Austin Luther O'Connell

[{"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>Austin O'Connell completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by O'Connell'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-216456-2024-02-10\" id=\"heading-bio-216456-2024-02-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-216456-2024-02-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-216456-2024-02-10\" 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-216456-2024-02-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-216456-2024-02-10\" 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\tMy name is Austin O'Connell, and I am running for the United States House of Representatives in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. Originally from Dublin, Ohio, I have taught in Colorado and abroad for over ten years. I began my career as a second-grade teacher at Crystal River Elementary School in Carbondale. Since then, I have been a teacher at Aspen Middle School, Eagle Valley Middle School, and in the friendly nation of Colombia, where I met my beautiful wife, Melissa. Currently, I am an English teacher at Glenwood Springs High School. As a Colorado resident, I have been blessed to experience many outdoor adventures on the western slope, from Skiing and Snowboarding to hiking and fishing. I truly embrace the adventurous nature of our great state. \r\n\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-216456-2024-02-10\" id=\"heading-key-message-216456-2024-02-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-216456-2024-02-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-216456-2024-02-10\" 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-216456-2024-02-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-216456-2024-02-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>As a candidate for Congress, I proudly embrace the MAGA movement and the positive impact of Donald Trump's leadership on our nation. His commitment to putting America first revitalized our manufacturing sector, renegotiated trade deals to benefit American workers, and strengthened national security. I Support President Trump's initiative to build a border wall and secure our nation's borders. As a Congressperson, I am committed to upholding the principles of the MAGA movement, championing policies that promote economic prosperity, national security, and American exceptionalism. With the spirit of unity and optimism inspired by President Trump, we will continue to Make America Great Again for future generations.</li><li>No Income Tax. Income taxes significantly burden individuals and businesses, stifling economic growth and innovation. High tax rates discourage entrepreneurship, investment, and job creation, hindering the nation's economic potential. Moreover, the tax code's complexity necessitates substantial resources for compliance, diverting time and money away from productive activities. The absurdity of funding foreign wars, such as in Ukraine, through income taxes highlights the need for a paradigm shift in fiscal policy. Eliminating income taxes in the United States is economically beneficial and morally imperative. The nation can foster a more prosperous nation by reducing government spending and exploring alternative revenue sources.</li><li>My vision for education reform prioritizes mental health and promoting healthy lifestyles to promote academic success. We must emphasize healthy lifestyles, including nutrition and physical activity. In addition, I support inspiring and engaging students by empowering individual teachers. I advocate for policies that provide teachers with more autonomy and resources to innovate in the classroom as they inspire our most valuable assets as a nation: our youth. Furthermore, I strongly support granting women teachers a one-year maternity leave, ensuring that both receive healthy development. Additionally, this creates an incentive for individuals considering a career in education, particularly amidst a looming teacher shortage. </li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-216456-2024-02-10\" id=\"heading1-216456-2024-02-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-216456-2024-02-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-216456-2024-02-10\" 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=\"heading1-216456-2024-02-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-216456-2024-02-10\" 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 a candidate for Congress, I emphasize the need for Bitcoin-friendly legislation to address inflation challenges and foster economic resilience. As a decentralized digital currency, Bitcoin offers a hedge against inflationary pressures driven by excessive money printing and government intervention. By embracing Bitcoin, we can promote financial innovation, protect individual sovereignty of wealth, and safeguard against the devaluation of fiat currencies. Implementing clear and supportive regulatory frameworks for Bitcoin will bolster economic stability and position the United States as a leader in the global digital economy. It's time for us to recognize the potential of Bitcoin and enact forward-thinking policies.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-216456-2024-02-10\" id=\"heading2-216456-2024-02-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-216456-2024-02-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-216456-2024-02-10\" 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=\"heading2-216456-2024-02-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-216456-2024-02-10\" 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\tTo get to know me a little more, stay tuned as I publish a book about my experience teaching and many adventures \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-216456-2024-02-10\" id=\"heading3-216456-2024-02-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-216456-2024-02-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-216456-2024-02-10\" 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=\"heading3-216456-2024-02-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-216456-2024-02-10\" 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\tIn the summer of 2015, a man we all know but nobody really knew came down an escalator. Of course, I had seen his shows and knew his story, but I, like all of us up to that point, didn’t have an opinion of the fellow one way or the other. He was just a wealthy celebrity and didn’t elicit emotion from me one way or the other. But I had heard the rumors of the blasphemy he spewed following that golden escalator ride. I had just driven 20 hours from Ohio to Colorado following a nice summer vacation and was too awake to go to bed now. So I figured I’d watch and see what this man had to say for himself, myself. From the start, I absolutely loved it. As I continued watching, I knew in my heart that he would win. He said what I knew most Americans agreed with but had never heard a politician say. Of course, nobody thought he could win. Nobody. My republican friends dismissed him, and of course, the Democrats dismissed him, too. I’m sure a few of us were out there in mid-June, like the lady shouting in the video. Being a degenerate gambler, I quickly looked up the odds on a sportsbook I had used for years. 