Benjamin Taylor

[{"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>Benjamin Taylor 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 Taylor'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-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading-bio-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-249025-2024-06-10\" 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-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-249025-2024-06-10\" 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 Ben Taylor and I've lived in northern New Jersey all my life. I was born in 1998, and while growing up, I found an interest in politics by watching the news and learning about history. My formative years exposed me to some of the most progressive policy promises seen in American modern history-- promises that were followed by some of the worst crises of American modern history. The wars waged against dozens of countries, and the crimes thereof exposed by WikiLeaks forced me to ask myself difficult questions about my country. The financial crisis of 2008 and the subsequent bailouts filled me with discontent. As a fast-learning teen with a developing brain, it became obvious to me that there was something deeply wrong with my country's political system. That's why I decided to study political science at Rutgers University, and I graduated cum laude with my bachelor's degree in 2021. However, mycology and plant science also became true passions of mine, and since attaining my degree, I've been working at a garden center and spending time foraging in nature. Following the start of Israel's genocide in Gaza in late 2023, I felt compelled to get involved with politics once again, and I am now the Green Party candidate running in New Jersey's 9th congressional district.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading-key-message-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-249025-2024-06-10\" 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-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I will stand with Palestine against the Israeli genocide. Israel is a settler-colonial apartheid state, and right now in New Jersey, I am the only anti-genocide candidate running in CD-9. I want voters to know that there is a voice against genocide on the ballot. The crime of genocide must be prevented and punished, as per the Genocide Convention, and all member parties (including the United States) are required by international law to fulfill this mandate. I promise to do everything within my power to block all weapons to Israel and punish the international criminals who perpetrate, aid, and abet genocide.</li><li>Economic justice for the many means universal single-payer healthcare, free education at all levels, free housing for all, and increasing the federal minimum wage. I want voters to know that these forgotten promises are still alive in the New Jersey Green Party. These services must be ratified as human rights, and I intend to push for military spending to be redirected toward these social programs. For-profit education, housing, and healthcare are entirely unacceptable in 2024. I will develop a cohesive strategy to begin implementing these changes on day one. In my district, the people of New Jersey are being robbed of their futures by corporate greed, and I will never accept that.</li><li>The looming climate catastrophe must be addressed in a way that is in line with the scientific consensus, historical reality, and current material conditions. We are already well past the deadline to slow down the fossil fuel industry. Instead of addressing reality, our representatives are \"greenwashing\" their actions, following in the footsteps of BP's propaganda campaign. Plastic straw and grocery bag bans reinforce one of the biggest lies of our time: the myth of individual responsibility. Too many people, especially young people, have fallen prey to anxiety and doubt regarding their personal impacts on climate change. Instead of shaming consumers, I promise to fight climate change by fighting oil producers.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading1-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-249025-2024-06-10\" 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=\"heading1-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tI have so many personal passions regarding public policy. Social justice, including women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, is extremely important to me. Collective liberation struggles like the Land Back movement and Black Live Matter also have my steadfast support. America's military activities around the world is also a grave concern of mine. Protections for undocumented families and migrant workers must be expanded. Scaling back policing and cutting off the for-profit prison system are both extremely important as well. I also feel that alienation is growing rapidly, contributing to America's mental health crisis. Climate justice must be achieved with actions, not words.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading2-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tI look up to Alan Rockefeller, an expert in mycology and mushroom taxonomy. He openly shares his knowledge with others and has a very down-to-earth teaching style. He has been a role model of mine for many years, and I still like to chat with him when he's able to and explore some of the remaining fungal mysteries of ecology. I also look up to Dr. James White, another mycologist and professor of plant pathology at Rutgers University. We share a passion for fungi, and his wisdom is something that I aspire toward. Journalist and chemist Hamilton Morris is yet another person whom I look up to. He is unafraid to delve into some of the strangest chemical mysteries of the modern age. One example of this is his coverage of apartheid South Africa's secret program to weaponize methaqualone in the event of an anti-apartheid revolution. These great people, among others, seek truth and knowledge using modern science and investigative journalism. As a mycologist and naturalist myself, I look up to those who have a deeper understanding of the natural world than I do. Their humility and generosity is self-evident, and following in their footsteps while navigating the political realm is very important to me.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading3-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-249025-2024-06-10\" 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=\"heading3-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-249025-2024-06-10\" 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 Eye of the Storm - The Political Odyssey Of Yanis Varoufakis is a very informative documentary. I would recommend this documentary for someone who wants to understand parts of my political philosophy and hear serious, concrete critiques of capitalism from an expert of the 21st century. Even though the documentary takes place in Europe, many of the issues addressed are broadly applicable. And, within our modern capitalist society, all economic crises are connected to one another. Our Changing Climate is another documentary series by a Youtube creator that explores visions of ecosocialism and critiques of capitalism. I would highly recommend giving them a watch as well.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading4-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tAbove all else, transparency and honesty are the most important characteristics for any elected official. Secrecy has no place in a democracy, and elected officials must be able to understand the needs of their constituents. Elected officials should also be flexible. As regular people change and grow, so too should the officials who represent them.