Tim Geist

Strongly Agree

Agree

This is not an easy question. Life is sacred, so is personal freedom. Bottom line, either you believe in personal liberty, which does not harm others, or you do not. Part of the price for freedom is allowing individuals to make terrible personal mistakes. Here's my very personal opinion: The Freedom to escape from a long agonizing death is an option which I would want to maintain for myself.

Here is another very personal truth: Not only women suffer these agonizing circumstances. Many years ago, I was in a failed relationship that became a friendship. Before the relationship ended, my girlfriend became pregnant. She told me about her pregnancy, during the friendship phase. I was over-joyed when she told me she decided to keep our child. All my life I have loved children and wanted my own. For weeks my heart soared knowing I would help rear a child from my blood. I day dreamed about all my child's stages of development: little league baseball or softball, going through school, my child's questions about life, my child having children... It was a sweet precious dream, which I cherished. About a month later, she changed her mind. Without consulting me, she aborted our child. I was crushed, deeply depressed for months. Decisions I made during that time, adversely effected my career. I suffered deeply from this decision. But I also acknowlege, it's not my body body we are talking about here. So, I remain in conflict to this day. Decades later, tears well up in my eyes as I write these words about the child I lost. Bottom Line: I believe it is quite clear that the decision about abortion in America will not be up to Congress, for which I am running. The very conservative Supreme Court of the United States will ultimately undue Roe versus Wade and send the decision about abortion legislation to the individual states. My personal hope is women will be given more options and incentives (even cash incentives) to keep their child to full term. I also hope state legislatures will not allow abortions after the first trimester, except to save the life of the mother.

Agree

This is a fact: Artificial Intelligence is coming for our jobs. Surgeons, lawyers, engineers, truck drivers, airline piolots, electricians, carpenters, plumbers...all of these jobs and more can be done, or will be done, more accurately, more safely, and more cheaply by machines. It's likely that a very small number of families WILL control up to 90% of all wealth, due to AI. Many of the extremely wealthy think they're too good for democracy. I have a problem with that!

Agree

The waste in government is appalling. Let's be clear here. "Running up the national debt" is picking our own children's pockets.

Our nations founders gave us a brilliant Constitution that prohibits royalty and so paved the way for a government of the people, common people. The problem with royalty is not the pretty titles. Our founders' problem with royalty was the monopolization of power. The only thing which can not be ammended from our Constitution is ALL POWER COMES FROM THE PEOPLE. That is our blessing of freedom, right there: all power comes from the people. That's not socialism, that's America's founders' plan for freedom from TYRANNY. Money is power, period. We had better keep an eye on this power if we want our children to have a chance for freedom. With the rapid advancements is Artificial Intelligence, trillions and trillions of dollars with be monopolized by a very few families. These will be people who will tend to think they are too good for democracy, because of all the power they exclusively control. How is this differant from the power from the royalty that our founders sought to inhibit? Albert Einstein predicted, when a few wealthy individuals control all the information it will mean the death of democracy. I have a problem with that ! For we common people, there is no freedom without democracy, no democracy without the truth. Even now, the extremely wealthy in America are controlling mass media and brain washing us with lies to hate our own interests. We cannot allow a perpetual financial royalty, passed on for a dozen generations, in America if we want our children's children to have some say in their own interests. In order to preserve our democracy we must have a tax system that requires larger tax contributions from the super wealthy, much larger. Artificial Intelligence will swallow up a hundred million jobs in the next generation. If we allow all that power to wind up in the hands of just a few individuals our democracy will surely die. I've got a problem with that! Don't you?

Strongly Agree

Religious liberty is a founding principle in our Constitution. I believe the America's Constitution is sacred.

Neutral

Over all religious beliefs should be protected. However, this issue is not all black and white. If they are a hospital, they must save lives. If you own an essential business and you deny service on the basis of race, religious conviction or not, I've got a problem with that!

I believe the Constitution is sacred. The first phrase in the First Amendment is: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,... The second phrase in the First Amendment is: or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;... Therefore, the state must not inhibit any religious freedom which does not harm others. The founders made this all quite clear. We could use some of their brilliance in government, today.

IF, there was a 50% mortality rate, meaning half of everyone who is exposed to it dies, then I think many of my fellow Americans would have a very differant attitude about mandatory vaccinations. To me, it seems quite obvious that a 50% death rate would strongly imply mandatory vaccinations should be required if people wanted to participate in that organiztion. They of course would still have the freedom to not participate in it.

I think the best moral guidance for healthcare comes from the Holy Bible. Matthew 10, verses 8 and 9: Verse 8: Heal the sick, cleanse the leaper, raise the dead, drive away the demons. Comment: Is this not the best healthcare plan you have ever seen, in you entire life? Verse 9: Provid(ing) neither gold, nor silver, nor brass for you purses. Comment: Heal them, even if they can not pay. This is not for profit. Of course, I also am a staunch believer in the power of capitalism to stimulate advances. So, we can't expect doctors, etc to work for nothing. However, the above moral imperitive is clear hear. Everyone deserves essential healthcare, even if they have no money. With the coming invasion of job eating Artificial Intelligence, many, many of us will ultimately not be able to afford healthcare unless it is free. Make the few who will control most of the wealth in America, through Artificial Intelligence, pay for our healthcare. In the meantime, the extremely wealthy should be paying more taxes, whether or not they haver anything to do with AI. BOTTOM LINE: Taking the command of Jesus Christ seriously, I'm for Free Healthcare for all, funded by taxes from the extremely wealthy, with the option to have private healthcare insurance also.

