Blue America Welcomes John Waltz
You know what I love for Blue America? When we find a perfect candidate and he or she is running against a perfect villain. Michigan's 6th district offers us just that combination this cycle and I want to introduce you to Democrat John Waltz, a movement progressive, who's taking on cartoonish plutocrat, Fred Upton, the Whirlpool heir who has always treated the district as though it were a feudal fiefdom. Upton, by inheritance one of the richest members of the House, was appointed to the SuperCommittee by his crony John Boehner because Republicans know he will never agree to anything sensible that can in any way help dig the middle class out of the economic mess the modern day Robber Barons, in their unparalleled greed, have created for the rest of us. Today the man we hope will finally retire Upton from political life, John Waltz, will be joining us for a live blog session here in the comments section at 2pm, ET (11am, PT).
A 34 year old Iraq War vet, John is a completely dedicated champion for a commonsense progressive agenda, born and raised in Kalamazoo, the heart of the 6th district. It's a district Bush won in 2000 and 2004 with, respectively 52 and 53%. In 2008 Obama took the district 54-45%. When I started talking to John about this race this summer, he told me he feels Upton is alienating his constituents with his conspicuous, if defensive, move towards the Tea Party. "I fully expect him to propose privatizing Social Security, gutting Medicare, gutting the VA budget, working to get rid of the EPA, all to protect tax cuts for the 1,400 millionaires who didn't pay a dime in income taxes last year... and to do so again and again while normal people shoulder the load." John Conyers, Michigan's most progressive political leader, was out of the box endorsing Waltz.
Although Waltz has a lot to say on every major issue facing America today-- and all of it is spot on-- his campaign is all about getting the economy working again for ordinary American families. Talking to him this week, I didn't gather he was from the Tim Geithner/Rahm Emanuel/Harold Ford end of the Democratic Party.
The last ten years we have been transformed into a nation that has been brainwashed into thinking that they will one day be millionaires and that only their needs matter. The shame we bear as a nation is that we were unified by the tragedy on 9/11. It was short lived though and the last ten years will be remembered in history as the decade our economy was systematically looted by Wall Street, which was enabled by politicians in DC.
Instead of focusing on getting folks back to work and getting our economy back on its feet we have been lulled by the constant cries that we need to fix our deficit. The only deficit we need to fix is the chasm between the rich and the rest of us. While the middle class (what is left) and the poor are clawing away at just paying the essential bills, keeping a roof over our heads, and sending our kids to school, millionaires are basking in the glory of a government that coddles their every need. This is not the America I know, you know, or the one I thought I was fighting for when I joined the military.
John, thanks for joining us here. We're very proud to be endorsing your campaign for Congress. Let me kick this session off by asking an obvious question that takes us away from your top issue-- jobs and the economy-- for a minute. You served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Can you give us an idea about what you feel President Obama should be doing about the U.S. occupations of those two unfortunate countries?
First off thank you for having me and for endorsing my campaign it means a lot. Also, thank you to everyone who has joined today as well. The best move that we can make as a nation in regards to the occupations is ending them and sending our troops back home. Both occupations were misguided and unnecessary in the first place, but in the end they only served to further damage our relations in the Middle East and we lost too many of our military brothers and sisters not to mention the multitude of veterans who are enduring both mental and physical injuries.
As I noted in the intro above, voters in Kalamazoo and throughout MI-6, gave President Obama a pretty good margin of victory in 2008. And those same people also gave what almost amounts to an hereditary feudal baron-- in this case a robber baron-- a big margin of victory too. Why? Not just why, but why do you think you can overcome that history?
Actually when you look at the vote totals many of the people who voted for President Obama simply did not vote for the Democrat going against Upton. Just because there is a strong candidate at the top does not mean those lower on the ticket will get a windfall. The biggest issue boils down to the fact that in the last ten years any opponents of Upton have not been able to raise their name ID because they could not raise enough money. This is how my campaign will change history. Last year I was able to raise nearly a half million dollars in an extremely red district, in a bad year, and with no name recognition. That is one part of the puzzle, but the other is deploying a true community organizing campaign where we knock on every door in a neighborhood and not just Democrats or likely ones. Then inviting these folks to house meetings to have their voice heard because too many folks feel like their voice is not being heard, which is true considering the millions being pumped into campaigns. We are tired of having a sound bite democracy and it is time that our government listens to the rest of the 98% of the nation that is being ignored.
