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Interview with The America First Party

1. Can tell us what the American First Party is?

We are a party that seeks to revitalize America to benefit all of us. We believe in preserving our sovereignty from globalism, encouraging the traditional values of faith, family and responsibility and protecting the rights that give us equality. We cherish the individual rights and separation of government powers protected by the U.S. Constitution, and recognize the need community action.

2. What makes the America First Party different from the Democrats and Republicans?

Our intent to act on our beliefs of restoring our freedoms that were taken away in the past seventeen years, to free ourselves from NAFTA and the United Nations, rooting out corrupt politicians and preventing the destruction of our environment.

3. What would you do for election reform?

The main source of corruption comes from campaign donations so we believe that any donations should come from actual people that are citizens or political committees and that 50% of all donations must come from citizens who can vote for that candidate. We also support removing Motor Voter laws to prevent non-citizens from registering to vote.

4. During the 1990s and 2000s companies outsourced hundred of thousands of jobs from the United States. What are your thoughts on NAFTA and what would you do to regain those jobs?

We need businesses in America to allow our citizens to thrive and succeed and we cannot do that if those jobs are being sent to third world countries. We need to withdraw from NAFTA to prevent any more jobs from leaving the United States then we would implement tariffs to prevent cheaply made goods in China from being imported and flooding our markets. We would also take away Most Favored Nation trade status from any country that violates basic human rights which many third world countries do.  

5. Donald Trump plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. What would the America First Party do for the environment?

We believe that we need to create an energy policy to transition the United States from fossil fuels to renewable energies so that the United States can have energy independence and a clean environment. We plan to use resources in our country to hold us over until we to the point where nuclear, wind and other renewable energies are sustainable.

6. What would the America First Party do for personal liberties?

We are firmly against the TSA, NSA and other government organizations that pointlessly intrude on our privacy. The TSA does not decrease the chances of a terrorist getting on a plane and they have failed to do so ninety five percent of the time. We also believe in stopping police corruption by restricting civil forfeiture to prevent corrupt officers from taking assets from innocent people.

7. Does the America First Party have any candidates for the 2018 election cycle?

Yes we have two candidates for governor and one for the house. Alan White is running for governor of Maine, Peter Davis is running for governor of Texas and Paul Young is running for the Vermont At-Large district.

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Interview with Dwain Reynolds, Green Party candidate for Governor of Michigan

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in Middleville Michigan. I studied Secondary Education, Social Studies Teaching and history at Grand Valley State University. I have spent over ten years in the education realm. I currently teach High School Social Studies in Grand Rapids.

2. Why have you decided to run for both the Socialist Party and the Green Party nominations?

I am seeking nominations from both parties because I am a member of both parties.

3. During the 1990s and 2000s companies outsourced hundred of thousands of jobs from Michigan. What would you do to prevent that from happening again and what are your thoughts on NAFTA?

We depend on businesses to employ our citizens and to pay them a livable wage for the work that they do. Unfortunately, that is not a reality. Many companies come to a town, employ its citizens, use them to build up their resources while paying them the minimum, and then head for the border leaving their workers and the town destitute. Therefore, I am proposing a 100-percent capital flight tax on corporations who attempt to leave the state. NAFTA is a program that has been horrific since inception. It has had its positives but they do not outweigh its negatives. We must have agreements that benefit us as well as our neighbors, but it is clear NAFTA is not that agreement.

4. Michigan is 10th in states for debt and four years ago Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy after accumulating twenty billion dollars of debt. What would you do to decrease Michigan`s growing debt?

There is a lot that we need to do to stop and reverse the growth of our debt. We must increase the minimum wage which will give our citizens a living wage and provide Michigan with solid tax revenue. We need to legalize cannabis so that we can stop paying to police it, stop paying to house those imprisoned for it, and use the tax revenue generated by it to aid in caring for our underfunded schools and social programs. We must create public works and trade education programs so that we can employ those who are unemployed as well as integrate the learning of skilled trades into our schools.

