Patrick J. Burke
Candidate in Nov. 5 general election
American Solidarity Party
Gaithersburg, Montgomery County
Age: 70 on day of General Election (Nov. 5)
Occupation: Sales and Marketing, Life Sciences Industry
Education: BS General Biological Sciences
Previous political experience: Served on local government committees but no elected office
Why are you running for office?
I want to take power and budget away from the federal government and return it to the states.
Do you believe, as President Joe Biden has said, that “democracy is on the ballot” and, if so, in what way?
Yes, I agree with Biden’s statement, but the Democratic Party is the true threat to our democracy. The Democrats have weaponized the government against their political opponents and conspired with the mainstream and social media outlets to cover up their anti-democratic activities and many lies. The Democratic party’s greatest advantage is their willingness to lie to American citizens and the media’s willingness to ignore their lies. It has become apparent, anything the Democrats accuse someone of the Democrats have already done, are currently doing, or are planning to do. The best example is their recent actions to try to keep RFK Jr. off state ballots in the presidential election.
Will you accept the presidential election result once the totals have been certified by the states and any legal challenges adjudicated?
Absolutely.
Do you support additional assistance for Ukraine’s military forces two years into Russia’s invasion?
Yes. Russia’s invasion is a grave violation of civil and moral laws and a threat to the int’l balance of power. I oppose war in principle but evil exists and it must be countered, especially at such a massive scale as this invasion. That said, EU countries should be providing more assistance than the U.S.
Should the United States be speaking out more clearly, as Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen has suggested, about civilian casualties in Gaza?
The U.S. should provide morale and material support to the Israeli government and let the Israeli government control the messaging. The loss of life is tragic but Israel can never live in peace while Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houti terrorist organizations, supported by the current Iran government, continue to grow stronger. The October 7th massacre by Hamas was just the latest act of violence against Israel. These terrorist groups have been firing missiles into Israel for years. Imagine how the U.S. would respond if terrorist groups residing in, and supported by, Canada or Mexico routinely fired missiles into the U.S. and occasionally invaded border cities for the sole purpose of killing and torturing U.S. citizens.
Countries neighboring Israel could provide refuge to Palestinians in harm’s way, but to date they have refused and that is where U.S. pressure should be applied.
Should Congress act to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision?
No. Abortion is not a human right it is grave evil and a form of genocide, in the U.S. primarily against the poor. A country cannot continue to exist as a free and civil society if we permit, let alone legalize, the killing of a particular class of citizens. We are already seeing serious decline of our society for which abortion is a major cause. ‘Pro-Choice’ is the greatest marketing lie of the past century. The fact is women do not want to kill their babies, it is not natural. Women are having abortions because they are NOT given a choice. They are pressured/forced by boyfriends, parents, husbands, peers, and financial circumstances to have abortions. In the spirit of the prophets if biblical times….abortion is a grave sin against God which will not go unpunished.
Should the Senate repeal or modify the filibuster rule under which 41 or more senators can block legislation?
I believe it is a good protection against unsatisfactory legislation. That said, modification should always be a consideration.
Should the Maryland congressional delegation try to revive federal funding for the Red Line transit project?
No, state transportation needs should be funded by individual states. Federal funding should be limited to needs that are national in nature, such as the interstate highway system.
What action, if any, would you favor to curb unlawful crossings at the United States’ southern border?
Build the border wall to assist the Border Patrol control illegal crossings and reinstate the various programs established by the Trump administration to prevent illegal crossings.
Editor’s note: Baltimore Sun Media received this candidate’s responses on Aug. 28.
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