Q&A
What do you consider the two most important issues facing Hoosiers who will see your name on their ballot this November? And if elected, what policies will you push for to address each one?
Healthcare - abortion is a medical procedure to be discussed between a woman and her doctor. Let’s work toward universal affordable healthcare rather than dictating how to manage an individual’s health. Additionally, mental health is part of our overall health. It should be treated as such from checkups to insurance coverage and work/life balance.
A business development group recently stated, “A healthy business environment is essential for growing the economy, creating jobs, and improving our quality of life.” This highlights how my approach is different - A healthy LIVING environment is essential for growing the economy, creating jobs, and improving our quality of business. Allowing businesses to dictate our quality of life has not worked.
Environmental - Human caused global warming is real. Environmental issues don’t have to be only regulatory related. This also involves economic development, consumer product manufacturing, water use, sanitation, and energy. All new building should require an environmental assessment with answers for how power, water, and waste will be managed from residential to commercial/industrial.
We've heard from many in our audience that they feel frustrated — sometimes disenfranchised — by our current political landscape. These feelings sometimes contribute to people deciding not to vote, and Indiana consistently ranks near the bottom of the list on voter turnout. What would you say to a potential voter who feels this way?
Get involved locally. Local candidates are who help us with local issues - sidewalks and road funding and schools, sewer, waste, water, and energy costs. Use your local candidates to help you with questions on a national level. Local candidates are your neighbors and typically approachable.
We have been told by our local newspaper that they are intentionally not publishing press releases regarding outreach opportunities and general news about things candidates are doing in the community. These are the things that can make candidates relatable and help voters understand where a candidate is coming from. This is one example of media manipulating the election process. In the 3 - 6 months leading up to an election, candidates (at least in one party) are trying to connect with voters. Voters need to take up candidates on these opportunities for discussion. Otherwise it comes down to media soundbites and door knocking.
Economic anxiety is top of mind for many in our audience and around the country, with a common concern being inflation and the high price of basic needs. In all the complexity around economic issues, what specific changes need to happen to help Hoosiers and their families?
Identify price gouging and put a stop to it. People keep talking about inflation yet companies and CEOs keep reporting record profits and record salaries. That doesn’t sound like inflation. Let’s see what company is the first to report record worker salaries or the lowest multiplier of CEO salary over worker salary. Currently, CEOs on average make 399 times more than their workers.
Identify and stop companies from suppressing worker hours/compensation to avoid giving full-time benefits or to keep workers on government assistance. Separating healthcare benefits and employment would be a start. Again, these tactics are not being done for companies to survive, they are being done for businesses to have record profits on the backs of their workers.
Endorsements - Source
Mad Voters
Notable Donors - Source
ActBlue Donations
Michael E Potter
DONATE
Support WFYI. We can't do it without you.