture war rages in Alan Grayson’s Florida District. 2010. Web.