Aria Rey Ursa

[{"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>Aria Ursa 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 Ursa'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-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading-bio-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am an anti-lobbyist, anti-war, humanitarian candidate who despises the 2-party system &amp; wants to enact term &amp; age limits for Congress, SCOTUS, &amp; the Presidency. I also plan to eliminate insider trading by all U.S. politicians. I aim to drastically cut the military budget &amp; bring home our troops. We should repurpose all the money we use to harass the middle east &amp; the rest of the world to help the American people achieve Universal Healthcare, affordable housing, real care for our veterans, free college tuition, paid time off / family leave, maternity / paternity leave, subsidized childcare, &amp; student loan forgiveness. We spend SO MUCH MONEY on the rest of the world, &amp; we tell our citizens that we don't have funds left for anything at home. Time to take that taxpayer funding back &amp; put it toward the people who paid into it: the people of the United States!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading-key-message-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Let's Reset Our Corrupt Government!</li><li>My main goals are to end lobbying, enact term &amp; age limits, &amp; to destroy any ability for congress members to engage in insider trading.</li><li>Lobbyist-corrupted, career-politicians are the reason our government is so dysfunctional. I want to make lobbying illegal &amp; end the concept of \"career politicians\" entirely.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading1-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tHumanitarian/anti-war, anti-corruption/lobbyist, universal healthcare, free college tuition, student loan forgiveness, paid time off, paid family leave, subsidized housing, subsidized childcare, LBGTQIA+ Bill of Rights, Net Neutrality\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading2-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI look up to average Americans right now, who are struggling to survive, yet they keep fighting. I look up to the homeless and veterans, who deserve so much better from our country. I admire American teachers, who risk their lives to educate our children every day, entirely because our government has failed to provide basic human safety for our education system through sensible gun reform. I look up to BIPOC Americans and their ability to persevere through American apartheid. Most of all, I look up to heroic individuals like Bisan Owda, Motaz Azaiza, Plestia Alaqad, and the countless other Palestinians who are surviving a historic genocide (funded by American taxpayers).\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading3-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-214412-2024-02-05\" 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=\"heading3-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tV for Vendetta: \"People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.\"\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading4-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAuthenticity &amp; integrity. Almost no federally elected official currently meets that very basic criteria. I do, because I don't know how to function otherwise. In the past, I've sometimes wished I could be less authentic, if not for my own personal benefit. For better or worse, I am who I am. I can't hide my true self from anyone, not even a stranger.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading5-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am authentic and honest. I am anti-lobbyist, because as a voter I have been enraged by the clear corruption of our government; you don't need to worry about me being bought (like the rest of our government). I'm also well educated and adapt quickly to knew information. I stay as informed about the world as I possibly can. More importantly, I am a real human being, who sincerely cares about the human condition for Americans and the life or death consequences of the foreign wars we're fighting in now. I want to improve the lives of everyone by reducing our military budget considerably, which will reduce the global harm we've been completing as of late. The money we save by not bombing innocent civilians in the Middle East can be used to substantially improve the lives of Americans in the form of affordable housing, free college, student loan debt forgiveness, resolving homelessness, increasing teacher salaries, guaranteeing food for all people in our country, and so much more.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading6-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tListening to &amp; sincerely considering the input of all of your constituents is vital to all public offices. As someone who has been personally ignored by Senator Cantwell, I take great issue with how flagrantly she disregards the people who voted her into office. <br/><br/>\r\nI also believe it is the responsibility of all elected officials to avoid obvious conflicts of interest, especially with foreign interest groups. Senator Cantwell has accepted $399,355+ in funding from foreign interest groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). I will never accept funding from any PAC or lobbyist group.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading7-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI want to leave Congress having accomplished my main goal of dismantling all foreign military bases and returning our troops home. I will enact term limits and age limits for all public offices, as well as harsh regulation and fines for insider trading by American politicians. I will have supported multiple progressives in getting elected across the U.S. in federal and state offices to provide lasting change that benefits the American people long after I leave my role as Senator.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading8-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat 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=\"heading8-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t9/11. I was 8 years old. I didn't know what the Twin Towers were before they fell. I also didn't know that it would lead to so much Islamophobia, war, death, destruction, and wasted tax dollars on the \"War on Terror\" in the Middle East that we are literally continuing now today, because Netanyahu and Biden said so. I am disgusted that our country's leadership is so spineless, cruel, and wasteful. Americans don't want this war.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading9-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWhen I was 14 I worked an extremely part-time summer job as a cashier &amp; server at an ice cream shop and frozen yogurt shop called \"The Yogurt Factory\". The manager and owner of the shop trusted me so greatly, that he had me manage the shop alone frequently.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading10-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThat's a loaded question. I have a lot of favorite books of various genres. I'll stick to my political favorites for simplicity: Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti and How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. They both helped me grow and expand as a feminist and as an anti-racist. Valenti validated my experience as an American woman and provided so much enlightening data for it. Kendi opened my eyes to the full history of colonialism, slavery, and the modern day American apartheid being experienced by BIPOC Americans daily. He also gave me insight of what life is like within the black community and how it responds to American injustice.