Joyce L Lacey

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Joyce Lacey completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lacey's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading-bio-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy life is marked by a passion for service &amp; a diverse range of experiences. I reported for \"The Battle Lake Review\" &amp; \"Grant County Herald\" and was a radio personality for KBRF and KBHL. My commitment to education led me to teach. As a Wall Street Journal &amp; USA Today Best Selling Author, I am able to reach global audiences through my weekly programs on The Now and Daily Gospel Networks. \r\n<p>For over 40 years, I've been devoted to organizations like the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the St. Paul Winter Carnival, just to name a few. As an ardent supporter of veterans, I currently serve as the VP of Community Engagement for the MN Council of the Navy League of the U.S.. I also dedicate time to the American Legion Auxiliary and other organizations that empower our nation's heroes. \r\n</p>\nI've been blessed to receive service recognition, including awards for the KARE Eleven Who Care, the WCCO/Women's Expo Volunteer of the Year, the KSTP/Sun Country Everyday Hero, the Freedom Resource Center and the Law 2.0 Conference Outstanding Leadership Awards, the Council on Disability Advocacy Award among others. To further serve vulnerable adults, children and veterans, I founded the June Lynne Lacey Foundation. This lifetime of experience has prepared me for my most ambitious service role: running for the US Senate to \"Protect America's Future.\"\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading-key-message-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>My campaign centers on advocating for marginalized voices, promoting justice and security for all individuals and implementing systemic changes to ensure stability. \r\n<p>This involves acknowledging past sacrifices, prioritizing comprehensive reforms and empowering otherwise marginalized communities to build a fairer and more secure future for generations to come.\r\n</p>\nMy signature issue is guardianship reform, brought about by my experience with my own mother being put into an involuntary, abusive, fraudulent and for-profit guardianship. Nearly a million and a half elderly and disabled are in guardianships/conservatorships with up to 75% trapped in abusive, involuntary, fraudulent, for-profit situations.</li><li>We need to stabilize our present by redoubling efforts to address homelessness, putting a stop to human trafficking and ensuring that all receive their inalienable human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Too many people in society are pushed to the side and forgotten. We need a return to the dignity of life from birth through natural death. \r\n\r\nHubert Humphrey once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped. My mission is to recognize them and create reforms and new systems to secure our future.</li><li>We need to protect our future. We need more competition and anti-monopoly legislation to get a handle on inflation. This includes getting a handle on our national debt so that we can reduce that $34.5+ trillion debt we have at present. That is more than $103,000 for every man, woman and child in America.\r\n\r\nWe need to also implement a variety of good government reforms including term limits so that we can reduce the number of career politicians and continually infuse the system with new ideas and new energy.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading1-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t- Guardianship/Conservatorship Reform<br/>\n<p>- Veterans issues<br/>\r\n- Homelessness<br/>\r\n- National Debt<br/>\n</p>\n- Social Security stabilization\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading2-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy mother. She encompassed all the ethics and morals that I treasurer and strive to emulate.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading3-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes, I recommend the book \"Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln\" by Dorris Kearns Goodwin. It is an excellent book about Abraham Lincoln. The film \"Lincoln\" was an epic historical drama about the last few months of Lincoln's life and his efforts to pass the Thirteen Amendment. The screenwriter, Tony Kushner and Director Spielberg did an excellent job portraying this story.<br/><br/>\n<p>In addition, in 1977 during his last speech, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, noted that.. \"The moral test of <br/>\n</p>\ngovernment is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” As a nation, this is how we are to be measured on our morality and our greatness.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading4-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am guided by my faith, it leads me in my decision-making, both morally and ethically. I like to see a similar moral/ethical process and foundation in my elected officials.<br/><br/>\r\nAn elected official should be knowledgeable, possess honor, eloquence, intelligence, good humor and have displayed that they are truly a dedicated public servant through years of giving back to their communities through donations and volunteering countless hours to worthy causes.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading5-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLeadership, dependability, empathy (caring for others) and commitment to service.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading6-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tHonesty is of utmost importance. Coupled with integrity, dependability and a good sense of economics (in order to balance the budget). <br/><br/>\r\nOne must be willing to listen to the American people and take into consideration all their concerns to devise a wise, fair and just outcome for policies to be enacted.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading7-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would like my legacy to be successfully freeing people from the modern-day slavery of involuntary, fraudulent and for-profit guardianships so that we can return the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to them.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading8-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOn July 20, 1969 the first human landed on the moon! I was 7 years old.