5. The state of Michigan has multiple environmental problems such as the Flint water crisis. What would you do to help Michigan`s environment?

There is a lot on our platform that I believe will help our environment. Check it out at: http://reynoldsformichigan.weebly.com/agenda.html

6. What are your opinions on the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and their actions they have taken for Michigan`s environment?

I believe that it has become evident that the MDEQ is a joke. I can’t see it as being anything else due to the Flint Crisis and the current director, Heidi Grether, who previously had worked in external affairs for BP America, and was involved in the company’s response to the Deepwater Horizon accident. Perhaps under better leadership, that actually cares about the environment and the people and believe global warming to be true, the MEDQ could perform its function adequately.

7. Michigan's education has been falling for the past twenty years and in 2017 Michigan was the worst state for test scores. How would you improve Michigan's education?

Our education system has been under a systematic attack by conservatives for decades. Remember we are unfortunately the home of Betsy Devos. The new Secretary of Education who has been working to push all students into privatized education since the 90s.  Education must be a priority and we must fund it as such. I refuse to measure the success or failure of our schools based on tests that are, to all non-white middle class and above Michiganders, a racist waste of time and money that changes from year to year and provides no empirical evidence. The systematic and targeted underfunding of our inner city districts has only accelerated this decline.

8. Do you think the Green Party will do better in 2018 due to Michigan's environmental problems and what are your thoughts on Michigan changing from a solid blue state to voting for Donald Trump in 2016?

I hope so, gerrymandering is a huge problem in Michigan, but we must persist. People were looking for a non-mainstream candidate in the 2016 election. Sanders and Trump were those candidates. Total opposites but not mainstream. When the DNC pushed out Sanders Trump gained his win.

9. What do you think about Jennifer Kurland your opponent in the Green Primary? We have a crowded field of candidates running for Governor. That is a good thing, it gives people a choice, that is what democracy is all about. I welcome Jennifer to the field and wish her the best.

10. Is there anything else you would like to say?

Michigan needs a governor that will stand with the people. Who knows the difference between right and wrong, and will fight against policies that are hurtful to people and our environment. No more pandering to the rich or corporations. No more selling our freedoms.

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Interview with Gina Genovese, candidate for Governor of New Jersey

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I have lived my entire life in New Jersey and have been a small business owner for 35 years. I started to get involved in local politics in 2004. In 2005 I was elected to local office and served as Mayor of Long Hill Twp in 2006. In 2007, I ran for state senate and even though I lost that race, I learned a lot about campaigning in NJ. In 2009, I founded and serve as Executive Director of the non profit Courage To Connect NJ. It has been an amazing 8 years working with elected officials, school board members and taxpayers. Highlights for our organization have been the successes of the Princeton consolidation, South Hunterdon school Regionalization and creating three citizen driven consolidation study commissions. I have written Courage To Connect NJ Guidebook "The Tools for Municipal Consolidation"

2. Why have you decided to run as an independent candidate instead of running for the other parties?

After running for office three times as a Democrat, I did not like the constraints that were placed on me by the party. So after running for state senate in 2007, I never thought I would run for office again especially on a party line. When I felted compelled to run for Governor this year, running as an Independent was the only option.

3. What makes you stand out from the Republican and Democratic candidates?

I am the only former Mayor. After 8 years working all of NJ on regionalization of services, I am the only one with the experience and expertise to address our highest in the nation property taxes.

4. New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the United States and is the third most-indebted state. How would you stop overspending while decreasing property taxes?

As a state NJ pays almost $30 billion a year on property taxes. The entire country pays $300 billion. As a small state, it is embarrassing that NJ pays 10% of the country. With 565 towns and over 600 school districts, NJ must reduce the redundancy in order to become more efficient. My non profit has been doing the work the past 8 years but without a leader on the statehouse NJ will not address this issue.

5. Due to the downgrading of New Jersey's credit rating the average per-person pension debt for New Jersey is $11,000 while the national average is only $806. How would you stop New Jersey`s failing credit rating and its growing pension debt?

