Policy Position Summaries - Spreading Democracy

Election Reform and Ethics

This campaign seeks to fundamentally change the nature of the political campaigning in this country. We ask voters of New York State's 21st Congressional District to be a part of this history in the making. Money still matter too much in politics, both in terms of political campaigns and access to the Congress. The lobbying scandals this past year, to include that which involved Jack Abramoff, (one that touched both Republican and Democratic Parties), ought to be a wake up call to America, and to us here in the Capital District. Ours is no longer a government of, by, and for the People. The Congress has become the near permanent home of a political class, increasingly, if not exclusively, responsive to special and corporate interest, and not to the broad interests of the nation and its citizens.

Millions of dollars are being raised and spent to run Congressional campaigns, even in small media markets. I will not be a party to it. One of our goals in this campaign is to broaden voter participation and campaign funding. In the absence of public financing of campaigns, something I support, we seek to “flatten-out” campaign financing. I ask voters to make a $5, $10, or $20 contributions to our efforts. Those who contribute, even a modest amount, will have ownership in this campaign-- a horse in the race. Those invested in the campaign will vote in the September 12th primary, and in November.

For those interested in learning more about this subject please see
“The Wealth Primary: The Role of Big Money in the 2004 Congressional Primaries” published by the US Public Interest Research Group.

Campaign goals

• We will run this campaign in the spirit of “Clean Money Clean Elections” as advocated by Citizen Action.
• We will seek to raise 2000 five-dollar campaign contributions.
• We will win this race with $50,000
• The maximum contribution we will accept is $100.00 (the federal limit is $2000)
• We will accept NO contributions from Political Action Committees (PACs)

When elected, I will be beholden to, serve the interests of, and be responsive to the citizen of the district, and NOT to any corporate or special interest. Examine from where my opponents in this race get their campaign money (see http://opensecrets.org) and then ask yourself these questions: Who will he better represent— an insurance company, or me? Some company in New Jersey, or a small family business in Schoharie County?

Term Limits. I do not think that the framers of the Constitution envisioned the House of Representatives to be a place inhabited by a perpetual ruling class of professional politicians. The President is allowed to serve for eight years; I do not see the advantage of having Congressmen serving 18 or 20 years. Five terms, 10 years, seems to be a reasonable limit.

Ethics. Elected officials are not above the law. Instead, they ought to be held to a higher standard. Democrats need to discipline those in their own ranks who engage in questionable activities. Those who egregiously betray the public trust ought to be swiftly thrown out of the Party. Such action, in most cases, need not await conviction in a criminal court.