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Voter's Edge California Voter Guide
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Tuesday June 7, 2016 — California Primary Election
United States

United States SenateCandidate for Senator

Photo of Karen Roseberry

Karen Roseberry

Educator
110,557 votes (1.5%)
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My Top 3 Priorities

  • Security by providing real foreign policy solutions through the strengthening of our military, trustworthy commitments to our allies, and an unwavering word in our diplomatic negotiations
  • Accountability in the economy by establishing a fair and simplified tax code, requiring a fiscally responsible budget, reducing regulations in the private sector to promote job creation, and restoring practices that support the great American work et
  • Values of America- life, liberty, freedom, and opportunity- upheld and protected / Educational excellence pursued in our schools with local answerability, choice, and opportunities in all fields of study/ *S.A.V.E. the Future

Experience

Education

California State University of Northridge Master of Arts, Political Science (2008)
California State University of Northridge Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (2007)

Community Activities

Summer Camp Counselor, Victory Ranch Campground (2003–2015)

Biography

Karen Roseberry is a California native who has spent the last 7 years working passionately to educate youth both in the Antelope Valley and overseas. Having worked first hand with students, often high risk, in low socio-economic areas she believes that a strong foundation of values is most needed to improve conditions educationally, socially, economically, nationally, and internationally.

With over 10 years in customer service Karen realizes the importance of working tirelessly to ensure the satisfaction of guests and carries that same work ethic into her desire to be the next U.S. Senator of California. It is her goal to end the extreme sense of dissatisfaction felt by the constituents of this state that have for too long been poorly represented by career politicians. She strongly supports the understanding that elected officials work for the people. She earnestly comes before the electorate as the candidate willing to work the hardest on their behalf, seeking their best interest in legislation, and asking for their vote to have the opportunity to do so.

Karen grew up near the South Bay area before moving with her parents to the Antelope Valley. She has traveled extensively throughout the state, has lived in both Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, and is actively involved with her church near North County of San Diego, along with the ladies’ ministry at Grace Chapel in Lancaster. Karen has also traveled to 17 countries, has taught in two village schools of India, and has visited 35 states learning much about the tremendous blessings afforded to those in this country and state, and that could be so much better utilized with more effective leadership.

Karen attended the University of Denver, before returning to California to eventually graduate from California State University of Northridge with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science.

Questions & Answers

Questions from The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and California Counts, a public media collaboration. (6)

Do you support the use of a federal carbon tax on the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the use of fossil fuels (such as coal, oil and natural gas) as a means to both slow climate change and to reduce the deficit?  Why or why not?
Answer from Karen Roseberry:

No, increased taxes and burdensome measures on corporations will only drive businesses overseas resulting in detrimental effects to the economy. What is beneficial is for the American people to make sound consumer choices that reflect what they want from business and to allow the market influences of supply and demand dictate to business what action they need to take to be successful, rather than to have punitive measures placed upon them that do little to actually promote sustainable change.

What is your stand on gun control laws at the federal level?  Please explain the reasoning behind your position. 
Answer from Karen Roseberry:

The 2nd amendment guarantees individuals (as the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to protect the rights of individuals) that "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." What is necessary is to ensure that proper actions are being taken to ensure that gun-owners behave in well-regulated manners.

Is the Trans Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement good for California?  Would you vote to support it?  Please explain why or why not.
Answer from Karen Roseberry:

No, the Trans Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement is not good for California and I would not vote to support it, because it would hurt efforts to bring jobs to the region, most notably because of the terms set forth under the section on the environment that will put increased regulation and hardship upon many businesses trying to create jobs. Additionally, the labor terms outlined in the agreement are also unfavorable for the U.S. especially in having to compete with countries with wages far lower than in America. There should be negotiations set forth that can work to provide opportunities to create international markets for goods with other countries, and for them in the United States, but the degree of artificial manipulation set forth in the agreement will interfere with free market practices that better regulate the economy than efforts taken to abitrarily create results.

At the federal level, should recreational marijuana be legalized? Why or why not?
Answer from Karen Roseberry:

No, it is not for the federal government to legalize marijuana. It is the federal government's job to ensure that borders are secure and that drugs do not enter the country through the borders.

The Federal Government plays a part in California water allocation and use through a variety of laws.  What, if any, legislation would you support in an effort to handle water shortages caused by the current and any future drought?
Answer from Karen Roseberry:

Efforts necessary to handle water shortages include reducing restrictions to the ability to build the necessary reservoirs and water storage facilities. Additionally, responsible building of desalination plants to best utilze California's extensive and beneficial coastline should also be taken.