This is a difficult issue facing NJ. The first of five pensions is projected to be depleted by 2022, just five years from now.

There is no single solution to the pension crisis, so I propose many solutions.

1) Tie pensions to lifetime salary, not the last 2-3 years which encourages pension padding

2) Set a reasonable schedule for the state to fund the pensions consistently

3) Require full retirement from the state and all other public jobs before pensions are paid and limit pensions to one pension per employee

4) Eliminate pensions for professional services, lobbyists and consultants

6) Increase minimum salary eligibility to $20,000

7) Reassess eligibility age requirements

8) Address why we pay high fees to manage the pensions

9) Look into a hybrid retirement system of pension + 401k-type systems

It may be too late already to stave off bankruptcy. We need a strong Governor to address this issue.

6. What issues do you think the Democratic and Republican Parties of New Jersey are ignoring?

Property taxes and the structural changes that need to be made. The power of the political machines in NJ. The patronage.

7. What are your opinions on the current governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie and the current Republican candidate and lieutenant governor Kim Guadagno?

Chris Christie has been the worst Governor in my lifetime. I do not think any decision he has made as Governor has been in the best interest of the average resident. Only his friends. Frankly, I do not know if NJ can recover from the past 8 years. Kim has stood behind him and now is trying to break out.

8. What do you think of the Democratic candidate Phil Murphy and his connections to Goldman Sachs?

Phil Murphy has bought his nomination with millions and millions of dollars. I am running because I believe NJ is not for sale and the taxpayers need a solid choice on Nov 7th. I do not know how much he knows about NJ, local governments, legislation, state departments etc. as he has hardly lived in NJ and never held elective office.

9. Is there anything else you would like to say?

It feels really good to be running as an Independent in 2017. Both Republicans and Democrats have let us down in NJ, time for a strong, experienced Independent Governor.

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Interview with Abrian Velarde, Green Party candidate for Utah District 12 Senate

1. Can you tell us about yourself and what led you to join the Green Party?

Honestly I have never been a fan of the party system, with that said. The Green party is the only party that means what they say, have no ties to big business.

2. Utah has the worst air quality in the United States, Salt Lake City which is in a district near Senate District 12 has the sixth worst air quality in the nation and six Utah counties are about to become nonattainment areas. If you were elected what would you do to try to increase Utah's air quality?

The industrial sector needs to be held accountable for what they do to our environment. Laws and regulations have been ignored and that is unacceptable.

3. In Utah you would need $17.02 an hour to afford a two bedroom apartment and an a bill that would set a minimum wage in Utah of $10.25 and increase it annually to $15 in 2023 is being held in committee.  Do you support the bill and what amount would you raise the minimum wage to?

That is only going to go so far. I support an increase in the minimum wage, but we also need affordable healthcare, and make childcare more affordable for working families, child care can cost as much as $600 per child, how are single parents suppose to pay for that, medical, housing, feed their kids even on just $15 an hour? We need to do more to help.

4. In 2016 one of out twenty Utah workers are illegal immigrants and one out of five farmhands are here illegally. What are your thoughts on plans to deport them and what do you think would happen to Utah's economy if they were deported?

We need realistic immigration laws, if you are a felon who has a history of criminal activity, There is no room for them, however if your only crime is trying to provide for your family and you are here illegally then we need to show compassion. As far as our economy, it only gets better when we pull together.

5. Do you think the Green Party and its state affiliates will continue to rise due to Jill Stein`s presidential campaigns or will they fall apart after she leaves like it happened after Ralph Nader left?

After all we have seen in national and local levels, people are finally fed up with business as usual. As the party succeeds in local elections you will see momentum grow. Even the mightiest of redwood trees once started out as a small seed. I am hoping that the Green party will inspire independents into taking action, the more ideas we add to the conversation the more involved and invested people will be in their government.

Thank you for your time and your questions, I appreciate your efforts in informing people of the options they have available to them.