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading5-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tFor officials elected to Federal Congress, the core responsibility is to represent their constituents on a national level. Someone elected to the House of Representatives must represent the working people of their district, not corporate lobbies. I believe that representatives have a responsibility to decline all funding from corporations and PACs. The purpose of a federal congress is meaningless if representatives are only responsible for corporate interests. Additionally, representatives must be ready to speak on behalf of the issues that their constituency finds important. Above all, representatives are not meant to be pseudo-celebrities who talk down to regular people. They must represent the people fully.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading6-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-249025-2024-06-10\" 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 first job was an internship at the Rutgers Plangere writing center. I was a tutor for other students while studying for my degree. This job lasted for one semester, and I spent that time guiding students toward their own personal writing goals. As both a class and an internship, the final paper allowed tutors to give their own analysis on the writing center and its role, goals, and future improvements. I've always enjoyed teaching and tutoring, and my dialectical-material analysis of the writing center's role at Rutgers was well-received by my professor and fellow tutors.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading7-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat 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=\"heading7-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tThe House of Representatives is unique as it is made up of hundreds of members from different regions of each state. This puts representatives in a unique position as they advocate for their constituency. This allows for representatives with similar constituencies to work together on policy decisions. However, this comes with a unique set of challenges-- as redistricting changes the dynamics of each region, it can be difficult for voters to collectively mobilize behind a candidate they see as having their best interests in mind.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading8-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-249025-2024-06-10\" 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=\"heading8-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tNo. Previous experience in government almost always means previous experience working for PACs and lobbyists. I believe that this is more harmful, as these corporate interests will surely follow their candidate to the representative level. I believe that newcomers with fresh ideas and some knowledge about politics will always be better to represent the people.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading9-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat 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=\"heading9-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tClimate catastrophe is already here, and our government has demonstrated no desire to curb its advancement. I believe that the crises that the climate catastrophe will cause are going to be the greatest challenges ever faced.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading10-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-249025-2024-06-10\" 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 two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tIt depends. As I previously mentioned, term limits won't solve all of our problems. But at least in the short-term, a two-year term limit would likely benefit the people, as many representatives would be forced to resign and sweeping changes would take place. With enough work and organizing, such a large influx of new candidates could yield progressive, ecosocialist results. And that is what I would like to see.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading11-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tTerm limits should be imposed on representatives. No constituency remains the same for thirty years. As the information age progresses and capitalism approaches very late stages, term limits could be an important tool to make sure proactive policies are being put into place, rather than reactive ones. However, term limits aren't going to fix every problem-- we must ensure that there are more systems implemented that give us more options to look toward the future. But, they would definitely open the door for more progress to be made.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading12-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-249025-2024-06-10\" 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 particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tNo.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading13-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tEach and every story from the people of my district is important. No single story makes itself \"memorable,\" but rather the collective story that unfolds paints a picture of collective struggle. I believe that this collective story is the one that deserves the most attention. Our struggles are not separate, and unity will aid us all in pushing back against the ruling class.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading14-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-249025-2024-06-10\" 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 compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tNot always. The principles of democratic centralism are most desirable, and I have little interest in attempting to compromise with for-profit policymakers. However, in my position, compromises would almost certainly be necessary. But the interests of the working people of my district and economic liberation must take priority. I believe that there are many important policies that have yet to be considered.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading15-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tIf elected, this power granted to the House of Representatives would allow me to prioritize military budget cuts and corporate taxes, allowing bills that fund social services to come into effect as soon as possible. This power would also allow me to hold fossil fuel companies accountable, promoting legislature for environmental justice before it is too late. Universal healthcare, including mental health services to address the mental health crisis, are also critical. Lowering taxes on the working class is also highly desirable, and free higher education for all can easily be funded.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading16-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tAbove all else, the House of Representatives should use its investigative power to uncover corruption in the financial, fossil-fuel, and military-industrial sectors. Information regarding corruption should be made available to citizens, and this can easily come from House investigations. We have no reason to rely on media corporations to disclose cases of corruption when they please.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading17-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tGreen Party of New Jersey\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading18-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat committees interest you?