Hank Linderman
Democrat | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Hank Linderman
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
(Candidate did not provide)
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Congress KY2, 2018-2024
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (2)
United Auto Workers
Kentucky AFL-CIO
OTHER (1)
UAW Region 2B
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
United Auto Workers
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Helen Bukulmez (2021)
Bernie Sanders (2020)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Informative article about the candidate.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
There are better ways to reduce abortion. Like - higher wages, safer places to work, a schedule that allows raising a family, an effective health care system that won't bankrupt you if someone you love gets sick. As Wendell Berry says, " What we're up against is an extractive economy, run by a tiny minority of the wealthiest people, & from that, the impoverishment, poisoning & pollution of the natural world, dissolution of all human community, and damage to individuals and families."
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Neutral
Essential safety standards, yes. Reporting only if individual privacy is protected.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
For a limited time, early in the pregnancy. This time could be rather short, provided there was adequate health care, which there is not currently.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
The federal government must reflect the will of the people - so yes, there could be a role. However, not until social and economic inequality are better addressed. 20% of working people are just a few setbacks away from becoming homeless, almost 2/3rds are living paycheck to paycheck. America's prosperity must be democratically shared.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
Corruption allows inequality, which creates division, which allows more corruption. I will focus on healing division. That "tiny minority of the wealthiest people" who have corrupted our government can only be countered by working people.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Neutral
Yes. This is a complex issue with advantage being taken of students and their families, and the families of working people and other taxpayers as well. We must regulate the big banks, other speculators who have poisoned the funding of higher education.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
Sure, provided they are somewhat effective.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
No imposition of any religion on any citizen by the government, freedom to practice the religion of your choice, freedom from religion if that is what you prefer.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Agree
We all face moral quandaries; as long as we have freedom to choose another job or career, we can maintain our personal morality as we each see fit. If you don't want to be taught to kill, don't join the armed forces. If you don't want to live by the rules of the church you belong to, leave and find a church that works for you. If you choose to work in health care, you will be expected to provide legal health care. If you have a moral disagreement over a policy at your work, change jobs.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
This is too complex for a "this or that" answer. Smallpox, yes. Measles, rubella, yes. Covid? Probably. But it seems that we are required to take many more vaccines just to go to school, I have to wonder how many of them are profit driven.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Probably B, close to the French system. Catastrophic care, preventative care, basic coverage including dental, hearing and vision to be provided by public non profit insurance funded by income tax, supplemental (for profit) insurance for other needs. Drug prices and health services to be negotiated by government.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C, with some exceptions. Generally, I don't believe war solves very much.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Not the party, the Chinese government and economy.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, they are our allies. OTOH, the action in Gaza is a massive error.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Low pay, misuse of the military, no draft.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
We must have control of our borders.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
This would vary based on balancing the needs of national security, business, the needs of working people.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Neutral
Our schools are not doing a good enough job, but I don't want to turn the job of education over to the tender mercies of profit seeking corporations. Complex issue, no simple answers.
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Disagree
That would be a catastrophe. But, serious reform is needed.
VALUES
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Disagree
"I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us." Kinky Friedman, candidate for Governor of Texas. There but for the grace of God...
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Agree except for gender ideology. I disagree with the idea that gender is a chosen concept, but I'm uncomfortable with the idea of outlawing ideas. If we did so, there would be LOTS of ideas to outlaw!
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Disagree
At the moment, no. But - I admit to not having a complete understanding of the personal issues at stake.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised Episcopalian, we are good with doubt & knowing we don't have all the answers, 2 of my connections to God are through music and nature. I am currently enjoying the book "Falling Upward" by Fr. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
If the poll worker knows them, for example.
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
However - some adjustments should be made. Such as - no state may have more senators than House districts.
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Soft disagree. Racism definitely exists, but it will not be cured by imposing more discrimination.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Agree
Generally, I agree with J K Rowling. But I am sensitive to those who are struggling as a result of their identity. Again, complex question, simple answers aren't sufficient.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
You can't burn 17 trillion tons of fuel in 200 years, most of it in the last 50 years, and expect it to have no effect. The system is out of balance, we are not the only factor, but we are the only factor we can control.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I expect it will be a combination - modular nuclear, renewable sources, with fossil fuels phasing out over time. The growing need for electricity is due to the rise of cloud services and AI. I'm in the "kill it with fire" camp re AI.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
I have been called conservative, liberal, communist (!), whatever. My ideology is my guide, not my goal. I worked in the creative arts, we all know "More Cowbell!" but sometimes more cowbell doesn't work.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Organizing large societies.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Neutral
Ethics reform at the very least. More seats wouldn't necessarily be bad. No more lifetime terms.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
Way too complex for a simple answer. Many police departments need reform, however that can be achieved while maintaining public safety.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Registration, licensing, insurance, training. None of us want to see a kid bringing a weapon on their school bus. It's going to take the involvement of gun owners to craft an effective and elegant solution. No more demonizing each other please.
