Bill Ramos for State Senate

Background:

About Bill Ramos
• Born in New York in 1959 to working class parents
• Home schooled since the early 1970’s and my quest for knowledge is never ending
• Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1976, graduated boot camp as “Honor Man,” and was Honorably Discharged after one tour
• Married father of five, and grandfather of two
• Associate of Arts, Spring 09, B. A. Est. mid 2010

Civic and Community Activities
• Member: Democratic Executive Committee, Martin County Democratic Club, St. Lucie County Democratic Club, and the Democratic Women’s Club.
• Member: Women’s Council of Realtors, Realtor Association of Martin County, Realtor Association of St. Lucie County, and the Treasure Coast Builders Association.
• Board member of Whole Child Connection, a project of the Children’s Services Council and Lawton Chiles Foundation.
• Active member and consultant to multiple political campaigns in Martin and St. Lucie Counties.
• Community activist involved with Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and other issue awareness campaigns.
• Regular speaker at various schools and community and social groups to discuss politics, state issues, and other community related issues.

Goals:

Do we continue to elect the same people who are beholden to the same groups and agendas that have lead us to where we are, or do we dare vote for a new beginning with new ideas from new leaders who are unafraid and innovative enough to lead us into the future we so desperately need?
We can no longer rely on growth, homeowner taxes, and tourism to fund our states operations. We must develop green industries that can create the middle class jobs we need; more equitably distribute the burden of our taxes; make our schools the best they can be; protect and preserve our natural environment; and restore the publics trust and confidence in those we elect to office.

Issues:

• Education – Invest in technology, revise standardized testing, properly fund education at the state level, create a viable statewide Vo-Tech program, pay teachers no less than the national average…
• Environment – Protect and restore the Everglades and our waterways, control growth and development, make ending our dependence on oil a nonnegotiable priority…
• Economy – Lower taxes and homeowners insurance, invest in Green Industries to create middle class jobs, improve government efficiency…

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots is at the heart of my campaign. We have already begun assembling the volunteers to walk, call, and motivate the voters in this district and expect to have in excess of 500 active volunteers by the end of 2009.

DFA Values:

I am socially progressive because I believe in education as the greatest tool for change in our society, not more laws. I believe equal rights means equal rights for all, not some, or under certain circumstances. I support a women’s right to choose, Gay rights, a legislative review for all laws currently in effect and in caring for those who can not care for themselves. I believe in creating opportunities for the betterment of us all and our society.

I am fiscally conservative because I believe in a smaller more efficient government. I believe in transparency in government, a better method to finance political campaigns, and strong restrictions on the power and influence allowed lobbyists. I believe we must stop burdening future generations with debt by balancing our budget. I believe repealing corporate special interest tax exemptions and loopholes. I believe taxes must be as low as possible while maintaining the needs of our nation and in spreading the burden of paying taxes fairly throughout every sector of our society.