STATEMENT:

In my more than two decades in public service, I’ve never met anyone more qualified to be President than Hillary Clinton. That’s why I’m so humbled and grateful to be her running mate.

Growing up, I went to a Jesuit boys school with the motto “Men for Others,” where my faith became an organizing principle for my life. So during law school, I took a year off to volunteer with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras. I saw a system where only a few folks at the top had all the power, and everyone else got left behind. It was that experience that cemented my commitment to social justice. I went on to become a civil rights lawyer – and later a city councilman, mayor, and governor – to help ensure everyone has the chance to live up to their God-given potential.

That’s why Hillary Clinton and I have a plan to make the economy work for everyone, not just those at the top. We’ll invest in infrastructure, help small businesses, raise the minimum wage, and ensure equal pay and paid family leave. And we’ll tackle other challenges— from reforming our criminal justice and immigration systems to ending the gun violence epidemic to getting unaccountable money out of politics.

If I’m good at anything in public life, it’s because I started at the local level – listening to people and trying to find consensus. I’ve seen the progress that’s possible when we come together to overcome challenges. We truly are stronger together.

“Rocky” Roque De La Fuente, Non-Affiliated

STATEMENT:

I envision a country where policy is based on the interests of the people rather than just a privileged few. Unfortunately, we have lost our way on that point in recent years.

I believe in the free market system, but the system must be fair. To grow the middle class, we need to create and keep jobs in this country that pay a fair wage and provide access to healthcare. We should support laws that encourage innovation and investment in durable goods, machinery and equipment. However, we must demand that the rest of the world conducts trade with us on a level playing field.

I also believe that every child deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education because to do otherwise is to sentence them to remain right where they are. We have grown stagnant as a nation, and upward mobility has been ground to a halt. We have to begin growing the middle class again, and education is the key.

As a Social Security Disabilities attorney for over 30 years, I’ll work to ensure that Social Security Retirement and Disability programs, along with Medicare, remain solvent and are operated in a professional, courteous and efficient manner.

Additionally, our nation is facing a debt crisis. While we need to address waste and fraud in government, that is not enough. We need a tax policy that treats people fairly and new jobs to increase tax revenues.

And finally, I’ll work hard to restore integrity to our electoral system.

STATEMENT:

I believe the majority of Americans share the simple notions of financial responsibility and personal freedom. Government should leave us alone to pursue our dreams, live our lives and make our own choices -- as long as those choices do not harm or endanger others. And government should do less, spend less and cost less.

Alaska’s history is one of self-reliance, independence and tolerance. Liberty is more than a slogan, it is the true American value, and Alaskans understand that. The proper role of government is to safeguard liberty, keep us safe, and insure equality of opportunity. It is not the role of government to choose winners and losers, intervene in the sovereign affairs of other nations, and manage every aspect of our daily lives.

The two party system and the elected officials who put partisanship above good public policy have failed us. I am running for President to offer a credible, experienced and independent alternative to the gridlock that has become Washington, DC. I also believe strongly that integrity and the truth are not too much to ask of a President, and are, in fact, what the American people deserve.

Smaller government, greater freedom, a foreign policy intended to keep America safe, and honest leadership. Those are what I respectfully offer to the voters of Alaska and the rest of the nation.

STATEMENT:

Despite the state legislature being controlled by a Democratic majority, as Governor, Bill Weld managed to cut taxes 21 times and did not permit any tax increases. A 1994 report from the Cato institute concluded that, “Weld cut spending, balanced the budget, improved the state’s bond rating, and cut numerous taxes. Even with a Democratic legislature, Weld has a stunningly successful fiscal record.”

How did he do this without compromising education and other important state functions? He doesn’t believe that a government that looks to your pocket book to solve every problem is a healthy way to conduct policy. Rather, Governor Weld identified areas of government inefficiency, spending that was not serving the public interest, and got rid of wasteful programs that would never be supported if the people knew just how unproductive they were.

He did this, in part, by championing programs like those that helped welfare recipients get jobs to reduce their long-term reliance on government assistance, improve their self-reliance and self-esteem, and in turn, create a more productive society. But don’t think that Bill’s pursuit of fiscal responsibility prevented him from his personal belief in social tolerance.

Bill was not only an early proponent of civil rights for gays and lesbians, he actually appointed the judge who wrote the opinion that established marriage equality as a matter of constitutional right.

As Vice-President of the United States, Bill Weld would take those same values to Washington, DC.

STATEMENT:

Jill Stein’s Power to the People Plan creates deep system change, moving from the greed and exploitation of corporate capitalism to a human- centered economy that puts people, planet and peace over profit. It empowers the American people to fix our broken political system and make real the promise of democracy.

This plan will end unemployment and poverty; avert climate catastrophe; build a sustainable, just economy; and recognize the dignity and human rights of everyone in our society and our world.

Stein’s Power to the People Plan includes:

A Green New Deal
Create millions of jobs by transitioning to 100% clean renewable energy by 2030, and investing in public transit, sustainable agriculture, and conservation.

Jobs as a Right
Create living-wage jobs for every American who needs work, replacing unemployment offices with employment offices. Advance workers’ rights to form unions, achieve workplace democracy, and keep a fair share of the wealth they create.

End Poverty
Guarantee economic human rights, including access to food, water, housing, and utilities, with effective anti- poverty programs to ensure every American a life of dignity.

Health Care as a Right
Establish an improved “Medicare For All” single-payer public health insurance program to provide everyone with quality health care, at huge savings.

Education as a Right
Abolish student debt to free a generation of Americans from debt servitude. Guarantee tuition-free, world- class public education from pre-school through university. End high stakes testing and public school privatization.

Ajamu Baraka, Green

[no statement]

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