Should immigration laws be changed?  What changes would you support?  Please explain why. 
Answer from Karen Roseberry:

The immigration issue has three primary components which must be addressed if any proposed policy is to effectively work and bring the sought after reforms- the violation of the rule of law, the effect on the economy, and the threat to national security. A comprehensive immigration policy must first address the rule of law violation, then and only then can economic and security matters truly be addressed, so as to solve the problems, and not merely put a band-aid on an issue in need of  an operation

For those individuals who have violated immigration law, but have not committed any felonies or class A misdemeanors, in certain instances, they may be eligible to be sentenced to serve time in a community project, charity, or area of service to the public whose trust and laws they have violated. By so doing these individuals can begin to work to establish a trust with those whom it has been lost, and not by merely paying their way out of the violation. Additionally, this action has the benefit of mobilizing citizens to partner with those who have entered the country without understanding the values for which America stands and to effectively inform them as much in order to build a sense of community and ensure that the American Dream does not become a distorted nightmare.

In respect to the effect on the economy, the diplomatic measures to allocate costs to the countries whose citizens are in violation of immigration law will help to address deportation funding. Companies found to be hiring illegal immigrants will be fined, and any individual or entity caught dealing in the issuance of fraudulent documents will face the steepest of fines. Furthermore, to qualify for any form of federal aid or federal social program, documentation of citizenship is required- individuals who are not citizens will not receive benefits of citizenship. If the economic benefits to illegal immigration can be eliminated through the use of systems such as e-verify to ensure that only those individuals here legally can obtain employment, and there are no entitlement services to non-citizens, it is very possible that many individuals here illegally will choose to voluntarily return to their home countries.  

Finally, in respect to national security, an excellent example can be found in the nation of Israel and how they secure their borders even amidst tremendous hostility. A combination of resources will be most effective, beginning with a double-layered razor wire fence, along the U.S. southern border. It is more cost effective than a wall and is more consistent with American views in respect to certain other walls in recent history. In addition to the physical component to border security the fence should also be supplemented by a responsible use technology including, motion sensors, cameras, and night-vision equipment. 

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

More information about contributions

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.

Political Beliefs

Political Philosophy

I am declaring my candidacy for the office of U.S. Senator of California because I am zealous about the future. For over the past 7 years I have spent my time investing in the lives of students, who I believe to be the best return on any investment of time. Instead of seeing a generation optimistic and looking up, I have watched as apathy has spread, due in large part to a rampant spread of hypocrisy and a complete deterioration of values in government. The result has been to rob and undermine the future before it ever even begins, and I can no longer just watch. I am declaring my candidacy for the office of U.S. Senator of California because I firmly believe the time has come to S.A.V.E. the future and encourage a response to look up once again.

Our state and nation must have a sense of SECURITY in order to prosper. Currently, our nation’s foreign policy is undermining security, and, most alarmingly, it is actively promoting instability throughout the world. It is just a matter of time until those failed foreign policies will result in insecurity and outright danger within our own borders. Instead, real foreign policy solutions are needed by strengthening our military, having trustworthy commitments to our allies, and an unwavering word in our diplomatic negotiations.

Economically, California is need of a senator who will hold individuals, corporations, and foreign nations ACCOUNTABLE for their actions with clear consequences enforced. These consequences should be compassionate when appropriate, retributive when in the best interest of justice, and decisive when necessary to ensure compliance. Personal responsibility for choices will promote a respect for the law that has recently been trampled by a variety of individuals, including many in high offices. Corporate responsibility will ensure that the American people are never again called upon to be responsible to bear the consequences for the grievous, unethical, and negligent decisions of institutions, but instead are held accountable for their own actions. In financial foreign policy, just as in security matters, our economic and trade agreements must reflect strength, commitment, and veracity.

At the heart of any expectation for greatness in the future are the VALUES upon which that future is to be built. The values that have been foundational to this nation since its conception, and that again need to be championed, are life, liberty, freedom, and opportunity. For over two decades I have watched these values be eroded by legislative action. I have watched abuse of power and laws passed that go completely contrary to those principles. I’ve watched as politician after politician has failed- failed to keep promises, failed to support these ideals, and failed to make California a better place. I believe that now is the time for the values which have made this state, and nation, great for so many years, and that have been forgotten for too long, to be once again represented by this state in the U.S. Senate.