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tAll environmental policy-related committees interest me, as well as labor committees.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-249025-2024-06-10\" id=\"heading19-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-249025-2024-06-10\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-249025-2024-06-10\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-249025-2024-06-10\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-249025-2024-06-10\" 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\tAll financial records in the government should be publicly available. Services like AIPAC Tracker are critical for us to fight for the democracy we've been promised for centuries, since everyone can clearly see where politicians are getting their money from. Without financial transparency, there is no accountability. We must have access to these tools in order to observe politicians pushing for legislature that benefits their donors instead of the public. Then, we will be able to hold these officials accountable.\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>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nBenjamin Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Taylor's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. My name is Ben Taylor and I've lived in northern New Jersey all my life. I was born in 1998, and while growing up, I found an interest in politics by watching the news and learning about history. My formative years exposed me to some of the most progressive policy promises seen in American modern history-- promises that were followed by some of the worst crises of American modern history. The wars waged against dozens of countries, and the crimes thereof exposed by WikiLeaks forced me to ask myself difficult questions about my country. The financial crisis of 2008 and the subsequent bailouts filled me with discontent. As a fast-learning teen with a developing brain, it became obvious to me that there was something deeply wrong with my country's political system. That's why I decided to study political science at Rutgers University, and I graduated cum laude with my bachelor's degree in 2021. However, mycology and plant science also became true passions of mine, and since attaining my degree, I've been working at a garden center and spending time foraging in nature. Following the start of Israel's genocide in Gaza in late 2023, I felt compelled to get involved with politics once again, and I am now the Green Party candidate running in New Jersey's 9th congressional district. 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? I will stand with Palestine against the Israeli genocide. Israel is a settler-colonial apartheid state, and right now in New Jersey, I am the only anti-genocide candidate running in CD-9. I want voters to know that there is a voice against genocide on the ballot. The crime of genocide must be prevented and punished, as per the Genocide Convention, and all member parties (including the United States) are required by international law to fulfill this mandate. I promise to do everything within my power to block all weapons to Israel and punish the international criminals who perpetrate, aid, and abet genocide. Economic justice for the many means universal single-payer healthcare, free education at all levels, free housing for all, and increasing the federal minimum wage. I want voters to know that these forgotten promises are still alive in the New Jersey Green Party. These services must be ratified as human rights, and I intend to push for military spending to be redirected toward these social programs. For-profit education, housing, and healthcare are entirely unacceptable in 2024. I will develop a cohesive strategy to begin implementing these changes on day one. In my district, the people of New Jersey are being robbed of their futures by corporate greed, and I will never accept that. The looming climate catastrophe must be addressed in a way that is in line with the scientific consensus, historical reality, and current material conditions. We are already well past the deadline to slow down the fossil fuel industry. Instead of addressing reality, our representatives are \"greenwashing\" their actions, following in the footsteps of BP's propaganda campaign. Plastic straw and grocery bag bans reinforce one of the biggest lies of our time: the myth of individual responsibility. Too many people, especially young people, have fallen prey to anxiety and doubt regarding their personal impacts on climate change. Instead of shaming consumers, I promise to fight climate change by fighting oil producers. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I have so many personal passions regarding public policy. Social justice, including women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, is extremely important to me. Collective liberation struggles like the Land Back movement and Black Live Matter also have my steadfast support. America's military activities around the world is also a grave concern of mine. Protections for undocumented families and migrant workers must be expanded. Scaling back policing and cutting off the for-profit prison system are both extremely important as well. I also feel that alienation is growing rapidly, contributing to America's mental health crisis. Climate justice must be achieved with actions, not words. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to Alan Rockefeller, an expert in mycology and mushroom taxonomy. He openly shares his knowledge with others and has a very down-to-earth teaching style. He has been a role model of mine for many years, and I still like to chat with him when he's able to and explore some of the remaining fungal mysteries of ecology. I also look up to Dr. James White, another mycologist and professor of plant pathology at Rutgers University. We share a passion for fungi, and his wisdom is something that I aspire toward. Journalist and chemist Hamilton Morris is yet another person whom I look up to. He is unafraid to delve into some of the strangest chemical mysteries of the modern age. One example of this is his coverage of apartheid South Africa's secret program to weaponize methaqualone in the event of an anti-apartheid revolution. These great people, among others, seek truth and knowledge using modern science and investigative journalism. As a mycologist and naturalist myself, I look up to those who have a deeper understanding of the natural world than I do. Their humility and generosity is self-evident, and following in their footsteps while navigating the political realm is very important to me. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? In the Eye of the Storm - The Political Odyssey Of Yanis Varoufakis is a very informative documentary. I would recommend this documentary for someone who wants to understand parts of my political philosophy and hear serious, concrete critiques of capitalism from an expert of the 21st century. Even though the documentary takes place in Europe, many of the issues addressed are broadly applicable. And, within our modern capitalist society, all economic crises are connected to one another. Our Changing Climate is another documentary series by a Youtube creator that explores visions of ecosocialism and critiques of capitalism. I would highly recommend giving them a watch as well. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Above all else, transparency and honesty are the most important characteristics for any elected official. Secrecy has no place in a democracy, and elected officials must be able to understand the needs of their constituents. Elected officials should also be flexible. As regular people change and grow, so too should the officials who represent them. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? For officials elected to Federal Congress, the core responsibility is to represent their constituents on a national level. Someone elected to the House of Representatives must represent the working people of their district, not corporate lobbies. I believe that representatives have a responsibility to decline all funding from corporations and PACs. The purpose of a federal congress is meaningless if representatives are only responsible for corporate interests. Additionally, representatives must be ready to speak on behalf of the issues that their constituency finds important. Above all, representatives are not meant to be pseudo-celebrities who talk down to regular people. They must represent the people fully. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first job was an internship at the Rutgers Plangere writing center. I was a tutor for other students while studying for my degree. This job lasted for one semester, and I spent that time guiding students toward their own personal writing goals. As both a class and an internship, the final paper allowed tutors to give their own analysis on the writing center and its role, goals, and future improvements. I've always enjoyed teaching and tutoring, and my dialectical-material analysis of the writing center's role at Rutgers was well-received by my professor and fellow tutors. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The House of Representatives is unique as it is made up of hundreds of members from different regions of each state. This puts representatives in a unique position as they advocate for their constituency. This allows for representatives with similar constituencies to work together on policy decisions. However, this comes with a unique set of challenges-- as redistricting changes the dynamics of each region, it can be difficult for voters to collectively mobilize behind a candidate they see as having their best interests in mind. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? No. Previous experience in government almost always means previous experience working for PACs and lobbyists. I believe that this is more harmful, as these corporate interests will surely follow their candidate to the representative level. I believe that newcomers with fresh ideas and some knowledge about politics will always be better to represent the people. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Climate catastrophe is already here, and our government has demonstrated no desire to curb its advancement. I believe that the crises that the climate catastrophe will cause are going to be the greatest challenges ever faced. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? It depends. As I previously mentioned, term limits won't solve all of our problems. But at least in the short-term, a two-year term limit would likely benefit the people, as many representatives would be forced to resign and sweeping changes would take place. With enough work and organizing, such a large influx of new candidates could yield progressive, ecosocialist results. And that is what I would like to see. What are your thoughts on term limits? Term limits should be imposed on representatives. No constituency remains the same for thirty years. As the information age progresses and capitalism approaches very late stages, term limits could be an important tool to make sure proactive policies are being put into place, rather than reactive ones. However, term limits aren't going to fix every problem-- we must ensure that there are more systems implemented that give us more options to look toward the future. But, they would definitely open the door for more progress to be made. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? No. Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? Each and every story from the people of my district is important. No single story makes itself \"memorable,\" but rather the collective story that unfolds paints a picture of collective struggle. I believe that this collective story is the one that deserves the most attention. Our struggles are not separate, and unity will aid us all in pushing back against the ruling class. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Not always. The principles of democratic centralism are most desirable, and I have little interest in attempting to compromise with for-profit policymakers. However, in my position, compromises would almost certainly be necessary. But the interests of the working people of my district and economic liberation must take priority. I believe that there are many important policies that have yet to be considered. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? If elected, this power granted to the House of Representatives would allow me to prioritize military budget cuts and corporate taxes, allowing bills that fund social services to come into effect as soon as possible. This power would also allow me to hold fossil fuel companies accountable, promoting legislature for environmental justice before it is too late. Universal healthcare, including mental health services to address the mental health crisis, are also critical. Lowering taxes on the working class is also highly desirable, and free higher education for all can easily be funded. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? Above all else, the House of Representatives should use its investigative power to uncover corruption in the financial, fossil-fuel, and military-industrial sectors. Information regarding corruption should be made available to citizens, and this can easily come from House investigations. We have no reason to rely on media corporations to disclose cases of corruption when they please. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Green Party of New Jersey What committees interest you? All environmental policy-related committees interest me, as well as labor committees. What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? All financial records in the government should be publicly available. Services like AIPAC Tracker are critical for us to fight for the democracy we've been promised for centuries, since everyone can clearly see where politicians are getting their money from. Without financial transparency, there is no accountability. We must have access to these tools in order to observe politicians pushing for legislature that benefits their donors instead of the public. Then, we will be able to hold these officials accountable.\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."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Taylor’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p>Ben Taylor supports and endorses the positions outlined by the Green Party, which are always in support of working people, LGBTQ+ communities, global solidarity movements, and our natural environment.\n</p><p>Read more about Ben’s positions and policies below!\n</p><p>Healthcare<br/>\nHealthcare <b>must</b> be treated as a human right. With the amount of money our Congress feeds to the military-industrial complex, dozens of robust social services could be funded instead. There is simply no excuse for our elected representatives to refuse to establish and fund a single-payer universal healthcare system. As treatment and medication prices continue to increase, <b>medical debt</b> remains a serious threat for the people of New Jersey, especially vulnerable workers. I promise to fight for universal healthcare until it is achieved.