CTNewsJunkie Voter Guide Profile for Tom McCormick

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Tom McCormick

Running for U.S. House

2 CTNewsJunkie Reader Endorsements

Party: Green Party

CEP Status: participating

Website: https://tomforcongress.org/

Age: 70

Marital Status: Married

Current Residence: West Hartford

Current Job: retired

Previous Job: Real Estate sales

Previous Job: teacher

Education: BA plus Teacher Certification

2020
2018

With so much uncertainty ahead about COVID-19, how would you ensure that the people's business – both at the legislature and in all of our elections – will be conducted effectively, and with full participation, in the safest possible manner for the foreseeable future?

I support a Statewide, State run, State supported broadband network to tie all citizens together. The present digital divide has many participating less in our democracy. Short run -expand mail in balloting, long run- I want to see a National data base for voting. Each citizen should have an unique encryted link for voting.

With higher education facing major changes because of the pandemic, what steps will you take to make sure that Connecticut’s residents have access to college and/or other job training that won’t leave them tens of thousands of dollars in debt?

I favor expanding free public education-academic and skill training two years beyond high school. Cost can be reduced with more on line course in the 100 and 200 course level. I favor a Federal assumption of education debt with repayment via the income tax.

What is one specific policy you support to help protect African Americans as an at-risk group during the pandemic?

I find this question objectable. Federal policy should be aimed at all at risk groups-those living in poverty in general. . I support universal healthcare with a focus on health promotion not sick care. I find Congressman's Yang proposal worth of serious consideration. https://www.yang2020.com/what-is-freedom-dividend-faq/

How can Connecticut lower healthcare costs while also improving quality and access to care?

Get rid of the insurance corporations. They are leeches sucking the life-force out of the American public from an ozzing wound on their side that is about to hemmorage and blled them out. Presently close to 25% of all healthcare dollars end up in hands other than the healthcare provider--this must end. I favor a Federalized healthcare system supported by tax dollars. No premiums . No bills. Favor a system where healthcare workers will be in civil service positons.

What should Connecticut do to re-tool our public health for COVID-19 and the possibility of future pandemics, while also addressing other chronic illnesses that put people at risk every day?

Cutting pollution of air, water and soil must be a priority Pollution is the number one public health risk. Polution is an attack on our right to life..

Connecticut’s revenues will sharply decline as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and, unlike Congress, Connecticut has a balanced budget requirement. What changes would you make to balance the budget? (If you want cuts, be specific what will be cut. If you want to raise taxes, be specific about which taxes.)

All should pay some income tax. Favor a steeply progressive tax system --wealth, inhertance, and income.

What can be done to improve the business climate in Connecticut while COVID-19 continues to be a risk?

Favor a stepped reopening very similar to what Lamont is doing. Masks should be mandatory for public activities. The business climate will bounce back with a vaccine so, getting us one is the top priority. I want to see all vaccination research "open-sourced." All institutions public and private should be posting their research to the web. This is not the time for private profit.

What specific legislation would you support to reduce racism in Connecticut?

Racism will not stop as long as people believe in race. Race categoration builds the false ediface of race as a social construct. The race box must go. Support a mandatory curriculum on racsim along the lines of Teaching Tolerance from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

What specific steps should Congress take to make healthcare more affordable and accessible in this country?

Yes. Present insurance care system is extremely inefficient. Nearly 25% of healthcare spending does no ended up with the provider. I advocate for 100% Medicare coverage for Seniors with full coverage for eyes, ears and mouth. Want to see a universal coverage system paid via Federal taxes with emphasis on nutrition, physical fitness and preventive medicine over our present sick care..

Has the president's decision to place a $10,000 cap on SALT deductions unfairly penalized Connecticut residents? What will you do to mitigate the tax increase that this change represents for Connecticut taxpayers?

I have not studied this issue so, offer no opinion.

Should Congress pass legislation to protect the special counsel from potential firing by the president? Why or why not?

Absolutely. Trump has all ready fired Comey which is reason enough to be concerned.

Eversource and some out-of-state entities appear to be attempting to buy control of Connecticut's water resources, and some of our quasi-public water agencies have signed away large amounts of water to commercial interests with little regard to future water shortages. What can you do to ensure that Connecticut residents maintain control of public water supplies in perpetuity?

Water should be considered held by the State as a public trust. I do not believe there should be private water companies. Main thing is get enforcement of the Clean Water Act. More spent on pollution control to upgrade class B waters to class A

Should the government's response to the opioid crisis be to focus on law enforcement to stop drug dealers, or improving access to treatment for addiction and reducing the overprescription of painkillers?

Improving treatment should be high on list along with drug education in high school. Drug dealers should be held responsible for the purity of what they are selling. If you sell poisoned drugs-no objection to a life sentence at hard labor.. Prudue employees have watched the illegal distribution of their opioids and done zip. Recommend jail time for them. If it can be shown that the Sacklers deliberately undersold addiction risk to FDA and doctors, a big chunk of their 13 billion should be seized. Law enforcement should work to cut off supply of fentanyl . Government should leave raw plant narcotic alone.

Will you support a federal requirement for universal background checks on all gun purchases?

Yes, with extended time to do check. Favor a ban on manufacturing and sale of assault type weapons and handguns.

Will you support a ban on posting online instructions for 3-D printing of guns

Yes.

A recent report found 40 percent of Connecticut residents can't afford basic needs such as housing, food, health care, or child care. What would you do to improve their situation?

Greater spending on HEW not weapons of war like the F-35 , Virginia class fast attack subs and Columbia class SLBM boats. Increases minimum wage tied to inflation and a productivity factor. Investment in human capital should go up. Favor extending public education two years beyond high school to better prepare folks for work skills.

(For Democrats or minor party candidates): Will you support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker should Democrats retake the House? If not, who?

Question seems premature. Who else might be seeking position? No suggestion as to who.

(For Democrats or minor party candidates): Will you support Chuck Schumer as Senate Majority Leader should Democrats retake the House? If not, who?

If voting with Democrat caucus would not vote for Schumer due to his positions on Israel. Would think of Marlkey or Durbin right off.

(For Republicans or minor party candidates): If the Republicans maintain a House majority, who do you prefer for Speaker: Kevin McCarthy of California, Steve Scalise of Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, or someone else?

(For Republicans or minor party candidates): If you are elected to the Senate and the Republicans maintain the majority, will you support Mitch McConnell to continue as Majority Leader?