In these heated months before the presidential election, we step back to pray during the High Holidays and hope for the best for our country, Israel and the world. Throughout the year, many Jewish Tucsonans are engaged in social activism and involved in politics on a local or national level. Tikkun olam, repairing the world, is more than a popular slogan — the concept is deeply rooted in enduring Jewish values of compassion, justice, respect and communal responsibility.
Debate is also part of our heritage: Although we may argue vehemently about the upcoming elections across the dining room table at Rosh Hashanah dinner, inclusivity and civility are more important than ever.
In “Beyond the 2012 Election: Political Lives of Jewish Tucsonans,” this year’s High Holidays special section, we hear — in their own words — from eight individuals, including Adam Kwasman, possibly the first Tucson Hebrew Academy graduate to run for political office; Barbara LaWall, the first woman elected Pima county attorney; Paul Baker, a national board member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee; and Mayor Jonathan Rothschild.
May all their individual commitments inspire us to become more engaged citizens in 5773, as Americans and as Jews.
***
Bruce Ash is a national committeeman, Arizona Republican Party. He is president and CEO of the Paul Ash Management Company, LLC.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
Jewish values were a big part of my political involvement. It was through my early support of Israel, when I was only 21 years old and made a gift to the Israel Emergency Fund in the middle of the Yom Kippur war. From that moment I have always felt tied to Israel’s and America’s mutual security in the world and began my involvement in national security issues.
What issue(s) are you most passionate about? Why?
Probably national security. I was Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona chair after 9/11 and felt America’s future was in danger. I decided I had done what I could in the federation world and changed paths to become involved in three presidential campaigns and the Republican Party at the national level.
What do you think is the most important issue facing Tucson and/or the region, state or country?
Aside from outside threats to America’s and Israel’s security, I would say the greatest issue facing local, state and national political leaders is how we manage the deficit, grow the economy and reduce debt so we can prosper as a country in the future.
What would be your ideal solution to any of these issues?
Less government = more liberty.
How do you meld your political involvement with family/professional life?
In both of my volunteer lives I have always been concerned about balance between personal, business and volunteer roles. In each I want my friends, colleagues and family to know I did all I could to repair the world.
Any pitfalls or wondrous opportunities you’ve experienced because of politics?
Being an elector in the 2008 presidential election. Being chair of the Republican Rules Committee from 2010 to the present. Being part of an exciting movement — just like I always felt I was part of the movement as a Jewish volunteer.
What position would you most want to have in government — from school board chair to president of the United States? Why?
I am happy right where I am. I have helped many fine leaders get involved in Federation and political work, as well as helping several become judges. That is where I feel I can get the most work done — through others.
***
Jodi A. Bain is an attorney at the Bain Law Firm and former board chair of the Rio Nuevo Downtown Initiative.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
If Jewish values include the right to respectfully disagree, liberty, the importance of education and thoughtful debate —along with respect for humanity — then yes. Jewish cultural influences from Sunday school, my Orthodox grandparents as well as a long line of Levite traditions influence my decision-making process. Overall, Judaism teaches me that each living being should be afforded an opportunity to have an opinion and thrive without considerable limits on freedoms.
What issue(s) are you most passionate about? Why?
Fairness, smart representation in government, genuineness in rhetoric and furtherance of efficient financial planning for education, business sector growth and jobs. Moreover, as an individual who is also an attorney, it is important to me to assist those people and entities who are unable or unlikely to have influence or a seat at the table, for me to be a voice with a conscience.
What do you think is the most important issue facing Tucson and/or the region, state or country?
Regulatory matters in all aspects of daily life. This is an overarching issue in many policy areas. High regulation often creates inefficiency and increases costs to taxpayers, consumers and businesses. Also, there is an intricate balancing act between government budgeting and principles of appropriate taxation.
What would be your ideal solution to any of these issues?
Simplification of regulation and government processing. To be a successful problem solver one must recognize and define the “cog in the wheel” (the problem), find possible solutions (the options), choose the best alternative solutions (resolution with efficient implementation of the selected solution(s)). Identify the result wanted. Be results oriented, not mired with hidden agendas. Think about the people you represent and serve, not your own promotion.
How do you meld your political involvement with family/professional life?
Have a thick, thick, thick skin. Folks in or considering politics need to know their lives will be closely watched and constantly judged. Politics is like living in a fish bowl —or at least your opposition likes to make it feel like that. Stay objective! Also, when someone is involved in a contentious matter, the messenger is often attacked in an attempt to discredit their ideas rather than having a debate on the issues. This is a classic tactic to scare or shut down a credible person. Truth is often not the primary component of the opposition. Stick to the issues. Don’t let folks derail you from your purpose.
