The Land Of The Free: An American Political Roleplay (IC)

[Imperial Esplanade]

(Image)
Charlotte Windsor
@DemSenateLeader

---

I wholly and without reservation condemn President Wolf's newfound efforts to undermine decades of peace talks and upend American foreign policy to boost his own ego. The Democrats in the United States Senate will oppose his misguided and alarming bill, which is a blatant attack on the first amendment and exploits the murder of an American ambassador for political gain. I urge my Republican colleagues to take a stand against these reactionary and deeply worrying moves.

Liked by @EmilyDavenport

[Dentali]

(Image)
Charlotte Windsor
@DemSenateLeader

---

I wholly and without reservation condemn President Wolf's newfound efforts to undermine decades of peace talks and upend American foreign policy to boost his own ego. The Democrats in the United States Senate will oppose his misguided and alarming bill, which is a blatant attack on the first amendment and exploits the murder of an American ambassador for political gain. I urge my Republican colleagues to take a stand against these reactionary and deeply worrying moves.

Liked and retweeted by Senator Moore

FROM THE DESK OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

I stand in agreement with the Senate Majority Leader regarding the condemnation of President Wolf effectively abandoning the two state solution between Israel and Palestine, throwing away decades of work towards peace in the region. The actions of one man, or one group do not speak to the actions of an entire people, and using the death of the patriot who dedicated himself to peace in the region as justification to abandon efforts at peace is disturbing. We should be honoring the life of the Ambassador by rededicating ourselves to the cause of peace.

[Agarntrop]

Tara Misra
@TMisra

---

The #LossFromLevi is pretty clear. Murphy's spending and taxation pledges are colossal and just getting the money from corporations and the rich is not credible.

[New Cobastheia]

(Image)
Charlotte Windsor
@DemSenateLeader

---

I wholly and without reservation condemn President Wolf's newfound efforts to undermine decades of peace talks and upend American foreign policy to boost his own ego. The Democrats in the United States Senate will oppose his misguided and alarming bill, which is a blatant attack on the first amendment and exploits the murder of an American ambassador for political gain. I urge my Republican colleagues to take a stand against these reactionary and deeply worrying moves.

Liked and Retweeted by @KathleenNez

[The Democratic Marxists]

Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Palestinians are human beings who deserve respect and dignity. To cut off all aid to an entire people because of an evil extremist whose actions they could not control is an act of utter cruelty.

Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Furthermore, I would like to express my strong opposition to the President's decision to run away from advocacy for two states in the region. This move is a delegitimization of the entire Palestinian people, and only ensures that America is on the wrong side of history in these troubled times.

Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Who is America to recognize one people and dehumanize another? And who is America to provide the already privileged Israeli government with legitimacy by recognizing Golan as theirs? Why are we propping up notorious human rights abusers?

Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Finally, military intervention on behalf of the reactionary right-wing government in Israel would be a disastrous and dangerous action. It would completely destabilize an already precarious situation in the Middle East.

Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

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Those who stand with the Administration on this issue are not avenging the Ambassador's death, they are punishing innocent human beings and are standing silent in the face of apartheid-like conditions in the region.

[Agarntrop]

Barry Anderson
@MissouriPeoplesSenator

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@SenWinthrop just made a slew of anti-semitic statements on twitter, calling the only jewish nation in the world and the freest nation in the middle east an 'apartheid state' and a 'notorious human rights abuser'. Disgusting.

Barry Anderson
@MissouriPeoplesSenator

---

When I hear these kinds of comments from the likes @SenWinthrop yet again, the same Senator which equated the USA to Palestinian radical islamic terrorists, I no longer feel anger at her. I simply feel pity for the Dems who are equally as disgusted as I am with her but still have to tow her pathetic socialist line or face harrasment and abuse from within their own party.

---

Tara Misra
@TMisra

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The comments made by @SenWinthrop constitute grotesque anti-semitism. I hope I can see them unconditionally condemned by senior Democrats.

[Dentali]

James Moore
@SenatorMoore

I am rescinding my endorsement of Senator Winthrop in her re-election campaign and am calling on her to immediately apologize to the Jewish people for her comments.

[Dentali]

(Image)
Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

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Palestinians are human beings who deserve respect and dignity. To cut off all aid to an entire people because of an evil extremist whose actions they could not control is an act of utter cruelty.

