Al Sharpton in The Associated Press

On Civil Rights: Flag burning is distasteful, but it’s free expression

Q: Should the Constitution be amended to prohibit burning the American flag?

A: No, I don’t think so. I think it is wrong and distasteful, but I think people have a right to express themselves.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Flag Amendment” Jan 25, 2004

On Crime: Opposed to death penalty under any circumstances

Q: Do you support the death penalty?

A: Unilaterally opposed and unequivocally under any circumstances.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Death Penalty” Jan 25, 2004

On Education: Vouchers are a gradual step toward privatization

Q: Do you support allowing parents in areas that are poor or with bad schools to use tax money to help send their children to private schools?

A: No, I think that the moneys ought to be applied to public schools and not any form of privatization and I consider vouchers part of a gradual step toward privatization.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “School Vouchers” Jan 25, 2004

On Energy & Oil: Raise CAFE standard from 27.5 mpg to 33, and 25 for SUVs

Q: Would you increase the required automobile fleet average of 27.5 mpg; and SUVs and pickups averaging 20.7 mpg?

A: They should go up to at least 33 on vehicles and up to 24 to 25 with SUVs.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Fuel Efficiency” Jan 25, 2004

On Free Trade: Labor standards should not cost American workers jobs

Q: Should the US seek more free or liberalized trade agreements?

A: I think that we should seek to revoke NAFTA and have trade agreements only where labor standards are fair and would not cost American workers jobs. These free trade agreements are not proven to help in the nations abroad in terms of securing rights for laborers and they certainly have cost American workers jobs.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Trade” Jan 25, 2004

On Health Care: Avoid privatized health system

Q: How, if at all, would you change the new prescription drug benefit for the elderly?

A: I support a national single-payer plan. I think it will not be fixed until we have health care for all seniors. I think that we’re moving on the last bill toward a privatized health system and I think the only answer is a universal single-payer plan.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Medicare” Jan 25, 2004

On Immigration: Relax Mexican border to match Canadian border

Q: Should it become easier for undocumented foreign workers in the US to gain legal immigration status?

A: Absolutely. I think that immigration policies are antiquated and in many cases biased. You see there’s a much different policy at the Canadian border than at the Mexican border. I’d have one policy. I’d have it more relaxed, just for opportunity.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Immigration” Jan 25, 2004

On Jobs: Raise minimum wage to at least $7.15

Q: What increases, if any, do you favor in the $5.15 an hour federal minimum wage?

A: Let me say I would campaign for a $2 raise in minimum wage. I think that the minimum wage at this point is unrealistic given the costs of life in America.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “Minimum Wage” Jan 25, 2004

On War & Peace: Day 1: Bring the troops home

Q: After the inauguration, what would be your first action as president?

A: First, I would immediately move to bring the troops home by appealing to Kofi Annan and the United Nations to convene as a world body to oversee, without United States control, the redevelopment and rebuilding of Iraq and would submit to that as a partner but not as a dominant force in terms of our contractors or in terms of military.

Source: Associated Press policy Q&A, “DAY 1” Jan 25, 2004

On Principles & Values: Hosts Saturday Night Live: “I hope America laughed together”

Al Sharpton busted some James Brown moves on his Saturday Night Live debut, but many viewers didn’t get the chance to see them. Several NBC affiliates refused to carry SNL with Sharpton as host for fear it would activate federal “equal time provisions” and compel them to offer air time to the eight other Democrats running for president. All four NBC affiliates in Iowa didn’t air the show. NBC’s Boston station, seen in much of New Hampshire, also didn’t show it.

SNL frequently has political content, but this is the first time in memory stations bailed out for this reason. Given that the job of an SNL host requires a week’s worth of rehearsal time, it’s unlikely any of the other Democrats would accept if offered.

Sharpton portrayed lawyer Johnnie Cochran, Michael Jackson’s father, and one of the three wise men searching for Jesus [he was pulled over by a traffic cop]. “I hope tonight America laughed together,” Sharpton said at the night’s conclusion. “Maybe we can learn how to live together.”

Source: The Associated Press on ABCnews.com Dec 7, 2003

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press. Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press. Click here for other excerpts by Al Sharpton. Click here for a profile of Al Sharpton.
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Feb 15, 2019