Ford Bell in MN Senate Primary Debate
On Abortion:
I’m a pro-choice candidate, but not pro-abortion
I’m a pro-choice candidate. But saying that I’m pro-choice doesn’t mean I’m pro-abortion. I’d like to work with the other side to reduce the number of abortions, and we know exactly how to do that [with social programs].
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Civil Rights:
Opposed to constitutional ban on same-sex marriage
I’m totally opposed to a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Constitutional amendments have had a poor record of dictating morality in this country.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Education:
NCLB only benefits testing companies
Q: Is “No Child left Behind”-(NCLB) a good thing?A: No, not overall. The only people who have benefited from NCLB is the testing companies, who’ve seen a huge increase in revenues.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Education:
Smaller classes to get students excited about science
We’ve got to get young people educated, and we’ve got to draw young people into fields like science and engineering, if we’re going to be the world’s leading innovator.
It’s hard to teach science in a class of 40 students. Investing in energy independence and other big projects has the side benefit of getting students excited about science.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Government Reform:
Supports public financing of all Congressional races
Ideally we would have public financing of all Congressional races. I don’t see anything else that would address the huge expense. That benefits the establishment candidates.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Government Reform:
Ban former members of Congress from lobbying
We need to reform the lax oversight of lobbyists. Former members of Congress should not be allowed to lobby. It demeans the dignity of our great institution.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Immigration:
Provide illegal immigrants with path to citizenship
I think the best approach is providing illegal immigrants with a path to citizenship.
We also need to increase security at our borders. We have under-funded our border security and we’re seeing the results of that.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Social Security:
Privatization hasn’t worked
The genius of Social Security is that it’s a government-guaranteed broad-based social insurance program for everyone. That’s why it’s been so successful for 70 years now, and we need to keep it that way. The projections of problems by 2042 are worst-case
scenarios. There are many ways we can fix it. Increase the payroll tax, or eliminate the ceiling on payroll tax above $90,000, or a whole panoply of things we can do. Privatization hasn’t worked.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Tax Reform:
People should pay their fair share
Tax rates are very low by historical standards. During the 1950s, top marginal tax rates were 90%. I’m not talking about 90% tax rates, but I believe people should pay their fair share.
It’s up to out leaders to show how their tax dollars have value -- help educate our children; help us develop cures for cancer; help us improve our transportation; help us be more secure.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
On Tax Reform:
Tax-and-spend better than tax-and-borrow
Q: What if you’re called a tax-and-spend liberal? A: It’s better to be a tax-and-spend liberal than a tax-and-borrow Republican.
Source: MN 2006 Senate debates - MPR interview
Jan 26, 2006
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2019