(Image)
Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Furthermore, I would like to express my strong opposition to the President's decision to run away from advocacy for two states in the region. This move is a delegitimization of the entire Palestinian people, and only ensures that America is on the wrong side of history in these troubled times.

(Image)
Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Who is America to recognize one people and dehumanize another? And who is America to provide the already privileged Israeli government with legitimacy by recognizing Golan as theirs? Why are we propping up notorious human rights abusers?

(Image)
Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Finally, military intervention on behalf of the reactionary right-wing government in Israel would be a disastrous and dangerous action. It would completely destabilize an already precarious situation in the Middle East.

(Image)
Abby Winthrop
@SenWinthrop

---

Those who stand with the Administration on this issue are not avenging the Ambassador's death, they are punishing innocent human beings and are standing silent in the face of apartheid-like conditions in the region.

Senator Winthrop's cellphone starts ringing

[The Democratic Marxists]

Senator Winthrop's cellphone starts ringing

"Yes, Senator Moore?"

[Dentali]

Nathaniel Richardson
North Carolina SOTU viewing party


Nathaniel Richardson thanked god he had something else to talk about besides the boneheaded decision by Wolf. To a reporter covering his campaign he commented

"I'm appalled by the comments made by a sitting Senator, I don't know if they are anti-semitic but her previous comments regarding the murder of the ambassador and this paint a picture that is incredibly concerning to say the least."

The comments began being circulated on various news stations covering the SOTU and the growing Winthrop controversy

[Dentali]

Senator Winthrop's cellphone starts ringing

"Yes, Senator Moore?"

Speaker of the House Malcolm Douglas was a bit confused but decided to just push forward

"This is Speaker Douglas. Senator Winthrop what in gods name are you thinking?"

[The Democratic Marxists]

"Yes, Senator Moore?"

Speaker of the House Malcolm Douglas was a bit confused but decided to just push forward

"This is Speaker Douglas. Senator Winthrop what in gods name are you thinking?"

"Speaker Douglas, my apologies, I read the contact wrong. What would you be referring to, Mr. Speaker?"

[Shah Rukh Khan]

Rep. Alejandro Nuñez
@Nunez4MA

---

Incredibly concerned by a pattern of questionable comments by @SenWinthrop. Almost makes me want to take a second look at a Senate run...

[Dentali]

Speaker of the House Malcolm Douglas was a bit confused but decided to just push forward

"This is Speaker Douglas. Senator Winthrop what in gods name are you thinking?"

"Speaker Douglas, my apologies, I read the contact wrong. What would you be referring to, Mr. Speaker?"

"You can be critical of Israel, you can call out the president and rightly so. But calling Israel an apartheid state crosses a line, calling them notorious human rights abusers... all of that combined with your earlier statements about the murder of the ambassador make you seem like an anti-semite. Whether you are or not is not the point... public perception is going to hit you and by extension the party. You need to apologize, refocus on the abandonment of the two state solution, call Hamas a terrorist organization, and say Israel for all its faults is still the only democracy in the region."

"Or something to that effect. You do not need to be pro israel, you can even be against israel. But you are starting to seem pro-terrorist, and the party will not hesitate to cut you loose to save the rest of it."

[The Democratic Marxists]

"Speaker Douglas, my apologies, I read the contact wrong. What would you be referring to, Mr. Speaker?"

"You can be critical of Israel, you can call out the president and rightly so. But calling Israel an apartheid state crosses a line, calling them notorious human rights abusers... all of that combined with your earlier statements about the murder of the ambassador make you seem like an anti-semite. Whether you are or not is not the point... public perception is going to hit you and by extension the party. You need to apologize, refocus on the abandonment of the two state solution, call Hamas a terrorist organization, and say Israel for all its faults is still the only democracy in the region."

"Or something to that effect. You do not need to be pro israel, you can even be against israel. But you are starting to seem pro-terrorist, and the party will not hesitate to cut you loose to save the rest of it."

"Mr. Speaker, I will not apologize for advocating for human rights just because it is unpopular. I will however clarify my condemnation of Hamas, which is a radical Islamist group. I've always been critical of religious fundamentalism and terrorism; Democrats actually came after me for my past aggressive criticism of radical Islamist doctrine."

