My 2022 Vote Smart Questionnaire
MICHAEL ERNEST KERR
GREEN PARTY CANDIDATE FOR 2022 CALIFORNIA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 10
MICHAEL KERR FOR CONGRESS WITH PEACE AND JUSTICE
“CENSORSHIP AND THE TRUTH ARE NOT COMPATIBLE”
Biography
Religion
Agnostic
Education
Associate’s, Computer Technology, Heald College, 1979
Attended, Science Engineering, Northwestern University, 1967-1972
Political Experience
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, California, District 11, 2020, 2022
Professional Experience
Served, United States Army
Computer Technician, National Semiconductor, 1979-1985
Tactical Circuit Controler, United States Army Signal Corp, 1972-1975
Religious, Civic, and other Membership
Founder/Board Member, Our Revolution Contra Costa, 2017-present
Member, Code Pink, present
Member, Diablo Greens, present
Member, Oscar Grant Committee, present
Member, Veterans For Peace, present
Former Member, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment
Founder, Anuta Park Picknickers
Former Member, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
Former Member, Bay Point Garden Club
Former Member, Bay Point Residence Association
Former Member, Crosses of Lafayette
Former Member, Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center
Former Member/Peace House Manager, Nuremberg Actions
Member, Code Pink, 2003-2006, 2012-2020
Member, Veterans for Peace, 2012-2020
Director, Ambrose Community Garden, 2009-2014
Member, Bay Point Garden Club, 2008-2014
Board Member, Bay Point Residence Association, 2005-2007
Member/House Manager, Nuremberg Actions, 1987-1990
Board Member, Injured Workers United, 1986-1987
Member, San Jose NOW, 1982-1986
President/Member, Sunnyvale Renter’s Association, 1984-1985
Coordinator, Un Chong Sexual Harassment Support Team, 1979-1985
Member, Korea Link – Human Rights Korea, 1975-1976
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Vote Smart Positions MEK 2020
Pro-Choice
Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? Pro-choice!
I am strong supporter of a women’s right to choose based on Roe vs. Wade guidelines. While I understand that individuals may have honest religious beliefs against abortion. Pro-Choice does not interfere with that right. It is an individual choice. I do not support harassment of women in making that choice. The issue of abortion has been used by both the Democratic and Republican Parties to divide Americans, so people ignore other important issues. The real moto of most politicians and organizations should be “Sanctity of Life Ends at Birth”. Wars and Corporate Profits take precedence over needs of People.
Wealth Inequality
In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? Yes!
Do you support expanding federal funding to support entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare? Yes!
Wealth Inequity in America and the World is totally unacceptable. We need to tax billionaires out of existence. We need a guaranteed livable income for all American citizens and a partial one for Green card holders. We need the tax rates of the President Dwight ” Ike ” Eisenhower administration but without all the loopholes. I don’t know what maximum income should be, but $3 million (Minimum top 0.1% 2018) seems a more than adequate reward. Corporation need to pay taxes for the society, workers, consumers and environment they profit from. Remaining profits should be split between workers, investors.
https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/how-much-income-puts-you-top-1-5-10/
https://www.investopedia.com/retirement/10-years-later-how-financial-crisis-affected-seniors/
Citizen’s United
Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions? Yes
The Citizen’s United decision by the Supreme Court demands certain Justice’s Impeachment. It is insane to think that our Republic will long survive where big money has free reign over our election system. It is outrageous that a corporation as a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners should have the same, but more rights of people in our election system. To refer a corporation as a “legal person” is insanity!
Military-Industrial-Prison Complex
Do you support increasing defense spending? No!
I would slash military spending drastically. We don’t need 800 bases across the globe in over 100 countries. The Military-Industrial-Prison (MIP) complex steals our limited taxes to create more and more weapons. They lobby our Congress on unsubstantiated fears for more wars, continued wars and military sales to other countries. Our foreign Policy is based on providing our tax money to foreign leaders on the condition they buy more U.S. Corporate weapons to threaten neighbors and oppressive their people. The MIP fears a Peaceful oriented Foreign Policy that would help the people of other nations. End mass incarceration!
Economic Growth
Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? Yes!
Do you support lowering corporate taxes as a means of promoting economic growth? No!
Do you support providing financial relief to businesses AND/OR corporations negatively impacted by the state of national emergency for COVID-19? (2022 Question) Yes
The Government should take an active role in providing decent paid jobs toward maintaining and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure and affordable housing. For Profit corporations only care about their bottom line and not the betterment of society and people’s living standards. Our Government needs to spend and loan money to promote a Green New Deal. This needs the attention (and more) given to the Race to Moon in the 60’s. Corporate and Income on the top 0.1% need to be drastically increased. No more stock buy backs to inflate stock market at expense of the economy for the bottom 99%.
Education
Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards? Yes!
