Louis Vellucci

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Louis Vellucci completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Vellucci's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-140808-2022-10-05\" id=\"heading-bio-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-140808-2022-10-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-140808-2022-10-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWe represent the electorate of our district, our nation, and our planet, to include the natural world; better than the two major party candidates, The American Values Party is based on our shared values, rather than partisan party politics. Our Values include Fairness, Security, Compassion, Gratitude &amp; Respect. My multi-decade public service spans the military, non-profit advocacy for wildlife,, financing environment protection, and most recently, as an ambassador to tens of thousands of citizens of the global community.. A near life-long resident of the 5th District community, currently less obligated to the most important duty of raising a family, it is now time to return to the service of our beloved nation and blessed planet.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-140808-2022-10-05\" id=\"heading-key-message-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-140808-2022-10-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-140808-2022-10-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Security! None of our other public and private goals are possible without a safe nation! We, respecting the sacrifice of all the world's military personnel are the most passionate of preserving international peace by promoting diplomacy over conflict in the three currently crucial areas of Russia, China, and Korea. Having participated in the end of the Cold War through NATO military service, we are best qualified to return to the \"tonaliity of peace\" rather than the rhetoric of greede\"</li><li>Compassion !\"It's the Environment Stupid\" A little humor, but an important parable. In the last 30 years the chief global concern has moved from improving the economy to protecting the environment. This needs to be the short term priority to secure longer-term political goals. We, alone, the American Values Party, are uniquely qualified to balance quality of life over an environmentally-destroying economic-growth-at-any-cost-short-term mentality. We defend the innocent more passionately than other candidates- the wildlife, the forests, the oceans, the atmosphere - the entire biosphere.</li><li>Fairness! It's the economy! Crucial, but second to the other two platform messages, we alone represent the sweet spot of 80% of the citizens who need to defended from usury interest financing, wasteful government spending, and inadequate funding from mega-corporations and the super- wealthy.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-140808-2022-10-05\" id=\"heading1-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-140808-2022-10-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-140808-2022-10-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-140808-2022-10-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPersonally, coming from a family with a long tradition of military service to the United States, with family members currently still serving; I am very passionate about returning the state of peace we enjoyed in the 1990s and ending any political or military movements returning us to the Cold War mentality of the 1950s through 1980s. As an engineer, I am passionate about data-driven solutions to protect the environment. These include a passion for safe nuclear energy, an accelerated move to widespread solar panels, and expanding and protecting the \"wild,, natural areas\" of the planet, to include oceans, forests, etc.....and to utilize a United States &amp; international coalition of military to support these initiatives. Improving financial fairness for our citizens will be relatively easy if we merely return to the legislation Congress had in place during the 1940s through the 1980s.<br/>\r\nOur platform also includes the brilliant 8-9-9 plan which would increase the number of representatives in the House. This would more accurately align the electoral college result with the popular vote, improve all voter's voice in Congress by cutting in half the ratio of citizens per representative in Congress. Unique to our idea would be to allocate the reaming new 23 seats of 899 to various Native American Nations &amp; vitally important far-flung territory islands of the United States. These new 23 seats would help with our environmental &amp; military initiatives of the 21st century.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Louis Vellucci completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Vellucci's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading-bio-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am the proud father of a wonderful daughter who we raised in the 5th District. My work in several environmental initiatives over the last decade at the state and federal level serendipitously led me back to public service since completing my tour of duty in the Army after graduating from West Point. Other than my NATO service in Europe, this area has been my home since elementary school. Proud to be the son of \"The Greatest Generation,\" the values that my parents, Aunts, and Uncles taught me remain the cornerstone of my personal philosophy and political platform. Like the Founding Fathers, my religion, is quite literally, \"Americanism.