[Dentali]

"You can be critical of Israel, you can call out the president and rightly so. But calling Israel an apartheid state crosses a line, calling them notorious human rights abusers... all of that combined with your earlier statements about the murder of the ambassador make you seem like an anti-semite. Whether you are or not is not the point... public perception is going to hit you and by extension the party. You need to apologize, refocus on the abandonment of the two state solution, call Hamas a terrorist organization, and say Israel for all its faults is still the only democracy in the region."

"Or something to that effect. You do not need to be pro israel, you can even be against israel. But you are starting to seem pro-terrorist, and the party will not hesitate to cut you loose to save the rest of it."

"Mr. Speaker, I will not apologize for advocating for human rights just because it is unpopular. I will however clarify my condemnation of Hamas, which is a radical Islamist group. I've always been critical of religious fundamentalism and terrorism; Democrats actually came after me for my past aggressive criticism of radical Islamist doctrine."

"Your human rights stance ignores the countless daily terrorist attacks against israeli civilians. Calling them an apartheid state is an anti-semitic dogwhistle. Make the Hamas statement, apologize if anyone was offended. And then lay low on the issue."

[The Democratic Marxists]

"Mr. Speaker, I will not apologize for advocating for human rights just because it is unpopular. I will however clarify my condemnation of Hamas, which is a radical Islamist group. I've always been critical of religious fundamentalism and terrorism; Democrats actually came after me for my past aggressive criticism of radical Islamist doctrine."

"Your human rights stance ignores the countless daily terrorist attacks against israeli civilians. Calling them an apartheid state is an anti-semitic dogwhistle. Make the Hamas statement, apologize if anyone was offended. And then lay low on the issue."

"Good night, Mr. Speaker."

[Dentali]

"Your human rights stance ignores the countless daily terrorist attacks against israeli civilians. Calling them an apartheid state is an anti-semitic dogwhistle. Make the Hamas statement, apologize if anyone was offended. And then lay low on the issue."

"Good night, Mr. Speaker."

"Goodnight Senator"

[The Democratic Marxists]

---

Official Statement from the Office of Senator Abigail Winthrop

Senator Winthrop is deeply troubled by recent events that showed the President, the GOP, and even a few members of the Democratic Party have united in further oppressing the Palestinian people. It is beyond the Senator that calling for the recognition of international human rights standards would be a controversial move. Instead, she believes that we should be focusing our outrage on the disastrous decision to delegitimize an entire people, cut off all aid to them, and send in military troops to further destabilize the region.

Senator Winthrop did not refer to Israel as an "apartheid state," which is a fake statement being propagated by proponents of the President's anti-Palestine agenda. She did however make a statement on Twitter that sympathized with the Palestinian people who are living under "apartheid-like conditions."

The source of Palestinian oppression is not limited to atrocious, indefensible acts by the IDF. It also comes from the radical Islamist group, Hamas, who govern the Gaza Strip with an iron fist by forcefully crushing dissent, torturing protesters, and attacking journalists. Even more worrisome, the group uses innocent Palestinians as human shields and even employ child combatants to wage war against the state of Israel. Senator Winthrop does not support terror or war, whether it comes from Israel or Palestine.

This should not come as a surprise to anyone. The Senator has been criticized by her own party for her strong opposition to radical religious ideologies, including the violent Islamist ideologies purported by several terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Hamas is no exception to this pattern of immoral behavior by religiously fundamentalist organizations.

But when we call out Hamas, the Senator understands that we cannot turn a blind eye to the actions of Israel. Unfortunately, unconditional support for Israel is the norm in American politics. Senator Winthrop believes it is the moral duty of the United States to stand with the oppressed during times like these. The current reactionary government in Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has not shied away from their racist stances. In 2014, Prime Minister Netanyahu himself said that "Israel is the nation state of one people only - the Jewish people - and of no other people."

The government has not just spoken racist words, but have carried out their agenda of slow Palestinian extermination. Land and property laws, such as The Absentees’ Property Law of 1950, legalized the confiscation of Palestinian land and homes.

Unfair separation of Israelis and Palestinians are carried out by means of separate legal regimes for Jewish Israelis and Palestinians living in the same area. For example, Jewish Israeli settlers living in the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are governed by Israeli civil, including criminal, law, while Palestinians also living in the occupied West Bank, with the exception of East Jerusalem, are governed by Israeli military law. Israel was criticized for violating the right to equality in a 2012 report by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Describing the existence of two separate legal systems in the West Bank, the committee said it was “appalled at the hermetic character of this segregation.”