We do need protected minimum standards on the Federal Level. I never have supported “No Child Left Behind” or most of the Obama’s corrections under “Common Core”. Education should be more locally controlled. Education funding should not be based on property taxes pitting seniors against children. Federal and State tax money should support education. I support a pass/fail system rather than grades. My experience in High School and College, is that the grading system was used mainly to reward a few elites and punish and discourage the rest. Beyond Reading and Math, Critical Thinking should be most important learning skill.
Energy and Environment
Do you support government funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)? Yes!
Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? Yes
Scientists now say we have 10 years, maybe less with Trump, to prevent a runaway climate catastrophe. The government needs to treat Climate Change like it did the Race to the Moon. We need more International cooperation with Russia and China. We need to end this crazy anti-Russia narrative and promotion of a new “Cold War”. We either all unite during next 10 years or we all will suffer the dire consequences. The Green New Deal should not become just an empty slogan! Fossil fuels has always been a known limited resource. Now it’s an emergency to end its use!
Gun Safety
Do you generally support gun-control legislation? Yes!
Gun safety issues have always been used as wedge issue between Republicans and Democrats. Mental health screenings and treatment, universal background checks, red flag laws and requiring gun licenses all get broad bipartisan support, according to polls, even among a majority of gun owners. Mass killings, especially at schools, seldom respect politics, religion or social standing. We need sensible gun safety regulations. The Supreme Court has ruled that Americans have a right to keep handguns at home. In a National Poll, 73%, believed the Second Amendment guarantees the rights of Americans to own guns. Confiscation of guns is scare tactic.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/105721/public-believes-americans-right-own-guns.aspx
Immigration
Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border? No!
Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? No
End our cruel illegal foreign policy of wars, coups, sanctions and destabilization of other nations that is the number one reason for mass immigration. Grant Dreamers prompt opportunity for citizenship. Grant everyone now in U.S. a permanent Green card and a reasonable path to citizenship. Issue 10-month work visas not tied to a specific job or corporation with minimum 2 months outside of country allowing indefinite work visa renewals. Encourages needed low skilled workers but discourages family entry. Right now, the strict border control encourages family migration because too risky and expensive to come and go to the U.S.
National Security
Should the United States use military force to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a weapon of mass destruction (for example: nuclear, biological, chemical)? No!
Do you support reducing military intervention in Middle East conflicts? Yes!
I would slash military spending drastically. We don’t need 800 bases across the globe in over 100 countries. The Military-Industrial-Prison (MIP) complex steals our limited taxes to create more and more weapons. They lobby our Congress on unsubstantiated fears for more wars, continued wars and military sales to other countries. The destabilization of greater Middle East is the sole result of U.S. Military and Foreign Policy. With proper monitoring, the U.S. must help people of the Middle East rebuild their own nation. Diplomacy and positive economic aid create positive Peaceful Democratic government. Sanctions and military force create hatred & violence.
Trade
Do you generally support removing barriers to international trade (for example: tariffs, quotas, etc.)?
I believe that all international trade deals should be done if it benefits workers, consumers, the environment of the participating nations. International trade deals should not be done just for the benefit of Multi-National Corporations to make more profit. Trade deals must address worker’s fair living wages, working conditions, health and safety in each nation. Trade deals must deal with worker/consumer product safety. Trade deals must be justified in consideration of Green New Deal. No trade deal should in any way supersede the Constitutional Authority of each and all nations. Current trade deals must be scrapped if violating the above.
Administrative Priorities
1. Initiate implementation of the Green New Deal immediately.
1. Climate Crisis needs to be addressed at same level of emergency as we did for WWII. (2022)
2. Implement immediately Medicare For All.
3. Get Big Money out of our Elections via 100% Public financing. Circumvent Citizen United ruling by funding candidates and issues publicly to effectively neutralize big money expenditures. Obtain Funds by special tax on multi-national corporations.
Will use my Congressional bullhorn to attack any policies, tax schemes that don’t help address these issues above.
We have 10 years to save, not just America, but the world from runaway climate catastrophe.
Additional Vote Smart Positions MEK 2022
Do you support the protection of government officials, including law enforcement officers, from personal liability in civil lawsuits concerning alleged misconduct? No
There is too much corruption in our government and law enforcement. There are inadequate internal protections, investigations and punishment of individuals in our government who are engaged in misconduct and corruption. If necessary, it is also necessary, we must allow external civil lawsuits to change corrupt policies, activities with personal liability for those individuals involved.
Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”)? No
Do you support requiring businesses to provide paid medical leave during public health crises, such as COVID-19? Yes
I am a strong supporter of Medicare for All (Sigle Payer). We need to keep the inadequate for-profit corporate written ACA until we can replace it with a much better Medicare for All. This needs to be done ASAP! It was criminal that Obama and the Democratic Party leadership refused to allow debate on M4A in 2008. The ACA did not protect the middle class from exorbitant price increases in their health insurances. This resulted in the Republicans sweeping the house and Senate in 2010. And eventually the election of Donald Trump.
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My 2022 Campaign Questionnaires & Issues
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