B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. If not for our allies during World War 2, Americans would be speaking German, or possibly Russian (as Joseph Stahlin was every bit as treacherous as Putin is today.) If we want our children to have a chance for freedom in their lifetime, we must preserve our democracy. To protect our democracy we must have international allies or the likes of Vladimir Putin (and Shi in China) will eat us all up one country at a time. NATO must remain strong!!! All for one, one for all, that is the promise of NATO that keeps us all free. Unfortunately, not every country is an ally. America can not fight a country's war for them. Even if they are not a treaty ally, America should try to help democracy loving countries, if their people are willing to do the fighting, themselves. America must stay involved internationally or we will not even be able to see our imminent danger. If we embrace the ignorance which will follow disinvolvement in international affairs, our country will ultimately be consumed by international predators that love the poorly educated.

Neutral

I love Israel. Israel is an essential ally. I have been to Israel and considered living there. I believe the two state solution is Israel's best chance for long term peace. However, I do not believe Israel should ever give up the Golan Heights, bordering Syria, which is essential for Israel's security. As for other seperation barriers, there should be a long-term aim to remove the barriers, AFTER the divided areas are pacified. Divestments? What you do with your own money is up to you.

Strongly Agree

In about 10 years, China will liklely have a Gross National Product fifty percent LARGER, than the United States. By then, sanctions will no longer be one of the Federal government's favorite words. We must invest much more in our national defense. This investment must include paying down our debt or our economy will be crushed by China's sanctions against US! Sec. Hank Paulson wrote that 2008 Chinese officials warned of a Russian invitation to attack our economy. Pg 161 ON THE BRINK, 2010

A robust spy network is essential for American security. While we will likely never eradicate Islamic terrorism, we can likely keep it at bay, over seas.

Strongly Agree

Build the wall and make it tall. How is it we did not have the will to complete the wall when Republicans held all the power in the federal government. This is unforgiveable, in my opinion. If we don't know who is crossing our international border, then they should not be allowed inside our country, period.

Agree

Federal funds should not support cities that break federal law. As for state funds, that is for the individual states to decide.

Vetted allies, who are in danger, that helped our country's vital interests should be welcomed to our shores. Vetted smart and essential workers that increase our nation's prosperity, where American workers can not or will not, should be invited. I strongly support the entry of the100,000 vetted Ukrainian refugees into America. This will help to relieve some of the population stress that our NATO allies endure for the courageous democratically aspiring nation of Ukraine.

Agree

Either we believe in freedom, or we do not. However, I believe transgender surgery for minors, especially extremely young children should be re-examined. How can you know what you want to be at the age of three? Transgender surgery is a decision for adults, in my opinion. I support this freedom to change yourself and I hope it actually helps some people to cope. However, I think it is unfair to compete in gender separated sports, like the Olympics, after a man has recently become a woman

Neutral

I am against teaching kids that they are bad or tend to be bad just because they are white, or black, or purple. To my knowlege, CRT is found in course work at the university level. I have not personally studied CRT, so I am not well acquainted with the academic points of view.. What I do know is racisim does continue to exist in America. People are attacked just because they look differant from the attacker. The unfairness of this fact should not be neglected. Put hate criminals in prison

I believe in the righteousness of democracy, as an act of faith. I believe that our Constitution is literally sacred and that its Bill of Rights were inspired by the philosophy of Jesus Christ. Therefore, my religion is American Democracy.

Strongly Disagree

Everyone should have a verifiable photo ID. If you think the government should pay for the photo ID necessary to vote, then we agree. Poverty should not be a barrier to voting.

Thinking about election cheaters raises my blood pressure! The dishonesty in politics is strangling our democracy. Tim Geist's Unique Legislative Proposal: In order to reduce the effectiveness of political liars running for office, I propose legislation that will allow a Congressman (Representative), Senator, or the candidates for those offices to challenge their respective peers to a duel in federal court. The challenger can certifiy under penalty of perjury that a specific statement that their opponent made is not true AND challenge the "liar" to voluntarily certify under penalty of perjury that his statement is indeed true. If the challenge is accepted, then both will appear together in a Federal Court, before a judge and one of them will go to prison for years, for lying under penalty of perjury, even if its an honest mistake. This above law will give a powerful emotional advantage to the truth teller. Everyone understands that no one wants to go to prison for voluntarily certifying a lie. If the challenge is not accepted, that's okay. Everyone will know the liar is the coward whom did not accept the challenge. Other voting laws: Photo IDs should be required. Laws that criminalize giving water to thirsty people standing in line for hours to vote are very unjust. The sentencing for cheating in elections should have mandatory quadruples from current statutes, eg, one year becomes 4 years. Lying about massive cheating in elections, when there was none should have an especially terrible place to serve their prison terms. Admittedly, the former sentence is not Constitutional, but that's how I feel about traitors to our democracy. I will honor my sacred oath to preserve, defend and protect the Constitution, with all my heart.

