Combat Army vet, air ambulance pilot, master's in economics, ran for U.S. House of Representatives as an Independent in Tennessee's 7th District.
Robertson County, TN
Joined November 2015
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We can't give all of our competing issues equal attention, so what do voters actually care about?
I'd like to hear your opinion.
What is the single most important thing government should do?
What is the single most important thing government should never be allowed to do?
Jon Thorp, Independent Thinker retweeted
Montana voters approved a ballot measure to ban corporations, nonprofits and labor unions from doing business in the state if they made political contributions. State's rights v. Citizens United. Will be fun to see SCOTUS deal with that one. Bravo Montana!!!
The Governor's race here in Tennessee shows one of the many problems with elections in the US.
The major parties get to whittle down their candidates using a taxpayer funded Primary system. By the time the election rolls around, they get their entire party focused (more or less) on a single candidate.
This gives them more power than they otherwise would.
Independents do not have the luxury of getting a Primary, so whoever was able to get qualified for the ballot, is on the ballot.
Suppose you don't like either major party candidate? You, and others like you, now get to choose between 13 different candidates. Even if more people vote independent than either major party, there a very good chance that one single independent candidate won't get the most votes.
The system itself dilutes the "protest" vote as well as those voting independent on principle.
Election reform is vital to change the direction of this country.
Exactly what I said on many occasions during the Special Election last year.
After this election, even before they’re sworn-in, newly minted politicians will go behind closed doors in the swamp to pick the majority leader, minority leader, whips, etc., and to nominate a Speaker.
They’ll vote for candidates who promise campaign cash, good times, good committee assignments, and subcommittee gavels. When it’s all said and done, your Representatives will also pledge their congressional voting cards to the leaders of RED team and BLUE team, who are secretly playing on the same team.
That’s how your election will get stolen. I compare these Representatives to Jack who traded the family cow for magic beans… but in this version of the story, the beans never sprout and lobbyists eat the beef.
Who possesses war powers in the United States?
Over the years, lax enforcement of the Constitution has resulted in the popular understanding that the President may introduce troops into conflicts for not more than 90 days before getting Congressional approval.
The war with Iran has been going on for 248 days and Congress has given no approval, nor has the President bothered to seek one.
Even assuming that I agree with the 90 day claim, which I don't, this is a clear violation of Constitutional authority by the President and a dereliction of duty by Congress.
The President and every sitting Congressman who voted against the war powers resolutions should be tossed out of office for failing to uphold their oath of office.
BREAKING: 🇮🇷🇪🇺🇺🇸 Iranian officials and government-linked voices have issued public warnings/threats that any new major U.S. strikes under Trump could lead to attacks on U.S. military bases (and related targets) in Europe, expanding beyond the Middle East.
Iranian parliamentarian and former Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki stated on state television and in related comments that a new conflict “will not be a regional war” and “will reach Europe.”
He specifically referenced U.S. use of bases in countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, and Portugal as making those hosts partners in any aggression, with retaliation potentially including those sites.
The top 20 "megadonors" have spent roughly $2 billion in an attempt to influence politicians.
Is this a campaign finance issue?
Rebuke of excessive wealth?
Proof of weak politicians?
Or perhaps something else entirely?
Wealth inequality is real. But what can the numbers actually tell us?
A discussion from Penn State's SOC119 class raises an interesting question: Are we confusing the distribution of wealth with the broader questions of how wealth is created, whether living standards are improving, and what constitutes a fair outcome?
I'm not offering a solution. I'm suggesting we examine the assumptions behind the argument.
What am I missing?