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading9-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI covered high school sports for two newspapers, while in high school. I had that job for four years.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading10-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs of recently, my favorite book is \"We're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong\" by Diane Dimond because it warns the public of what is actually going on in these involuntary, abusive, for-profit, frauduent guardianships and conservatorships. They claim to want to help, when they actually just want to help themselves to the victim's wealth and property. They claim to care, when they actually only care about how much they can make off their victim. What these abusive, for-profit guardians are doing is criminal. I view it as organized crime made legal through our Probate Court system.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading11-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIt would be nice to be Wonder Woman to be able to save the world.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading12-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t\"God Bless the USA\" by Lee Greenwood\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading13-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWe have tried for five years to pass a human rights bill enforcing the Bill of Rights for those under Guardianship &amp; Conservatorship. It has been a struggle, as the Minnesota Association of Guardians and Conservators Lobbyists do not want those under their control to have basic rights. Their victims are put into Probate Court and are regarded as \"a piece of property \". This is Modern Day Slavery! All they own becomes the property of the Court Appointed, For-profit Guardian. They are stripped of their life savings, property, pensions, social security and dignity. Usually kidnapped and trafficked to a facility of the Guardians choice, far from family and friends. Continuously drugged and threatened with arrest if they try to escape. Usually given a body monitor (like a prisoner), not allowed a phone and denied the right to sit on a commode or toilet. Rather forced to continuously use a bedpan and lay in wet diapers! Adult Protection and the County Ombudsman refuse to help, as the guardian has final say. The guardian can refuse their right to an attorney, their right to vote, their right for medical attention, their right to see family and friends and their right to live where they wish. The \"professional guardian\" (with as little as Forty Hours of training) can charge upwards of $400 for bogus costs, sell your property and all your heirlooms and take the college fund for your grandchild without your consent or knowledge. Even a police officer told me that convicted criminals have more rights than those forced into these involuntary, abusive, for-profit, fraudulent guardianships and conservatorships. Convicted criminals can refuse being drugged, while those under Guardianships cannot. These abusive guardians usually put their victims on Hospice (even with no terminal illness) to die, when they have liquidated all they own. The family, POA, HCD has no say in the matter, as the abusive, for-profit guardian trumps everyone involved.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading14-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tFrankly, I am concerned about the many freedoms being stripped from our citizens, giving the government too much power. Our Constitution clarifies that we are all endowed with inalienable rights, granted to us by our Creator, and we need to forever keep our eyes on the goals of fulfilling the goals of our Founding Father's of equal justice and equal opportunity for all. <br/><br/>\n<p>The government is employed by the American people. The government needs to be accountable to the people. We should be aware of the Totalitarianism and Socialism that is trying to overrun our democracy. If not, we are destined to fall like many democratic societies before us. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nWe must balance our budget, also. The debt is way out of hand!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading15-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI fully support the implementation of term limits as one of the important campaign/election reforms we need in order to create a more level playing field for a multi-party democracy in order to create a better future for us all. We do not need Senators serving 4+ terms and favor setting U.S. Senate limits at no more than 2 consecutive terms (12 years).\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading16-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs of late, the U.S. Senate has begun to lose what were, and should be, unique characteristics. Often called the world's greatest deliberative body, Republican Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley noted in a 2014 floor speech that the \"loss of the Senate as a deliberative body is certainly a big factor\" in creating a heated tone in Washington, D.C. He noted in that speech, and I agree, that \"What’s unique about the Senate is that the rules and traditions force senators to work together...Because the rules of the Senate are built around consensus, as opposed to the House of Representatives where the majority party dominates, it forces senators of all parties to listen to each other and work together.\"<br/><br/>\r\nFinally, I support the idea of the U.S. Senate as an ongoing product of our Constitution's framers creating the \"Great Compromise\" - creating a legislative body that embodies the federalism of the United States in having each state being equally represented as opposed to the population-based U.S House of Representatives.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading17-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe that a person with experience in balancing a budget, drafting proposed Bills, testifying to the Legislature to enact important Senate Files and House Files and someone who has held countless Leadership roles and been an Advocate for many years is just as qualified, if not more so, than a career politician, who may have been bought out by Lobbyists or buckled to party pressure. We need to infuse our Senate with new, fresh ideas and new Senators.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading18-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you think of the filibuster?