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading11-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tRich People by Carsie Blanton\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading12-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tChronic pain, health struggles, and medical debt. This country's greed-driven healthcare system has hurt my finances considerably since I was 18, because I happen to have injuries and genetic disorders. In 2014, my appendix almost burst because I refused to pay for an ambulance even though I was insured at the time. Most Americans are familiar with the \"surprise medical bill\" phenomenon that has traumatized me and hurt my finances every time I have an emergency or unexpected medical expenses. We're literally Ubering and Lyfting to the ER to save ourselves the $500 ambulance ride. This is totally ridiculous and unacceptable.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading13-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat 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=\"heading13-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWhite supremacy, corporate oligarchy, &amp; end-stage capitalism.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading14-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTerm limits are the basis of my campaign. Senators get 3 terms max, House Reps get 9 terms, &amp; SCOTUS gets 20 years total or until National Retirement Age (depending on which is sooner). POTUS also gets an age limit of the National Retirement Age.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading15-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe U.S. Senate is the final say in whether to release the purse strings of the U.S. Congress, especially for military operations. That is, assuming the sitting President isn't tyrannical like President George W. Bush or President Biden, who both bi-passed Congress to start unauthorized wars on foreign land. Also, it's the last branch of congress to stop crazy conservatives in The U.S. House from passing absolutely heinous laws on the federal level.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading16-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-214412-2024-02-05\" 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 senators to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tDo I think some experience is better than none? Absolutely! However, the more experienced an American politician is, the more corrupt they are; it's a fine line. I also want to remind Americans that Obama was only a 2 term Senator before becoming President &amp; Trump never even held a federal/government job before becoming President. If these two can achieve the highest public office in the land with such little experience, why are we holding lower offices to higher standards?\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading17-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you think of the filibuster?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIt's stupid. It's a relic that needs to be abolished.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading18-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-214412-2024-02-05\" 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 senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPreviously, I would've said Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Katie Porter, or Elizabeth Warren. However, while I've admired these individuals in the past, they have all been disappointing to the general, progressive public especially as of lately.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading19-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tTell us your favorite joke.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t\"I don’t like ass kissers, flag wavers, or team players. I like people who buck the system. Individualists. I often warn people: Somewhere along the way, someone is going to tell you: ‘There is no I in team.’ What you should tell them is: ‘Maybe not. But there is an I in independence, individuality, and integrity.\" - George Carlin\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading20-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow would you evaluate a judicial nominee?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI want judicial experience that is matched by integrity. Currently, we have too many Supreme Court Justices with either almost no experience &amp; no integrity OR plenty of experience &amp; negative integrity. I would like real human people as Justices.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading21-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse21-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse21-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat kind of relationships would you build with other senators?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading21-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse21-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCollaborative but firm. I won't compromise on what is right, even if I stand totally alone. However, I will always be open to the opinions of others.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading22-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse22-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse22-214412-2024-02-05\" 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=\"heading22-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse22-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIn certain circumstances, absolutely. Not every situation should require compromise, however. Some things are a fundamental right, for example affordable housing, food security, education, and universal healthcare.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading23-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse23-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse23-214412-2024-02-05\" 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. Senate use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading23-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse23-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCorporate &amp; government greed needs to be highly scrutinized. PPP Loans were used, but promises made by companies receiving that money were broken; they promised to hire several more employees after the pandemic ended, and they didn't. They claimed that, \"No one wants to work anymore!\" while posting ghost jobs and now they've totally diluted the job search pool with fake job listings. These companies should be held accountable.<br/><br/>\n<p>Industries and companies capitalizing on greedflation need to be investigated and heavily fined for defrauding the American people, especially after a historic pandemic. Companies who've profited so greatly from artificial price increases while not paying hardly any wage increases to their employees will be obligated to provide additional compensation proportional to the companies \"record earnings\" to all employees below the Executive hierarchy. The American people will also be provided automatic rebates for the excess in price increases.