Any pitfalls or wondrous opportunities you’ve experienced because of politics?
What a question! I have been fortunate to serve the United States and Arizona as an unpaid political appointee and through years of policy analysis. This has allowed me to meet and create some wonderful friendships and working partnerships here and abroad. Good friends are hard to come by but worth the wait to find.
What position would you most want to have in government — from school board chair to president of the United States?
In the abstract, secretary of state or attorney general — state or national level. In each of these positions, a key duty is the art of “balancing” competing interests and consensus building. Direct participation in policy assessment, and negotiating or determining representatives to conferences, organizations and agencies is key to a strong economy and dynamic workforce.
Is there anything you would like to tell us that very few people know about you?
Three philosophies I strive to recall every day are: 1. To not just listen, but actually hear people around me. 2. Use power and influence wisely; not simply because we have it. 3. Equality should lead to respect for differences, not apathy and conformity and then to subjugation. As Barry Goldwater is known to have said, “To disagree, one doesn’t have to be disagreeable.” In today’s environment this is especially important. Get involved and remember to vote!
***
Paul Baker is a retired businessman and pro-Israel activist who is currently on the national board of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
Our introduction to Jewish politics came in 1976 when Jack Sarver asked my wife, Alice, and me to play a role in the creation of the Desert Caucus, a bipartisan PAC [political action committee] whose mission is to promote and strengthen the relationship between the United States and Israel.
The Jewish community had no voice during World War II; today we have a political, bipartisan voice on behalf of the State of Israel.
Israel is a modern miracle that relies on the strength of its people and the support of the United States for its survival. We elect a lot of nice people to office here in the United States, some of whom have no knowledge of the Holocaust. We must share that history with our elected officials and hope they understand the importance of this tiny democracy’s survival.
We can’t tell them what to do, but we can teach them and let them form their own opinions by engaging in grassroots efforts where an individual can make a difference. We have the ability to access our political system in the best traditions of U.S. politics and support pro-Israel candidates.
Peace — and how to accomplish this elusive goal — is on the minds of all Israelis in a hostile neighborhood, with Palestinians, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Syria, to name a few. And what will the Arab Spring mean to Israel?
Israel can no longer be used as an excuse for the failed states that are its neighbors but it can play a part in their successful survival.
Iran and its development of nuclear weapons may be the top issue facing Israel. We have a real argument with the leadership of Iran as it threatens Israel and the West; it’s imperialistic in practice and regime stability is its mantra.
We have no quarrel with the Persian people. We think they would like to see a different form of government in Iran. The current government’s support of terrorist groups from the Middle East to South America and the Near East is a threat to the West. We hope sanctions will work but will they? If sanctions don’t work, what then?
When Prime Minister Rabin was elected the second time he was informed of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Rabin informed Bush 1 and he didn’t believe it. Then Rabin informed President Clinton and he didn’t believe it. Bush 2 did believe it and started the sanctions program, and Obama brought the world together to support sanctions.
Iran has come to the negotiating table three times now and we have not made any progress. The European Union is taking steps to tighten up economic sanctions to bring Iran to its senses … and the world waits.
We are the chosen people. We have been chosen to make the world a better place, repair the world. Western belief in the value of human life will prevail. We think that the majority of folks would like to have peace and a future for their children.
***
Adam Kwasman is running for the Arizona House of Representatives from Legislative District 11 on the Republican ticket.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
My Judaism is the core of my being, and dedication to liberty and service to our community stems from my education at Tucson Hebrew Academy.
What issue(s) are you most passionate about? Why?
Economic growth and job creation are my top priorities. I feel confident in my ability to grow the private sector and create jobs in order to benefit the region. I hold a master’s degree in economics from George Mason University. In 2009 I founded Leviticus 2010, my own economic consulting firm. It’s named after Leviticus, the book in the Bible that says, proclaim liberty throughout the ends of the earth unto all.
What do you think is the most important issue facing Tucson and/or the region, state or country?
The best way to create good-paying jobs for Arizona’s families is to foster a business-friendly environment that attracts world-class industries and encourages local companies to increase their investment in our beautiful state.
What would be your ideal solution to any of these issues?
We must have a competitive and job-friendly tax structure coupled with regulatory reform. By reducing the size and scope of government, we empower the private sector and job creators.
How do you meld your political involvement with family/professional life?