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Interview with Matt Riccardi, Constitution Party`s candidate for Governor of New Jersey

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Matt Riccardi. I was born and raised in Union City, NJ. I joined the United States Marine Corps at 17 and served from 2005-2009. I spent 25 months overseas in a support element to the War on Terror. I left the Marines for college and graduated with high honors and various academic achievements. I served in small advisory role to the Obama Administration. I went to the University of Pennsylvania, left after becoming a father so I could raise my son and help my disabled father run his business. I went back to school at Hofstra University and graduated this year. I've been accepted to various law and business schools nationwide, but will be holding out until further notice. I have 3 kids and a wife. I love sports. I am a NJ Devils fan, a SF 49ers Fan, a Chicago Bulls fan and a NY Yankees fan. I am a Christian and a Constitutionalist who believes in Liberty and Justice for All.

2. When did you first join the Constitution Party and have you ever been against its presidential candidates?

I first joined the Constitution Party this past May when I accepted their nomination for Governor. I am a big fan of Darrell Castle who I believe carried a lot of voters over to the party as a result of his popularity. He is the only CP Candidate I have ever followed during an election so I cannot say I have ever been against a CP Candidate.

3. Do you think third parties in New Jersey will do better in this election due to Chris Christie's low approval rating or will voters once again fall for the two party system and vote for Phil Murphy?

I hope third party candidates will do better in this election. There are a lot of us, and some with similar messages, so that may be a negative, but I believe America needs to represent all of her people and in truth the duopoly is a disaster leading us to destruction. I believe Christie's failure will play a small part in the results. I believe the fact that the two parties chose their candidates before the primaries, from what I was told, will serve as the greater reason for third party success. I believe they chose the two worst candidates from their primaries to represent their constituents. As a result I believe there will be a surprise in November. I'd be lying if I told you I'm not aiming to shock the world, because that is why I'm in this race. Still, the reality is the current system is a system of fear forcing voters who are mostly uninformed, to accept the most horrific facts about the opposing side as motivation to vote against them. Sadly, that is one of the biggest arguments I face daily. The fear of the other candidate winning. Still, it is my job for better or worse to wake the People up and show them they are subjugated by fear and a system that is set against them. I didn't take the job without knowing this would be the case. It is a system of corruption and taking power is very difficult.

4. What makes you stand out from the Republican and Democratic candidates?

I stand out from every candidate because I have chosen to sign a legally binding contract with the voters of NJ. This isn't a gimmick or a campaign slogan, this is a real contract that comes with consequences. I don't make promises, I make guarantees. Whatever I say I am going to do, the voters can literally bank on me doing it! You can read more about it here: www.R4NJ.org/the-contract I have also chosen to create an Independent Ethics Council comprised of regular citizens to overlook the decisions of my staff and myself, ensuring none of us take part in meetings with special interest groups, lobbyists etc. Anyone who is involved in these actions will be fired immediately. I am also the only Pro-Life Candidate and the only Pro-2nd Amendment Candidate, meaning I do not support ANY infringement upon the right to life or the right to keep and bear arms, because both are 100% protected by the Constitution.

5. Can you tell us about your stances on the issues that you find to be the most important?

As mentioned I am a Constitutional Candidate so protecting Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are all key to me. As Governor, I am focused more on eliminating corruption, waste and fraud from government to save people money and stress, ultimately giving them Liberty, Integrity and Prosperity. I firmly believe in fighting the Drug and Sex Trafficking Pandemics. I am the only candidate with a real plan to combat both, because I am the only candidate who has been working in these fields over the past year. On Sunday, I will be visiting drug addicts in the streets of Camden to bring them a message of hope. I believe the inner cities are hubs for social injustices like drugs, trafficking, fatherless homes, incarceration and more. My goal is to restore the cities to being the lifeblood of our state and a place where diversity thrives in the best of ways.

