I am for peace, human rights, and international law:
+ democratic self-determination for all nations
+ the principles of the Earth Charter
+ the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights
+ international law and the United Nations
+ the International Criminal Court
+ the treaty that bans landmines
+ abolishing all weapons of mass destruction
+ 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
+ thorough weapons inspection in all countries
+ ending all military “aid” and arms sales
+ closing US military bases in other countries
+ converting bases to universities and hospitals
+ large reductions in military spending
+ reforming the Homeland Security Department
+ reforming the Defense Department & the CIA
+ increasing economic aid to poor countries
+ expanding the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps
+ free trade that is fair and responsible
+ forgiving all interest on third-world debt
I oppose immoral and illegal war policies:
- US wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen
- all weapons of mass destruction
- huge expenditures wasted on the military
- an endless war on “terrorists”
- killing or detaining people without charges
- military “aid” and arms sales
- American neo-imperialism and NATO expansion
- weapons in space and US world domination
- government secrecy, spying, and covert violence
- paranoid curtailing of civil liberties
- unfair trade treaties that hurt other people
I am for reforming corrupt government:
+ increasing taxes on corporations
+ making income tax more progressive
+ increasing deductions for dependents
+ paying off the national debt by taxing assets
+ green taxes to alleviate environmental damage
+ substantial tax on carbon emissions
+ ending tax loopholes and subsidies for fossil fuels
+ promoting organic farming to reduce pollution
+ removing the income cap on Social Security tax
+ increasing tax on tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
+ public funding for political campaigns
+ allowing voters to register on election day
+ making election day a public holiday
+ using instant run-off ranked voting
+ providing time on TV for candidates’ debates
+ enfranchising Washington DC voters
+ making the US Senate more representative
+ phasing out nuclear power
+ making corporations accountable
+ registering guns and banning assault weapons
I oppose favoring the rich and corporations:
- recent tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations
- corrupt contributions that bribe politicians
- allowing corporate fraud and other crimes
- government “welfare” for corporations
- pork-barrel spending for special interests
- polluting air, water, and natural resources
- weakening environmental protections
- exploiting sweatshop labor
- eliminating the inheritance tax
- subsidizing the meat industry
- privatizing Social Security
I am for providing equal opportunity for all:
+ health care for all paid by the government
+ including prescription drugs
+ publicly funded medical research
+ increasing the minimum wage to $20 an hour
+ decreasing the work week to 35 hours
+ increasing funding for public education
+ interest-free loans for college students
+ merit scholarships to encourage excellence
+ tuition-free public universities and colleges
+ affirmative action to overcome discrimination
+ the Dream Act and equal rights for immigrants
+ restorative justice instead of harsh sentences
+ making the Internet more available to all
+ public assistance for the destitute
+ protecting the rights of labor unions
+ better rehabilitation and classes for prisoners
+ equal rights regardless of sexual orientation
+ protecting the rights of native Americans
+ ratifying the equal rights amendment
I oppose short-sighted and mean policies:
- the war on drugs and harsh sentences
- capital punishment
- long prison sentences for nonviolent crimes
- restricting a woman’s right to choose abortion
- excessive bureaucracy and red-tape
- government censorship
- gerrymandering election districts
- electronic surveillance without a court order
- punishing whistle-blowers and valid critics
- forcing mothers of young children to take jobs
- discriminatory racial and ethnic profiling
I am for improving government services:
+ consumer protection laws and advocacy
+ public access to government information
+ increasing funding of public broadcasting
+ subsidizing low-cost housing
+ subsidizing renewable energy technology
+ subsidizing recycling
+ taxing pollution that causes global warming
+ improving public transportation
+ improving national parks and protecting wildlife
+ replacing the war on drugs with treatment
+ legalizing, regulating, and taxing drugs
+ encouraging organic farming
+ labeling genetically modified foods
+ promoting cultural diversity and exchanges
+ encouraging the arts and humanities
+ promoting beneficial non-profit organizations
+ encouraging social and political responsibility
+ allowing freedom by limiting government
+ communicating openly and honestly
= a peaceful world community |
Political Principles and Vision
Ethics
What are my political principles? First, I believe in honesty and openness in democratic government. I will not lie nor deceive, and I will communicate as much as I can. I am always learning, and I will encourage the expression of all relevant views on each issue. I would like to see conferences held on various issues. Then the spokespersons selected by those conferences would meet with myself and pertinent department heads and advisors and Congressional leaders to discuss what policies would be best. These sessions could be video-recorded so that others could learn about the policy discussions.