\" The role of government is to support its citizens' well being, right to happiness, and the natural environment we are blessed with. Interestingly, a high quality of life is not always measured solely in GDP growth. These values, along with my diverse professional experiences foster an integrated, practical, creative common-sense approach to political conundrums. I believe in the American values of patriotism, gratitude, fairness, security, compassion, and independence from political party dogmas. t\\Thanks to my experience on Wall Street, in the military, and as a teacher, I am well-versed in the inner-workings of American banking, global military strategy, and the most effective methods to raise education standards in the United States. I strongly support sports in our schools,, having benefited from intense ice hockey training.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading-key-message-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Yes, \"it's the economy stupid\" Economic Justice is paramount to ALL American citizen. A free, but FAIR market .70% of our economy is consumer-driven This would include protecting our citizens from unfair interest rates, especially in light of the current 0% interest rate Fed policy through 2023. Additionally savers have a right to competitive interest rates, instead of being coerced to risk. Corporate tax rates need to be progressive, just like individuals, so that the global behemoths can help fund the great nation that buttresses their success, while giving the smaller entrepreneurs and consumers a fairer field to participate in. </li><li>Environmental Protection is a key economic driver we transition to a less wasteful economy. A transition from fossil fuels should include a large component clean carbon-free nuclear energy, raising the US to 40% from the current 20% Nuclear, at the moment, still, reduces noxious gases more than wind &amp; solar combined. As DECADES of data show, nuclear energy has been proven safe, Bill Gates' TerraPower is onboard with my platform. </li><li>I support an even greater investment in our national defense, coupled, of course, with great diplomacy, as demonstrated by the current Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Without safety &amp; security on a global basis, as well as domestically on our city streets, we cannot move forward with our noble goals of enhanced environmental protection, economic fairness, and a more representative government.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading1-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs mentioned above , our public is passionate about environmental protection, to include the protection of innocent wildlife. We need to foster a sustainable lifestyle that protects our atmosphere, our oceans, and the Earth's forests, with a comprehensive, global initiative. Though thankful to live in a prosperous area, it has become prohibitively expensive to live in the Garden State; accordingly, the people demand a fairer economic system that prohibits usury from the too-big-to-fail banking oligarchy, more restraint on well-intentioned government programs and an elimination of government subsidies that are gamed by the few unscrupulous citizens. Being fiscally conservative, supporting a strong Union &amp; military, with compassion to the natural world, and it's innocent inhabitants, exemplified by U. S.. Grant &amp; Eisenhower is my mantra.<br/>\nRemember the \"conservatives\" Grant &amp; Eisenhower were most responsible for promoting Civil Rights amongst Americans!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading2-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs mentioned earlier, I look up to both President Grant &amp; Eisenhower as political role models for being compassionate, fair, and practical. Grant was the consummate animal lover too! More recently, I also look up to Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, both of whom I've had the true honor to meet. President Carter's books inspire me with his belief in non-profit service and the importance of moral reasoning in resolving public problems; and President Clinton always impressed me with his sincere warmth and caring for people. Of course, Ross Perot and Ralph Nader, two individuals I voted for, are role models with their creative, non-partisan insight for providing the right solutions, though the two-party system unfortunately so often ignores their logic. Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis also provide a beautiful, logical paradigm to view the natural world; and motivate us to be grateful and protect the Planet. The prognostic political and military philosophy of LTC Jim Channon has been influential on my views and I am truly honored to have corresponded with the leader of the \"1st Earth Battalion\". Jeremy Rifkin opened my mind decades ago to \"the big picture\" - that being our economic history and it's physical consequences over centuries, rather than the short-term corporate view fostered by modern economics. I differ significantly with him in my environmental solutions, in that I would include nuclear in the green mix, just as France currently does. Most recently, Dr. Joseph Gallenberger, has had a pronounced positive influence on my personal outlook. I also look up to the tenacity and discipline of many military leaders, teachers, and coaches I have been thankful to have been led by, such as the legendary Coach John Orlando .\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading3-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThank you Ballotpedia, great question! I would much rather study from diverse disciplines such as science, economics, and philosophy, to arrive at creative, integrated solutions, rather than spend my time raising money. Here you go!<br/><br/>\n<p>The Good Earth, Pearl S Buck - still relevant today!