I am recently engaged to an amazing Jewish girl, Rebecca Donsky, and our love for Arizona and our desire to raise our family here inspires and energizes my campaign to make this state prosperous l’dor vador (from generation to generation).
What position would you most want to have in government — from school board chair to president of the United States? Why?
I would be thrilled to represent my community in the Arizona State Legislature.
Is there anything you would like to tell us that very few people know about you?
My closest friends are still my Anshei Israel preschool and THA classmates, including Isaac Greenberg, Jacob Rocker, Gilon Eilat and Mayron Lichterman.
***
Barbara LaWall, a Democrat first elected in 1996, is running for her 5th term as county attorney.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
Many of the Jewish values my parents instilled in me, such as working for social justice, giving to charity and giving back to your community, treating people with respect and dignity, being kind and compassionate, being honest and telling the truth, having integrity, being trustworthy and keeping my word — basically just following the Ten Commandments — have had a significant influence on me, particularly as a prosecutor, and especially when working with victims, all of whom have been hurt and damaged in some way. These values have served me exceptionally well in my chosen profession, which requires an absolute commitment and adherence to truth, justice and ethics — all of which are strongly embedded in Jewish values.
What issues are you most passionate about?
I think that what has always driven me is a passion and commitment to making a difference. I am exceptionally proud that I have created and implemented numerous special programs in my office that make a substantial difference for victims and for our community, such as neighborhood community justice boards for juvenile offenders, drug treatment alternatives to prison, a model truancy enforcement program, prosecutors working directly with school administrators, the Bad Check program, Kids in Court, the Safe Baby program, Citizen’s Prosecution Academy and programs to address responsible gun ownership. I am most passionate about keeping children safe and helping protect our most vulnerable victims — children, women and seniors — from those who harm, threaten and endanger them.
In my personal life, I am most passionate about being a great mom and as beloved a grandmother, sister and aunt as I can be. I adore my family — being with them, spending as much time with them as possible and helping them succeed in life fills me with great satisfaction.
What is the most important issue facing Tucson and/or the region, state or country?
There are many issues facing us today that deeply concern me. But the prevalenceof guns and increased substance abuse, particularly among adolescents, are among the most serious issues I deal with every day.
Alcohol use, binge drinking, tobacco use, marijuana and prescription drug abuse has significantly increased over the years with our young people, and is higher in Pima County than in the rest of the state. Substance abuse of any kind in young people is a significant risk factor for delinquency, school dropout, crime, violence and teen pregnancy.
Every thug and gang member in our community is very well-armed and willing to use deadly force at any time. I see the deadly and harmful results of gun violence every day. It sickens me when babies are shot to death, women are gunned down by abusive spouses and gang members are better armed with automatic weaponry than our police. It is concerning that automatic weapons and massive amounts of ammunition are readily available to all.
Also, persons with mental illness are filling our jails, and prisons are becoming the psychiatric hospitals of the 21st century. Almost 20 percent of the prison population have a mental illness, compared to 5 percent of the U.S. population. The Jan. 8, 2011 shooting in Tucson and the recent movie theater massacre in Colorado are the most recent examples of why we need to improve our ability as a community and a nation to recognize early signs and symptoms of mental illness and provide all the resources needed for treatment.
What would be your ideal solution to any of those issues?
The tragedies of Jan. 8 and the Aurora, Colo., shooting remind us of the importance and urgency of reinstating the 1994 federal assault weapons ban. This law prohibited the manufacture, sale and possession for civilian use of certain semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity ammunition clips. This bill expired in 2004 and, regretfully, Congress has lacked the political will to renew it. There are currently no restrictions on high-capacity magazine clips or assault weapons, which are used for killing people — not for target practice or hunting. If the assault weapons ban had been in place, Jared Loughner would not have been able to buy the extra-large capacity ammunition magazine clip that enabled him to brutally murder so many innocent citizens with such rapidity, and the AK-15 used by the killer in Aurora, Colo. would not have been readily available. These weapons have no place on our streets except for law enforcement and the military.
How do you meld your political involvement with family/professional life?
I am a divorced single mother who had to learn to juggle a very busy professional life with raising a young daughter. I was fortunate to receive a lot of early child care help from my mother and grandmother, who were both alive when my daughter was very young. After they passed, when my daughter was an adolescent, I brought her with me to many events and exposed her to my political and prosecutorial life. Looking back, I know for certain that her experiences and immersion in my professional activities helped her mature and learn how to advocate, to not to be afraid to speak up, to confidently stand up and speak out for causes and issues she believes in.