Strongly Disagree

I am not responsible for the sins of my forefathers!

It is a fact that people have recently been attacked in the United States simply because the were of a differant race than the attacker. This evil should be crushed with long prison sentences. There is an evil business model in the United States that divides people with vicious lies about other groups. When individuals in these alienated groups are frightened by these vicious lies these victims can easily be exploited to give up their money and do evil things to innocent people and institutions, to the benefit of the vicious liars. This is yet another reason why we need to codify legislation that will give a strong emotional advantage to truth tellers against the vicious liars that divide our democracy for power and profit.

Strongly Agree

Unless, there is a proven danger of contaminating drinking water over the long term, at a specific site in question.

I say drill, drill, drill, because the cost of gasoline is too high. We are at war and inflation is an emergency. However, we must steadily work for clean sustainable energy. There is a balance necessary for sound governmental policy.

Lean Conservative

I am a capitalist. We need capitalism to inspire innovation. However, capitalism without any spiritual, social, or economic checks and balances will lead to tyranny of haves against the have nots. Artificial Intelligence is an inevitable trend that will leave most of the wealth and power in this country in the hands of very few people, UNLESS we anticipate this reality and set limits on how much power and money just a few private citizens should be allowed to control. We don't want tyrannts!

Elon Musk said "(Artificial Intelligece) is a fundamental risk to the existence of human civilization,” (and its exponential growth is advancing) “like a tidal wave.” Stephen Hawking Shares Elon Musk's Fears that A.I. May Replace Humans https://www.inverse.com/article/38054-stephen-hawking-ai-fears Putin says the nation that leads in AI ‘will be the ruler of the world’ https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/4/16251226/russia-ai-putin-rule-the-world Putin: Leader in artificial intelligence will rule world https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/04/putin-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-will-rule-world.html

No.

We have some very real threats to our democracy, from the outside and from the inside. I want to emphasize that strong borders, a strong economy and a strong democracy must stand upon pillars of political honesty. It all boils down to our children's only chance for freedom. There is no freedom without democracy. There is no democracy without the truth. A democracy that elects leaders because of lies is not a democracy. At best we become a republic of the betrayed led by its traitors. Without an enviroment of truthfulness in politics how can we voters even identify the threats to our personal freedoms? I need your help to advance the discussion about laws that can inhibit vicious liars that divide us without violating the first Amendment. I will bring a unique skill set to Congress. I can think out of the box, offering original ideas to build a stronger, healthier, democracy. For example, I propose legislation that will allow a truth telling politician to risk his own freedom from prison by challenging a liar to a duel in federal court. If the liar voluntarily accepts the challenge to certify his specific public statement, under penalty of perjury, then together the challenger and challenged will go before a judge. The result will be one of them goes to prison, for years, for lying under penalty of perjury. Of course, the challenge of the liar has to be voluntary to satisfy the First Amendment. No problem! This law will be effective even if the challenge is not accepted. Since both the challenger and challenged would be risking certain prison for certifying a lie, voters will have little problem figuring out who is the cowardly liar. I need your help to force this idea into a national discussion, for the survival of our democractic republic. After it rises to that level, then let them just try to campaign against telling the truth.

Strongly Agree

If police officers are following all the rules, then the rule makers should be at least as accountable as the guys on the beat, keeping us safe. We need to have the backs of the officers who look out for us.

Strongly Disagree

I'm for mental health, BUT defunding police is stupid! I believe every police officer in America that interacts with the public should get a 20% RAISE! In exchange for this economic windfall for the brave in blue, every police officer should have a body cam that is perpetually on every second they are on duty. If they neglect to keep it on one day, with no good reason, then they loose 25% of their pay raise each offense. High pay attracts better employees. Cams will encourage good behavior.

I am a gun owner and believe every law abiding American has the inalienable right to protect their homes and families. Fortunately, the Second Amendment protects these rights for self defense. I already pledged the oath to preserve protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, when I was involved in basic research at UCSB. I consider myself to still be bound by that sacred oath. That means, I will be a noisy loud mouth in Congress if they ever even whisper the possibility of taking away your guns. Because, they can't! Violent Felons should never have access to fire arms, unless they are fighting or training to fight a war for the USA, as part of the American Military. Brandishing deadly weapons around peaceful protests, or voters, or institutions of government should be illegal. I never cared much for bullies.

Disagree

I do not understand the logic of suing a company for selling a legal product. However, the reason I chose "disagree" instead of "strongly disagree" is because I can imagine a circumstance where a vender ENCOURAGES ILLEGAL behavior with the use of their gun. IF they encourage illegal violence with their product, then that sounds like a valid reason to sue.