Monday, October 31, 2016

Let's Turn Big Banks and Wall Street Around

Bernie Sanders said let"s break up the big banks and let"s tax Wall Street to help pay for education. Well, most of us seemed very enthusiastic about those concepts; unfortunately ,with the present make up in both houses of Congress that is impossible because those guys are bought and paid for ..The only way that those ideas could become reality is by voting for independents to become the occupants of the House and the Senate period. In the mean time,  the alternative is to make a deal with the big banks and wall street..After all the government helped them out..Big time..Now it is there time to return the favor. The people who caused the problems of 2008 never went into the can they went to St. Bart's..Millions of Americans lost alot ..a fraction in the eyes of the greedy pigs..who got away with the crime of the century.  The voter has influence.  USE YOUR VOTE AS A WEAPON  AGAINST THE  ESTABLISHMENT!

Trade Agreements ..and then there is Iran

American corporations out source jobs taking jobs from millions of Americans.. Trade agreements have also hurt the American worker from NAFTA to the TPP..Let us reevaluate these agreements. Let us also think about  our agreement on terminating sanctions against Iran and giving them back tons of money. Why didn't the present administration make a better arrangement? Look at how Iran has behaved since ..Unbelievable! Any deal, agreement or otherwise has to benefit  the United States and the American worker. It has been a sell out. I do not like that do you? Let your vote make a difference to YOU..On November 8th, write in THOM JENKINS for the House of Representatives.

The Second Amendment

I support the right to bear arms.  It is the right of most of our citizens..There must be a line drawn. WE need a federal law to keep firearms from getting into the hands of individuals on the terror watch list..do you remember that after the killings in California a senator from New York made that very proposal ..ironically it did not pass.Still unbelievable to me.  We need  a federal gun safety laws.  The N.R.A. threatened members of Congress that if  any member supported such legislation that their career in politics would be in serious jeopardy.If you respect the second amendment, then you should be the first to support gun safety legislation. Most gun owners respect their weapons and would not harm anyone..they love the outdoors...they love to hunt..they love going to their gun clubs..That is all well and good..but what about gun violence?

Sunday, October 30, 2016

How do we make a change?

The answer is quite simple on November 8th 2016 you write-in Thom Jenkins for congress specifically go down the Column for the House of Representatives and write in my name in the space provided...LET YOUR VOTE MAKE A DIFFERENCE,TO YOU!

Pollution our water and another pipeline that would cause too many problems

It is just unimaginable that we have community s that in the 21st century have polluted water..It is just unimaginable that the pilgrim pipeline is being considered when there have been so many accidents nation wide. The very fact that the  Hazardous Materials Pipeline Safety Administration only has a handful of inspectors to survey over 2.6 million miles of  pipeline is an instant red flag..Unfortunately, Congress has had a lot to do with this distress..politicians  in the pockets of one corporation or another..paid to neglect safety..I promise to get to the core of the problem and be a beckon to correct those ills.                                                  

Our Farms

Our farms are to be cherished . The hard working farmer has a lot to deal with..Farmers need a break. In order to encourage farmers to grow organic which i believe in; I would propose increased subsidies for those who grew organic or were shifting  in that direction ..those subsidies would be in proportion  to the farmers capability of growing organic. Surely that would encourage the non organic farmer to think twice when it comes to getting money from the federal government..I think eventually if not immediately he or she would concur..I firmly believe that we can have a shift of consciousness if we only just do it!  I believe in fairness..big agriculture can be a big help here..Use your common sense!

Our Taxes

The people pay too much..and the rich even though they are people too..pay too little..Unlike the opinion that Supreme Court  concluded with the Citizens United decision  where corporations were declared people..corporations get away with murder when it comes to paying their fair share.  Not only do they not pay taxes in this country..they outsource our jobs..So corporations screw us both ways. And who is left to pay the burden, You and I.  So..we must end corporate loop holes, give  fair tax breaks to small businesses who provide a living wage and health benefits to their employees..tax credits to families whose children attend a four year university and  an overall federal income tax to people whose income is less than 50,000 dollars of 2% of their adjusted gross income.  Tax Credits to farmers who grow organic food and  contribute to various food banks..and higher taxes on big agriculture until they shift to non-gmo and organic food..If all the farmers are growing organic..we all benefit lower taxes for big agriculture and healthy consumers.Although our current tax system is still based on income brackets,we should focus on helping the middle class more ..definitely  ending a penalty for not having health insurance  that never should have been included in the Affordable Care Act; I am sure that was looked at as a leverage point by the insurance industry to insure their pockets would get richer.  I have always believed that wealthy individuals should pay a must larger tax..they can certainly afford it!