\n</p><p>Education<br/>\nHigh quality education must be upheld as a human right. The education system in our district is not meeting our needs. Efforts to cut funding for public education have largely been successful, causing widespread deterioration across all school years. The effects of these policies have been catastrophic for an <b>entire generation</b> wracked with unsustainable student debt. Many young people in low-income families are forced to enter the workforce at a very young age rather than pursuing higher education. This has led to widespread alienation. Education <b>must be free</b> at all levels. Knowledge is not to be locked behind a paywall.\n</p><p>When in Congress, I will design comprehensive legislation to cancel all existing student debt. I will also fund free public education at all levels, preventing our future students from suffering under for-profit schools.\n</p><p>Women’s Rights<br/>\nOur society remains entrenched within the patriarchic quagmire. As access to medical procedures like abortions become politicized once again, it is clear that systemic misogyny hasn’t gone anywhere. Abortions are <b>medical procedures</b>, not political tokens to be dangled over peoples’ heads. As such, the right to abortion is as much a human right as it is a women’s right. I will fight for this forever. The uterus is an organ of the human body, and it should <b>never</b> to be politicized.\n</p><p>Additionally, due to the systemic nature of the capitalist, imperialist patriarchy, women are under immense societal pressures. This extends to women in positions of power and authority, as these positions exist to serve and perpetuate the patriarchy. Thus, we must fight to tear up the patriarchy from its roots.\n</p><p>In Congress, introducing legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade will be my top priority. I will continue to push for federal legislation that protects abortion as a basic human right until it passes. I will also enact legislation that mandates paid maternity leave for all mothers.\n</p><p>Indigenous Liberation<br/>\nI oppose settler-colonialism <b>on all fronts</b>, and I will not tolerate settler-colonial ventures perpetrated by the United States government or the corporations it serves. I support the positions and struggles of the Land Back movement. <b>Indigenous liberation</b> a necessary component of climate justice, racial justice, and economic justice. As settler-colonialism continues to export unjust social systems across the globe, it becomes increasingly more important to recognize the inherent right of self-determination for all indigenous peoples. Although some milestones toward indigenous liberation can be achieved through the existing colonial framework, a total restructuring of the capitalist real estate system will be necessary for lasting justice.\n</p><p>In Congress, I will introduce legislation that allows the return of land to indigenous peoples. I will also provide funding for the many sustainable indigenous land-use projects across New Jersey and the country.\n</p><p>Military<br/>\nThe United States military is a foundational component of Western capitalist society. As the <b>largest polluter</b> on the planet, a chorus of anger can be heard not only from those communities most affected by the military’s operations, but also from the very ground we stand upon. The industries that prop up the United States military profit off of violence and death on a global scale. With over 750 bases around the world, military spending and expansion must <b>shrink</b> drastically. I will fight to prevent any further expansion of the United States military, while pushing for the immediate cessation of existing operations. I promise to stand strong as an unwavering voice for peace and solidarity. Profiting off of war cannot be tolerated.\n</p><p>Additionally, it is necessary to reduce the military’s influence on global affairs. The idea of the United States as the <b>“world police”</b> is based entirely in white supremacy and chauvinism. Dangerous and violent rhetoric regarding military <b>“domination”</b> upholds the language of the patriarchy. And military activities that support <b>“America’s interests”</b> serve only the interests of multinational corporations as they seek to expand markets and maximize profits, leaving behind both foreign and domestic instability. Regular people should not be forced to fund these extremist military policies with their tax dollars. Instead, I will redirect military spending toward social programs like universal healthcare, education, housing, and clean energy transitional programs. The lessons shared by both historic and contemporary <b>anti-war</b> movements teach us that this is just the first step toward peace.\n</p><p>I will introduce policies in Congress that would close down overseas military bases, reduce the military budget by at least 50%, and promote wellness and community resources for Americans returning home.\n</p><p>Climate Crisis<br/>\nAs massive corporations pursue unlimited growth and ever-increasing profits, the earth is plummeting toward global <b>climate catastrophe</b>. Sadly, for many fragile ecosystems in New Jersey, time has already run out. We are feeling the effects of climate change month after month, year after year. And as the scientific community turns to our government to recommend solutions before 2030, our government <b>shifts the blame</b> onto consumers and workers. It’s time we hold fossil fuel industries accountable for the terror they continue to unleash upon the many.\n</p><p>In 2004, oil industry giant BP began its “carbon footprint” propaganda campaign. The goal was simple: alter public perception of climate change, transforming it into a <b>consumption</b> issue as opposed to a <b>production</b> issue. BP figured it could absolve itself from the consequences of the climate crisis by shaming those who consume their product. This was a massive win for fossil fuels, as it allowed oil companies to continue business as usual. But for the people of New Jersey, the United States, and the world, the horrific effects of this campaign could not understated. <b>Climate anxiety</b> now plagues young people, spurring self-doubt in the minds of an entire generation. And that very same generation must also grapple with the long-term effects of our government’s inaction.\n</p><p>It is my understanding that we cannot have a proper, scientific conversation about the climate crisis without first recognizing the <b>psychological warfare</b> waged by the fossil fuel industry. That’s why I vow to hold these companies accountable for their actions. The myth of individual responsibility must be challenged at every opportunity. Time is running out. We need to start having serious conversations about how our economic system is unsustainable and contradictory. We <b>cannot allow</b> corporations to continue seeking infinite growth in a finite world. Vulnerable communities around the world are already suffering the consequences of unopposed greed.\n</p><p>In Congress, I will help to design a comprehensive Green New Deal that invites public ownership of renewable energy sources, bans unsustainable farming practices, and reshapes our infrastructure to align with scientific consensus. This will also include jobs in the public sector. Additionally, I will introduce legislation that forces fossil fuel companies, rather than consumers, to pay the costs associated with these transitions.\n</p><p>Occupied Palestine<br/>\nIn the midst of <b>Israel’s genocide</b> against the Palestinians in Gaza, I stand in steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Palestinian struggle is one that extends deep into modern history, as Israel, with the backing of the west, continues its zionist quest to ethnically cleanse the entire region of Palestine. Israeli officials have repeatedly called for genocide, and virtually all our representatives have backed up the Biden administration’s funding of that genocide. It is not the people of Palestine who are antisemitic, nor is it the students across the nation standing up and calling for a ceasefire: zionism is antisemitic.