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tDelaying or blocking legislation by prolonged debate may be necessary in some instances when the law introduced may cause harm to a certain group of people. Unfortunately, this can be used to block much needed legislation, also. Whereby, citizens may be forced to endure prolonged agony or hardship due to delay. On balance, I believe the filibuster does more harm than good. We need to keep in mind taxpayer dollars and doing the will of the people and the filibuster too often restricts progress.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading19-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tGrounded in the legacy of Robert Kennedy and his transformative leadership, that we hold governments accountable, engage business to align with human rights norms, train the next generation of leaders, and celebrate agents of change in order to fulfill the charge he gave us in 1968 to “dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago, ‘to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of the world.’”\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading20-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tTell us your favorite joke.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy mother was a comedian and told several great jokes over the years. I loved all her jokes. It is difficult to just pick one.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading21-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow would you evaluate a judicial nominee?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBy conducting extensive peer reviews of each nominee's integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading22-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat kind of relationships would you build with other senators?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading22-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am hopeful of building lasting, positive relationships with other Senators. We must all work together to ensure the brightest future for our next generation.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading23-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading23-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAbsolutely, I believe that compromise is necessary for policymaking. It is crucial that all concerned voice their concerns in order to create the policy which best suits all involved.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading24-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse24-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading24-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse24-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo uncover wrongdoing, punish transgressors, and produce legislation aimed at prohibiting similar abuse in the future.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading25-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse25-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading25-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse25-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIndependence-Alliance Party of Minnesota<br/>\r\nU.S. Term Limits (Pledge Signer)\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse26-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading26-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse26-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse26-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading26-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse26-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI would closely examine their track record, credentials and experience to determine whether to confirm a presidential appointee to a Cabinet.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse27-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading27-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse27-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse27-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat committees interest you?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading27-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse27-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am interested in working on the Special Committee on Aging; the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; the Agricultural, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and the Select Committee on Ethics.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse28-224627-2024-07-13\" id=\"heading28-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse28-224627-2024-07-13\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse28-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading28-224627-2024-07-13\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse28-224627-2024-07-13\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe that we need to keep citizens informed on how government and tax revenues are spent. It is a critical element of effective public financial management. Transparency provides citizens with a window into government budgets and those citizens then can hold the government accountable.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nJoyce Lacey completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lacey's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. My life is marked by a passion for service & a diverse range of experiences. I reported for \"The Battle Lake Review\" & \"Grant County Herald\" and was a radio personality for KBRF and KBHL. My commitment to education led me to teach. As a Wall Street Journal & USA Today Best Selling Author, I am able to reach global audiences through my weekly programs on The Now and Daily Gospel Networks. For over 40 years, I've been devoted to organizations like the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the St. Paul Winter Carnival, just to name a few. As an ardent supporter of veterans, I currently serve as the VP of Community Engagement for the MN Council of the Navy League of the U.S.. I also dedicate time to the American Legion Auxiliary and other organizations that empower our nation's heroes. I've been blessed to receive service recognition, including awards for the KARE Eleven Who Care, the WCCO/Women's Expo Volunteer of the Year, the KSTP/Sun Country Everyday Hero, the Freedom Resource Center and the Law 2.0 Conference Outstanding Leadership Awards, the Council on Disability Advocacy Award among others. To further serve vulnerable adults, children and veterans, I founded the June Lynne Lacey Foundation. This lifetime of experience has prepared me for my most ambitious service role: running for the US Senate to \"Protect America's Future.\" Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? My campaign centers on advocating for marginalized voices, promoting justice and security for all individuals and implementing systemic changes to ensure stability. This involves acknowledging past sacrifices, prioritizing comprehensive reforms and empowering otherwise marginalized communities to build a fairer and more secure future for generations to come. My signature issue is guardianship reform, brought about by my experience with my own mother being put into an involuntary, abusive, fraudulent and for-profit guardianship. Nearly a million and a half elderly and disabled are in guardianships/conservatorships with up to 75% trapped in abusive, involuntary, fraudulent, for-profit situations. We need to stabilize our present by redoubling efforts to address homelessness, putting a stop to human trafficking and ensuring that all receive their inalienable human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Too many people in society are pushed to the side and forgotten. We need a return to the dignity of life from birth through natural death. \r\n\r\nHubert Humphrey once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped. My mission is to recognize them and create reforms and new systems to secure our future. We need to protect our future. We need more competition and anti-monopoly legislation to get a handle on inflation. This includes getting a handle on our national debt so that we can reduce that $34.5+ trillion debt we have at present. That is more than $103,000 for every man, woman and child in America.\r\n\r\nWe need to also implement a variety of good government reforms including term limits so that we can reduce the number of career politicians and continually infuse the system with new ideas and new energy. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? - Guardianship/Conservatorship Reform - Veterans issues - Homelessness - National Debt - Social Security stabilization Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? My mother. She encompassed all the ethics and morals that I treasurer and strive to emulate. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? Yes, I recommend the book \"Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln\" by Dorris Kearns Goodwin. It is an excellent book about Abraham Lincoln. The film \"Lincoln\" was an epic historical drama about the last few months of Lincoln's life and his efforts to pass the Thirteen Amendment. The screenwriter, Tony Kushner and Director Spielberg did an excellent job portraying this story. In addition, in 1977 during his last speech, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, noted that.. \"The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” As a nation, this is how we are to be measured on our morality and our greatness. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? I am guided by my faith, it leads me in my decision-making, both morally and ethically. I like to see a similar moral/ethical process and foundation in my elected officials. An elected official should be knowledgeable, possess honor, eloquence, intelligence, good humor and have displayed that they are truly a dedicated public servant through years of giving back to their communities through donations and volunteering countless hours to worthy causes. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? Leadership, dependability, empathy (caring for others) and commitment to service. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Honesty is of utmost importance. Coupled with integrity, dependability and a good sense of economics (in order to balance the budget). One must be willing to listen to the American people and take into consideration all their concerns to devise a wise, fair and just outcome for policies to be enacted. What legacy would you like to leave? I would like my legacy to be successfully freeing people from the modern-day slavery of involuntary, fraudulent and for-profit guardianships so that we can return the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to them. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? On July 20, 1969 the first human landed on the moon! I was 7 years old. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I covered high school sports for two newspapers, while in high school. I had that job for four years. What is your favorite book? Why? As of recently, my favorite book is \"We're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong\" by Diane Dimond because it warns the public of what is actually going on in these involuntary, abusive, for-profit, frauduent guardianships and conservatorships. They claim to want to help, when they actually just want to help themselves to the victim's wealth and property. They claim to care, when they actually only care about how much they can make off their victim. What these abusive, for-profit guardians are doing is criminal. I view it as organized crime made legal through our Probate Court system. If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? It would be nice to be Wonder Woman to be able to save the world. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? \"God Bless the USA\" by Lee Greenwood What is something that has been a struggle in your life? We have tried for five years to pass a human rights bill enforcing the Bill of Rights for those under Guardianship & Conservatorship. It has been a struggle, as the Minnesota Association of Guardians and Conservators Lobbyists do not want those under their control to have basic rights. Their victims are put into Probate Court and are regarded as \"a piece of property \". This is Modern Day Slavery! All they own becomes the property of the Court Appointed, For-profit Guardian. They are stripped of their life savings, property, pensions, social security and dignity. Usually kidnapped and trafficked to a facility of the Guardians choice, far from family and friends. Continuously drugged and threatened with arrest if they try to escape. Usually given a body monitor (like a prisoner), not allowed a phone and denied the right to sit on a commode or toilet. Rather forced to continuously use a bedpan and lay in wet diapers! Adult Protection and the County Ombudsman refuse to help, as the guardian has final say. The guardian can refuse their right to an attorney, their right to vote, their right for medical attention, their right to see family and friends and their right to live where they wish. The \"professional guardian\" (with as little as Forty Hours of training) can charge upwards of $400 for bogus costs, sell your property and all your heirlooms and take the college fund for your grandchild without your consent or knowledge. Even a police officer told me that convicted criminals have more rights than those forced into these involuntary, abusive, for-profit, fraudulent guardianships and conservatorships. Convicted criminals can refuse being drugged, while those under Guardianships cannot. These abusive guardians usually put their victims on Hospice (even with no terminal illness) to die, when they have liquidated all they own. The family, POA, HCD has no say in the matter, as the abusive, for-profit guardian trumps everyone involved. