Feature | The Hollywood Race
Written by: JP

Sharon Rushford (Independent)
Web Site: www.rushfordfiles.com/pages/6/index.htm

Sharon Rushford is known as an advocate for healthcare reform.
She is running for governor of California as an independent.

M. Do you believe the recall election shows the need for election
reform?

S.R. I think it is very apparent that there is still a huge need for
election reform.  Until we vote for the "true" candidate and not
the one shown in fancy advertising, there will be no change for
California.

M. You are active in exposing health care issues.  In your experience,
what is the single biggest reason for the high cost of health care?

S.R. Greedy profiteers. Research has shown that it is not malpractice
awards that makes the cost of healthcare so high, although the industry
wants people to think so. With the states largest HMO showing huge
profits, and patients complaining of lack of care, the proof is in the
pudding as they say. The enormous number of medical malpractice cases
brought forth every day in this state speaks to the quality of care
being given to the people of this state.

M. You are running as Independent.  But to get anything done requires
having friends in the legislature.  How will you make friends of
Democratic and Republican parties?

S.R. I will convince both the democrats and the republicans to put aside
their "party pride" and remember why they were elected in the first place,
which was to represent the needs of the people.

M. The state capitol building has a display window for each county and
the governor.  What would you have in the display window for the
governor?

S.R. Since window decorating is completely not my forte, I
would get suggestions from school children (of all ages), they are the
future of California.

M. How would you suggest people make their concerns heard by the state?

S.R. It's not a matter of people making their concerns heard, that's
fairly easy. It's a matter of making the state listen. The only way to
that is to elect people who will do the listening.

M. When the state capitol was built it was the largest building in the
state.  Since it was opened there have been complaints about the lack of space.  Would you support moving the office of the governor out of the building like they did with the Secretary of State?

S.R. I think the Governor belongs in the Capitol building.

M. There are a growing number of alternative health professionals in
California.  Do you have any plans on regulating them or addressing the issue?

S.R. Should the need arise for regulation, I would address the
issue.

M. Why are you running for governor in this recall election?
 
S.R. I felt the need to address the issue of healthcare reform in this
state. People are dying needlessly in staggering numbers and nothing is being
done about it. If as many people were dying daily in plane crashes it
would be shown on the front page of every newspaper. People are being
injured in even higher numbers. It's time the secret is let out for all
to see the state of healthcare in California.

M. Do you believe elected officials should have more required
qualifications? Like the exams we have for other state employees.

S.R. No, I think if the people want someone to be their leader, that is
enough.

M. Many feel it is just as important for the state to encourage the
population to stay healthy as it is to provide for the sick.  If you
agree, how should the state encourage people to stay healthy?

S.R. Leading a healthy lifestyle is something that if achieved doesn't
promise health. This is really a frightening wave of the future that I
see. It seems to be leading to the way of thinking that the only reason
you're sick is your on fault. Then it will be the only reason you're
hurt was because you were speeding, etc. It is a very dangerous way to
think. It is just a way for insurance companies to stop providing health
benefits eventually. Healthy people don't need care. If they eventually
become the only ones who can get insurance, imagine the insurances
companies profit margin. Imagine the horrors of the people who can't.