The Environment

Without a healthy environment , we are doomed as a species.  WE have been doing a  terrible job overall in preserving the air we breathe the water we drink and the very land we we live on..Everyone deserves clean healthy water..we deserve clean air and certainly we deserve a well preserved planet to live. We have been neglectful.  The public with their own vigilance depends on state and federal agencies to protect the environment . There have been far too many environmental accidents..far too little accountability for those who caused the damage and far to little quick responses to those accidents even bordering on criminal neglect.  It is the job of the federal government to make sure the public is safe..There  must be strong regulations .There must be enough personnel in place  to investigate and remedy any problem..Money should never be an issue!




















Campaign Reform

Besides keeping big money out of politics..we might want to consider an election law that is fair to all congressional candidates.Their should be put in place a federal law giving all federal candidates the same opportunity to make the ballot. In New York state an independent has to get 3500 signatures to make the ballot whereas democrats and republicans only need 1250.  The media must somehow be held accountable..the media gives very uneven spin on political candidates and basically ignores independents..it is really outrageous; and one wonders why independents do not appear on the ballot.The usual excuses are..the candidate did not poll at a certain percentage..the candidate is not getting any traction..I love that one because how do you get traction if you do not get media attention. Maybe the fairest way is to have a summary of the candidates position on the issues of that cycle on a website where the electorate can compare the candidates..it is also not beyond reason to have candidates positions on the issues at the various polling places that s fair..money should not buy representation , advertising television internet coverage UNLESS it is equal and paid for by the public not big donors..There are lots of ways to be fair..The F.C.C. could turn election advertising into Public service announcements..WHY NOT? CANDIDATES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT MEANS SERVING THE PUBLIC THEY REPRESENT NOT THE POLITICAL PARTY. that they are obliged to raise money for: no wonder Washington is such a mess!

Saturday, October 29, 2016

the issues continued..foreign policy

The United States  is no longer the moral compass of the world.  We have tried to install our form of democracy in countries that have not responded well to it..namely Iraq and Afghanistan.  We turned our backs on Syria, the Ukraine and the Sudan where tens of thousand s have been harmed or murdered.  We may have even on some level created Isis thru our own neglect.  We seem to have a shortsighted vision of an action  without a clear vision of the outcome.  This must change.  The two party gird lock in Washington has not been helpful.  We need to counter the violence of the Middle east and North Africa  with something different. We must act from the moral high ground of being a friend to those in harms way and a forceful friend when needed.  If we can uplift the human spirit with economic aide and see results we continue our involvement..if not we do not period.  If the people are uplifted by their own governments with our help .we will regain our status among the world of nations.
we must regain our respect. Unfortunately, Isis is a serious problem that must be dealt..Our relations with N.A.T.O must be more effective, especially in the Ukraine.

the issues continued

Education..I firmly believe that we need to revamp our educational system.  The united states is leagues behind most of the world in science and mathematics ; the reason will surprise you we are not teaching our own language like we should.  Simply things like grammar, punctuation sentence structure are not being emphasized enough anymore ..we are creating a class of people who do not know how to problem solve..a key element that a student should learn in elementary school. Congress needs to look seriously at the failures in the American educational system...and figure out a solution!

Well Mr. Jenkins where you stand of the issues in 2016?

