GPCA 2014 statewide candidate questionnaire - Jena Goodman, Lt. Governor

I am running for the position of Lieutenant Governor of California and I have chosen to run for a few reasons. My main objective is to ensure the GPCA has a member running for this position, but I also feel I am a good candidate based mainly on my critical thinking ability. I am interested in positively affecting the state of education in California, primarily focusing on Community Colleges. The push towards privatization of the CCs opposes what they were created to do, and as a member of society that falls under the line of poverty I feel I have an obligation to those after me to ensure they have the ability to access higher education, just as I have been able to. I am currently studying for a degree focusing on biodiversity and ecology, and I want to make an impact on the environmental practices of our state. 

 

 

My focus will be on ensuring equal access to education, including administrative policies as well as inclusivity of our diverse student populations. I plan on taking a hands-on approach to analyze the current policies and practices of the overall state infrastructure of education as well as on a smaller, local level. I am also very concerned with our local environment and the ecological health of California. There are many challenges we will be facing in the time to come, not to mention our current state and how the lack of rainfall this year will impact our water supply and agriculturists across the state. I plan to actively campaign to ban GMOs. I am against corporate personhood and feel that there are many big businesses in California that take too much and give back too little.

 

 

I find that my interests and the interests of the GPCA are very similar and would hope to further educating and informing Californians so that we can all understand the state of today and to better impact how we deal with problems in the future. I hope to be an example of what one person can do if they are motivated to make a change. 

 

 

I became a Green almost two years ago because I firmly believe in our platform. Education and health care should be a human right. I cannot understand how we continue to raise tuition and increase student debt and expect a good outcome, or how people go into extreme debt just to obtain medical treatment to survive. I also strongly agree with environmental sustainability and value our extremely diverse regional environments in California. I also agree with the ability to use medical marijuana to heal the body and ease symptoms of those suffering from mental and physical ailments. 

 

 

I have been in a leadership position for most of my adolescent and adult life. I began honing my leadership skills in high school through the NJROTC program. I then became an office manager in my career working in the automotive industry. I decided to go to college and have held many leadership positions at my first college, Napa Valley College. I founded and ran an Anthropology club that not only gave anthropology students an inside to information about our field, but also brought awareness and representation to that program during a time when it was suffering from cuts and lack of interest from our administration. I also served on the Associated Students of Napa Valley College as the Public Relations Officer and then transitioned into the role of President where I was able to mend relations between the ASNVC office and those we worked with as well as establish a committed and active board.

 

I have a unique perspective in life as well. I was raised in a house hold that has had many challenges, financial as well as physical. I am a caretaker for my mother for the last fifteen years, and have had the responsibility of running a household, working part to full time at times while maintaining a full course load for the past four years. I am a master at multitasking and getting the job done. I am bright and love to talk as well as listen. I am progressive and not scared of speaking my mind. Most of all, I want to make a positive impact on as many people as I possibly can. 

 

 

At this point I am still looking into the depth of how far I want to go. I would of course love to reach out to the boards responsible for the CCCs, CSUs, and UCs. 

 

 

I am still in the process of getting established but am working on getting a campaign website up and running. 

 

 

I believe the US is getting tired of the two party dichotomies and I firmly believe one option that is viable and well thought out is the Green Party. I feel that when the issues get unpacked and an honest conversation occurs, most people will align their priorities to those of the GP. This can only happen with a movement from within the people. It starts with grass roots democracy and education of our citizens on the current state of affairs. I find that many people lose interest in politics because “it’s the same old thing” time and again. A new, fresh approach is needed and I think we can fill the gap.

 

 

I plan on attending as many meetings and gatherings as possible so that I can network and get involved on the ground floor. I don’t assume to know everything and I find in most enriching when others get the chance to explain key issues and resolutions first hand.

 

 

I am a Green because I want to make our country a better place and I think the Green Party is a means to do that. I want education to be free. I want health care to be a human right. I want our generation to step forward and make a difference.

---