To balance my family and professional life, I improved my organizational skills, built a great support network of friends and family, and learned to let go of guilt.
Any pitfalls or wondrous opportunities you’ve experienced because of politics?
As a career prosecutor, I ran for office because I had a vision for the County Attorney’s Office that I wanted to implement, not because I ever desired to hold a “political” office. However, in order to be the county attorney, I must run for office and be elected — which makes me “political.” My job is actually a constitutional one, rather than strictly a political one.
As the county attorney, I have experienced numerous “wondrous opportunities.” I attended the Amber Alert bill signing in the White House Rose Garden, and America’s Promise, Colin Powell’s initiative on mentoring and volunteering, where each of the living presidents and first ladies spoke. I was invited by Gov. Janet Napolitano to be a guest at a Democratic National Convention. And through my work at the National District Attorney’s Association, I have been privileged to meet and serve on several national committees with many prominent political figures, such as Attorney General Eric Holder and former Attorneys General Janet Reno, Alberto Gonzales and Ed Meese.
What position would you most want to have in government — from school board chair to president of the United States? Why?
I am blessed to be the Pima County Attorney and feel that I already have the best possible position in government. As the prosecutor, I get to base my decisions on the law, the facts and professional ethics. As the executive officer, I get to set the vision and direction for my office and can proceed to implement programs and services without having to seek bipartisan support from bickering opposition. I do not have to bend to political pressures to perform the duties and responsibilities of county attorney. I get paid reasonably well, live in Tucson and do not have to perform my job in Phoenix or Washington. What more could a girl ask for?
Is there anything that you would like to tell us that very few people know about you?
Most people probably don’t know that I have many more interests and passions than just prosecution and the law. They are cooking for family and friends. Traveling. Reading. Browsing bookstores. Whitewater rafting. The marketplaces of Mexico. Wine-tasting in Tuscan hill towns. The Amalfi coast. Broadway musicals. Live theater. Shakespeare at the Globe. Film festivals. Robert Altman. The Coen brothers. Martin Scorsese. Robert Zemeckis. Aaron Sorkin. Greg Berlantis. Survivor. The Amazing Race. Top Chef and Top Chef Masters. The Next Food Network Star. Sunday mornings. Train stations. Train rides. Shelley. Keats. Tennyson. Dickinson. e.e. cummings. Mark Twain. Charles Dickens. Jane Austen. Jon Krakauer. J.K. Rowling. Mozart. Beethoven. Stravinsky. The Eagles. The Beatles. Queen. The Boss. Billy Joel. Elton John. U2. Strolling the New Orleans garden district, the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, the Forum in Rome. And, of course, the mountains and Tucson sunsets.
***
Doug Levy is a trial lawyer at Douglas B. Levy law firm and a political activist.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
Absolutely. I was born in 1963 and fortunate enough to live the first 18 years of my life in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. Starting when I was 10, our family of four rarely missed a Friday evening service at The Village Temple on 12th Street. Our rabbi’s sermons frequently discussed political issues. Apparently, the Reform movement in New York City in the 1970s had little problem with the rabbi taking on political issues from the pulpit. While I initially found many of the political issues of the day boring, my experience at The Village Temple made the link between Jewish values and political involvement absolutely inextricable. Our rabbi, Dennis Math — who presided at my Bar Mitzvah and confirmation, and at my wedding in 1996 — was always participating in political marches and events in Manhattan and beyond.
Also, in 1974 Abe Beame was elected mayor of New York City, followed by Ed Koch from 1978-89. The Jewish community in New York felt tremendous pride with the elections of Beame and Koch. A third very high profile Jewish politician during the 1970s in Manhattan was Bella Abzug. A Jewish child growing up in the Manhattan of the 1970s would have substantial exposure to these politicians. Koch and Abzug also had extremely candid, engaging personalities. You knew exactly where they stood on the issues. That is certainly a character trait I have adopted over the years.
What issue(s) are you most passionate about? Why?
My parents were both trial lawyers. They firmly believed that every case and cause they championed was just. Therefore, it would make sense that the political issue which has received most of my attention over the years is the preservation of the civil justice system, specifically, the right to receive a trial by a jury (Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution). While many judges are elected, the people who sit on juries in courtrooms across America every day are not elected. They are just ordinary citizens, representing a fair cross-section of our communities.
