MRITZ

MRITZ

I am an independent representative.

I very much agree with the views of Ohio congressman Jim Jordan. []

And those of Masachussettes congressman John Tierny. []

An issue that I care about is values and American Society. I have always been very pro adoption, and I don't think that the government is playing a large enough role in the promotion thereof. Child Abuse is at a higher rate than I think the U.S. could possibly be proud of. I think that there are many issues within this category that can be improved. I also have strong opinions about the economy. It is something that affects every U.S. citizen in some way, and it doesn't seem to be getting much better. I feel that bail-outs don't protect the majority of U.S. citizens and small businesses, and I feel that we, as a nation, need to find a system that protects as much of the population as possible, not just major corporations. I find criminal justice to be an important issue as well. Even criminals should be treated in a way that doesn't bypass their rights. They are U.S. citizens, after all, and, in accordance to our constitution, have the right to be treated as such. We still need to enforce justice, but in a way that doesn't alienate these people's rights. I am personally against the death penalty, as I feel that criminals still do have natural rights -which do include LIFE-but am all for life without parole (not ALL for, but I prefer it to death).

1. Massachusettes has one of the highest rates of adoption of all U.S. states. I'd do all possible to keep this true. 2. Massachusettes's economy focuses on industry, so I'd lean towards pro-industry bills if given the chance. This would benefit Massachusetts's economy and citizens. 3. Massachusettes has one of the highest industrial forces in the US., which I would try to keep true. 4. Massachusettes is ranked 21st out of all U.S. states in crime in the most recent U.S. records I could find. I'd promote any bill that would aid in increasing this number towards 50th. 5. Massachusettes was ranked 24th in unemployment in March, 2009. I would do whatever possible to increase this number towards 50th.

Bill Information- __ HB 31 __

Our bill basically states that children up for adoption, ages two to eighteen, are to be adopted into the same household as their immediate siblings. Exposure to extreme trauma at an early age, such as being forced apart from a sibling, has been shown to cause brain damage and mental/emotional complications later in life. Being with a familiar face through the already difficult transition of being taken into a family of complete strangers was reported by many adopted sibling pairs as being a comfort. This bill would overall help these children later on in life.

Sources:

United States. Cong. House. House Ways and means. By Jim McDermott. 111th Cong., 111th sess. H. Res. 391. [|/bss/111search.html]|

United States. Cong. House. House Ways and means. By Ginny Brown-Waite. 111th Cong., 111th sess. H. Res. 358. [|/bss/111search.html]|

Moe, Barbara A. "Adoption: Overview." __Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society__. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 10 May 2009 . []

Dominique, Jill. "Child Welfare: Overview." __Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society__. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 10 May 2009 [|http://www.issues.abc-clio.com]. []

Newton, David E. "World Population: Overview." __Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society__. 2009. ABC-CLIO. 10 May 2009 [|http://www.issues.abc-clio.com]. []

Broussard, Sharon. "Too old for foster care, too young to be alone." __Clevland Plain Dealer__ 13 Feb. 2005, Editor's Notes sec. []

Flango and Flango Corp. "Numbers and trends." __Numbers and trends__. 10 May 2009 []. []

Not given. "LANDMARK STUDY SHOWS VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT ADOPTION." __Foster Care Statistics__. 10 May 2009 <[]> []

Wikiteam. "Adoption in the United States." __Wikipedia.com__. 24 Apr. 2009. 10 May 2009 [| [] The Evan B. Donaldson Team. "Overview of adoption in the United States." __Www.adoptioninstitute.org__. 2002. 10 May 2009 [].