6. What issues do you think the Democratic and Republican Parties of New Jersey are ignoring?

I believe the Democrats and Republicans make issues out of everything to give themselves opportunities to appeal to more people, because they are so unpalatable they have no other choice. In reality, I would love to see them focus on the corruption of the government and why the state is the last in the nation in many key areas, like taxes, debt and business climate in addition to foreclosures, Veterans, Drugs, Trafficking, affordability, and much more. All they talk about is how they have the answers and no one else does. In reality, what we see is that is just another lie targeted at marketing to an uninformed audience. Their power and money allows them to reach these voters in such a way that the rest of us cannot. Ultimately, the voters have no voice when it comes to the issues that matter most.

7. What are your opinions on the current governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie and the current Republican candidate Kim Guadagno?

Christie and Guadagno are an absolute disaster. Christie turned on the people who voted him in and Guadagno who claimed to be the catalyst for our economy failed miserably. Many Republicans are hoping she'll get a pass, but her record tied to the worst polling Governor in our history speaks volumes of her capability. The pensions are out of control, the debt is astronomical, the jobs are nonexistent, Veterans are homeless in major numbers, drugs have skyrocketed over the past 8 years, trafficking has ballooned as well. Liberties have been infringed endlessly as well. What more is there to say. The reason the Goldman Sachs Democrat is so far ahead is an indictment on the Republicans choice of Guadagno for their candidate.

8. In 2010 the Constitution Party won 36% of the vote in the Colorado gubernatorial election and became a major party in Colorado. In 2014 they did not run a candidate in 2014 as the additional organizational, financial, and compliance requirements triggered by the major party status. Do you think they made a mistake and if you were able to win 10% of the vote and turn the Constitution Party of New Jersey into a major party would you want the same thing to happen?

The Constitution Party is an awesome party. I cannot speak for the Leadership as to why they did not have a candidate in Colorado in 2014. I believe their success in garnering such a large number can be duplicated and should be looked at for future elections. If we are able to do something amazing and pull off any type of remarkable numbers including a victory, I would love to see the Constitution Party continue to press forward. We just passed the Green Party in registered voters a few months ago so we are appealing to more people than ever before in NJ. I believe November will be a success for Liberty in one way or another!

Thank you for the opportunity, I truly appreciate it! If you need anything else please feel free to ask.

Have a great evening,

Matt Riccardi

Constitution Party Candidate for New Jersey Governor

Put New Jersey 1st For Once!

Here is Riccardi`s website https://www.r4nj.org and the New Jersey gubernatorial election will be held on November 7, 2017.

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Interview with Paul Bachmann, Chairman of the Florida Reform Party

1. Do you think that the Reform Party can be revitalized?

Not only do I think we can, but that has already started.

2. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure. In 1992, after having worked since the age of 16, my doctors determined I was disabled. I had already had 12 knee surgeries, two of which were total replacements, a failed back surgery, and a misdiagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, my days of making money were over. I was truly devastated.  I would find out seven years later doctors had made a mistake. I took shots to my body every other day for six years for something I never had. I determined after being deemed disabled that somebody had to give a voice to people like me. I started advocating on behalf of the nation's elderly, sick, disabled, poor, bullied, and Veterans for free. Without money I knew that I could use Facebook for free and start a group page called Americans for Disabled Americans that I still work on. I talk to representatives at the local, State, and Federal level. I sat down and talked with Governors of most of the U.S. I wrote Presidents Carter, Clinton, Bush Sr., W. Bush, and Clinton explaining needing a friendship with them to help my fellow person. All agreed and sent me personalized autographed pictures to stand with and send my fight to help everyone I could. I contacted members of the US House and engaged them in conversations to help them understand someone else's view. I have helped write Law in Illinois where I was awarded the fifth pen used to sign the Bill by their Governor.

3. When did you first join the Reform Party and have you ever been against its presidential candidates?

I officially joined the Reform Party this last year. Due to my experience I was vetted as Chairman of Florida. I really was in awe of Ross Perot and his run. That was where I first learned of the Party. I was also a fan of Darcy Richardson's run. I have never been against any candidate.