Israel's restrictions on freedom of movement in the occupied Palestinian territory are a resurrection of South Africa's hated pass laws, which criminalised black South Africans without a permit or pass to be in a "white" city. Israel's policy of forcible population removals and destruction of homes resembles the relocation of black people from areas zoned for exclusive white occupation in apartheid South Africa.

Finally, Israel has carried out horrific massacres of Palestinians in Gaza in 2008-09, 2012, 2014, and 2018. In all three attacks, the UN and human rights organisations have documented how Israel deliberately attacked Palestinian civilians, schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure and other war crimes. A UN report published in 2015 said that Gaza could be "uninhabitable" by 2020 as a result of the economic siege imposed by Israel and its regular attacks on Palestinians.

There is never a black and white story. The Israeli people are by and large good people, who are simply being betrayed by a government that wishes to see the extermination of Palestinians in the region. Palestinian civilians suffer for that. At the same time, Hamas paints a poor picture of Palestine by attacking Israel civilians in an unhinged and evil manner. Israeli civilians suffer for that.

Senator Winthrop supports an end to war and wants a policy of pursuing world peace. This president, his neoconservative advisors, and his neoliberal allies in Congress, are running away from that ideal.

[Sarenium]

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Charlotte Windsor
@DemSenateLeader

---

I wholly and without reservation condemn President Wolf's newfound efforts to undermine decades of peace talks and upend American foreign policy to boost his own ego. The Democrats in the United States Senate will oppose his misguided and alarming bill, which is a blatant attack on the first amendment and exploits the murder of an American ambassador for political gain. I urge my Republican colleagues to take a stand against these reactionary and deeply worrying moves.

Liked and Retweeted by @JillianDayton.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

(Image)
Charlotte Windsor
@DemSenateLeader

---

I wholly and without reservation condemn President Wolf's newfound efforts to undermine decades of peace talks and upend American foreign policy to boost his own ego. The Democrats in the United States Senate will oppose his misguided and alarming bill, which is a blatant attack on the first amendment and exploits the murder of an American ambassador for political gain. I urge my Republican colleagues to take a stand against these reactionary and deeply worrying moves.

Retweeted by SimoneNY12.

Rep. Carrie Simone
@SimoneNY12

---

I am not a fan of the BDS movement. I am even inclined to believe that it is indeed imbibed with a degree of anti-Semitism that is troubling to our society and our democracy. But a serious issue is presented when it is the intention of the United States Government to intervene in what is essentially a matter of the freedom of political expression. To take these steps would represent crossing a constitutional Rubicon, and so I am not inclined to support any heavy-handed, non-nuanced approach to tackling the BDS movement. The First Amendment itself is at stake and we, as legislators, have a duty to be more careful than is the wont and method of this present Presidency.

Rep. Carrie Simone
@SimoneNY12

---

However, the BDS bill isn't the major story to come out of the State of the Union. Abandoning the pluralist peace process is representative of a streak of revenge in foreign policy that has always come back to harm us. No credible historical scholar looks upon the Treaty of Versailles with total fondness. Revenge is not peace, and Middle East peace plans need nuance. Yes, we must absolutely continue in our role as the guarantor of Israeli independence and continue to support and advocate for the Middle East's most mature and stable democracy, which is also the only place in the Middle East where LGBT rights are defended.

Rep. Carrie Simone
@SimoneNY12

---

We must temper that support for Israel as an international partner with the same frankness we treat any ally. The President has been earnest in condemning how NATO allies fail to meet their alliance-wide spending targets, and I don't necessarily disagree with him that this is an issue. That earnestness must be turned to Israel in the areas where it has transgressed their international legal obligations and their commitment to the rule of law. These goals are not incompatible with seeking to counteract the Palestinian Islamists, who have hijacked the cause of Palestinian statehood for squalid and trivial ends.

Rep. Carrie Simone
@SimoneNY12

---

Hamas and Hezbollah are our enemy, and they will continue to be our enemy, and I am happy to support the President with that regard. What I cannot support is a policy of war which seeks to take out that retribution on the civilian population, who are desperate and suffering. It is with that regard that his policy towards the Middle East announced in the State of the Union is flawed. The United States must remain an honest broker in its dealings with the Middle East. That honest brokerage is vital to bringing all parties back to the table for a final peace.