The issues of 2016 are the same issues of at least the last two previous election cycles.  I think that I will start with an issue that concerns us all...Health Insurance..The Affordable Care Act that has been with us for a while has been a step in the right direction..it has three very good points: no preexisting condition denial,children on your health care policy until they reach the age of twenty six and lastly no cap..that in itself is major.  The difficult to swallow points are high premiums and high out of pocket expenses. You would think that the insurance companies would want us to have reasonable health care premiums to stay healthy in order to pay all the other insurances we need in our lives.  I Pay almost twenty percent of my income for various insurances that I need  to keep my life going and I have medicare and a supplement that keep going up and up.  Those people with families pay the highest premiums.  A recent article in the New York Times suggested that people rather pay the penalty rather  than expensive insurance premiums.  I get it but I do not think it a wise decision.  We are not genetically perfect.  It is a wise choice to have health insurance. I think it is the responsibility of congress to make sure that the insurance companies come up with a comprehensive plan to have fair and less burdensome premiums and co pays.  I would invite the insurance  companies to come before the congress to solve this issue. MY PLAN SIMILAR TO BERNIE SANDERS OF MEDICARE FOR ALL is a very reasonable idea.  Fixed premiums and low co pays.  Let us all get it straight United Health Care was paid 390 million dollars to unveil the Affordable care act;there is no reason why they cannot help fix it..And by the way the main health care plan for AARP is sponsored by united health care. As your responsible representative I will work hard to that accomplished.  And of course I will be an advocate to see that social security and medicare stay in tact with a healthy future.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Let your vote make a difference, to YOU!

I think it is time a let your vote make a difference to you..I think your vote has to have a personal meaning.. Democrats and Republicans do not represent the people. If 55% of the electorate are independent nationally, just how republicans and democrats are there?

the time warner debate on October 24th,,

It is absolutely true mass media does not want to hear from independents. Once again I was told by the producers at time warner that I could not participate in the debate at the Woodstock playhouse..I was told that it is the policy of the company  that I did not qualify according to their criteria of not polling at 10%..what is that suppose to mean?  There are tens of thousands of independents in this district and yet they are citizens without a voice..actually about 130,000..that is a huge voting block..Ms. teachout is a democrat not an independent..people are not independent voting democratic or republican..they simply do not have any choice..without being redundant..it is not fair that Independents have a very difficult position..even though I am write in for third consecutive election cycle I should be an given equal voice..Write-in s are candidates..Franklin Roosevelt was even a write in once. Congress must establish a federal law giving all federal candidates an equal opportunity to petition the ballot .  The election law in each state for a federal candidate vary. Be it as it may I  sat quietly  during the debate holding my sign citizens without a voice; I listened attentively   to the questions and the responses of the democratic candidate and the republican candidate.  I felt that the moderators did not ask the right questions focusing on narrow issues rather than focusing on the broader more important questions.  furthermore, to be quite candid..it was a ho hum debate.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

I can't seem to get a word in edgewise

The reality of running for political office as an independent is very difficult; the media does not give you a fair shake..This election cycle as in the previous ones is dominated by the banter of democrats and republicans.  The presidential campaign is not dominated by the issues that concern the people rather it is dominated by personal attacks one candidate at the other.  There is no independent candidate for president even though fifty-five percent of the electorate is independent, not affiliated with any political party..so how come there is no independent voice?  The media simply ignores them. Personally, I think the media is afraid to talk about them because the networks might lose their sponsors.  I think that mass media  sells what their sponsors want you to hear.  Now that does not sound very democratic to me; does it to you?  With regard to my candidacy for the ..House of Representatives....the only media  recognition I received was in the Hudson Valley news..the publisher did not even send me a copy..no radio interviews as of today..but I have been promised by a talk show host at WDST here in Woodstock..Let's see what happens..there are alot of issues I would like to discuss publicly.  Next post I will tell you where I stand on the issues currently.   

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

It's time for change..independents should support an independent

the time of allowing democrats or republicans to court you for your vote should be over  but that  decision has always been up to you the voter..how does this sound making America great again by working together for our future. Independents are a strong voting force..as a voter you have to have the conviction to vote independent..seriously, just ask yourself why am I not a Republican or a Democrat..the answer probably is that you do not agree with their policies..I am not promising you overnight change  but I will promise that I will work tirelessly for you the constituents of the 19th Congressional district of New York  not a political party's agenda.  The establishment in Washington has just got to go..it is not an overnight accomplishment..it is simply time to oust democrats and republicans from office..too much influence from big MONEY AND NOT ENOUGH INFLUENCE FROM THE PEOPLE!