Thrilled to see and interview with Jane Mitakides on the great Ohio Daily Blog. I'm jealous but then again unlike me Jeff actually knows how to conduct an interview, so of course the results are better than mine.
An excerpt:
YDS: Since you aspire to be a legislator, I have to ask this. Who would you regard as your role model, the person you would look to as an example for how to conduct yourself in that role?
JM: That's an interesting question. There are a couple of people who come to mind. Certainly, the late [U.S. Sen.] Paul Wellstone, in his conduct and dedication, I think he was just a living example of a person who understands the difference between politics and public service. His politics were far more liberal than mine, but as a role model, as a person who fought to do the right thing and represent the people of his district, certainly Paul Wellstone.
And Daniel Patrick Moynihan is another thoughtful, intelligent person who served our country so well.
Go read the whole thing.
Another interview with the Greek News posted on the Mitakides for Congress site. Reposted below.
But first: A little business to conduct. I've created an Act Blue page to support Jane. If you can afford $5 or $500 please drop by and make a contribution.
By Vicki J. Yiannias
Voters in the 3rd Congressional District of Ohio gave Democrat Jane Mitakides a resounding victory on March 5. Jane won more than 54% of the votes cast in OH-3 Democratic primary, more than the other candidates combined.
Jane Mitakides, a successful businesswoman and community activist who was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, has been married for 25 years to John Mitakides, a dentist who has practiced in the Dayton area for over 30 years.
“This isn’t just about picking the Democrat,” she said to the media after her victory, “It’s about picking the winner in November. The people of this district want a representative who will listen to their ideas and find solutions to the challenges they face everyday. That’s what I plan to do in this campaign and in Congress.”
“With the primary behind us, it’s time to come together and focus on the serious issues facing our families,” said Mitakides, adding, “It’s time to end the era of no-bid contracts and ‘pay-to-play’ politics and put our community first.”
Mrs. Mitakides took some questions from The Greek News on the major points in her campaign message of “renewed opportunity and real solutions to challenges including the economy, fair trade, education, and healthcare.” The questions address these issues as well as border control and the Iraq war. The interview began with her opinion on trade policies and the problem of NAFTA in Ohio.
TGN: Do you think NAFTA should be renegotiated?
JM: Unlike some border states, Ohio has seen no substantial benefit from NAFTA, just jobs lost. We need fair trade, not just free trade policies. In Congress, I will only vote to ratify trade deals that include enforceable environmental and labor standards. While I understand the importance of free trade and reject isolationism, I also know first-hand the challenges faced by American workers and their families, many of which live right here in my district, who have lost their job to unfair trade deals like NAFTA and CAFTA.
TGN: What are your specific ideas to change the health insurance program?
JM: There are 43 million Americans who do not have health insurance. That is simply unacceptable. Health care costs more in America as well – nearly double the cost of other countries, per capita. Working families are struggling to afford the most basic health insurance while those without any insurance are often crippled by the debt caused by necessary but expensive medical procedures. In Congress, I will support a health care plan that provides for universal coverage and lowers healthcare costs for small businesses and individuals.
TGN: What are your specific plans for veterans’ affairs?
JM: When America’s brave young men and women put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, we must ensure that America is fulfilling our promise to them when they return home. In Congress, I will work to update the GI Bill of Rights so that it meets the needs of the 21st century to offer expanded education, training, housing benefits. We must also ensure that all of the components of the armed services are guaranteed equal access. This includes the National Guard and Reserve forces who have served this country in combat operations.
I will also work tirelessly to ensure that the 1.8 million veterans who are uninsured in this county have access to quality and affordable healthcare. We must also cut the red tape and streamline the system so that our veterans are no longer forgotten in the backlog of claims that exist today. We must not overlook the emotional needs of those returning from war, as well.
Of every issue I face, there is none that I feel more passionate about than keeping our promises to our veterans. My family has a long history of military service and I will work tirelessly to help our veterans receive the benefits they have earned in the service of our country.
TGN: What is your opinion of the present status of US involvement in the Iraq war; do you support a pullout of troops? If so, at what rate and timetable?
JM: Our brave men and women in uniform rid Iraq of a terrible dictator, and now it is the Iraqi people and leaders who must stand up and seize the opportunity they have been given to create a free and functioning Iraq. We must bring these brave young men and women home in a way that is both responsible and safe. We must refocus our efforts from a military offensive to a diplomatic one, working to bring stability to the region while bringing our American heroes home. It is past time for the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country and begin seeking long-term solutions to the divisions within their county.
TGN: Since Ohio is a border state, what are your opinions on border security? Is Ohio protecting its border?
JM: The Ohio-Canadian border stretches 158 miles through the middle of Lake Erie.
