Andrews' Homepage

Senate '98 Welcome to Candidate Simon Andrews' Website! Thank you for visiting my homepage. I am running for U.S. Senate to represent the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Lancaster, I have been serving in the state house and senate for more than ten years. As a happily married man with two beautiful children, I realize the need to enact legislation that will allow the young to grow and prosper. My previous professional background as a successful businessman and civil engineer provide me with the resources and knowhow to create effective public policy that will benefit Pennsylvania and the country.

I hope you take the time to go through my opinions on some policy issues that are central to my platform. My various proposals are centered towards providing equal opportunities in every walk of life, and maintaining the position of this great land of ours as the world's greatest democracy.

Please scroll down to view the topics below to find out where I stand on various issues.

Education

Higher Education In spite of the fact that our country has enormous resources and attracts the best talent from around the world, it is disheartening to see American students lagging behind in certain technical fields like software engineering as compared to their foreign counterparts. We must place a priority on revamping existing curriculum to meet the demands brought on by the advancement of technology and global markets. I propose to increase federal funding to improve the quality of technical education. Financial Aid Increasing financial assistance in the educational sector is one of my top priorities. I propose an increase in the number of scholarships, student loans, grants, and co-ops. Such assistance will be merit-based and will be awarded on the basis of economic necessity as displayed by the student. Technology in the Classroom I propose to increase the number of Internet -based courses to make the best use of the dynamism of the World Wide Web. Filtering devices will be incorporated as required to prevent access to material that may be obscene or harmful to minors. With the growing excitement regarding the potential of Web TV, I also propose to increase the use of TV-computer interfaces. I also plan to make the Internet more accessible to ALL students as it has the potential to act as a great equalizer.

Economy

Jobs While the economy is in a healthy state, I want to adopt more concrete measures to reduce the present unemployment figures. I plan to create jobs in less developed areas by bringing in investments at the local level. Special incentives will be made available to entrepreneurs willing to invest in such areas. Working toward better university - industry relations will make for better employment opportunities for graduates. This will also result in enhanced research funding grants to sustain high levels of education. Retraining programs for experienced employees will be inculcated to maintain and enhance existing skills. I also propose to enact a legislation to raise minimum wages. Taxes In order to lessen the burden on the student community, no taxes will be imposed on full-time undergraduate students. Tax breaks for families with low and middle incomes will be announced. With the growing importance of a global economy, I intend to encourage export-oriented units by having a special tax rate for such businesses. Tax loopholes that benefit the wealthy will be reviewed. A commission will be set up to look into misuse and abuse of Social Security tax. I also propose to maintain the newly enacted tax-free child education and retirement accounts. Trade and Commerce I propose to pass a bill that will consolidate our technological strength in the global marketplace. A national infrastructure project will be set up to create more jobs. Measures will be taken that will ensure strict reprisals against industries/corporations involved with either child labor or illegal immigrants. A committee to look into the activities of large corporations that violate the anti-trust law will be set up. Vigilance will be increased to bring to book those individuals/companies guilty of illegal trade like drugs. Intellectual property rights like copyrights and patents will be protected in this digital era. I am also a strong support of NAFTA and other free trade agreements.

Crime

Gun Control While the right to possess firearms is an inviolable democratic tenet, the existing process for obtaining a permit will be scrutinized and more rigorous screening processes will be adopted. Minors will be prohibited from using firearms unless accompanied by a parent. While local police forces will be armed with the latest equipment, there will be a ban on automatic assault weapons. A total ban on the sale of firearms to those convicted of serious felony violations will be enacted. Protection on Educational Campuses Except police and security forces, there will be a total ban on possession of any type of weapon on all educational campuses. Offenders may face the threat of expulsion and criminal charges. Increased patrolling and vigilance on campuses will be made possible by increasing the number of security personnel. Students with prior criminal records will also be closely monitored. I also propose to increase lighting, emergency, and night services on campuses. Sex and Child Offenders I strongly believe in adopting any required measure to protect women and children from the trauma of abuse and rape. Convicted child offenders will face potential life sentences. I will also improve social conditions to facilitate rape and sexual assault victims to cope with their agony; such cases will also be brought to trial at the earliest and the confidentiality of the victims will be maintained, if necessary. Surveillance will be increased and rehabilitation programs will be made mandatory for offenders.

Civil Rights

Equal Protection Discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, and sexual orientation will not be tolerated. Measures for swifter and more efficient redressal of such discrimination will be implemented. Professional organizations, educational institutions, and industries will face strict penalties if found guilty of violating civil rights laws. Free Expression and Privacy All citizens should be able to express themselves freely in order to sustain a robust democracy. I believe that all individuals have a fundamental right to privacy that neither government nor businesses can intrude upon. I propose backing encryption software that will enable citizens to protect themselves from unwanted electronic surveillance. Sexual Harassment With the growing notoriety of sexual harassment complaints in the workplace, I propose to enact a legislation that will establish specific guidelines on what constitutes sexual harassment. Such a policy will reduce the number of lawsuits while protecting citizens from becoming victims of offensive behavior. In addition, any form of harassment on the basis of gender bias and sexual orientation will not be tolerated.