A candidate for equality

I AM running for the 10th District seat of California to the Untied States House of Representatives because the Democratic and Republican parties have shown themselves not only unable, but unwilling, to seriously address the issues that matter to all of us.

Ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the provision of universal health care (single-payer) and access to inexpensive quality education have not and will not be resolved by either party. The reasons why, primarily the extensive funding by U.S. corporations of either party and the lack of proportional representation elections, have been well documented and are no longer important. What is important is that we recognize the reality of the American political system and, instead of supporting one of the predominately corporate funded parties, we instead use our efforts to support the people and the party who can and will bring into existence the society that we seek.

The society that we envision is one that is based on justice and equality. To be sure, we declare that:

All people should have access to affordable health care coverage. In the United States, we spend some $7,000 per person on health care coverage which is more money per capita than any other nation in the world, yet more than 40 million people in our country are without health care. In fact, the U.S. is the only developed nation in the world not to provide universal health care coverage to its citizens. It is time to recognize universal health care as a fundamental right. I propose a single payer universal health care system to provide free health care coverage to every citizen of the United States.

Educating its citizens should be the highest aim of any society. The United States is home to the top two universities in the world--Harvard College and the University of California at Berkeley. However, the price of higher education in the United States has become needlessly expensive. I propose a free education from kindergarten through graduate school so all people can pursue their educational aspirations regardless of cost.

We recognize that:

The efforts of more than just our families are needed to raise our children. While most people will have children during their lifetimes, affordable day care is not a reality for most people. A fairly simple problem to resolve, I propose free day care for all children to be provided at our local schools.

The current United States military budget is unreasonably high. In fact, the U.S. military budget for fiscal year 2009 is some $690 billion dollars--a total that is more than all other 193 countries combined. Surprising, our own president is on record as saying that he would actually like to increase the military budget of the United States. I propose reducing military spending by six-sevenths to better fund more productive programs as well as to help create a less violent world.

Our financial institutions should work in the interest of the people, not against them. Our banks have cost taxpayers some $2 trillion dollars over the last year; two-thirds of our entire federal budget. Many banks have entered into interest-only mortgage loans that they knew could not be paid back by their borrowers. In fact, a number of banks have collapsed because of their decisions to offer these loans. I propose that we nationalize all banks in the United States that are receiving "bailout" money and make them work for the good of the people.

The American auto industry has shown itself not only unwilling to transition to vehicles powered with alternative energy sources but in general has produced cars that have neither lasted as long nor have been as fuel-efficient as their foreign competitors. I propose nationalizing the "Big 3" so the American people can produce better cars than the ones being produced now as well as alternative energy vehicles that are more fuel efficient.

Like many people, a historical wrong has been committed against African Americans through the United States involvement in slavery. African Americans are the descendants of generations of people who helped build the United States into the economic powerhouse that it is today. Yet not one African-American has ever received one dollar of compensation from the federal or state government for that labor let alone been offered a simple apology from the U.S. government for its role in maintaining that "peculiar institution" for so many years. With the legacy of slavery still being felt in our inner-cities and throughout many parts of the country today, I propose paying reparations to all African Americans to correct the present day effects of this past wrong.

Global oil supplies are expected to be depleted by 2050. While abundant, coal is not a sustainable alternative to oil. We are in need of new energy sources. I propose creating a general federal fund for the research and development of alternative energy sources such as solar power, wind power, electric power, hydro-electric power and battery-power to better fuel, heat and light our homes, schools, churches and places of business.

A living wage for all working people in the United States is needed. While corporate executives continue to be paid in the tens of millions of dollars, working people often struggle to "get by" from month to month. It is time for this inequity to come to an end. I propose a living wage of $20 dollars per hour for every American over the age of 18 and a limit on executive pay that is not to exceed $250,000 dollars per year.

The reality of the American political system is that neither the Republican nor Democratic parties will address the issues that impact our lives. They cannot and will not. If we are to truly bring into existence a more just and equal society then it will take all of our efforts to do so. If elected, I will submit a bill to Congress on behalf of not only the 10th District of California, but on behalf of all people in the United States who are ready to make the American political system work for them.

I hope you will join us.