I support the Northern Border Initiative, which is a collaborative law enforcement effort lead by the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Division of Ohio Homeland Security. Created by Governor Strickland, the initiative provides the resources necessary to protect Lake Erie and the citizens of Ohio. While there are relatively few travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada, there is a need to ensure that those who cross any of our borders are doing so legally, to curtail drug trafficking and any possible terrorist activity. That is exactly what this imitative achieves and why I will continue to support it.
The Mitakides for Congress Campaign has unveiled a television and radio spot, both of which can be found on the Campaign’s website, www.Jane08.com. The campaign plans to open campaign offices and continue building on an already-strong grassroots organization.
2 comments:
Don’t believe one optimistic word from any public figure about the economy or humanity in general. They are all part of the problem. Its like a game of Monopoly. In America, the richest 1% now hold 1/2 OF ALL UNITED STATES WEALTH. Unlike ‘lesser’ estimates, this includes all stocks, bonds, cash, and material assets held by America’s richest 1%. Even that filthy pig Oprah acknowledged that it was at about 50% in 2006. Naturally, she put her own ‘humanitarian’ spin on it. Calling attention to her own ‘good will’. WHAT A DISGUSTING HYPOCRITE SLOB. THE RICHEST 1% HAVE LITERALLY MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. Don’t fall for any of their ‘humanitarian’ CRAP. ITS A SHAM. THESE PEOPLE ARE CAUSING THE SAME PROBLEMS THEY PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT. Ask any professor of economics. Money does not grow on trees. The government can’t just print up more on a whim. At any given time, there is a relative limit to the wealth within ANY economy of ANY size. So when too much wealth accumulates at the top, the middle class slip further into debt and the lower class further into poverty. A similar rule applies worldwide. The world’s richest 1% now own over 40% of ALL WORLD WEALTH. This is EVEN AFTER you account for all of this ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS from celebrities and executives. ITS A SHAM. As they get richer and richer, less wealth is left circulating beneath them. This is the single greatest underlying cause for the current US recession. The middle class can no longer afford to sustain their share of the economy..... Their wealth has been gradually transfered to the richest 1%. One way or another, we suffer because of their incredible greed. We are talking about TRILLIONS of dollars. Transfered FROM US TO THEM. Over a period of about 27 years. Thats Reaganomics for you. The wealth does not ‘trickle down’ as we were told it would. It just accumulates at the top. Shrinking the middle class and expanding the lower class. Causing a domino effect of socio-economic problems. But the rich will never stop. They will never settle for a reasonable share of ANYTHING. They will do whatever it takes to get even richer. Leaving even less of the pie for the other 99% of us to share. At the same time, they throw back a few tax deductible crumbs and call themselves ‘humanitarians’. Cashing in on the PR and getting even richer the following year. IT CAN’T WORK THIS WAY. Their bogus efforts to make the world a better place can not possibly succeed. Any 'humanitarian' progress made in one area will be lost in another. EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK THIS WAY. This is going to end just like a game of Monopoly. The current US recession will drag on for years and lead into the worst US depression of all time. The richest 1% will live like royalty while the rest of us fight over jobs, food, and gasoline. Crime, poverty, and suicide will skyrocket. So don’t fall for all of this PR CRAP from Hollywood, Pro Sports, and Wall Street PIGS. ITS A SHAM. Remember: They are filthy rich EVEN AFTER their tax deductible contributions. Greedy pigs. Now, we are headed for the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time. SEND A “THANK YOU” NOTE TO YOUR FAVORITE MILLIONAIRE. ITS THEIR FAULT. I’m not discounting other factors like China, sub-prime, or gas prices. But all of those factors combined still pale in comparison to that HUGE transfer of wealth to the rich. Anyway, those other factors are all related and further aggrivated because of GREED. If it weren’t for the OBSCENE distribution of wealth within our country, there never would have been such a market for sub-prime to begin with. Which by the way, was another trick whipped up by greedy bankers and executives. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. The credit industry has been ENDORSED by people like Oprah, Ellen, Dr Phil, and many other celebrities. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. Now, there are commercial ties between nearly every industry and every public figure. