DEMOCRACY:

Paramount to any other issue at this moment in time is the future of our Democracy. The survival of our American Democracy, humanity’s first and most durable democracy and the light of the world’s oppressed, must be protected against all enemies, foreign or domestic. The right of self determination and the principle that those who lead do so only by the authority of those led must be held sacrosanct.

We’ve all heard it before, again and again… the two political parties cannot come together to pass meaningful, effective immigration reform. This is the political problem of our time. Unyielding partisanship from either side is strangling this country and making democracy appear to nothing more than an exercise in futility.

These legislative changes to US immigration law are made by Congress, not the President – whose primary function is to enforce the laws made by Congress, or the Courts – who are responsible for interpreting laws made by Congress. Congress has abrogated its responsibility to make reasonable immigration law for decades, due to self aggrandizement, extremism and partisan stalemates based on the current makeup of Congress. The remedy is for the voters to place Independents in Congress capable of responding to voters needs and not the the whims of grandstanding partisan extremism.

BORDER SECURITY:

Let’s start with the fact that it is recognized that we are all immigrants, or come from immigrants, to this land. In my case, perhaps a bit earlier than most, that specific year being 1620, when immigration standards were shall we say, quite lax. America needs strong, effective borders capable of protecting America from an increasingly dangerous world as well as being welcoming to those seeking political and economic asylum.

1) Asylum seekers of both political and economic stripe must be accommodated within our justice system. Funding for immigration judges must be increased (by Congress) to handle existing political asylum claims. Anyone not able to prove clear and present jeopardy, should be returned to their country of origin, credible DACA excluded. Those economic migrants seeking work in the United States unfilled by citizens, should be allowed temporary work/stay status for the duration of the work. Employers of temporary workers will share responsibility assessing legal status. Non-adjudicated asylum seekers within U.S. borders shall be required to report to immigration authority at regular intervals, or face permanent deportation from the country and loss of any chance for citizenship.

2) Border strengthening through increased Border Patrol and electronic surveillance.

3) The overview of America’s current immigration problems is rooted in hemispheric problems. This must be addressed if any long term solutions are ever to be realized. Foreign aid to nations with citizens who feel compelled to migrate to the United States must be contingent upon humanitarian and legal changes necessary to keep their populations from emigrating and strengthen democracies. This may perhaps be loosely interpreted to be a “Marshall Plan” for third world Western Hemisphere countries.

Am I married to this proposal? No I am not! I will work tirelessly towards any fair, rational solution which will provide the United States with strong borders and effective immigration policy. As an Independent first and foremost, I am responsible only to my oath to the Constitution of the United States and you the voter. I am not beholden to any party, lobby, campaign contributor, or partisan authoritarian executive.

THE ECONOMY:

From the price of gas to the cost of milk and eggs, inflation is eating away at American’s incomes at a startling rate. Nobody knows this better than those of us on fixed incomes, and families. I am with you because I am one of you.

CLIMATE CHANGE:

Anthropogenic (man made) climate change is settled science – as much as gravity is. What man hath wrought, man can correct. Although fossil fuels will continue to be an important resource, the continued transition to renewable alternatives must be encouraged and supported if further warming is to be avoided.

IMMIGRATION:

In America, unless we are Native American, we all come from somewhere else. Immigration and citizenry demands accountable and orderly policies so that both citizens and immigrants understand their responsibilities and obligations. The dignity of work and family must be upheld for those willing to come to this nation to do the jobs that Americans won’t.  America needs strong, respected boundaries for both security and economic reasons.

AMERICA’S WILDLANDS:

America’s wildlands, the envy of the world, are our heritage. We protect them because our children have a right to see untrammeled places – a grizzly bear, a 2000 year old tree, a wild river, a glacier, or simply to hear the wind singing on a high peak.