<br/>\nEntropy, Jeremy Rifkin - first 40 pages - awesome millennial economic/philosophical synopsis <br/>\nWealth &amp; Poverty George Gilder - social aspect of economics<br/>\nIrrational Exuberance, Robert Shiller - bubbles tend to reoccur<br/>\nEisenhower In War &amp; Peace, Jean Edward Smith<br/>\nAmerican Ulysses (US Grant), Ronald C White<br/>\nAmerican Soldier, Gen Tommy Franks<br/>\nFirst Earth Battalion Handbook*, Jim Channon<br/>\nAmerican Underdog, Congressman David Brat Morals, Philosophy count!<br/>\nThe Great 401k Hoax &amp; Judas Economy, Wm Wolman ,Anne Colamosca Capital vs Labor balance<br/>\nBad Money &amp; Wealth &amp; Democracy, Kevin Phillips Finance Oversized influence on economy<br/>\nThe Crash of 2016, Thom Hartmann Corporate Power<br/>\nPower To Save The World, Gwyneth Cravens why Nuclear energy is green <br/>\nTrump :The Blue-Collar President, Anthony Scaramucci<br/>\nFor The Record, Donald Regan<br/>\nThe Good Fight, To The Ramparts, others Ralph Nader<br/>\nA Big Little Life, Dean Koontz The\" Goldens\" Rule! <br/>\nCaptured/Corporate Infiltration of Amer Democracy, US Senator Whitehouse<br/>\nThe Hundred Year Marathon, Michael Pillsbury China Competition<br/>\nLAUDATO SI, (Praise Be), Pope Francis- Secular essay integrating Environment/Economy/Sociology<br/>\nCrossing The Threshold of Hope &amp; Be Not Afraid Pope John Paul II- First books\" by a Pontiff<br/>\nThe Jefferson Bible -compiled by Thomas Jefferson<br/>\nThe Hidden Life of Tress, Peter Wohlleben will expand your mental paradigm<br/>\nLiquid Luck Joseph Gallenberger <br/>\nListen Liberal, Thomas Frank, New Dems abandon labor for banks<br/>\nThe Green New Deal, Rifkin<br/>\nHow Full is Your Bucket, Tom Rath<br/>\nThe Great Influenza, John Barry<br/>\n</p>\nFour Fish, Wild Food, P Greenberg -Protect The Oceans\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading4-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNon-partial representation is paramount. FAIRNESS all the way! Seems like big business may have an undue advantage over the citizenry and innocent physical environment we depend on !\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading5-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t Fairly represent your district, the nation as a whole, and the global ecosystem. Sound, moral judgement to most efficiently and fairly allocate resources for maximum benefit to all.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading6-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSustainability. Reverse the trend of the modern economy in destroying the physical environment and biodiversity. Rein in international greed attacking innocent wildlife. Protect our oceans, atmosphere, and forests. Bring back the proper balance of labor and capital, to strengthen and broaden the US middle class, while emphasizing a high quality lifestyle, not solely dependent on radical economic stimulus.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading7-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI still have my scrapbook with Apollo 11 clippings as a 1st Grader. This still inspires me, not only because of their bravery and skill, but also because of the unique perspective of the Earth only they could have experienced. Edgar Mitchell's view of politics to emphasize peace and respect for our environment needs to be pondered by us mere mortals....like I always say, \"If you want a good politician- recruit an astronaut!\"<br/><br/>\nI was jubilant to see the Berlin Wall come down, after serving in the same spot my dad had 40 years prior. <br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading8-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tFiction: The Good Earth....a better way of being in harmony with the natural world.<br/><br/>\n<p>Non-Fiction Science: Entropy, Jeremy Rifkin Sustainability &amp; Economics<br/><br/>\nNon-Fiction: Liquid Luck Dr. Joseph Gallenberger &amp; How Full Is Your Bucket? Tom Rath<br/>\n</p>\n Read this books for a healthy social philosophy\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading9-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Iron Giant. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading10-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe US House has the unique strength of having the greatest number of members- in fact that number should be doubled to provide even better representative government for the citizens, and increase the correlation of the electoral college to the popular vote. A simple idea with a double win-win! However, this advantage of the House in fostering representative government for its constituents is lost when the two-party system coaxes members to too often vote strictly along party lines. This dissuades creative thinking, and leads to more divisiveness that hinders speedy political compromise. Our economy and environment has little time to waste! We need more independents in the House! This binary-event system is, for sure, NOT the most effective!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading11-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tNo. We would benefit from more diversity in our government. More engineers, farmers, business people, veterans, and homemakers would be a great thing (perhaps less bankers for now-, seems like we've had quite a few of them in both Democratic and Republican administrations recently!) In fact, we would hardly recognize the original representatives. Fewer lawyers, and, more \"middle-class\" folks? They can relate better to their constituents. The \"workers party\" is currently being led by someone worth over$100 million. Does that really make sense?