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for their ‘good will’ BS. ITS A LIE. If you fall for it, then you’re a fool.. If you see any real difference between the moral character of a celebrity, politician, attorney, or executive, then you’re a fool. WAKE UP PEOPLE. THEIR GOAL IS TO WIN THE GAME. The 1% club will always say or do whatever it takes to get as rich as possible. Without the slightest regard for anything or anyone but themselves. Reaganomics. Their idea. Loans from China.. Their idea. NAFTA. Their idea. Outsourcing. Their idea. Sub-prime. Their idea. The commercial lobbyist. Their idea. The multi-million dollar lawsuit.. Their idea. $200 cell phone bills. Their idea. $200 basketball shoes. Their idea. $30 late fees. Their idea. $30 NSF fees. Their idea. $20 DVDs. Their idea. Subliminal advertising. Their idea. Brainwash plots on TV. Their idea... Prozac, Zanex, Vioxx, and Celebrex. Their idea. The MASSIVE campaign to turn every American into a brainwashed, credit card, pharmaceutical, love-sick, couch potatoe, celebrity junkie. Their idea. All of the above shrink the middle class, concentrate the world’s wealth and resources, and wreak havok on society. All of which have been CREATED AND ENDORSED by celebrities, athletes, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and politicians. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. So don’t fall for any of their ‘good will’ ‘humanitarian’ BS. ITS A SHAM. NOTHING BUT TAX DEDUCTIBLE PR CRAP.. In many cases, the 'charitable' contribution is almost entirely offset.. Not to mention the opportunity to plug their name, image, product, and 'good will' all at once. IT MAKES THEM RICHER. These filthy pigs even have the nerve to throw a fit and spin up a misleading defense with regard to 'tax revenue'. ITS A SHAM. THEY SCREWED UP THE EQUATION TO BEGIN WITH. ITS THEIR OWN DAMN FAULT. If the middle and lower classes had a greater share of the pie, they could easily cover a greater share of the federal tax revenue. They are held down in many ways because of greed. Wages remain stagnant for millions because the executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, and entrepreneurs, are paid millions. They over-sell, over-charge, under-pay, outsource, cut jobs, and benefits to increase their bottom line. As their profits rise, so do the stock values. Which are owned primarily by the richest 5%. As more United States wealth rises to the top, the middle and lower classes inevitably suffer. This reduces the potential tax reveue drawn from those brackets. At the same time, it wreaks havok on middle and lower class communities and increases the need for financial aid.. Not to mention the spike in crime because of it. There is a dominoe effect to consider. So when people forgive the rich for all of the above and then praise them for paying a greater share of the FEDERAL income taxes, its like nails on a chalk board. If these filthy pigs want to be over-paid, then they should be over-taxed as well. Remember: The richest 1% STILL own 1/2 of all United States wealth EVEN AFTER taxes, charity, and PR CRAP. A similar rule applies worldwide. There is nothing anyone can say to justify that. Anyway, there is usually a higher state and local burden on the middle class. They get little or nothing without a local tax increase. Otherwise, the red inks flows like a waterfall. Service cuts and lay-offs follow. Again, because of the OBSCENE distribution of bottom line wealth in this country. I can not accept any theory that our economy would suffer in any way with a more reasonable distribution of wealth. Afterall, it was more reasonable 30 years ago. Before Reaganomics came along. Before GREED became such an epidemic. Before we had an army of over-paid executives, celebrities, athletes, attorneys, investors, entrepreneurs, developers, and sold-out politicians to kiss their asses. As a nation, we were in much better shape. Lower crime rate, more widespread prosperity, stable job market, free and clear assets, lower deficit, ect. Our economy as a whole was much more stable and prosperous for the majority. WITHOUT LOANS FROM CHINA. Now, we have a more obscene distribution of bottom line wealth than ever before. We have a sold-out government, crumbling infrastructure, energy crisis, home forclosure epidemic, 13 figure national deficit, and 12 figure annual shortfall. ALL BECAUSE OF GREED. I really don't blame the 2nd -5th percentiles. No economy could ever function without some reasonable scale of personal wealth and income. But it can't be allowed to run wild like a mad dog. GREED KILLS. Bottom line: The richest 1% will soon tank the largest economy in the world. It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. and thats just the beginning. Greed will eventually tank every major economy in the world. Causing millions to suffer and die. Oprah, Angelina, Brad, Bono, Drew, and Bill are not part of the solution.. They are part of the problem. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE HUMANITARIAN. EXTREME WEALTH HAS MADE WORLD PROSPERITY ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE. WITHOUT WORLD PROSPERITY, THERE WILL NEVER BE WORLD PEACE OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE. GREED KILLS. IT WILL BE OUR DOWNFALL. Of course, the rich will throw a fit and call me a madman. Of course, their ignorant fans will do the same. You have to expect that. But I speak the truth. If you don’t believe me, then copy this entry and run it by any professor of economics or socio-economics. Then tell a friend. Call the local radio station. Re-post this entry or put it in your own words. Be one of the first to predict the worst economic and cultural crisis of all time and explain its cause. WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.
Anonymous, when the movie of your comment comes out maybe I'll see it.
The gross generalization in your first sentence is a pretty good preview of your coming attractions.
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