Rep. Carrie Simone
@SimoneNY12

---

As much as I am inclined to condemn the abuse of the current situation in Israel-Palestine by the President and his party for their own political gain, I cannot be silent regarding the utter malfeasance of Senator Winthrop in this matter. Her views are not indicative of my party, and they are not indicative of the rational, earnest politics that we uphold. My advice to her would be that as she evidently does not have a developed and mature understanding of the United States' foreign policy challenges, it is perhaps incumbent on her not to say anything at all.

[Dentali]

GOLDWATER POLLING FEBRUARY 2019



Speculative Candidates February 2019

National

Secretary Helen Whitaker: 11%
Senator Sam Baginski: 10%
Senator Benjamin Little: 7%
Senator Timothy Westra: 7%
Secretary Diane Clifford: 6%
Senator Levi Murphy: 6%
Governor Miguel Velez: 4%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Senator Jillian Dayton: 2%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 2%
Representative Emily Davenport: 1%
Undecided: 41%

Iowa

Senator Sam Baginski: 15%
Secretary Helen Whitaker: 13%
Senator Levi Murphy: 9%
Senator Timothy Westra: 6%
Secretary Diane Clifford: 3%
Senator Benjamin Little: 3%
Governor Miguel Velez: 3%
Representative Sally Fields: 2%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 2%
Senator Jillian Dayton: 1%
Representative Emily Davenport: <1%
Undecided: 45.5%

New Hampshire

Senator Sam Baginski: 15%
Secretary Helen Whitaker: 13%
Senator Benjamin Little: 7%
Senator Levi Murphy: 6%
Governor Miguel Velez: 5%
Senator Timothy Westra: 5%
Secretary Diane Clifford: 5%
Representative Sally Fields: 2%
Representative Emily Davenport: 1%
Senator Jillian Dayton: 1%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 1%
Undecided: 39%

Nevada

Senator Sam Baginski: 14%
Secretary Helen Whitaker: 10%
Senator Timothy Westra: 9%
Secretary Diane Clifford: 7%
Senator Levi Murphy: 6%
Governor Miguel Velez: 5%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Representative Emily Davenport: 2%
Senator Jillian Dayton: 2%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 3%
Senator Benjamin Little: 1%
Undecided: 38%

South Carolina

Senator Sam Baginski: 16%
Senator Benjamin Little: 14%
Governor Miguel Velez: 9%
Secretary Diane Clifford: 7%
Secretary Helen Whitaker: 5%
Senator Jillian Dayton: 3%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Senator Timothy Westra: 1%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 1%
Senator Levi Murphy: <1%
Representative Emily Davenport: <1%
Undecided: 40%

Announced Candidates February 2019

National

Secretary Helen Whitaker: 13%
Senator Timothy Westra: 10%
Senator Benjamin Little: 10%
Senator Levi Murphy: 9%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 3%
Representative Emily Davenport: 2%
Undecided: 50%

Iowa

Secretary Helen Whitaker: 15%
Senator Levi Murphy: 11%
Senator Timothy Westra: 10%
Senator Benjamin Little: 6%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 2%
Representative Emily Davenport: 1%
Undecided: 52%

New Hampshire

Secretary Helen Whitaker: 13%
Senator Benjamin Little: 9%
Senator Levi Murphy: 8%
Senator Timothy Westra: 8%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 2%
Representative Emily Davenport: 2%
Undecided: 56%

Nevada

Senator Timothy Westra: 12%
Secretary Helen Whitaker: 11%
Senator Levi Murphy: 9%
Senator Benjamin Little: 4%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 3%
Representative Emily Davenport: 2%
Undecided: 56%

South Carolina

Senator Benjamin Little: 16%
Secretary Helen Whitaker: 7%
Representative Sally Fields: 3%
Senator Levi Murphy: 3%
Senator Timothy Westra: 1%
Governor Anne Caldwell: 1%
Representative Emily Davenport: 1%
Undecided: 68%

[Azekopolaltion]

---

Tim Westra 2020
Berlin, New Hampshire
February 11th, 2019

---

Tim stood at the center of a room of about 40 people in the city hall of Berlin, New Hampshire, where he'd been invited to address local voters about their concerns.

