Moshe Y. Landman

Seeking Green Party nomination in party-run primary
Green Party
Clarksburg, Montgomery County

Why are you running for office?

I am running for office to bring a new approach to solving problems in the State of Maryland and across the USA. As a Green Party candidate, my focus is on environmental issues. However, our platform extends to all areas of leadership including the economy, governance, agriculture, labor, education, families, healthcare, defense, poverty, and much more. Learn more about my views at www.MosheLandman.us.

Do you believe, as President Joe Biden has said, that “democracy is on the ballot” and, if so, in what way?

American Democracy is never on the ballot. Our principles as formulated by the founding fathers (unfortunately, women were not part of the process) are firmly rooted in our Constitution and nearly 250 years of jurisprudence. I am confident in our system and laws. However, Donald Trump as an individual, is in dire need of mental health assistance. It seems that his madness has infiltrated the minds of nearly 50% of American voters. He is a personal threat to our Democracy as he has demagogic and autocratic tendencies. We must make sure he never holds office again.

Will you accept the presidential election result once the totals have been certified by the states and any legal challenges adjudicated?

Yes, I will accept any result of free and fair elections, even if Donald Trump wins.

Do you support additional assistance for Ukraine’s military forces two years into Russia’s invasion?

The Green Party does not believe in or promote violence. We believe peace is the ultimate solution and diplomacy is the path to this goal. Funding Ukraine is a clear sign to Vladimir Putin, another extremely mentally ill leader, that we are supporting a war against him. This will embolden him to escalate the conflict using nuclear weapons as his conventional forces are failing to overtake Ukraine. We admire the courage and incredible strength of the Ukrainian people who are making the Russians look extremely weak, but we cannot support the continued slaughter of all soldiers and civilians involved. All are human beings with souls.

Should the United States be speaking out more clearly, as Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen has suggested, about civilian casualties in Gaza?

Yes, the US must support a path to peace in the Middle East. The October 7th massacre was a terrible day for Israel. However, this war on the Gaza Strip has led to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, most of whom were innocent victims and not Hamas terrorists. The actions of Israel are being watched by all peoples in the Middle East and inciting great animosity towards the state. Iran has attacked Israel. Israel will continue to be the pariah state in the Middle East until it creates strong relations with its Muslim neighbors.

Israel has a right to defend itself and seek a path to removing Hamas from power and other terrorist groups from leading the Palestinian people. But the Palestinian people deserve a secure and peaceful country as well. Who will help the Palestinians reach their potential in a safe and nonviolent state?

Should Congress act to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision?

The Green Party is pro-choice. However, the Jewish tradition and many other traditions value the life of a fetus. Rabbinic Judaism does not regard the fetus as a full human being. The Talmud states that the fetus “is considered to be mere water” until its 40th day (Yevamot 69b). My personal view is that we should be very careful when it comes to abortion. At some point, the fetus in the womb has consciousness, and killing it leads to negative karma. We should instead promote wise choices when it comes to sexuality and birth control methods. In the event of rape or danger to the mother’s health, our public healthcare system should be involved, but voluntary abortions should not be paid for with public funds. Abortion should not be criminalized but, like plastic surgery, simply paid for by the family or organizations that can assist the mother. An abortion is not a process that should be undertaken without great wisdom, counseling, and input from family, friends, and experts.

Editor’s note: Baltimore Sun Media received this candidate’s responses on April 23.

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