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Frankly, I am concerned about the many freedoms being stripped from our citizens, giving the government too much power. Our Constitution clarifies that we are all endowed with inalienable rights, granted to us by our Creator, and we need to forever keep our eyes on the goals of fulfilling the goals of our Founding Father's of equal justice and equal opportunity for all. The government is employed by the American people. The government needs to be accountable to the people. We should be aware of the Totalitarianism and Socialism that is trying to overrun our democracy. If not, we are destined to fall like many democratic societies before us. We must balance our budget, also. The debt is way out of hand! What are your thoughts on term limits? I fully support the implementation of term limits as one of the important campaign/election reforms we need in order to create a more level playing field for a multi-party democracy in order to create a better future for us all. We do not need Senators serving 4+ terms and favor setting U.S. Senate limits at no more than 2 consecutive terms (12 years). What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution? As of late, the U.S. Senate has begun to lose what were, and should be, unique characteristics. Often called the world's greatest deliberative body, Republican Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley noted in a 2014 floor speech that the \"loss of the Senate as a deliberative body is certainly a big factor\" in creating a heated tone in Washington, D.C. He noted in that speech, and I agree, that \"What’s unique about the Senate is that the rules and traditions force senators to work together...Because the rules of the Senate are built around consensus, as opposed to the House of Representatives where the majority party dominates, it forces senators of all parties to listen to each other and work together.\" Finally, I support the idea of the U.S. Senate as an ongoing product of our Constitution's framers creating the \"Great Compromise\" - creating a legislative body that embodies the federalism of the United States in having each state being equally represented as opposed to the population-based U.S House of Representatives. Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics? I believe that a person with experience in balancing a budget, drafting proposed Bills, testifying to the Legislature to enact important Senate Files and House Files and someone who has held countless Leadership roles and been an Advocate for many years is just as qualified, if not more so, than a career politician, who may have been bought out by Lobbyists or buckled to party pressure. We need to infuse our Senate with new, fresh ideas and new Senators. What do you think of the filibuster? Delaying or blocking legislation by prolonged debate may be necessary in some instances when the law introduced may cause harm to a certain group of people. Unfortunately, this can be used to block much needed legislation, also. Whereby, citizens may be forced to endure prolonged agony or hardship due to delay. On balance, I believe the filibuster does more harm than good. We need to keep in mind taxpayer dollars and doing the will of the people and the filibuster too often restricts progress. Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Grounded in the legacy of Robert Kennedy and his transformative leadership, that we hold governments accountable, engage business to align with human rights norms, train the next generation of leaders, and celebrate agents of change in order to fulfill the charge he gave us in 1968 to “dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago, ‘to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of the world.’” Tell us your favorite joke. My mother was a comedian and told several great jokes over the years. I loved all her jokes. It is difficult to just pick one. How would you evaluate a judicial nominee? By conducting extensive peer reviews of each nominee's integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament. What kind of relationships would you build with other senators? I am hopeful of building lasting, positive relationships with other Senators. We must all work together to ensure the brightest future for our next generation. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Absolutely, I believe that compromise is necessary for policymaking. It is crucial that all concerned voice their concerns in order to create the policy which best suits all involved. How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers? To uncover wrongdoing, punish transgressors, and produce legislation aimed at prohibiting similar abuse in the future. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Independence-Alliance Party of Minnesota U.S. Term Limits (Pledge Signer) What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet? I would closely examine their track record, credentials and experience to determine whether to confirm a presidential appointee to a Cabinet. What committees interest you? I am interested in working on the Special Committee on Aging; the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee; the Agricultural, Nutrition and Forestry Committee and the Select Committee on Ethics. What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? I believe that we need to keep citizens informed on how government and tax revenues are spent. It is a critical element of effective public financial management. Transparency provides citizens with a window into government budgets and those citizens then can hold the government accountable.