"I would like to thank the city council for so graciously hosting me today so that I can connect with the wonderful community here in Berlin. I am very glad to be here, not just as a Senator, not just as a candidate for president, but as someone who hopes to be part of a national movement to restore power to the working families of America. I don't want to be the sole leader of that movement, and I won't make comments like other progressive candidates who claim that their movements revolve around themselves. No, there are greater forces fighting for economic justice. There are unions fighting for a fair deal in the workplace, there are activist groups who have occupied Wall Street and taken to the streets to demand respect for the dignity of work. I am simply running to make Washington give legitimacy to those who are already fighting tooth and nail for these ideas."

"I'm running because I truly respect and recognize all of you – I respect all Americans. We are all God's children. The poor. The wretched. They all have a right to be treated as human beings with dignity. They have a right to healthcare, to education, to equal opportunity. That's what our campaign is fighting for."

"In 2016, Senator Baginsky won this great state against all odds. Why is that? It was because he was running on a message of solidarity that truly resonated with people from all walks of life in New Hampshire. I deeply respect Senator Baginsky for transforming the way our elections function in America; his work truly returned some power to the people, and I hope our campaign can finish what he started. Some Democrats in this race claim that progressives wish to see division and disunity. But I say, what is more representative of the ideal of unity than a movement of young people, workers, minorities, different genders, and different sexually oriented Americans who wish to see a progressive revolution in America?"

"So, with that, I'd like to hear from you, the voters. There is nothing more important to me. I can go on and on about ideology and abstract ideas – it won't matter one cent if I don't hear what you folks have on your minds. So, I'll take your questions."

Tim took a sip of water and sat down on the stool that he had been standing next to. He selected the first questioner.

Q: Senator Westra, thanks for coming. We are seeing a Democratic Party that is increasingly embracing gun reform policies like an assault weapons ban, mandatory buybacks, and universal background checks. New Hampshire has many law abiding gun owners, including myself, who use our AR-15s for purposes of either self defense or for hunting. The constitution gives us this right. You have largely remained silent on gun reform, although you have hinted in the past your support for an assault weapons ban like the one imposed in your home state of New Jersey. Can you spell out, in no uncertain terms, your thoughts on gun reform?

Westra: Thank you for this question, it's a topic I take with the utmost seriousness and one that requires nuance, sensitivity, but also the strong will to act. I do not want an America for our children where they are afraid to go to school because of the very real shooter threat. At the same time, I do not want to infringe upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners who use their weapon responsibly.

Here's my promise: New Hampshire kids will feel safe in their schools, and New Hampshire hunters and gun owners will feel that their rights are respected under a Westra Administration. I will push for universal background checks that will ensure no gun is sold to someone with bad intentions. I will support measures to codify federal regulations that ban bump stocks. And finally, I will commit more resources towards CDC research on gun violence - shockingly, Congress has provided zero funds for this.

Our kids and gun owners deserve a world where everyone can be safe and where we can be confident that the Second Amendment is not given a bad name by those who don't deserve their weapon.

Q: But, Senator, would you support an assault weapons ban like the leaders of your party?

Westra: I support detailed, proven methods of reducing gun violence, not punitive measures that are passed without research. That's why I'd commit to funding research on gun laws before pushing for such measures.

Q: Senator Westra, what are you thoughts on recent developments that show the president is willing to turn away from pushing a two state solution in Israel?

Westra: Firstly, I'd like everyone to keep our diplomats in their prayers. Our ambassadors abroad are fighting for the ideals of liberty and world peace wherever they are posted, and they deserve immense respect for that. Ambassador Friedman was an American hero murdered not just by a terrorist, but by an ideology that wishes to see the death of America and Israeli ideals of democracy.

I am highly concerned about the president's switch in foreign policy in regards to Israel-Palestine. Let's acknowledge that Israel is one of our most important allies in the world; they're the only surviving democracy in the Middle East, and they are thriving. At the same time, there are good Palestinians living under extreme hardship in the Gaza Strip, the world's largest open-air prison. Hamas, which rules over them in an autocratic manner, also wishes to see the annihilation of the Israeli people. We should not feed the angry fodder of Hamas by validating their claim that America and Israel are united in delegitimizing Palestine.

As president, I would continue to negotiate a two-state solution, and would move our embassy back to Tel Aviv. While I recognize Jerusalem to be the holy capital of Jews around the world, it was a highly rash move to place our embassy in the city, and may have played some role in further agitating terrorists who already wanted to hurt Americans and Israelis.

