Michigan 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
- I do not believe anyone takes pride or pleasure in killing babies and I believe that the politicization of the issue is a very serious problem within American culture. The millions of dollars spent on donations to political candidates on both sides of the aisle, Super PACs, PACs, protests etc. could be much better spent providing education, care, and support to prevent unwanted pregnancy. If we spent more time and money providing services and care that reduced the number of unwanted pregnancies we would see a very important shift in our views and associated outcomes of this critically important issue.

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 also support implementing a tax on weapons systems and weapons sales . This tax will be used to help pay for the myriad medical and mental health care expenses for our veterans. As a veteran and someone who has worked inside the VA, I am well aware of the politicization of veteran care and it is very sad and disheartening.

Campaign Finance

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- I have been working with a national organization on overturning the Citizens United decision through the 28th Amendment of our Constitution. I can tell you from personal experience, campaigning for office when you are from the working class is very difficult with the barriers of lack of wealth and lack of corporate support through corporate PACs. When we enter the general election, the amount of dark money flowing to our opponent's campaign will be difficult to challenge. That is very undemocratic. I am confident that the grassroots can and will change this system.

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
- This is a very complex issue as I am sure there are some corporations that need reductions in tax burdens through the early stages of development, and difficult times. However, there are too many corporations not paying anywhere near their fair share of taxes. This imbalance in tax burden shifts more of the burden to other corporations, those that are trying to pay their fair share of taxes, and individual tax payers. Most of the corporations with the lowest tax burdens have more lobbyists working in Washington D.C. than there are members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Education

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Many states have worked collectively to develop standards for education to make sure that all students are educated effectively and in-line with best practice approaches and with the future demands of our people and society in mind. There should be a collaborative effort with educators and education scientists throughout the country (and possibly the world) to come up with current best practices and a solid and well funded plan for continuous improvement at its core.

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
- We must do everything that we can at every level of government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is not going to slow down without action including reversing the rash of reductions in regulations implemented by this current administration. The health, safety, and security of every person on this planet will be effected, starting with the most disadvantaged people and countries. We must do what is right and save humanity and life, in all of its forms throughout the planet, from this impending catastrophe.

Guns

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Gun safety should be our priority. This is another issue that has been politicized greatly. We know what legislation has been working. We know that research needs to be conducted to help guide our policy. We need to provide safety for all people from harm brought about by firearms while recognizing the need to protect 2nd Amendment rights. Any family that has been affected by gun violence will attest to the fact that the pain and suffering never goes away. These affects are multi-generational and long-lasting. We know we can do more. We need brave leadership with the political will.

Health Care

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Until we have Medicare for All, single-payer health care, we must keep as many Americans as possible covered by health insurance. The Affordable Healthcare Act has many flaws and needs to be changed and replaced as soon as possible. There are far too many constituents in the 7th Congressional District caught in between systems of insurance and are going without insurance. The lack of adequate coverage leads to poor health, poor health outcomes, and a very high cost to all Americans.

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
- This is another very complex issue that should be dealt with on the basis of its humanitarian, ethical, and legal tenets. We can develop ways to admit those who have entered illegally with some type of penalty or fee where warranted. I would recommend that all or part of any penalties or fees be paid to those families waiting to legally enter. I do not think we should permit human rights issues like immigration to be used in political bargaining as we have seen with DACA recipients. We should move to prevent such behavior through legislation.

Marijuana

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Too many people, especially people of color, have been incarcerated and made into 2nd class citizens because of minor cannabis offenses. Research shows that negative health affects of alcohol far outweigh the health risks of cannabis. Understanding the safety risks involved with any type of impaired driving, we need to develop ways educate people on the risks of driving while high. We need to educate youth on the possible negative effects on mental health and brain development. We need to develop plans that can be shared with cannabis users to help keep kids safe from the possible harm from use.

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
- The United States has tried to intervene, change regimes, and dictate to Middle Eastern countries how they should govern and live. The results have been dismal and at a very high cost in human lives, human well-being, and diplomatic progress across the board. The cost in monetary terms is almost immeasurable. The money could have been better spent to build better relations throughout the region or at home working on our crumbling infrastructure, education, healthcare, etc. We need to stop feeding the military industrial complex and start caring for all people now!

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.
- Medicare for All: The United States can no longer be the only industrialized nation without universal healthcare. $15.00 minimum wage: Anything below $15.00 minimum wage is a poverty wage. We must invest in education, training, and community service opportunity expansion for all people. Some funding ideas to fund these priorities are overturning the latest tax break that seriously benefited the wealthiest people and corporations. We must close tax loopholes and the offshoring of money that allows corporations and individuals to pay minimal, if any, taxes. Placing a small tax on speculative stock transactions will also help raise the necessary funding.