Joseph Thompson Jr.
Democrat | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joseph Thompson Jr.
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 19
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, Sociology, 1975
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, Comptroller, 2000
DoD Financial Management, Fort Belvoir, Va., Level II Certification, 2016
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army Infantry Center, Student, Officer Basic Course, 6 months
4th Battalion 6th Infantry, Berlin Brigade, Infantry Unit Commander, 3 years
U.S. Army Infantry Center, Captain's Career Course, 6 months
U.S. Army Ready Reserve, Captain, 3 years
AFFILIATIONS
Cross Fellowship Church, Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Member, Disabled American Veterans, Member
American Legion, Member, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
Member, 9th &10th Calvary Buffalo Soldier Assoc., Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Colorado HD 19, 1 year
Race
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Democratic Governors' Association (2020)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2019)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2019)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Disagree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
An abortion is a decision each woman must decide for herself. Because God created humans with freewill, and each of us will be held accountable before HIM for our actions. I believe Roe v. Wade has been established law for almost 50 years. We need to move on. If we would properly educate our young adults regarding reproduction the issue of abortion would be significantly reduced.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce Defense spending by passing legislation to prevent congress from funding projects that support their congressional district, but are not needed by the military.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Disagree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
The government shall have no state sanction religous institution such as the Church of England.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Agree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
As a result of this pandemic, we have become the world leader in the number of victims of COVID 19 – a distinction to which none of us aspire. We are the only industrialized nation without a health care program that provides effective care to all our citizens. Working with our health care experts, it is my goal to develop solutions to this challenge.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Disagree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Disagree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
. I don't believe immigrants should come to America and have the world handed to them, especially since THIS ISN'T WHAT THEY DO (spoiler alert, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for all those programs they’re supposed to be abusing, and they're not "stealing" your job because your employer is hiring them illegally. Stop illegal hiring and the flow of undocumente immigrants will be reduced). I'm not opposed to deporting undocumente immigrants, but I believe there are far more humane ways to handle them other than our current practices (i.e., detaining children, splitting up families, ending DACA, etc.). The current immigration crisis is the direct result of our actions in South America over the last century and our bungleing of the aftermath of the Iraq War. Remember Lady Liberty. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden d
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe GOD is the creator of the universe. HIS son JESUS CHRIST was sent to reestablish a relationship with man after Adam's sin. The Bible is GOD's History Book and Operating Manual for Mankind. I believe JESUS CHRIST is the SON of GOD, HE is the way, the truth, and the light, and no man comes into the kingdom except through HIM. I believe this life is a test, I will be held accountable for how I live my life and how I treat my fellow man.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
This is my opportunity to give back to the country that has given me so much. My areas of major concern are Education, Alternative Fuel Sources, and Health Care. District 19 historically is a Republican stronghold, however, in light of the current pandemic and the Republican's inept preparation and response, it is clear the time has come for a change in leadership at both the State and Federal government levels. Support increase funding for schools. Transition to alternative energy sources away from fossil fuels. Work to implement a Universal Health Care System. As your representative, I will work for your interest. I will conduct quarterly Town Halls to identify your concerns that are impa
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
11/13/2006 to 06/30/2017 ) Senior Management Analyst, HQDA Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), DCS G-8, Fort Eustis, VA. Conducted Acquisition Management Oversite of service contracts, reviewed and validated Programs of Instruction, and Conducted manpower studies. (06/02/2003 to 11/13/2006) Management Analyst, HQDA Office of the Inspector General (IG), Washington, DC Managed IG personnel authorization and associated equipment to meet requirements during operations in Iraq. (11/10/2001 to 06/02/2003) Management Analyst, HQ Army Material Command, Force Management Division, Alexandria, Va. Managed force structure for five Separate Reporting Activities. (03/05/1999 to 11/10/2001) Management Analyst, HQDA, Office of the Surgeon General, Manpower Division. Falls Church, VA. Conducted analysis and developed medical force structure allocations for Major Army & Joint commands, Joint / Defense agencies, Secretary of the Army Elements, and Army Field Operating Agencies.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Born in Gastonia, North Carolina, grew up on military bases in Japan and across the United States. Earned a B.A. in Sociology from Rutgers University in 1975. Served four years as an Infantry Officer at Fort Benning Georgia and Berlin West Germany. A disabled veteran served 31 years as a Senior Resource Management Analyst in the Department of the Army at various duty stations in Germany, Bosnia, Kuwait, the Pentagon, Fort Monroe, and Fort Eustis, Virginia. Upon my retirement in 2017, moved to Colorado with my wife who grew up and raised her family in Denver Colorado.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe that with the right to keep and bear a modern assault weapon comes the responsibility to be trained, licensed, and qualified to operate that assault weapon. It is not a toy. Additionally, when a person no longer has the physical or mental ability to safely operate an assault weapon, they should lose that right. This would include annual refresher training and license renewal.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Agree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Education We need to ensure our youth have the skills to compete in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). A talented pool of STEAM graduates will also assist in attracting new industries to our state. Energy The second pillar of my campaign is to see Colorado in the forefront of the development of solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternatives to fossil fuels. One unintended consequence of the Health Care We are the only industrialized nation without a health care
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat to national security. America's history of racism began in 1607 with the miss treatment of Indigenous People of North America, Africans, Mexicans, and Asians. After WWII the Germans faced up to their misstreatment of the Jews, but America has never faced up to its centuries of misstreatment of its minority population. The election of Donald Trump, a blatant racist, has riped the scab off this wound for all to see. The Russians identified racism as a major weakness in our society and used it to help Trump win the 2016 election. Now the nation is falling into chaos and failure to address this issue will result in the destruction of the nation. In the past the nation was able to suppress and hide this ulgy side of America. But due to modern communications technology and education this racism is exposed for the world to see. If America is to retatain its position as "Leader of the Free World" this racism must be resolved.