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nPredatory employer behavior like \"Salary Resets\" will be outlawed. Companies like Google, Amazon, and others who are known for using this practice on a regular basis, will be investigated and heavily fined. Employees who returned to their former position at lower pay will be given back-pay, and positions which were subjected to this practice will require immediate wage increases.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading24-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse24-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse24-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading24-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse24-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Ceasefire Coalition and the Global Solidarity Network.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading25-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse25-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse25-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading25-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse25-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tHumanitarianism is paramount. If your appointee thinks military action is the best option for literally any diplomatic situation, then I will not confirm them.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse26-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading26-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse26-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse26-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat committees interest you?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading26-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse26-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCommittee of Appropriations; Committee of Science, Commerce, &amp; Transportation; Committee on Health, Education, Labor &amp; Pensions; Committee on Energy &amp; Natural Resources; Committee on Finance; Committee on Foreign Relations; Committee on Armed Services; Committee on the Judiciary; Committee on Veterans' Affairs; Committee on Small Business &amp; Entrepreneurship\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse27-214412-2024-02-05\" id=\"heading27-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse27-214412-2024-02-05\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse27-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading27-214412-2024-02-05\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse27-214412-2024-02-05\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t100% transparency &amp; accountability.\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\nAria Ursa completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ursa's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am an anti-lobbyist, anti-war, humanitarian candidate who despises the 2-party system & wants to enact term & age limits for Congress, SCOTUS, & the Presidency. I also plan to eliminate insider trading by all U.S. politicians. I aim to drastically cut the military budget & bring home our troops. We should repurpose all the money we use to harass the middle east & the rest of the world to help the American people achieve Universal Healthcare, affordable housing, real care for our veterans, free college tuition, paid time off / family leave, maternity / paternity leave, subsidized childcare, & student loan forgiveness. We spend SO MUCH MONEY on the rest of the world, & we tell our citizens that we don't have funds left for anything at home. Time to take that taxpayer funding back & put it toward the people who paid into it: the people of the United States! 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? Let's Reset Our Corrupt Government! My main goals are to end lobbying, enact term & age limits, & to destroy any ability for congress members to engage in insider trading. Lobbyist-corrupted, career-politicians are the reason our government is so dysfunctional. I want to make lobbying illegal & end the concept of \"career politicians\" entirely. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Humanitarian/anti-war, anti-corruption/lobbyist, universal healthcare, free college tuition, student loan forgiveness, paid time off, paid family leave, subsidized housing, subsidized childcare, LBGTQIA+ Bill of Rights, Net Neutrality Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to average Americans right now, who are struggling to survive, yet they keep fighting. I look up to the homeless and veterans, who deserve so much better from our country. I admire American teachers, who risk their lives to educate our children every day, entirely because our government has failed to provide basic human safety for our education system through sensible gun reform. I look up to BIPOC Americans and their ability to persevere through American apartheid. Most of all, I look up to heroic individuals like Bisan Owda, Motaz Azaiza, Plestia Alaqad, and the countless other Palestinians who are surviving a historic genocide (funded by American taxpayers). Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? V for Vendetta: \"People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.\" What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Authenticity & integrity. Almost no federally elected official currently meets that very basic criteria. I do, because I don't know how to function otherwise. In the past, I've sometimes wished I could be less authentic, if not for my own personal benefit. For better or worse, I am who I am. I can't hide my true self from anyone, not even a stranger. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am authentic and honest. I am anti-lobbyist, because as a voter I have been enraged by the clear corruption of our government; you don't need to worry about me being bought (like the rest of our government). I'm also well educated and adapt quickly to knew information. I stay as informed about the world as I possibly can. More importantly, I am a real human being, who sincerely cares about the human condition for Americans and the life or death consequences of the foreign wars we're fighting in now. I want to improve the lives of everyone by reducing our military budget considerably, which will reduce the global harm we've been completing as of late. The money we save by not bombing innocent civilians in the Middle East can be used to substantially improve the lives of Americans in the form of affordable housing, free college, student loan debt forgiveness, resolving homelessness, increasing teacher salaries, guaranteeing food for all people in our country, and so much more. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Listening to & sincerely considering the input of all of your constituents is vital to all public offices. As someone who has been personally ignored by Senator Cantwell, I take great issue with how flagrantly she disregards the people who voted her into office. I also believe it is the responsibility of all elected officials to avoid obvious conflicts of interest, especially with foreign interest groups. Senator Cantwell has accepted $399,355+ in funding from foreign interest groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). I will never accept funding from any PAC or lobbyist group. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave Congress having accomplished my main goal of dismantling all foreign military bases and returning our troops home. I will enact term limits and age limits for all public offices, as well as harsh regulation and fines for insider trading by American politicians. I will have supported multiple progressives in getting elected across the U.S. in federal and state offices to provide lasting change that benefits the American people long after I leave my role as Senator. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? 9/11. I was 8 years old. I didn't know what the Twin Towers were before they fell. I also didn't know that it would lead to so much Islamophobia, war, death, destruction, and wasted tax dollars on the \"War on Terror\" in the Middle East that we are literally continuing now today, because Netanyahu and Biden said so. I am disgusted that our country's leadership is so spineless, cruel, and wasteful. Americans don't want this war. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? When I was 14 I worked an extremely part-time summer job as a cashier & server at an ice cream shop and frozen yogurt shop called \"The Yogurt Factory\". The manager and owner of the shop trusted me so greatly, that he had me manage the shop alone frequently. What is your favorite book? Why? That's a loaded question. I have a lot of favorite books of various genres. I'll stick to my political favorites for simplicity: Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti and How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. They both helped me grow and expand as a feminist and as an anti-racist. Valenti validated my experience as an American woman and provided so much enlightening data for it. Kendi opened my eyes to the full history of colonialism, slavery, and the modern day American apartheid being experienced by BIPOC Americans daily. He also gave me insight of what life is like within the black community and how it responds to American injustice. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? Rich People by Carsie Blanton What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Chronic pain, health struggles, and medical debt. This country's greed-driven healthcare system has hurt my finances considerably since I was 18, because I happen to have injuries and genetic disorders. In 2014, my appendix almost burst because I refused to pay for an ambulance even though I was insured at the time. Most Americans are familiar with the \"surprise medical bill\" phenomenon that has traumatized me and hurt my finances every time I have an emergency or unexpected medical expenses. We're literally Ubering and Lyfting to the ER to save ourselves the $500 ambulance ride. This is totally ridiculous and unacceptable. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? White supremacy, corporate oligarchy, & end-stage capitalism. What are your thoughts on term limits? Term limits are the basis of my campaign. Senators get 3 terms max, House Reps get 9 terms, & SCOTUS gets 20 years total or until National Retirement Age (depending on which is sooner). POTUS also gets an age limit of the National Retirement Age. What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution? The U.S. Senate is the final say in whether to release the purse strings of the U.S. Congress, especially for military operations. That is, assuming the sitting President isn't tyrannical like President George W. Bush or President Biden, who both bi-passed Congress to start unauthorized wars on foreign land. Also, it's the last branch of congress to stop crazy conservatives in The U.S. House from passing absolutely heinous laws on the federal level. Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics? Do I think some experience is better than none? Absolutely! However, the more experienced an American politician is, the more corrupt they are; it's a fine line. I also want to remind Americans that Obama was only a 2 term Senator before becoming President & Trump never even held a federal/government job before becoming President. If these two can achieve the highest public office in the land with such little experience, why are we holding lower offices to higher standards? What do you think of the filibuster? It's stupid. It's a relic that needs to be abolished. Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Previously, I would've said Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Katie Porter, or Elizabeth Warren. However, while I've admired these individuals in the past, they have all been disappointing to the general, progressive public especially as of lately. Tell us your favorite joke. \"I don’t like ass kissers, flag wavers, or team players. I like people who buck the system. Individualists. I often warn people: Somewhere along the way, someone is going to tell you: ‘There is no I in team.’ What you should tell them is: ‘Maybe not. But there is an I in independence, individuality, and integrity.\" - George Carlin How would you evaluate a judicial nominee? I want judicial experience that is matched by integrity. Currently, we have too many Supreme Court Justices with either almost no experience & no integrity OR plenty of experience & negative integrity. I would like real human people as Justices. What kind of relationships would you build with other senators? Collaborative but firm. I won't compromise on what is right, even if I stand totally alone. However, I will always be open to the opinions of others. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? In certain circumstances, absolutely. Not every situation should require compromise, however. Some things are a fundamental right, for example affordable housing, food security, education, and universal healthcare. How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers? Corporate & government greed needs to be highly scrutinized. PPP Loans were used, but promises made by companies receiving that money were broken; they promised to hire several more employees after the pandemic ended, and they didn't. They claimed that, \"No one wants to work anymore!\" while posting ghost jobs and now they've totally diluted the job search pool with fake job listings. These companies should be held accountable. Industries and companies capitalizing on greedflation need to be investigated and heavily fined for defrauding the American people, especially after a historic pandemic. Companies who've profited so greatly from artificial price increases while not paying hardly any wage increases to their employees will be obligated to provide additional compensation proportional to the companies \"record earnings\" to all employees below the Executive hierarchy. The American people will also be provided automatic rebates for the excess in price increases. Predatory employer behavior like \"Salary Resets\" will be outlawed. Companies like Google, Amazon, and others who are known for using this practice on a regular basis, will be investigated and heavily fined. Employees who returned to their former position at lower pay will be given back-pay, and positions which were subjected to this practice will require immediate wage increases. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? The Ceasefire Coalition and the Global Solidarity Network. What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet? Humanitarianism is paramount. If your appointee thinks military action is the best option for literally any diplomatic situation, then I will not confirm them. What committees interest you? Committee of Appropriations; Committee of Science, Commerce, & Transportation; Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; Committee on Energy & Natural Resources; Committee on Finance; Committee on Foreign Relations; Committee on Armed Services; Committee on the Judiciary; Committee on Veterans' Affairs; Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? 100% transparency & accountability.\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."}]