I got a series of very thoughtful questions from a voter, and thought I would share them with my answers:
I’m a voter in Senate District 19, and I’ve been taking some time to learn more about you and your campaign. I’ve read through your platform and appreciate that you’ve shared your views on several important issues. I had a few questions about where you stand on some specific policies and what you would hope to accomplish if elected.
Taxes: You discuss increasing taxes on billionaires and corporations to address economic inequality. What specific tax changes would you support? Would you rule out tax increases on middle and lower-income households?
I would rule out any tax increases on lower and lower middle income families. Most of the burden would be placed on corporations and the wealthiest Minnesotans who have prospered in this economy through fleecing the workers. We need to reverse that damage.
Healthcare: You support universal healthcare and Medicare for All. Since many aspects of healthcare policy are handled at the federal level, what changes would you prioritize here in Minnesota to improve affordability and access, especially in rural communities?
Medicare for all is indeed a federal issue, but MNsure is not. I would do what I could to insure that laws are in place denying the ability of health companies to deny care to MNsure patients. Sutter Health, for example, in California, refuses to do any care other than emergency care for Medi-Cal patients. We need to prevent that from happening in Minnesota.
I am very concerned about Sutter health and other massive monopolies buying out our health care companies. They do not serve the best interests of Minnesotans. My work would be geared towards making sure that everyone has access to MNsure, and clinics are open and remain open in rural areas. We would be simply putting a band aid on healthcare until Washington does away with the system entirely, which would be my big goal.
Suppose we do away with all co-pays, all premiums, all out-of-pocket expenses and simply provide healthcare. Just from what I spend on healthcare as a 62 year old man it would save me around 6 thousand per year, and that is with the best insurance we can have. I would gladly pay 1000 more in taxes to be rid of the whole system, if that is what it takes. But I believe that the vast majority of the cost can be footed by companies and a fraction of what they are paying now. Most of the dollars are going into dividends for shareholders. We can put a stop to it.
Fraud prevention: Minnesota has faced significant problems with fraud involving public programs. What oversight measures, accountability requirements, or other safeguards would you support to prevent fraud while ensuring people who legitimately need assistance aren’t negatively affected?
For fraud prevention, it is helpful to remember that most of the hype was generated for racist agendas to attack Somali communities. Minnesota responded to the fraud, has investigated, has prosecuted, and has established the office of inspector General to monitor fraud in all areas. I fully support those measures. The first item of business would be the appointment of inspector general, which would need to be a person of integrity, non-partisan, with a very clear job description and contract. They should not be subjected to losing their position is the administration doesn’t like them, but should be held to a clearly defined job title and description.
Immigration: What is your position on Minnesota law enforcement cooperating with ICE? Are there limits you believe should be placed on that cooperation, and what state level protections would you support for undocumented immigrants?
I believe that ICE is unlawful and unconstitutional. Their crimes have not been prosecuted and they operate with masks in secret as an unaccountable secret police. So I do NOT support law enforcement cooperating with them until they are reigned in and held accountable. I believe that the first item of business in the federal law should be to subpoena the employment records and publish the names of all of the agents. As a Minnesota legislator, I would support legislation holding federal law enforcement accountable for assault, burglary, murder, traffic violations, Etc.
As for immigration, the mass deportations have hurt the economy, hurt our humanity, and hurt the soul of this nation. I believe as Minnesotans, we can provide legal aid and safe housing while the federal government works to re-set the laws entirely. We should be welcoming immigrants with open arms, while vetting them for criminal pasts and and memberships in terrorist organizations, of course. Our immigrants have been the life of our country, and it breaks my heart to see them so poorly treated. It should be easier rather than harder, to get the documentation needed to work lawfully in the country.
LGBTQ+ protections: Would you support expanding or strengthening Minnesota’s protections against discrimination, particularly for transgender individuals? Are there any specific policies or protections you would prioritize?
For LGBTQ, I believe in full equality before the law. Marriage should be honored and people should be free to live as they please, as long as they are not interfering with the rights of others. To be free, a society must insure that freedom for everyone. Once we decide that certain people don’t have the right to exist, we have ceased to be a free society.
As a former pastor, I can attest that the reason there is such attack against LGBTQ is that there is a deep belief among evangelicals that “sinners” will block us from God’s blessing. So we need to get rid of them. This was the same attitude of the church leaders in Jesus day, which is why the ended up crucifying him. He was a “friend of sinners” and God would take away their nation.
I do not believe that “the blessings of God” are affected at all by loving our neighbor and allowing them to live in peace.
One of the leading causes of teenage suicide is the LGBTQ+ issue. We need to have healthy discussions, non-judgmental safe spaces and change the conversation. We need to insure that everyone can use the bathroom free frum bullying. The number of trans kids that are bullied in the restrooms is a serious problem. There are simply NO examples of a man impersonating a trans person to assault women. They can do that openly in any frat house, apparently without consequence (but that is another issue) The transgender issue is simply a diversion. There are .0002 percent of college athletes that are trans. Let them live in peace.
Rural communities: What specific issues affecting rural communities in southern Minnesota would you make a priority if elected? Are there particular plans you have for improving access to healthcare, infrastructure, education, or economic opportunities in the district?
That’s a big question with rural communities. I would like to see student loan forgiveness for every medical professional who would come to work in Rural Minnesota for 5 years. Details could be hammered in committee. As for education, rather than allow students to migrate to communities with better schools, lets focus on making all of our schools top schools. We should be financing art and music, funding libraries, and promoting culture and art in rural communities. Libraries are the life-blood of the community and they must be supported.
For infrastructure, everyone needs access to high-speed internet, safe roads and bridges, and first responders. We need to fund advocacy centers for people who have been victims of violent crimes, sexual assaults and domestic violence and those in rural communities need access as well. Isolation sometimes breeds some very ugly things. We need to make sure that crisis hotlines and advocacy centers are fully funded.
We need to build safe houses for people fleeing unsafe domestic situations and give them legal aid. Most women have nothing when they must escape with their children. We need to address this head on.
Thank you for the questions!! I truly appreciate it and I would love your vote. We can keep Minnesota beautiful and strong.
