HarthorneWingo wrote:Jscratch1200 wrote:HarthorneWingo wrote:
Don't really know. I'm presuming he's been doing to local canvassing through his potential constituents like the local farmers, ex-military VFW groups from whom he found support. A normal guy with progressive values, who also served his country, is a breath of fresh air. What I like about him is that he has our values but can speak their language and get their respect because of his background. His son turned him onto Andrew Yang and I believe they've had talks.
He had a Q and A on Reddit yesterday if anybody is interested in scrolling through it.
https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/goprfm/hello_reddit_i_am_mike_broihier_democratic/
Can you give us the gist of it?

Questions were all over the place, but I listed some of the better ones. One thing that I think will hurt him is his stance on gun laws. He says he is for gun ownership with background checks, however people feel he is looking to impose stricter gun laws and take away guns rights. Pretty much people fear he will try to make Kentucky gun laws closer to New York's is what sense.
Q: My question is this: Mitch McConnell is an unpopular figure in KY but he continues to be elected in part because Kentuckians believe he gives them a voice of power in Washington. How will you convince KY voters that you'll be able to effect positive change on their behalf as a newly elected Senator?
A: When facing this question I just list the facts about KY and all its got from Mitch's "power"
-5th worst economy
-#1 in cancer deaths, child abuse and child homelessness
#2 in opiod addiction and deaths
Double the national average of people working at the minimum wage
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
Q: What are the substantive differences between you and Charles Booker, the other progressive in the race?
I am a progressive trying to decide between the two of you in the upcoming primary. Why vote for you and not him?
A: I'm glad your looking at progressive candidates, so , thanks. While Booker's platform might resemble mine, I have plans to back mine. You can say, "I'm for UBI!" or you can enlist UBI-expert Scott Santens to help you craft a plan to pay for and enact it; that's what I've done. You can say, "I'm support the Green New Deal!" or you can already be working with candidates in adjoining states to build a Just Transition to a Green Economy, like I am.
Finally, I have an incredible breadth of experience that goes beyond Kentucky. I've seen drought, famine and civil war in Africa and worked shoulder to shoulder with our UN/NATO and ROK allies for two years facing North Korea. I've taught at Berkeley and substitute teach in public schools. Finallly, I'm a farmer. Right before I started this AMA I was out picking asparagus for tomorrows farmers market.
Q: What is your opinion on the warrantless surveillance of American citizens under the Patriot Act and NSA?
A: It's bad. Government got carried away after 9/11. We all wanted to feel safe and didn't know when the next attack was coming. I would work to repeal that provision. After all, it's not like FISA warrants have been hard to acquire. The least the feds can do is ask for a warrant.
Q: What are your thoughts on the authoritarianism of the Chinese Government and freedom for Hong Kong and Taiwan?
A: The CPC is dangerous, but I honestly think it will fall from internal rot. The question is, does it turn into a criminal oligarchy or does a truly representative government rise? Taiwan is free already, I wish we'd stop pretending it isn't. Hong Kong was free last time I was there in the 80s and aren't taking to well to authoritarian rule as seen by last years demonstration. I think those two will become beacons for a democratic movement but the CPC isn't going to go quietly and it will be brutal.
Q: How are you going to educate your constituents about McConnell's fundraising? I have read that the majority of his campaign contributions do not from Kentuckians but outside millionaires and billionaires who seek to influence local elections in your state. Isn't this relevant information for voters? How will you inform the rank and file Reblican leaning voters that Mitch represents these interests not their own?
A: Everyone in Kentucky knows where his money comes from, but I still talk about it all of the time. There's a certain, "Well, that's just Mitch," factor and no amount of talk will change minds
Q: How do you plan to pay to fix these problems. Name 3 things specifically.
Also, thank you for taking your time to answer personally. The people appreciate you doing that!
A: Not sure what you mean by the word "problem." You mean how Mitch runs his campaign?
We're talking to local press. We've done more local press than all our opponents combined. Kentuckians who call the NY Times "fake news" read their local papers and trust their local editors.
We are very accessible. I am here after all - but you can find me nightly, either online on our Facebook page, or through our evening town halls.
I have a feeling we won't be hurting for resources after we win the primary.
Q: what do you think about term limits?
A: Good question. There are plenty of entrenched politicians who are awful (I might know of one), but there are some good ones too (Ted Kennedy comes to mind). I am uneasy about term limits because if Washington is full of rookie politicians, that actually empowers bureaucracy and lobbyists. Sorry if this answer is not cut and dry.
Q: what are your thoughts/stance on bailouts for farmers and their dumping of vegetables, milk, and euthanized livestock in amidst of this pandemic?
A: Bailouts for farmers started way before the pandemic. Trump was just bragging about how much he "gave" farmers last year as bailouts for his idiotic trade wars. Farmers aren't causing the dumping its the processors of milk, meat, grain, etc between them and the consumer. I think it's a lot to ask farmers to invent a supply chain because the one we have is broken.
As far as euthanizing....the chickens the breed for example only live about 8-weeks from hatch to butchery, there are literally millions in line behind them, it's a shame but with our demand for lowcost food, it is the model we are stuck with now.