What has occurred during the course my lifetime is that U.S. corporations, the insurance industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have figured out that the jury system can be very bad for profitability. If corporations can close the doors to the courthouse to ordinary citizens, then they cannot be held accountable for their actions. Billions of dollars have been spent over the last 40 years to advocate for tort reform laws that will eliminate the jury trial. If this effort were to be successful, then millions of innocent victims of civil wrongdoing would be denied their opportunity to hire a lawyer and advance a lawsuit.
Equal to my passion for preserving a civil justice system, which has worked magnificently well since the common law of England, is advocating for a secure, militarily and economically powerful State of Israel.
Because of my work fighting for access to justice, I have had the incredible opportunity to talk about Israel with many U.S. senators and congressmen who have little commonality with our tiny Jewish State or the history of the Diaspora. I have been involved for more than 20 years with Jewish political advocacy groups like AIPAC, J Street and the Desert Caucus. I believe that the emergence of J Street on the international political scene will be very good for Israel and AIPAC. Israel needs as many strong voices as possible to advocate for her in the United States and Europe.
What do you think is the most important issue facing Tucson and/or the region, state or country?
The most important issue currently facing Tucson is water. Will there be any water to sustain Tucson’s population in 30 years? That is a real question. As a parent of 14- and 11-year-old daughters, the next most important issue in Tucson and the region is our completely broken system of public education. Whether it is the quality of the teachers and the schools, or the quality of the parenting inside the home, our students are failing. Seven thousand students drop out of high school in the United States every day. How can we let this continue? How can we, as a society, have devalued public education to this low point?
The most important issue at the national level appears to be the state of the economy and unemployment rates for Latinos and African Americans, which are much higher than 10 percent. Therefore, the most important issue as of September 2012 is the man elected to be president from 2012-2016. The choice is very clear for the American public. If Romney is elected, we embrace the economic policies and ideologies of George W. Bush and Paul Ryan. If Obama is elected, we stay the current course. I know which path I prefer.
What would be your ideal solution to any of these issues?
I am certainly no expert on water issues. Water is going to become very expensive in Arizona and around the world. I just hope that we have a government in place that will respect the fact that global warming is a science-based fact. Clearly, our environment, water supply and energy policy are inextricably linked.
We know that public education can work. It should work. It has to work. What has been the stumbling block in Arizona? Money: plain and simple. Gov. Napolitano fought for years to create all-day kindergarten in public schools. Gov. Brewer had no difficulty immediately wiping it out. Educating children costs money. Great public universities need money. The Arizona State Legislature has done tremendous damage to public education since Janet Napolitano opted to join President Obama’s cabinet.
Taking on the national economy is well beyond my pay grade, but here are a few comments: Paul Ryan’s budget plan would be a disaster. Medicare, Social Security and now the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) are fantastic ideas that help make our country great. These three social programs are the essence of Jewish values. The government leading the way on economic stimulus in 2008-2009 succeeded in avoiding an economic depression similar to 1929. Moving forward, we need to make sure that affluent Americans are paying the same taxes they were during the Clinton years. The argument that higher income and property taxes on those earning more than $250,000 per year will slow economic growth is simply false.
How do you meld your political involvement with family/professional life?
We all know how precious our time is. A parent can never spend too much time with a child under the age of 14. A trial lawyer like me can never spend too much time preparing a case for a courtroom presentation. Time is always the greatest challenge. My wife, Nanci, has promised that she would divorce me if I ever ran for an elected political office.
By the same token, I love taking Rae and Maya to political events. Just like sitting with me at Temple during services, they do not always enjoy the length of the speeches, but they have come to understand the importance of political involvement and making your constructive voice heard.
Any pitfalls or wondrous opportunities you’ve experienced because of politics?
The pitfall of political involvement is that people get mad at you when they disagree with you. The wondrous aspect of political involvement is that you can easily make a difference with a great idea and a little energy. Once you learn how the system works and gain the trust of those who have the power to vote, you truly have the ability to get things done.
What position would you most want to have in government — from school board chair to president of the United States? Why?
I am definitely not smart enough, but being one of the nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices would be a pretty great opportunity. It is a lifetime appointment, and you have the power to stop ridiculous laws like SB 1070 in their tracks, and uphold historic laws like Obamacare. After Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Stephen Breyer retires, I sincerely doubt that we will ever have three Jewish U.S. Supreme Court justices on the bench at the same time (Elena Kagan is the third).
For an elected position, it would be governor of Arizona, because you have the ability to be a leader by driving a public agenda. You have the ability to veto the really bad laws. Gov. Napolitano vetoed 180 really bad laws passed by the Arizona legislature during her six years as governor. Bruce Babbit vetoed 114 when he was governor. The governor also has the power to appoint the vast majority of state court judges.