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Lacey’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b><big><big><big>Joyce Lacey for US Senate</big></big></big></b><br/><br/>\n</p><p><b><big>My Path</big></b>\n</p><p>We are called to be a voice for those whose voices have been silenced.<br/><br/>\n</p><p><b><big>I BELIEVE</big></b>\n</p><p>We all need to defend the rights of all Americans. Our inalienable rights are granted to us by our Creator and must not be taken away. We must defend our United States Constitution.<br/><br/>\n</p><p><b><big>MY COMMUNITY</big></b>\n</p><p>We must all strive for perfect harmony!<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_3-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-3\">[3]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Joyce Lacey’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-4\"><a href=\"#cite_note-4\">[4]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Joyce Lacey did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "Lacey’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Joyce Lacey for US Senate My Path We are called to be a voice for those whose voices have been silenced. I BELIEVE We all need to defend the rights of all Americans. Our inalienable rights are granted to us by our Creator and must not be taken away. We must defend our United States Constitution. MY COMMUNITY We must all strive for perfect harmony! [3] ” —Joyce Lacey’s campaign website (2024) [4]\n\nJoyce Lacey did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Lacey's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p>I stand for the Right to Life regardless of one's age. No one should be forced to die against their will and against their family's wishes. I will defend the human rights and United States Constitutional Rights of all Minnesotans. If elected, I will work towards guardianship reform. No human being should be placed in a court meant for property and have all their rights stripped from them. Yet, this has been the case for many years. This is modern day slavery! The individual is usually targeted because of their assets (property, savings, pension, etc.). They are usually kidnapped from their home or a hospital stay and trafficked to a nursing home or group home far away from family and friends. This is enslavement. The POA and family have no say. They are regarded as a piece of property and treated as such. They are usually medicated continuously to make them appear incompetent and to restrain them from trying to flee. The abusive, for-profit, frauduent guardian/conservator takes all they own and has their mail forwarded. So they basically control everything. The guardian decides if the person can have medical trearment, if needed or if they are to be denied medical care. Essentially, the guardian can place the victim on Hospice, with no terminal illness, to be eliminated. Families have fled America to save their loved one's life, but only if they had dual citizenship. This is a travesty! Veteran's, who served their country, are now having their freedom stripped from them, simply because these unscrupulous predators want their property, savings, pension and all their assets! Guardianships and Conservatorships must be heard in a Court of Law, not a Court for Property (where human rights are not permitted to be heard). No one should be forced into Hospice without a terminal illness, simply because they are elderly or because they have a non-terminal disability. You see, Hospice was given 11 1/2 billion dollars from the Affordable Care Act to go from comfort care to basically the Grim Reaper. Hospice is now traded on the New York Stock Exchange. It is big business!\n</p><p>If I am elected there will be no more profit over people. Human Rights and United States Constitutional Rights will not be ignored.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_3-1\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-3\">[3]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Joyce Lacey's campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-5\"><a href=\"#cite_note-5\">[5]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Lacey's campaign website stated the following:\n“ I stand for the Right to Life regardless of one's age. No one should be forced to die against their will and against their family's wishes. I will defend the human rights and United States Constitutional Rights of all Minnesotans. If elected, I will work towards guardianship reform. No human being should be placed in a court meant for property and have all their rights stripped from them. Yet, this has been the case for many years. This is modern day slavery! The individual is usually targeted because of their assets (property, savings, pension, etc.). They are usually kidnapped from their home or a hospital stay and trafficked to a nursing home or group home far away from family and friends. This is enslavement. The POA and family have no say. They are regarded as a piece of property and treated as such. They are usually medicated continuously to make them appear incompetent and to restrain them from trying to flee. The abusive, for-profit, frauduent guardian/conservator takes all they own and has their mail forwarded. So they basically control everything. The guardian decides if the person can have medical trearment, if needed or if they are to be denied medical care. Essentially, the guardian can place the victim on Hospice, with no terminal illness, to be eliminated. Families have fled America to save their loved one's life, but only if they had dual citizenship. This is a travesty! Veteran's, who served their country, are now having their freedom stripped from them, simply because these unscrupulous predators want their property, savings, pension and all their assets! Guardianships and Conservatorships must be heard in a Court of Law, not a Court for Property (where human rights are not permitted to be heard). No one should be forced into Hospice without a terminal illness, simply because they are elderly or because they have a non-terminal disability. You see, Hospice was given 11 1/2 billion dollars from the Affordable Care Act to go from comfort care to basically the Grim Reaper. Hospice is now traded on the New York Stock Exchange. It is big business! If I am elected there will be no more profit over people. Human Rights and United States Constitutional Rights will not be ignored. [3] ” —Joyce Lacey's campaign website (2022) [5]"}]