\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading12-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe greatest challenge to the United States are the still present military challenges of a very small number of rogue states and the acceleration of environmental degradation from very small changes in the Earth's sensitive ecosystem balance of temperature, ocean acidity, and atmospheric chemical composition, as adversely influenced by the modern economic model. The third challenge is internal, and the easiest to remedy, that being the destruction of the economic model of the past that correctly balanced capital and labor to sustain the long-term success of DOMESTIC United States economy..\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading13-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIf you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tFinance Committee<br/>\nEnvironemntal Protection/Wildlife Committee<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-92116-2020-09-27\" id=\"heading14-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-92116-2020-09-27\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-92116-2020-09-27\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-92116-2020-09-27\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tGeorge Graham Vest<br/>\n<p>Author of \"Eulogy For a Dog\"<br/>\n</p>\nHe gets it!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(\"div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0\"); });</script></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nLouis Vellucci completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Vellucci's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. We represent the electorate of our district, our nation, and our planet, to include the natural world; better than the two major party candidates, The American Values Party is based on our shared values, rather than partisan party politics. Our Values include Fairness, Security, Compassion, Gratitude & Respect. My multi-decade public service spans the military, non-profit advocacy for wildlife,, financing environment protection, and most recently, as an ambassador to tens of thousands of citizens of the global community.. A near life-long resident of the 5th District community, currently less obligated to the most important duty of raising a family, it is now time to return to the service of our beloved nation and blessed planet. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Security! None of our other public and private goals are possible without a safe nation! We, respecting the sacrifice of all the world's military personnel are the most passionate of preserving international peace by promoting diplomacy over conflict in the three currently crucial areas of Russia, China, and Korea. Having participated in the end of the Cold War through NATO military service, we are best qualified to return to the \"tonaliity of peace\" rather than the rhetoric of greede\" Compassion !\"It's the Environment Stupid\" A little humor, but an important parable. In the last 30 years the chief global concern has moved from improving the economy to protecting the environment. This needs to be the short term priority to secure longer-term political goals. We, alone, the American Values Party, are uniquely qualified to balance quality of life over an environmentally-destroying economic-growth-at-any-cost-short-term mentality. We defend the innocent more passionately than other candidates- the wildlife, the forests, the oceans, the atmosphere - the entire biosphere. Fairness! It's the economy! Crucial, but second to the other two platform messages, we alone represent the sweet spot of 80% of the citizens who need to defended from usury interest financing, wasteful government spending, and inadequate funding from mega-corporations and the super- wealthy. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Personally, coming from a family with a long tradition of military service to the United States, with family members currently still serving; I am very passionate about returning the state of peace we enjoyed in the 1990s and ending any political or military movements returning us to the Cold War mentality of the 1950s through 1980s. As an engineer, I am passionate about data-driven solutions to protect the environment. These include a passion for safe nuclear energy, an accelerated move to widespread solar panels, and expanding and protecting the \"wild,, natural areas\" of the planet, to include oceans, forests, etc.....and to utilize a United States & international coalition of military to support these initiatives. Improving financial fairness for our citizens will be relatively easy if we merely return to the legislation Congress had in place during the 1940s through the 1980s. Our platform also includes the brilliant 8-9-9 plan which would increase the number of representatives in the House. This would more accurately align the electoral college result with the popular vote, improve all voter's voice in Congress by cutting in half the ratio of citizens per representative in Congress. Unique to our idea would be to allocate the reaming new 23 seats of 899 to various Native American Nations & vitally important far-flung territory islands of the United States. These new 23 seats would help with our environmental & military initiatives of the 21st century.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.\n\n\nLouis Vellucci completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Vellucci's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am the proud father of a wonderful daughter who we raised in the 5th District. My work in several environmental initiatives over the last decade at the state and federal level serendipitously led me back to public service since completing my tour of duty in the Army after graduating from West Point. Other than my NATO service in Europe, this area has been my home since elementary school. Proud to be the son of \"The Greatest Generation,\" the values that my parents, Aunts, and Uncles taught me remain the cornerstone of my personal philosophy and political platform. Like the Founding Fathers, my religion, is quite literally, \"Americanism.