The Voice of Reason

Political Philosophy

Good government does not rely on lawmakers being liberals or conservatives, or being Democrats or Republicans. Good government instead comes from elected representatives taking a hard look at each issue as it arises and deciding upon a reasonable course of action independent of partisan politics.

Mark does not support or oppose issues by first determining which side is the “liberal” side and which is the “conservative” side, or by which party supports or opposes the matter. Rather, Mark examines each question one at a time and searches for the reasonable, responsible approach that best benefits the people.

First Responders

Mark has spent most of his nineteen year legal career defending police officers and other first responders from the many lawsuits they are exposed to in the line of duty.

Mark will continue to work to support law enforcement, firefighters, and other emergency workers in the Missouri House. Mark will oppose the efforts by many lawmakers to endanger and eliminate the jobs of hundreds of firefighters statewide. Tax dollars must be carefully spent, but supporting those whom we ask to risk their lives for us is not an area where we should skimp.

Stem Cell Research

Mark Zoole is committed to supporting all types of stem cell research.

The biomedical community and the people of Missouri can count on Mark to support the institutions that make Missouri a leader in plant, life, and animal sciences. Missouri law as approved by the voters in 2006 allows Missouri to take the same economic advantages of stem cell research that federal lawmakers in a Republican Congress had already approved.

If Missouri law changes in that regard to disallow such research, as some lawmakers propose, then the economic advantages of stem cell research will simply be reaped by other states and Missouri will suffer. Such changes would harm the St. Louis area in particular because of its inability to take advantage of research institutions such as Monsanto and Washington University.

Public Education

Mark strongly supports public schools, and is himself the product of the Ladue School District. When the government spends tax dollars, educating our children should be a priority. Schools should teach science, math, and other topics from a reasonable standpoint. We should not use tax dollars to indoctrinate children in a religious sense.

Economic Responsibility

No new taxes or tax increases are necessary or appropriate. The 87th District already pays its fair share,-- if not more,-- of income taxes and property taxes. Mark knows that by prioritizing our budget properly, we can make the most of the money the state already has. As one cost-cutting measure, Mark favors eliminating the free health care insurance (now costing Missouri taxpayers approximately 1.5 Million Dollars per year) that is currently provided to members of the Missouri House of Representatives.