\n</p><p>In Congress, I promise to stand up against the zionist project, demanding an immediate ceasefire, independent investigations into Israel’s crimes, and the <b>immediate</b> end of all weapons sales to Israel.\n</p><p>Drug Decriminalization<br/>\nThe immediate decriminalization of all drugs is a necessary step toward economic justice. Drug use should never be a criminal offense. The War on Drugs, since its inception, has only been used to <b>increase policing</b> in communities of color and against political activists. This has led to mass incarceration, with the United States far surpassing the rest of the world in prison population. This is unacceptable. The simple act of ingesting a mind-altering substance cannot be justified as a federal crime.\n</p><p>When elected to Congress, I will design policy that restricts the DEA, eventually phasing it out completely. Additionally, I will fund addiction treatment to be accessible for all, and harm reduction resources to be abundantly available.\n</p><p>Mental Health Crisis<br/>\nNew Jersey is in the midst of a <b>mental health crisis</b>, fueled in part by pharmaceutical companies. Low standards of living, especially among low-income communities, only exacerbate the problem. In addition, access to mental healthcare is unacceptably low in the face of this crisis. Lawmakers <b>have failed</b> to provide any solutions– instead, they would rather give more funding and grants to pharmaceutical companies that have <b>proven</b> themselves ineffective. Churning out new, marketable SSRIs and atypical antipsychotics simply pads the wallets at Big Pharma.\n</p><p>Widespread <b>alienation</b> is becoming a terrifying trend for young people as their futures remain in jeopardy. Feelings of personal fulfillment and confidence are rapidly declining. Employers continually increase their requirements, making the job market nearly impossible to navigate. All of these struggles put tremendous amounts of pressure on the people of New Jersey, who often live <b>paycheck to paycheck</b>.\n</p><p>This is why we need to fight for novel mental health solutions that show great promise. This is why, in Congress, I will fully support <b>Psychedelic Assisted Therapy</b> and advocate for its full legalization in conjunction with full accessibility. However, we cannot end the mental health crisis without also tackling <b>systemic contradictions</b> sewn into the fabric of our society. Economic justice for the many is the only way forward, and my policies centered around restricting advertising, lowering work hours, and increasing wages are necessary for long-term healing. By coming together and rallying for an equitable economic system, and by talking about our personal struggles in support groups and social circles, we can begin to combat the divisive alienation that isolates our common goals.\n</p><p>LGBTQ+ Issues<br/>\nThe LGBTQ+ community has endured marginalization from all directions, demonstrating great <b>resiliency and bravery</b>. As our government strips away the few protections that had been fought for and won, I reaffirm my commitment to LGBTQ+ justice. Additionally, the social construction of gender must be challenged. LGBTQ+ rights are <b>human rights</b>.\n</p><p>In Congress, I will help design federal protections for transgender identities and push back against the cruel, transphobic legislation that invites bigotry to our communities. I will also introduce legislation that provides critical resources to families and victims of hate crimes.\n</p><p>Prison and Police<br/>\nThe United States currently holds the record for prison population out of all countries on the planet. Our prisons in New Jersey have the <b>highest racial disparities</b> in the country, making them some of the most racist and corrupt prison institutions in the world. A study in 2022 demonstrated that black adults were <b>12 times</b> more likely to be imprisoned than white adults, and despite black folks comprising <b>15%</b> of New Jersey’s population, they account for <b>59%</b> of all prison inmates. These are more than just statistics: they represent the real material conditions for communities of color living in our state. The law enforcement system of New Jersey is, simply put, astoundingly <b>racist</b>. Over-policing of communities of color leads to shockingly illegal levels of racial profiling.\n</p><p>Furthermore, the racist prison institution is enmeshed within the profit-driven capitalist system. Private prisons make enormous amounts of money by exploiting prison labor. This is legalized <b>slavery</b>. All private prisons should be immediately closed, and no person should ever be subjected to forced labor. Restructuring the United States prison system is absolutely necessary as a matter of racial and economic justice, and I will take all possible measures to fight for reparations.\n</p><p>Police violence and militarization has no place in New Jersey, and as students and faculty across the nation protest against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza in 2024, I stand in solidarity with the collective struggle. I call for full investigations into the egregious acts of police misconduct at these protests. The police are <b>never</b> above the law.\n</p><p>No institution that employs this amount of racism should ever be trusted to enforce the law. This is why, in Congress, I will introduce measures to dramatically reduce police funding, cutting off access to military equipment. I will enact legislation to close for-profit prisons and help design new training programs for law enforcement. Furthermore, I will fund new, alternative institutions that serve people in need.\n</p><p>Immigration<br/>\nDue to the material conditions affecting many communities in Latin America, migrant workers have been forced to find work elsewhere. These conditions are the result of American <b>military interventions</b> in the late 1900s, as several socialist revolutions swept across the Central and South American continent. CIA-backed coups resulted in the establishment of many right-wing dictatorships that allowed for mass privatization of industry. Although not all coups were successful, the resulting conditions brought only <b>poverty</b> to the working people.\n</p><p>Economic justice, in part, means that the United States must <b>take responsibility</b> for its violence in Latin America and its theft of industry. Instead, however, the United States has increased its militarization at the Mexican border with bipartisan support. As <b>policing</b> increases, so too do arrests and deportations, allowing the xenophobic narrative to gain traction by pointing out an apparent “increase in crime.”\n</p><p>In Congress, I will support robust <b>citizenship programs</b> for migrant workers and their families. I stand in solidarity with all immigrants, and I will fight for <b>labor protections</b> to combat the dangerous working conditions faced by many migrant workers. Additionally, education programs must be made available for all immigrants regardless of documentation. I will never tolerate any policies that treat human beings only as laborers.