Most of all, I believe in love applied to all. Thus I am opposed to violence and killing. This would mean a radical change in what is called “foreign policy.” I believe that if the United States adopted peaceful policies and accepted effective international law with collective security through the United Nations, we could lead the world in the disarmament process that would involve every country on Earth. Since the end of the Cold War nearly four decades ago, the United States no longer has a rival enemy. However, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have created more enemies with the Islamic State (ISIS) the latest Frankenstein's monster.
Stabilizing the Climate
The problem of global warming caused by the increase in greenhouse gases has arisen as perhaps the greatest crisis humanity has ever faced, and this requires an emergency response. We need to reduce carbon emissions by taxing them and using the revenues to subsidize renewable energy, conservation, and organic farming that sequesters carbon in the soil. I encourage everyone to read my recent book UNITING HUMANITY which offers solutions to the megacrisis of climate change, poverty, and war.
Freedom
I believe in maximizing freedom as much as possible. I oppose the use of force because it is the opposite of freedom. Why is it that so many conservatives who say they believe in freedom and limited government favor a huge military establishment? Is it because they believe in freedom for themselves but not for others? Yet to make sure that one's freedom does not take away the freedom of another (whether individuals or groups), we must apply the principle of justice. History shows that this is usually best accomplished by using laws that are equal for all and democratic processes in order to prevent tyranny and oligarchies. I personally do not like bureaucratic hassles, and I would like to see laws and governmental regulations simplified. The public does need to be protected by laws. I favor trusting people to do the right thing without having to answer to government for every little thing; but those violating the laws and harming others must be held strictly to account.
In most areas of life I think the government should let people be as free as possible and not interfere. I think the government should stay out of religion and should avoid getting involved in censorship. I believe very strongly in the free expression of ideas so that people can be aware of many options in life and make their own choices. I believe in free markets for commercial goods so that consumers have choices and can find efficient products at competitive prices.
Providing for Social Needs
Nonetheless in some areas of providing services to the public I believe that government can most fairly and efficiently organize the process, and in those areas I do not support privatization. The most obvious examples are the judicial process of laws and courts, highways and roads, bridges, and public utilities. Which public utilities such as water lines, electricity, gas, telephone, cable, and so on should be publicly operated and which might be privatized are debatable issues, and I have no fixed views. Generally I think that when the service is a single universal system, I think it often is in the public interest to have this accomplished by a government agency; but when a diversity will serve the public better or when it is not a universal necessity but an elective option, then private competition may give us more choices.
In education a combination of public and private institutions can provide a variety that serves the public well. Because I believe that universal education is a necessity and should be provided for all, I do not favor the complete privatization of schools. I think the entire society benefits by having a free and public educational system so that everyone in the society can get a good education, while some can still pay for private education to suit their special interests.
Complete Health Care for All
Another analogous social need is health care, and I believe it is a human right. With millions of Americans still lacking health insurance and many others struggling with inadequate care, I believe this is a dismal failure in the richest nation on Earth. I believe that any decent society will make sure that all of its people have good health care. The Canadian and European systems of national health care for many years have proven that this can be accomplished efficiently and reduce costs by eliminating the private insurance bureaucracy and sales agents by simply providing free health care for everyone. Individuals can still hire private doctors if they want, and such things as cosmetic surgery would not be covered by the public health system.
Thus I think it is clear at this point that I am not for either extreme of unfettered private capitalism or totalitarian governmental socialism; but rather I support a mixed economy that socializes public needs such as education and health care but allows a free market in areas of discretionary spending. The United States is the only major nation that allows profit-making from health care, and that has resulted in Americans paying about twice as much for health care that does not even cover everyone and has shortened the average life-span of Americans.