4. What makes you stand out from the Republican and Democratic candidates?

After working actively in State politics I have watched as both Parties have laid claim to "winning" on a Bill in the name of a Party and not the people.  I wave watched as the public has done their part to make a Bill a Law, only to see them totally abandon their duties when the public needed them. Everyone deserves a voice in the Florida House. It shouldn't be only for one Party or one class of people. I will engage the public in conversations that impact their rights. When the public speaks they should be talked with and not to. So, how am I different? I am not a "yes man" for Party Leaders to tell me how I need to vote.

5. Can you tell us what you think of Florida's current governor Rick Scott?

Rick Scott will not be missed. He held back the people of this  State. We have to elect someone who will not play the typical Party games.

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Interview with H. Lillian Vogl, Chairwoman of the American Solidarity Party

1. Can tell us what the American Solidarity Party is?

We are a party that seeks the common good, on common ground, through common sense. We believe in the sanctity of human life, the necessity of social justice, our responsibility to care for the environment, and promotion of a more peaceful world. We cherish the individual rights and separation of government powers protected by the U.S. Constitution, and recognize the need for social supports and community cohesion as modeled by a number of European governments or movements. We seek to bridge the bitter partisan divide with principled and respectful policies and dialog.

2. What makes the American Solidarity Party different from all of the other political parties?

A consistent focus on the dignity and sanctity of all human life. We’re also purely grassroots. We have no corporate or big dollar sponsors.

3. There is a movement in the party called the Dorothy Day Caucus can you tell us more about it?

It’s an unaffiliated group that just cropped up a few days ago. They should speak for themselves.

4. What is the party’s stance on atheists?

We welcome anyone who ascribes to our principles of the sanctity of human life, the necessity of social justice, our responsibility for the environment, and pursuit of a more peaceful world.

5. Can you tell us what the American Solidarity Party would do for election reform?

The American Solidarity Party calls for the reform of electoral laws at every level of government in order to encourage voter participation by all citizens. We believe that the current system disenfranchises third parties and those they represent through systemic legal and procedural measures that favor and uphold a two-party system.

We, therefore, support: Alternative methods of voting in primaries and elections in order to make governing bodies more accurately reflect broad candidate choice.These include, but are not limited to: approval voting, range voting, ranked choice voting, and instant run-offs.

Reform of the redistricting process through independent and impartial agencies.

State exploration of automatic voter registration for all citizens upon naturalization or coming of age, with conscience protections for those who choose to opt out.

Elimination of restrictive voter-registration and voter identification laws that suppress voter turnout, particularly among the poor and minority groups.

Easy access to impartial and fact-based information on candidates and ballot measures in print, online and through broadcast media.

Measures to reduce the influence of money in politics, including waiting periods before public servants are permitted to accept employment in private lobbying firms, requirements for offering equal time to all candidates as a condition of broadcast licenses, and other constitutional means of amplifying views that do not tend to attract support from wealthy donors.

6. A popular saying in the American Solidarity Party is “Pro-life for the whole life” can you tell us your views on abortion and healthcare reform?

We believe that respect for the dignity of human life is the most basic tenet of a civilized society. This dignity is unconditional, it is never reduced by factors such as usefulness or wantedness. From the moment of conception until natural death, every human being is entitled to protections under the law, to just treatment and to equitable consideration. Diverse efforts across this country to secure universal health care access, affordability and outcomes, including single-payer health initiatives, healthcare cooperatives, and hybrid systems at the state and national level.

7. On Twitter the Solidarity Party USA recently tweeted “We believe prudence in securing our borders can be reconciled with compassion for families fleeing violence and persecution.” What would you do to solve the Syrian refugee crisis?

That level of specificity is something we’d prefer to leave to individual candidates to flesh out, if it relates to their campaign. Right now our only candidates are for local offices that wouldn’t handle this kind of issue.

8. What are the American Solidarity Party’s views on the Obama and Trump administrations?

Both have had deep flaws for different reasons. Neither has had a consistent ethic of supporting human life.

Thank you for the interview and I hope your party does well in elections. Here is the American Solidarity Party`s website https://solidarity-party.org/platform/