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The
Green Party of New Jersey NJ Assembly - 5th District |
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I am long-time political activist who deeply
believes in the struggle for peace, justice, equality and the environment.
I have been involved in the anti-apartheid activities of the 1980s, the
tenants' rights struggle in New York City in the 1990s and in the current
fight against unnecessary redevelopment here in my Cramer Hill
neighborhood of Camden. I attended public schools in Illinois and Indiana
before getting my B.A. in English and History from Northeastern Illinois
University in 1976. I received over 50,000 votes running for the
University of Illinois Board of Trustees in 1984. I have been employed at Prompt Printing Press, Inc.
for nearly nine years. The last two as acting manager at this union print
shop in Camden. Previously, I had been production manager and then
business manager at a New York City publishing firm. I believe that the Green Party gives voters a real
political alternative to the corporate-dominated two-party system that
almost always puts the interests of profits before the needs of the
people. I am running for the State Assembly to give the
people of the 5th District a choice besides the two incumbents who are
deeply tied to George Norcross and South Jersey machine politics. Property tax relief should be provided by shifting
the main burden of taxation for public education to a progressive income
tax that fairly taxes New Jersey residents by their ability to pay. The
proposed NJ SMART (New Jersey Save Money and Reform Taxes) Assembly Bill
No. 4041 goes a long way towards this goal. Eliminating the culture of political corruption in
New Jersey is crucial to ensure that more residents don't become totally
cynical about government and politics. Sharp limits on political
contributions from political committees are one solution along with public
financing of campaigns. Elected officials should worry about serving their
constituents, not financing their reelections. Health care is a "human right," not a
privilege. A universal national single-payer health system is the real
solution to this crisis because it focuses resources on patient care and
not on administrative costs of private insurance corporations. The state's budget crisis can be relieved by less corporate tax breaks and a stronger progressive income tax structure. In addition, the New Jersey legislature should unlink the state's estate tax from any possible repeal of the federal estate tax. Opposing the Bush administration's foreign policy could bring needed revenues back to the state. Other key issues: Stopping "eminent domain" abuse is
critical to protecting the homes of New Jersey residents. I support
putting strong restrictions on the taking of private homes and businesses
for private "redevelopment" projects that are driven by
contractors and the government officials who take their political
contributions. Protecting the environment from urban sprawl and
over-development is essential to keeping "green spaces" in the
Garden State. All federal, state and local environmental laws needed to be
strictly enforced to protect our people and our natural resources. Repeal
the Fast Track legislation that seriously curtails public input on
development projects. Making education a “top priority” is the key to
improving our public schools.. We must go beyond the “No Child Left
Behind” rhetoric of the Bush administration and have real redirection of
federal and state funding for education and school infrastructures. Washington Elementary School, in my own Cramer Hill
neighborhood, lacks an auditorium, a cafeteria and a gym. But now with
only four out of 39 projected
Camden school projects receiving funding, these local children are left in
an unacceptable school environment. Find the resources to expand public transportation
and rebuilding of our public infrastructures. This will help the
environment while providing jobs. 1100 Bergen Ave Apt 2, Camden, NJ 08105-4262 856-964-0122; 856-963-9111 (work); fax:
856-963-6399 e-mail: praxis10467@yahoo.com
Website: www.gpnj.org
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