The Issues

I would vote in favor of all legislation to immediately end the illegal occupation of Iraq. If no such bill arises, I will write legislation to do so. In the event that there would not be enough support to pass such a bill, I would vote against ALL bills to fund the further continuance of this unjust war. Ending the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would save thousands of lives, both U.S. men and women in uniform as well as innocent civilians who are always the greatest losers in any war. Furthermore, the amount of money tied up in this quagmire could go to fund essential domestic programs including: universal healthcare, expansion of mass transit, repair of outdated infrastructure, R&D of alternative energy sources and public funding of elections to rebuild a truly democratic electoral system.

I will vote for a national, not-for-profit single payer health insurance plan as a logical first step towards creating a universal health care system with salaried doctors and health care workers with revenues derived from a steeply graduated income tax. The program would include full standard and alternative medical, dental, vision, and mental health coverage for all, publicly funded through progressive taxation and controlled by democratically elected assemblies of health care workers and patients. The National Health Program should extend, and replace, Medicare and Medicaid and be Prevention-Based.

I would vote to immediately increase fuel efficiency standards, end government subsidization of the oil and fossil fuel industries and sign on to Kyoto and other international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No new coal plants, no new nukes. Drastically expand our use of wind, solar and other renewable forms of energy. With other large nations like China and India trying to mimic our "development" we need to be good role models and lead the way to a sustainable future.

I will vote to reform our broken electoral system by eliminating all private funding of elections. Only an equal, publicly funded election can serve democracy. The need to raise exorbitant amounts of cash from wealthy donors and corporate interests in our current system leaves the vast majority of people without a candidate to represent their interests. "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy" must stop now. Fair and equal access to OUR public airwaves must be provided to all eligible candidates from all parties or independent. We are currently living under, as Gore Vidal once said, "One Party With Two Right Wings."

I will vote to create a "living wage" not a minimum wage. Too many Americans toil endlessly, working second and even third jobs just to make ends meet. All full-time jobs should guarantee a salary large enough to afford a respectable lifestyle: Decent Housing, Healthy Food, Reliable Transportation, Daycare if wanted and Higher Education for our Children. The current minimum wage is a joke, it is a handout for large corporations and a slap in the face of working people. Small and Independent Family businesses could be assisted in fulfilling the living wage with revenue raised by reinstating the long lost taxation of big business.

I will Vote in favor of House Resolution 333 to impeach the current administration. Bush and Cheney must be held accountable for their crimes against humanity, perjury and misdemeanors. The precedent being set for the future of our executive branch is despicable. If these actions are not addressed and their initiators held accountable I fear the further erosion of our democracy to a point of complete nonexistence. See The Articles of Impeachment.

I am in support of full and equal funding of public education; for the restoration of a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, including art, music, world languages, and physical education; for an end to all public funding of private schools; and for free tuition and full-time teachers (not "adjuncts") at the post-secondary level. I oppose merit pay for teachers, standardized testing, competition between schools within the same district, the sale of on-campus advertising in order to raise funds, and the increasing dependence of post-secondary institutions on corporate funding.

I will vote for a steeply graduated income tax and a steeply graduated estate tax, as well as a maximum income of no more than ten times the minimum. I oppose regressive taxes such as payroll tax, sales tax, and property taxes, but call for the restoration of the capital gains tax and luxury tax on a progressive, graduated scale. Tax the Rich. Tax Corporations. Tax Casino Capitalists. Reinstate the middle class. Fund Social Programs.

I will vote to support a system of ecologically based, diverse and sustainable, organic agriculture founded on family farms and farming cooperatives. Institutions that will guarantee full workers' rights to their employees, uphold all environmental and safety standards, and treat their live-stock in a humane manner. I support the creation of socially owned enterprises in the areas of transportation, storage, and processing of agricultural goods, controlled by boards comprised of farmers, farm workers, and community members. I am opposed to genetically modified crops and the cloning of animals.

I will vote in favor of funding to expand mass transit. This can effectively address two problems at once:

• Reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and
• Creation of a new industry for employment to replace our current reliance on a military based economy

In Eastern CT, an elevated rail system should be constructed above our major travel routes, Rte.2 and I-395. As a public work project this would create tremendous job opportunities in engineering, construction, operation and continued maintenance. Train stops and commuter lots could be placed at the existing exits.

I will vote in favor of the completion of Rt.11 so long as the plan is engineered to minimize or eliminate any threats to natural habitats in it's course. With proper funding, I'm confident that modern engineering is capable of devising a plan to do this successfully. Rt. 85 is extremely overcrowded and it is dangerous for commuters as well as residents who live along it or on intersecting side streets.