\" The role of government is to support its citizens' well being, right to happiness, and the natural environment we are blessed with. Interestingly, a high quality of life is not always measured solely in GDP growth. These values, along with my diverse professional experiences foster an integrated, practical, creative common-sense approach to political conundrums. I believe in the American values of patriotism, gratitude, fairness, security, compassion, and independence from political party dogmas. t\\Thanks to my experience on Wall Street, in the military, and as a teacher, I am well-versed in the inner-workings of American banking, global military strategy, and the most effective methods to raise education standards in the United States. I strongly support sports in our schools,, having benefited from intense ice hockey training. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Yes, \"it's the economy stupid\" Economic Justice is paramount to ALL American citizen. A free, but FAIR market .70% of our economy is consumer-driven This would include protecting our citizens from unfair interest rates, especially in light of the current 0% interest rate Fed policy through 2023. Additionally savers have a right to competitive interest rates, instead of being coerced to risk. Corporate tax rates need to be progressive, just like individuals, so that the global behemoths can help fund the great nation that buttresses their success, while giving the smaller entrepreneurs and consumers a fairer field to participate in. Environmental Protection is a key economic driver we transition to a less wasteful economy. A transition from fossil fuels should include a large component clean carbon-free nuclear energy, raising the US to 40% from the current 20% Nuclear, at the moment, still, reduces noxious gases more than wind & solar combined. As DECADES of data show, nuclear energy has been proven safe, Bill Gates' TerraPower is onboard with my platform. I support an even greater investment in our national defense, coupled, of course, with great diplomacy, as demonstrated by the current Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Without safety & security on a global basis, as well as domestically on our city streets, we cannot move forward with our noble goals of enhanced environmental protection, economic fairness, and a more representative government. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? As mentioned above , our public is passionate about environmental protection, to include the protection of innocent wildlife. We need to foster a sustainable lifestyle that protects our atmosphere, our oceans, and the Earth's forests, with a comprehensive, global initiative. Though thankful to live in a prosperous area, it has become prohibitively expensive to live in the Garden State; accordingly, the people demand a fairer economic system that prohibits usury from the too-big-to-fail banking oligarchy, more restraint on well-intentioned government programs and an elimination of government subsidies that are gamed by the few unscrupulous citizens. Being fiscally conservative, supporting a strong Union & military, with compassion to the natural world, and it's innocent inhabitants, exemplified by U. S.. Grant & Eisenhower is my mantra. Remember the \"conservatives\" Grant & Eisenhower were most responsible for promoting Civil Rights amongst Americans! Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? As mentioned earlier, I look up to both President Grant & Eisenhower as political role models for being compassionate, fair, and practical. Grant was the consummate animal lover too! More recently, I also look up to Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, both of whom I've had the true honor to meet. President Carter's books inspire me with his belief in non-profit service and the importance of moral reasoning in resolving public problems; and President Clinton always impressed me with his sincere warmth and caring for people. Of course, Ross Perot and Ralph Nader, two individuals I voted for, are role models with their creative, non-partisan insight for providing the right solutions, though the two-party system unfortunately so often ignores their logic. Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis also provide a beautiful, logical paradigm to view the natural world; and motivate us to be grateful and protect the Planet. The prognostic political and military philosophy of LTC Jim Channon has been influential on my views and I am truly honored to have corresponded with the leader of the \"1st Earth Battalion\". Jeremy Rifkin opened my mind decades ago to \"the big picture\" - that being our economic history and it's physical consequences over centuries, rather than the short-term corporate view fostered by modern economics. I differ significantly with him in my environmental solutions, in that I would include nuclear in the green mix, just as France currently does. Most recently, Dr. Joseph Gallenberger, has had a pronounced positive influence on my personal outlook. I also look up to the tenacity and discipline of many military leaders, teachers, and coaches I have been thankful to have been led by, such as the legendary Coach John Orlando . Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? Thank you Ballotpedia, great question! I would much rather study from diverse disciplines such as science, economics, and philosophy, to arrive at creative, integrated solutions, rather than spend my time raising money. Here you go! The Good Earth, Pearl S Buck - still relevant today! Entropy, Jeremy Rifkin - first 40 pages - awesome millennial economic/philosophical synopsis Wealth & Poverty George Gilder - social aspect of economics Irrational Exuberance, Robert Shiller - bubbles tend to reoccur Eisenhower In War & Peace, Jean Edward Smith American Ulysses (US Grant), Ronald C White American Soldier, Gen Tommy Franks First Earth Battalion Handbook*, Jim Channon American Underdog, Congressman David Brat Morals, Philosophy count! The Great 401k Hoax & Judas Economy, Wm Wolman ,Anne Colamosca Capital vs Labor balance Bad Money & Wealth & Democracy, Kevin Phillips Finance Oversized influence on economy The Crash of 2016, Thom Hartmann Corporate Power Power To Save The World, Gwyneth Cravens why Nuclear energy is green Trump :The Blue-Collar President, Anthony Scaramucci For The Record, Donald Regan The Good Fight, To The Ramparts, others Ralph Nader A Big Little Life, Dean Koontz The\" Goldens\" Rule! Captured/Corporate Infiltration of Amer Democracy, US Senator Whitehouse The Hundred Year Marathon, Michael Pillsbury China Competition LAUDATO SI, (Praise Be), Pope Francis- Secular essay integrating Environment/Economy/Sociology Crossing The Threshold of Hope & Be Not Afraid Pope John Paul II- First books\" by a Pontiff The Jefferson Bible -compiled by Thomas Jefferson The Hidden Life of Tress, Peter Wohlleben will expand your mental paradigm Liquid Luck Joseph Gallenberger Listen Liberal, Thomas Frank, New Dems abandon labor for banks The Green New Deal, Rifkin How Full is Your Bucket, Tom Rath The Great Influenza, John Barry Four Fish, Wild Food, P Greenberg -Protect The Oceans What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Non-partial representation is paramount. FAIRNESS all the way! Seems like big business may have an undue advantage over the citizenry and innocent physical environment we depend on ! What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Fairly represent your district, the nation as a whole, and the global ecosystem. Sound, moral judgement to most efficiently and fairly allocate resources for maximum benefit to all. What legacy would you like to leave? Sustainability. Reverse the trend of the modern economy in destroying the physical environment and biodiversity. Rein in international greed attacking innocent wildlife. Protect our oceans, atmosphere, and forests. Bring back the proper balance of labor and capital, to strengthen and broaden the US middle class, while emphasizing a high quality lifestyle, not solely dependent on radical economic stimulus. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I still have my scrapbook with Apollo 11 clippings as a 1st Grader. This still inspires me, not only because of their bravery and skill, but also because of the unique perspective of the Earth only they could have experienced. Edgar Mitchell's view of politics to emphasize peace and respect for our environment needs to be pondered by us mere mortals....like I always say, \"If you want a good politician- recruit an astronaut!\" I was jubilant to see the Berlin Wall come down, after serving in the same spot my dad had 40 years prior. What is your favorite book? Why? Fiction: The Good Earth....a better way of being in harmony with the natural world. Non-Fiction Science: Entropy, Jeremy Rifkin Sustainability & Economics Non-Fiction: Liquid Luck Dr. Joseph Gallenberger & How Full Is Your Bucket? Tom Rath Read this books for a healthy social philosophy If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be? The Iron Giant. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The US House has the unique strength of having the greatest number of members- in fact that number should be doubled to provide even better representative government for the citizens, and increase the correlation of the electoral college to the popular vote. A simple idea with a double win-win! However, this advantage of the House in fostering representative government for its constituents is lost when the two-party system coaxes members to too often vote strictly along party lines. This dissuades creative thinking, and leads to more divisiveness that hinders speedy political compromise. Our economy and environment has little time to waste! We need more independents in the House! This binary-event system is, for sure, NOT the most effective! Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? No. We would benefit from more diversity in our government. More engineers, farmers, business people, veterans, and homemakers would be a great thing (perhaps less bankers for now-, seems like we've had quite a few of them in both Democratic and Republican administrations recently!) In fact, we would hardly recognize the original representatives. Fewer lawyers, and, more \"middle-class\" folks? They can relate better to their constituents. The \"workers party\" is currently being led by someone worth over$100 million. Does that really make sense? What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? The greatest challenge to the United States are the still present military challenges of a very small number of rogue states and the acceleration of environmental degradation from very small changes in the Earth's sensitive ecosystem balance of temperature, ocean acidity, and atmospheric chemical composition, as adversely influenced by the modern economic model. The third challenge is internal, and the easiest to remedy, that being the destruction of the economic model of the past that correctly balanced capital and labor to sustain the long-term success of DOMESTIC United States economy.. If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of? Finance Committee Environemntal Protection/Wildlife Committee Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? George Graham Vest Author of \"Eulogy For a Dog\" He gets it!\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]