50-1 to win the presidency! I knew that the Republicans would rally around him once he cleared them all out, so I was never worried about that, and then I figured at least he would have a 50-50 shot. The Dems were going from the beloved Barack Obama to Hilary Clinton, and I knew a few friends who voted for Obama that would indeed not be voting this election. They represented real people, and then I knew that this famous man had awoken some boat rockers who just wanted anything but a politician in office. So, I laid it all on the line: a whopping $350 at 50-1 for Donald Trump to win the 2016 Presidential Election. Over a year after I had placed the bet, all anyone could talk about was this man; the time had finally come. <br/>\n<p>November 8, 2016.<br/>\n</p>\nAnd as they say, the rest is History.<br/></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>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nAustin O'Connell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by O'Connell's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. My name is Austin O'Connell, and I am running for the United States House of Representatives in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. Originally from Dublin, Ohio, I have taught in Colorado and abroad for over ten years. I began my career as a second-grade teacher at Crystal River Elementary School in Carbondale. Since then, I have been a teacher at Aspen Middle School, Eagle Valley Middle School, and in the friendly nation of Colombia, where I met my beautiful wife, Melissa. Currently, I am an English teacher at Glenwood Springs High School. As a Colorado resident, I have been blessed to experience many outdoor adventures on the western slope, from Skiing and Snowboarding to hiking and fishing. I truly embrace the adventurous nature of our great state. 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? As a candidate for Congress, I proudly embrace the MAGA movement and the positive impact of Donald Trump's leadership on our nation. His commitment to putting America first revitalized our manufacturing sector, renegotiated trade deals to benefit American workers, and strengthened national security. I Support President Trump's initiative to build a border wall and secure our nation's borders. As a Congressperson, I am committed to upholding the principles of the MAGA movement, championing policies that promote economic prosperity, national security, and American exceptionalism. With the spirit of unity and optimism inspired by President Trump, we will continue to Make America Great Again for future generations. No Income Tax. Income taxes significantly burden individuals and businesses, stifling economic growth and innovation. High tax rates discourage entrepreneurship, investment, and job creation, hindering the nation's economic potential. Moreover, the tax code's complexity necessitates substantial resources for compliance, diverting time and money away from productive activities. The absurdity of funding foreign wars, such as in Ukraine, through income taxes highlights the need for a paradigm shift in fiscal policy. Eliminating income taxes in the United States is economically beneficial and morally imperative. The nation can foster a more prosperous nation by reducing government spending and exploring alternative revenue sources. My vision for education reform prioritizes mental health and promoting healthy lifestyles to promote academic success. We must emphasize healthy lifestyles, including nutrition and physical activity. In addition, I support inspiring and engaging students by empowering individual teachers. I advocate for policies that provide teachers with more autonomy and resources to innovate in the classroom as they inspire our most valuable assets as a nation: our youth. Furthermore, I strongly support granting women teachers a one-year maternity leave, ensuring that both receive healthy development. Additionally, this creates an incentive for individuals considering a career in education, particularly amidst a looming teacher shortage. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? As a candidate for Congress, I emphasize the need for Bitcoin-friendly legislation to address inflation challenges and foster economic resilience. As a decentralized digital currency, Bitcoin offers a hedge against inflationary pressures driven by excessive money printing and government intervention. By embracing Bitcoin, we can promote financial innovation, protect individual sovereignty of wealth, and safeguard against the devaluation of fiat currencies. Implementing clear and supportive regulatory frameworks for Bitcoin will bolster economic stability and position the United States as a leader in the global digital economy. It's time for us to recognize the potential of Bitcoin and enact forward-thinking policies. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? To get to know me a little more, stay tuned as I publish a book about my experience teaching and many adventures What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? In the summer of 2015, a man we all know but nobody really knew came down an escalator. Of course, I had seen his shows and knew his story, but I, like all of us up to that point, didn’t have an opinion of the fellow one way or the other. He was just a wealthy celebrity and didn’t elicit emotion from me one way or the other. But I had heard the rumors of the blasphemy he spewed following that golden escalator ride. I had just driven 20 hours from Ohio to Colorado following a nice summer vacation and was too awake to go to bed now. So I figured I’d watch and see what this man had to say for himself, myself. From the start, I absolutely loved it. As I continued watching, I knew in my heart that he would win. He said what I knew most Americans agreed with but had never heard a politician say. Of course, nobody thought he could win. Nobody. My republican friends dismissed him, and of course, the Democrats dismissed him, too. I’m sure a few of us were out there in mid-June, like the lady shouting in the video. Being a degenerate gambler, I quickly looked up the odds on a sportsbook I had used for years. 50-1 to win the presidency! I knew that the Republicans would rally around him once he cleared them all out, so I was never worried about that, and then I figured at least he would have a 50-50 shot. The Dems were going from the beloved Barack Obama to Hilary Clinton, and I knew a few friends who voted for Obama that would indeed not be voting this election. They represented real people, and then I knew that this famous man had awoken some boat rockers who just wanted anything but a politician in office. So, I laid it all on the line: a whopping $350 at 50-1 for Donald Trump to win the 2016 Presidential Election. Over a year after I had placed the bet, all anyone could talk about was this man; the time had finally come. November 8, 2016. And as they say, the rest is History.\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."}]