New York Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Other or expanded principles
- Terribly wording on an issue that already divides us. Our constitutional rights of freedom and personal choice shape my pro-choice position regarding abortion. Decisions about our bodies must be personal decisions. At the same time, I support evidence-based strategies to reduce unwanted pregnancies and the overall abortion rate in America. Research has found 42% to 78% reductions in unplanned pregnancies and abortion rates when birth control is free or low cost and easily available. Reductions also occur with science-based sex education in our schools; subsidies for high-quality child care; and stronger interventions regarding sexual violence.

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- I propose increasing taxes 10% for the top 1% of income earners. Based on documented waste and mismanagement, I propose reducing Defense spending by 15% or $105 billion while lifting sequestration restrictions. My five strategies to cut one trillion dollars of government waste stand ? with savings invested in massive infrastructure improvements and the transition to renewable energy. The Five Strategies: (1) Eliminate Non-performing Programs ($230 Billion); (2) Eliminate Duplication ($95 Billion); (3) Stop Funding Stupid ($140 Billion); (4) Eliminate Fraud ($300 Billion) and (5) Require Accountability at the U. S. Department of Defense ($230 Billion).

Campaign Finance

1. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- Big money is destroying our democracy in every domain of our lives. I strongly support public financing of all elections and a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. More than that, budgeting and acquisition across the federal government must be reinvented. Mismanagement of hundreds of billions of dollars of purchases and acquisitions can be tied to sloppy oversight or the corrupting influence of big money. Strong budgetary discipline and adherence to established best practices in acquisition must be honored across all government agencies.

Economy

1. Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- Even with booming stock market and record low unemployment, nearly 40% of Americans struggle every day to balance the bills. Poverty is under-reported and many families balance three or four jobs to maintain even a modest lifestyle. I propose eliminating all federal income taxes for individuals making less than $40,000 per year. I propose massive public works projects focused on improving our infrastructure and repairing our environment. My proposed Infrastructure Bank uses the first $100 billion in savings as described above to jump start tenfold increases in Jobs Corps, America Corps, Green Corps and Senior Corps.

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- My plan to transform Education in America is radical and controversial. The U.S. Department of Education has failed America for decades resulting in: mediocre performance of our students; 1 million youth dropping out of high school annually; the growing gap between resources for poor schools and rich schools; rates of harassment, suspension and drug addiction; out-of-control testing requirements; fraud and waste; and a federal bureaucracy that demands 93 million hours of paperwork annually. Cut $30 billion dollars in federal Education non-performing programs and return those funds directly to school districts to expand quality education starting with our poorest communities.

Energy & Environment

1. Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- My goal is 100% clean, renewable energy in New York State and NY21 by 2030. I propose a new mission for the U.S. Department of Energy: Lead the national transition to renewable energy. I would halt all federal funding and hidden subsidies for fossil fuel projects. Given documented failures in contracting and acquisition at the U.S. Department of Energy, I would freeze current contracts and proposals until best practices in acquisition are rigorously in place. I propose moving management of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy out of this wasteful and mismanaged Department for closer Congressional oversight.

Guns

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I believe in the Second Amendment for reasons of deer hunting and King George. In my part of rural America, hunting and rifles are a way of life. Solutions to our epidemic of violence require a deeper look at root causes including institutional violence and psychotropic medication. I will work to: close loopholes to achieve 100% background checks on gun purchases; set 5 day waiting period for gun purchases; improve enforcement of domestic violence as felony; convert federal paper and microfilm records to searchable database; fund gun safety programs; promote Red Flag laws; repeal Dickey Amendment that limits gun research.

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- In some states, Obamacare is on life support. In other states, Obamacare is an intermediate step toward high-quality, low cost, single-payer health care. I support the New York Health Care Act assuming some additional town hall meetings about issues such as care coordination. I propose immediate legislation to reduce cost of healthcare premiums and leverage large government investments and purchases to reduce the cost of drugs and medication. We need to transition from fee for service to payment for bundled services that deliver quality outcomes. Reducing fraud and waste in Medicare, Medicaid and disability insurance is a priority.

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- No

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- I believe in a strong and secure border including along our coastlines. Technology solutions make more sense along many parts of our border than a physical wall. Border issues and immigration solutions are connected. I support a path to citizenship for all DACA recipients and a clear-cut path to legal status (without returning to country of origin) for undocumented immigrants already here. I oppose for-profit prisons and for-profit immigration detention centers. I oppose separating families at the border. I understand the anger of many people in America. I believe we must solve our internal injustices as we transform immigration.

Marijuana

1. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- I support legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes.

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- No

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- As a Congressional candidate I have called for a Global Ceasefire. I have outlined a new 5-point foreign policy doctrine1. We must be strong to build peace.2. The purpose of American foreign policy is building peace.3. Building peace does not mean being stupid.4. Foreign policies require systems thinking and true partnerships.5. We must tilt Washington D.C. toward peacebuilding. I call for decreased foreign interventions and increased financial accountability at the Department of Defense. We must re-allocate war fighting funds to building peace and improving lives of regular people.

Administrative Priorities

Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- 1. Expand Health Care and Lower Costs - support New York Health Care Act and single payer laws2. Grown Vibrant Local Economies - eliminate fossil fuel subsidies to support Infrastructure Bank and transition to renewable energy3. Transform the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs - support Deborah Hansen Act4. Transform Family Law - support Family First Act5. Protect and Repair our Environment - build partnerships with states and industry to strengthen environmental protections Funding comes from cutting one trillion dollars of government waste and building partnerships to create Infrastructure Bank.