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Benjamin Taylor’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-3\"><a href=\"#cite_note-3\">[3]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Taylor’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Ben Taylor supports and endorses the positions outlined by the Green Party, which are always in support of working people, LGBTQ+ communities, global solidarity movements, and our natural environment. Read more about Ben’s positions and policies below! Healthcare Healthcare must be treated as a human right. With the amount of money our Congress feeds to the military-industrial complex, dozens of robust social services could be funded instead. There is simply no excuse for our elected representatives to refuse to establish and fund a single-payer universal healthcare system. As treatment and medication prices continue to increase, medical debt remains a serious threat for the people of New Jersey, especially vulnerable workers. I promise to fight for universal healthcare until it is achieved. Education High quality education must be upheld as a human right. The education system in our district is not meeting our needs. Efforts to cut funding for public education have largely been successful, causing widespread deterioration across all school years. The effects of these policies have been catastrophic for an entire generation wracked with unsustainable student debt. Many young people in low-income families are forced to enter the workforce at a very young age rather than pursuing higher education. This has led to widespread alienation. Education must be free at all levels. Knowledge is not to be locked behind a paywall. When in Congress, I will design comprehensive legislation to cancel all existing student debt. I will also fund free public education at all levels, preventing our future students from suffering under for-profit schools. Women’s Rights Our society remains entrenched within the patriarchic quagmire. As access to medical procedures like abortions become politicized once again, it is clear that systemic misogyny hasn’t gone anywhere. Abortions are medical procedures , not political tokens to be dangled over peoples’ heads. As such, the right to abortion is as much a human right as it is a women’s right. I will fight for this forever. The uterus is an organ of the human body, and it should never to be politicized. Additionally, due to the systemic nature of the capitalist, imperialist patriarchy, women are under immense societal pressures. This extends to women in positions of power and authority, as these positions exist to serve and perpetuate the patriarchy. Thus, we must fight to tear up the patriarchy from its roots. In Congress, introducing legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade will be my top priority. I will continue to push for federal legislation that protects abortion as a basic human right until it passes. I will also enact legislation that mandates paid maternity leave for all mothers. Indigenous Liberation I oppose settler-colonialism on all fronts , and I will not tolerate settler-colonial ventures perpetrated by the United States government or the corporations it serves. I support the positions and struggles of the Land Back movement. Indigenous liberation a necessary component of climate justice, racial justice, and economic justice. As settler-colonialism continues to export unjust social systems across the globe, it becomes increasingly more important to recognize the inherent right of self-determination for all indigenous peoples. Although some milestones toward indigenous liberation can be achieved through the existing colonial framework, a total restructuring of the capitalist real estate system will be necessary for lasting justice. In Congress, I will introduce legislation that allows the return of land to indigenous peoples. I will also provide funding for the many sustainable indigenous land-use projects across New Jersey and the country. Military The United States military is a foundational component of Western capitalist society. As the largest polluter on the planet, a chorus of anger can be heard not only from those communities most affected by the military’s operations, but also from the very ground we stand upon. The industries that prop up the United States military profit off of violence and death on a global scale. With over 750 bases around the world, military spending and expansion must shrink drastically. I will fight to prevent any further expansion of the United States military, while pushing for the immediate cessation of existing operations. I promise to stand strong as an unwavering voice for peace and solidarity. Profiting off of war cannot be tolerated. Additionally, it is necessary to reduce the military’s influence on global affairs. The idea of the United States as the “world police” is based entirely in white supremacy and chauvinism. Dangerous and violent rhetoric regarding military “domination” upholds the language of the patriarchy. And military activities that support “America’s interests” serve only the interests of multinational corporations as they seek to expand markets and maximize profits, leaving behind both foreign and domestic instability. Regular people should not be forced to fund these extremist military policies with their tax dollars. Instead, I will redirect military spending toward social programs like universal healthcare, education, housing, and clean energy transitional programs. The lessons shared by both historic and contemporary anti-war movements teach us that this is just the first step toward peace. I will introduce policies in Congress that would close down overseas military bases, reduce the military budget by at least 50%, and promote wellness and community resources for Americans returning home. Climate Crisis As massive corporations pursue unlimited growth and ever-increasing profits, the earth is plummeting toward global climate catastrophe . Sadly, for many fragile ecosystems in New Jersey, time has already run out. We are feeling the effects of climate change month after month, year after year. And as the scientific community turns to our government to recommend solutions before 2030, our government shifts the blame onto consumers and workers. It’s time we hold fossil fuel industries accountable for the terror they continue to unleash upon the many. In 2004, oil industry giant BP began its “carbon footprint” propaganda campaign. The goal was simple: alter public perception of climate change, transforming it into a consumption issue as opposed to a production issue. BP figured it could absolve itself from the consequences of the climate crisis by shaming those who consume their product. This was a massive win for fossil fuels, as it allowed oil companies to continue business as usual. But for the people of New Jersey, the United States, and the world, the horrific effects of this campaign could not understated. Climate anxiety now plagues young people, spurring self-doubt in the minds of an entire generation. And that very same generation must also grapple with the long-term effects of our government’s inaction. It is my understanding that we cannot have a proper, scientific conversation about the climate crisis without first recognizing the psychological warfare waged by the fossil fuel industry. That’s why I vow to hold these companies accountable for their actions. The myth of individual responsibility must be challenged at every opportunity. Time is running out. We need to start having serious conversations about how our economic system is unsustainable and contradictory. We cannot allow corporations to continue seeking infinite growth in a finite world. Vulnerable communities around the world are already suffering the consequences of unopposed greed. In Congress, I will help to design a comprehensive Green New Deal that invites public ownership of renewable energy sources, bans unsustainable farming practices, and reshapes our infrastructure to align with scientific consensus. This will also include jobs in the public sector. Additionally, I