Is there anything you would like to tell us that very few people know about you?
I have had a blessed life because my parents showered my little sister and me with attention and love. They worked hard to include my sister and me in their very busy professional and athletic lives, and they made it fun. My parents demonstrated to me every day how to be a good parent and an involved member of a community. But, they also made a decision to send me to Fieldston, a phenomenal private high school in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. To get there I had to take a long subway ride every day. I think those subway rides gave me a unique perspective in many ways.
***
Jonathan Rothschild is mayor of the city of Tucson.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
Really, the Golden Rule, found in all major world religions, is the main tenet of faith I try to follow in politics and in life. It’s not always easy, and we can always do better — certainly I can — but it’s a path to good, humane decisions. It’s what the Mishnah Peah calls acts of loving kindness.
What issues are you most passionate about? Why?
I’m passionate about Tucson being a well-run and thriving city, with a sound, sustainable economy and a high quality of life.
What do you think is the most important issue facing Tucson and/or the region, state or country? What would be your ideal solution to any of these issues?
On the economy, I’m working to recruit new businesses and retain existing businesses. Just recently, my business advocate and I worked to bring Accelr8, a biotech firm, to Tucson. That’s over 60 high-tech jobs to start — possibly 200 to 300 in the future. Along with Mayor Stanton in Phoenix, I led a trade delegation to visit Mexico City, Hermosillo and the deep water port in Guaymas. Mexico’s economy is growing more rapidly than ours. They are a growing market for Arizona exports. Also, I want to make sure Tucson is a major hub on the rail network from Guaymas inland.
How do you meld your political involvement with family/professional life?
The job of mayor of Tucson pays just a little over $40,000 a year, but demands 60 hour weeks, at least. I gave up a lucrative law practice so I could do the job right. My wife has been a huge help. All my family has been supportive. I can still walk down the street to my old law office and chat with my dad — or for that matter, my oldest son, who now works there too.
Any pitfalls or wondrous opportunities you’ve experienced because of politics?
The best part is meeting people, talking with people. I thought I knew Tucson. I’ve lived here my whole life. But being mayor gives you a different perspective. I’ve met all kinds of people from all parts of the city and all walks of life. This is a great place, a special place. It hurts me personally whenever our city gets a bad rap. Our problems are no worse, and often much less, than other cities are facing. There’s room for improvement, but Tucson is a great city. That’s something I’d change, and want to work on changing — this mania held by a few who have to find fault with seemingly everything the city does, or doesn’t do. That has to stop.
What position would you most want to have in government — from school board chair to president of the United States?
Mayor of Tucson. I love this city. I don’t want to live anywhere else.
Is there anything you would like to tell us that very few people know about you?
I’m a lousy golfer. Anyone would know this who saw me play, but since I don’t like to play golf, very few have had that opportunity.
***
Tom Warne is a principal in JL Investments and a political activist.
Did Jewish values encourage your involvement in politics?
The Jewish value of learning and providing a strong education has helped me to become politically involved. I believe our future history will be less volatile if a worthwhile K-12 education is made available to all populations. Also, if we Jews are involved in politics we will be aware and in a position to influence movements that might have negative effects on us.
What do you think is the most important issue facing Tucson and/or the region, state or country?
The most important issue facing Tucson and the country, in my opinion, is the lack of a strong K-12 education system for all and an affordable higher education system for deserving students.
What would be your ideal solution to this issue?
My ideal solution to improving education is to cut the waste out of government and reallocate resources both mentally and economically to building a more successful and better-functioning society. There was a time in our country when teachers held a prominent place in our society. I want them to make a better wage to encourage our bright young people to choose a career in education.
How do you meld your political involvement with family/professional life?
It is very difficult during election cycles to meld one’s involvement with family/ professional life and to the time commitment necessary to make a difference. The rest of the time I find it’s not that difficult to keep up and be involved.
Any pitfalls or wondrous opportunities you’ve experienced because of politics?
The most personal, wondrous experience I have realized was last May, when Congresswoman “Gabby” Giffords gave me her ticket to Congress to hear Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address. I felt very humbled and honored.
What position would you most want to have in government — from school board chair to president of the United States? Why?
I most want to be an involved citizen of the United States.
Is there anything you would like to tell us that very few people know about you?
Most people think I am a Democrat, but I am actually an Independent, and work for and support candidates of both parties.