Security and Peace
I believe the most important duty of the President is to keep Americans safe and secure, and I will make sure that the United States itself is defended. My vision is to end all wars and to disarm all national armies, navies, and air forces in the world, allowing local law enforcement officers to remain. All disputes not settled locally or by national governments would be resolved by the International Court. The United Nations needs to be reformed in order to make it more democratic and effective at keeping the peace, or a world constitutional convention needs to plan a democratic federal world government that would be ratified and joined by all nations on Earth for the good of all. This world government would have limited powers and checks and balances to make sure that everyone's rights are protected. Nations would continue to have sovereignty within their borders as long as they do not violate human rights or interfere with other nations. The peacekeeping forces of the world government would be drawn from many nations and would only use the force necessary to bring suspected criminals to the International Court. People would be educated and trained to use nonviolent methods for resolving all conflicts. Global disarmament would allow the United States to dismantle the largest military establishment in the world by far and greatly reduce the size of the national government and federal taxes.
Peace and Charity for Those in Need
I see the United States changing from an oppressive military superpower and selfish exploiter to a generous leader that sets an example of how good life can be when we all cooperate for the benefit of all. I admit that the wealthy in our society will be contributing more to the general good than they are now; but I believe that they will be better off for this also as they realize greater inner happiness from the good they do. The opportunity to earn and possess wealth in this society is a blessing, and I believe that those people have an obligation to give back to the society in which they prosper so richly. Someone may ask, "What if the rich leave the United States?" Of course they would be free to go; I would hope that other countries taking them in would also expect them to contribute. I suppose they might try to change some other country into a refuge for greedy and selfish people; but others in the world may not want to buy the products controlled by such people, and at least they would be isolated and not fomenting wars in order to increase their wealth.
Essentially, I believe in a balance of freedom with justice that promotes the general welfare of all by making sure everyone has what they need while allowing every individual free expression and opportunity to achieve their dreams.
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Why I Am Running for President
I am deeply concerned that the United States is facing a serious megacrisis. I believe we need more progressive policies in order to restructure the economy, stop and prevent wars, apply green polices to prevent global warming and pollution, provide health care for all, negotiate universal disarmament, and greatly reduce military spending . I intend to educate people by explaining how we can lead the world into a golden age of peace, justice, and prosperity, not just for US but for everyone in the world. I aim to apply the wise teachings of the Christ, Buddha, Socrates, Lao-zi, Confucius, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and other sages to politics to make the world a better place. I hope to awaken “Christians” who have been led astray by hypocrites supporting wars and the uncharitable policies of right-wing politicians that are contrary to what Jesus taught.
I was born on March 5, 1947 in Los Angeles, and I was a Conscientious Objector during the Vietnam War. I have taught more than forty different college courses in ethics, philosophy, psychology, and other subjects. I have written and published more than 35 books, and have dedicated my life to enlightenment and working for world peace. I am the founder and president of World Peace Communications, a non-profit corporation that began on September 1, 2001.
I am honest and will tell the truth. I am running as a green Democrat, and I admit that my policies are similar to those of the Green Party. I am offering progressive policies, and I hope to educate as many Americans as I can on these solutions. By engaging in debate and by offering more progressive alternatives I hope also to improve American policies at all levels. Protest led to the Protestant Reformation and the founding of the United States as a republic. Buddha and Jesus began with a small group of followers; but their ideas spread and have inspired millions.
I support the The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) that passed by a vote of 122 states in favor (with one vote against and one abstention) at the United Nations on 7 July 2017. Thus I favor eliminating all weapons of mass destruction and the reduction of all military forces in the world. Nonviolent methods and international law can resolve conflicts and protect human rights. Our great country has become an oppressive empire to serve the greed of those with money and power. We can reduce terrorism by not terrorizing the world with a bullying foreign policy. I believe the United States of America can lead the way to a world that is more democratic, free, fair, peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable if we act intelligently and responsibly with our great power and wealth. I appeal to the best in people so that we may treat others as we would wish to be treated. I hope you will join me in this effort to reform our government.
For greater explanation of my policies I recommend my book UNITING HUMANITY by Spiritual Evolution & Democratic Revolution: Solutions to the Megacrisis of Climate, Poverty & War. I have also written the Nonviolent Action Handbook, a two-volume HISTORY OF PEACE, and BEST FOR ALL: How We Can Save the World. |