Finally, it is imperative that the EDUCATION of the voters of the future be an education that upholds these same values, that promotes individual accountability, and that prepares individuals to be productive members of society. Our students must have the necessary skill set for the 21st century, a determined work ethic, and a “can do” attitude that has propelled America to greatness for over 200 years. The pursuit of such excellence in education requires local accountability, choice, and opportunities in all fields of study. Additionally, it requires involvement on the part of all of us as citizens to make our leaders in education (and politics) perform their duties in a responsible and informed manner, and to pattern our own lives in a way that upholds the ideals being taught.

Together we can all S.A.V.E. the future!

Position Papers

Government and the Economy

Summary

Excessive debt and financial uncertainty is detrimental to economic growith; governmental policy must address those concerns.

In respect to the economy, the primary involvement by the government concerns budgetary spending, legislation enacted that affects jobs, and taxes. In all three of these areas, politicians currently in elected office have been doing a pitiful job. Now is the time to take action to save the future. It is time to require accountable and responsible financial policies from our representatives.

Karen believes that governmental action related to the spending of your tax dollars should operate in a fiscally responsible manner, by collecting and spending the least amount of your money possible. Practically speaking, this means beginning with zero-base budgeting in order to drastically cut unnecessary expenditures.

As governmental action relates to job creation Karen will diligently work to ensure that excessive legislation does not bog down the creation of jobs, especially in the private sector. She recognizes that private sector jobs are best created when the market can most freely operate, competition drives quality, supply, and demand, and unnecessary regulations are limited to prevent undue burdens and reduce costly bureaucratic measures. Additionally, it also means that both private and public sectors are responsible for the choices they make and must face the consequences for those choices. This means that the American people are never again to be called upon to bail out institutions considered “too big to fail” and who acted irresponsibly, recklessly, and without accountability.

California is need of a senator who will promote economic growth through policies that will encourage employers and investors to want to benefit from all the many incredible opportunities California has to offer, and subsequently promote employment. Opportunities that include our extensive coastline and that could be developed to meet two clear needs in our state- increasing the water supply and creating more jobs.

Regarding taxes, when spending is properly controlled and individuals are productively and gainfully employed, then there can also be an effective limiting and lowering of taxes. Through the creation of more simplified tax code, a fair percentage to be paid equally by individuals, and one for corporations, the necessary tax dollars can be collected without disproportionately burdening any group of people and driving corporations and jobs out of the country.

Security and Foreign Policy

Summary

The international arena is safer, more stable, with greater national security for all countries, especially the United States, when America takes a leadership role in the world.

America’s first and primary responsibility in any foreign policy decision is to ensure the safety of American citizens, both within the United States and abroad. In recent years, this most fundamental principle has not been upheld. Poorly crafted foreign policy decisions, lack of clarity regarding the goals and objectives sought for each region, and actions based on inaccurate, completely naïve, and unrealistic conclusions reached about other country’s intentions, that have clearly stated intentions to the contrary, have resulted in a drastically unstable international arena, in desperate need for the United States to regain its leadership role.  

As America looks to restore its leadership role in the global community it is imperative that our allies know we stand with them and we honor our commitments to support them. Other nations that have tried to exploit the power void felt as a result of actions and inaction over the past several years must be strongly reminded of the full strength and power of the United States. We must invest in ensuring that our military has the best resources available, including information and strategic assets.

It is time that the military be represented by leadership in Washington that understands the way the world actually works, not by those making decisions on the way they “wished” the world looked. Idealism is to be championed in many areas of diplomacy, and such diplomatic measures can be of great value in moving the world towards greater ideals. Idealism, though, must be tempered by the reality of the situation, and decisions made must reflect reality as it is, not wishful wonderlands. Understanding the hard lessons of the past, in order to save and build a better future is what is required. The lessons of appeasement that brought the rise of Nazism, the Iranian Revolution, and now ISIS must not be forgotten, and corrective action must be taken.

It is essential that we have an accurate understanding of the situation in countries where we have Americans stationed, and our actions within a country are working towards clear and well-defined goals. Furthermore, it must be understood by all countries that the United States is a nation who will only take military action when absolutely necessary, but when military action is needed it will be taken. In those cases the action will be decisive, unwavering, and fully committed to accomplishing the necessary and clear objectives for which the action needed is being taken.

Videos (1)

Interview with Karen Roseberry regarding her candidacy and platform for the U.S. Senate

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