Q: You have released plans that advocate for a public health insurance option, free college for all, widespread student debt cancellation, elimination of all medical debt, and an expansion of middle class tax credits. You've also recently introduced a Senate bill to universalize pre-k in America. These are expensive programs. How do you plan on funding them without increasing the national debt?

Westra: Fair enough. Here's the story: America has enough money. We control 29% of global wealth. In other words, we're the richest country in the damn world. Yet we have the Washington elite tell us, every time a program for the working class is proposed, that we "can't pay for it." Our wars in the Middle East, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, have cost us $6 trillion. About $600 billion a year. My plan for free college? It would cost $79 billion a year. Paltry, in comparison to our war spending. Is my plan expensive? Yeah.

But guess what? At least in terms of higher education expenditure by the government, the cash is already there. We spent almost $91 billion subsidizing college attendance. We could save a substantial amount of that existing spending and redirect it towards making college tuition-free. For my student debt cancellation plan, which is a $600 billion plan, we have several tax options available to us to fund it, including a possible wealth tax or a raise of the marginal tax rate.

You also mentioned my plan for a real middle class tax cut. It would be truly transformational, doubling the Earned Income Tax Credit to give back about $176 billion per year to workers, which would rebuild our crumbling middle class. To pay for it, He'd push to introduce a Wall Street speculation tax — taxing stock transactions — which would range from 0.005% to 0.5%. Such a tax would raise up to $240 billion per year, more than enough to cover the cost of our plan.

There's plenty of money to go around, it's just concentrated in the hands of the top 0.01 percent. It's time they pay their fair share. The working families of America bailed out Wall Street and the wealthy in 2008. It's time they bail out the middle class.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Rep. Carrie Simone
@SimoneNY12

---

Whilst there are many things that I disagree with Senator Westra about, I am pleased to see him display a more researched, nuanced understanding of the Israel-Palestine situation. Presenting foreign affairs as a simple thing, with simple solutions, is being mendacious with the American people, as I said in my talk before the Foreign Policy Institute. Whilst the Senator and I will surely still have our disagreements in future, my thnks go out to him on this point - nuance is key, and you cannot view both sides with purity.

[Dentali]

Richardson Policy Paper

International Economic Policy

G-20 and the G-7

G-20 summits have devolved over the years, they have become simply showcases for the host nation to show off and propose new big government solutions. Between the photo ops and fancy dinners they release statement of ‘shared purpose’ and can claim legitimacy pushing for whatever new taxpayer funded agency or regulation is proposed that year. The summits also usually revolve around the latest craze in activism, for example plastic in oceans, and then virtue signaling with little action. I want plastic out of the oceans, and as President I am willing to commit resources to clean the oceans and prevent further damage. But the truth is 90% of plastic in our oceans originates from 10 rivers, 9 of which are in Asia. So when that agenda item comes up does anyone really think China will take substantive action?

Too often we see cronyism and corporatism in the G-20 meetings, with wealthy international corporations being allowed significant input on the subgroups which more often than not simply duplicate the regulations already underway from other international entities or by individual governments.

A G-20 summit should be focused on ensuring global cooperation on financial markets, finding solutions to cuts taxes and public spending, reducing barriers to trade and advancing economic freedom. The G-20 nations overall are eroding or stagnating on economic freedom, under President Wolf we have increased our domestic prosperity through increased economic freedom. We should push to advance this abroad as a healthy global economy is linked to a healthy domestic economy and a safer world.

For example, the next summit we should focus on E-Commerce, we took steps in Osaka with Prime Minister Abe saying quite correctly “The engine for growth, if you think about it, is fueled no longer by gasoline, but more and more by digital data.” The United States should take the lead on this effort to negotiate the incorporation of E-Commerce rules of the road which will be vital in the 21st century. Without the United States taking leadership on this issue, it will fall to other to write the rules and define the next frontier of trade.

According to the Index of Economic Freedom annual report only 6 G20 countries are considered “Economically Free” or “Mostly Free”, which is unbecoming of an organization supposedly dedicated to economic cooperation. The G20 is increasingly dominated by the type of bureaucrats President Wolf was elected to remove, draining the swamp should have an international aspect not just a Washington one.