will introduce legislation that forces fossil fuel companies, rather than consumers, to pay the costs associated with these transitions. Occupied Palestine In the midst of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, I stand in steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Palestinian struggle is one that extends deep into modern history, as Israel, with the backing of the west, continues its zionist quest to ethnically cleanse the entire region of Palestine. Israeli officials have repeatedly called for genocide, and virtually all our representatives have backed up the Biden administration’s funding of that genocide. It is not the people of Palestine who are antisemitic, nor is it the students across the nation standing up and calling for a ceasefire: zionism is antisemitic. In Congress, I promise to stand up against the zionist project, demanding an immediate ceasefire, independent investigations into Israel’s crimes, and the immediate end of all weapons sales to Israel. Drug Decriminalization The immediate decriminalization of all drugs is a necessary step toward economic justice. Drug use should never be a criminal offense. The War on Drugs, since its inception, has only been used to increase policing in communities of color and against political activists. This has led to mass incarceration, with the United States far surpassing the rest of the world in prison population. This is unacceptable. The simple act of ingesting a mind-altering substance cannot be justified as a federal crime. When elected to Congress, I will design policy that restricts the DEA, eventually phasing it out completely. Additionally, I will fund addiction treatment to be accessible for all, and harm reduction resources to be abundantly available. Mental Health Crisis New Jersey is in the midst of a mental health crisis , fueled in part by pharmaceutical companies. Low standards of living, especially among low-income communities, only exacerbate the problem. In addition, access to mental healthcare is unacceptably low in the face of this crisis. Lawmakers have failed to provide any solutions– instead, they would rather give more funding and grants to pharmaceutical companies that have proven themselves ineffective. Churning out new, marketable SSRIs and atypical antipsychotics simply pads the wallets at Big Pharma. Widespread alienation is becoming a terrifying trend for young people as their futures remain in jeopardy. Feelings of personal fulfillment and confidence are rapidly declining. Employers continually increase their requirements, making the job market nearly impossible to navigate. All of these struggles put tremendous amounts of pressure on the people of New Jersey, who often live paycheck to paycheck . This is why we need to fight for novel mental health solutions that show great promise. This is why, in Congress, I will fully support Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and advocate for its full legalization in conjunction with full accessibility. However, we cannot end the mental health crisis without also tackling systemic contradictions sewn into the fabric of our society. Economic justice for the many is the only way forward, and my policies centered around restricting advertising, lowering work hours, and increasing wages are necessary for long-term healing. By coming together and rallying for an equitable economic system, and by talking about our personal struggles in support groups and social circles, we can begin to combat the divisive alienation that isolates our common goals. LGBTQ+ Issues The LGBTQ+ community has endured marginalization from all directions, demonstrating great resiliency and bravery . As our government strips away the few protections that had been fought for and won, I reaffirm my commitment to LGBTQ+ justice. Additionally, the social construction of gender must be challenged. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights . In Congress, I will help design federal protections for transgender identities and push back against the cruel, transphobic legislation that invites bigotry to our communities. I will also introduce legislation that provides critical resources to families and victims of hate crimes. Prison and Police The United States currently holds the record for prison population out of all countries on the planet. Our prisons in New Jersey have the highest racial disparities in the country, making them some of the most racist and corrupt prison institutions in the world. A study in 2022 demonstrated that black adults were 12 times more likely to be imprisoned than white adults, and despite black folks comprising 15% of New Jersey’s population, they account for 59% of all prison inmates. These are more than just statistics: they represent the real material conditions for communities of color living in our state. The law enforcement system of New Jersey is, simply put, astoundingly racist . Over-policing of communities of color leads to shockingly illegal levels of racial profiling. Furthermore, the racist prison institution is enmeshed within the profit-driven capitalist system. Private prisons make enormous amounts of money by exploiting prison labor. This is legalized slavery . All private prisons should be immediately closed, and no person should ever be subjected to forced labor. Restructuring the United States prison system is absolutely necessary as a matter of racial and economic justice, and I will take all possible measures to fight for reparations. Police violence and militarization has no place in New Jersey, and as students and faculty across the nation protest against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza in 2024, I stand in solidarity with the collective struggle. I call for full investigations into the egregious acts of police misconduct at these protests. The police are never above the law. No institution that employs this amount of racism should ever be trusted to enforce the law. This is why, in Congress, I will introduce measures to dramatically reduce police funding, cutting off access to military equipment. I will enact legislation to close for-profit prisons and help design new training programs for law enforcement. Furthermore, I will fund new, alternative institutions that serve people in need. Immigration Due to the material conditions affecting many communities in Latin America, migrant workers have been forced to find work elsewhere. These conditions are the result of American military interventions in the late 1900s, as several socialist revolutions swept across the Central and South American continent. CIA-backed coups resulted in the establishment of many right-wing dictatorships that allowed for mass privatization of industry. Although not all coups were successful, the resulting conditions brought only poverty to the working people. Economic justice, in part, means that the United States must take responsibility for its violence in Latin America and its theft of industry. Instead, however, the United States has increased its militarization at the Mexican border with bipartisan support. As policing increases, so too do arrests and deportations, allowing the xenophobic narrative to gain traction by pointing out an apparent “increase in crime.” In Congress, I will support robust citizenship programs for migrant workers and their families. I stand in solidarity with all immigrants, and I will fight for labor protections to combat the dangerous working conditions faced by many migrant workers. Additionally, education programs must be made available for all immigrants regardless of documentation. I will never tolerate any policies that treat human beings only as laborers. [2] ” —Benjamin Taylor’s campaign website (2024) [3]"}]