We also need to use the G20 and the G7 summits to get nations to agree to a united front against China. Their is a universal acknowledgment of the threat China’s predatory behavior and ambition presents to the global economy, and that it has exploited and cheated constantly over the past 2 decades. Intellectual property theft, stealing technology, cyber warfare, heavy subsidies for state owned enterprises all threaten global trade. China cannot be brought to heel economically without an enforcement mechanism that comes from the international community.

Trade Agreements

Today trade restrictions between WTO members are historically high, imposing 38 new trade restrictions in 2018. Our goal should be Free and Fair trade, expanding trade with key partners in a way that benefits consumers and jobs and taking a hardline with those who undermine trade. Trade is not just an issue for policy wonks, it affects every aspect of our lives and has the capacity to increase prosperity the world over.

Trade Agreements should reflect not just the values and economic interests of the United States but should advance our strategic alliances and regional interests.

Our two most important partners are our two closest neighbors, Canada and Mexico. Lower prices on goods and services, higher wages, more job opportunities and products, not to mention stronger relationships with the partner countries are a result of NAFTA. Trade agreements such as NAFTA, while a net positive, are outdated and in need of updating. Additionally when pursuing trade agreements more care must be made to protect American jobs from moving overseas. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a fantastic step towards this goal, and will benefit the economy to the tune of $70 billion across many sectors. It keeps and updates the best aspects of NAFTA while doing away with the parts that most negatively impact the United States and adding sections that reflect our new realities.

South Korea is a prime example of a nation that we should more closely partner with on trade, specifically incorporating Korea’s New Southern Policy with our own regional goals. South Korea is possibly the most vital partner we have in our Indo-Pacific strategy and our existing economic agreements have already delivered concrete benefits for both our nations. Our two nations should be increasing and coordinating efforts to develop the region in ways that reflect the values of democracy and the free market.

Nations showing a commitment to free and fair trade as well as a commitment to sound domestic economic policy should be targeted for new trade agreements. Switzerland for example has a stellar reputation on trade and has free trade agreements with nations like China and Japan, as well as all 28 EU nations. The United States currently has no agreement with Switzerland despite their reputation for fairness, reciprocity and following rules and international law. Our nations already have strong ties and we are the largest trading partner with Switzerland not in the EU. They are a natural partner, and while they would not have as large an impact on our economy as some larger nations, we should always strive to strengthen ties with nations that respect and advance our values.

The Post Brexit UK presents a great opportunity for the United States and is a stated priority for the British Government. The United States should be prepared to hit the ground running with an agreement with the world’s fifth largest economy, lowering prices, creating demand for US goods, raising wages and creating jobs. A trilateral agreement involving Japan is also a possibility, as European goods currently have an advantage in Japan due to a EU-Japan Free trade agreement. An agreement with Japan would specifically benefit our farmers especially if poor relations with China continue on their current path.

Economic Freedom Abroad

Increasing Economic Freedom is the single best way to reduce poverty in the world. From 1990 to 2013 over a billion people escaped extreme poverty, 95% were from just 18 countries. Those 18 countries did it by liberalizing their economies and embrace free market reforms, removing the barriers to prosperity.

These people are living monuments of the power of markets, of innovation driven by competition and not by government directives. Entrepreneurs, free trade and respect for the rule of law are vital to lifting not just individuals but entire nations out of poverty. Economic Freedom prevents war, strife, human trafficking, starvation and the kind of instability that breeds radicalism. Advancing economic freedom will create an environment that helps prevent the crises of the future and increase the prosperity of the present.

Women specifically play a major role in the advancement of economic freedom. Societies that empower women to fully participate in civic and economic life are more prosperous and peaceful. This is confirmed by every metric and study, but beyond economics it is essential to advance human dignity and the values our nation espouses, such as equality, liberty and the power of the individual. Targeted investments with female entrepreneurs in developing countries advances American values while improving relations with the targeted nations and invests in the global economy. Nations embracing good policies, opening markets, having efficient regulations, respecting the rule of law will provide returns on our investment.

Tariffs

While I in general support free and fair trade, and the lowering of trade barriers, there comes times when tariffs are necessary. It is not a step to be taken lightly, and any imposition of tariffs by my administration will face strict scrutiny; it will be completely divorced from politics and must represent a clear national interest of the United States, the consequences to our domestic industries as well as consumers must be strongly considered and accounted for, US law and obligations under existing agreements must be respected, and it must be the most effective way, in terms of cost and impact on the country in question, of advancing the goals of the United States.