Welcome to Blue America. We're very proud to be endorsing you.
What are your thoughts on the current incarnation of the Republican party? ;)
I think the subject of this reply is the best way to summarize the Republican party. Now that they have put our nation into a massive crisis they seemingly have amnesia of what their policies have done to us. Fear not though they have double down on their failed policies and spiced it up with hatred, racism, and homophobia to name a few.
I know you weren't pleased about the booing of the soldier at the Republican debate this week. Do you think there's likely to be widespread anger in the military community? Or will soldiers and their families just say "He's gay so who cares?"
I think one thing that needs to be known about the military is that those we serve with are like family. I mean we spend a lot more time with our fellow brothers and sisters than our own family. That being said when one is attacked you are attacking us all and I think that will be the reaction. I will again challenge any Republican or Tealiban member to join and see if they have any complaints when a gay or lesbian soldier is protecting them...
Is there enough of an unemployment problem in western and central Michigan for voters to get angry that Whirlpool-- your opponent's company-- shipped tens of thousands of jobs to overseas cheap labor markets? Is it an issue that will resonate? And if so, why hasn't it before?
I think it is an issue that will resonate and one that has so far. Quite honestly I am not sure why it has not resonated in the past, but in my own assessment it is an issue no candidate has brought up before. It is time for progressives to stop being timid and unleash the fury our nation is feeling. On this issue and many others I will have the courage and tenacity to grill Upton and his cronies, which is long overdue.
Free trade deals have decimated Michigan and folks are waking up to that fact. I know personally my dad's GM plant was shipped off to Mexico shortly after NAFTA was signed into place. When you let folks know that Upton was part of negotiating these horrible deals and that the company he inherited shipped jobs overseas it resonates. I really would like to know why Whirlpool can have Germans making washers and driers for $35 an hour when I am sure folks in Michigan would do it for $25 and be really happy. Why Fred?
There are a LOT of Obama supporters in Kalamazoo and all through MI-6. How are you going to appeal to them while proposing solutions that seem pretty far ahead of where Obama has been willing to lead? Are folks in western Michigan ready for a real working class progressive or do you think they'd rather have the kind of conservative or reactionary Blue Dog that the media routinely refers to as a "moderate?"
Michigan's Sixth is truly a blue collar district and they are hungry for leadership. There are many Democrats who are upset with Obama because he has not had the fighting spirit they had envisioned, but as a Congressman I can help put the fire to his feet to start fighting for the things that will get our nation back to work again. Adding to this Upton has been able to fool people with his moderate stances, but he certainly has shown his real side in the last few years. Of course, he is doing this so that he does not tick off the TEAliban, but he is leaving behind the rest of the district and our nation. Folks in the Sixth are hungry for a leader who has walked in their shows and I certainly have done that all my life.
Mr. Waltz,
Thank you for joining us on Crooks & Liars today. Almost a year ago, I wrote an article on my blog asking the question: Why aren't we building palaces of learning? We seem to have no problem spending billions of tax payer dollars on professional sports stadiums, yet we keep cutting funding to education, especially to the repair and building of schools. Do you think think we should be building palaces of learning?
Election 2012: Be Educated! Be Active! Vote!
www.PhoenixJustice.com
The simple answer is yes. As you stated we have poured billions of dollars into unneeded occupations, the hands of private contractors, and several other areas that was the trade off for the money that goes into politician's coffers. It is time that we start investing that money here in America in areas like education because our future generation is not getting the tools they need to compete in a global environment.
Is this going to be a nationalized election or are there issues specific to the Kalamazoo region that will be front and center in voters' minds during this campaign? What are the issues the election will hinge on?
I think that there will be a lot of national focus to the elections, but for this campaign we are also going to bring in the local attention that is sorely needed. The number one thing I hear is folks need jobs and they are concerned about the environment because of the oil spill that happened here recently. Considering Upton's backward stance on the environment it is easy to make a case why we need a leader such as myself who will focus on growing the green energy sector that will benefit both jobs and the environment.
I would think that one of the great things about running for office is that you meet a LOT of average folks and they want to tell you exactly what's on their minds. How would you describe the general mood on the ground?
Folks want leaders who will roll up their sleeves and get to work instead of the political posturing that Republicans like Upton have done where his only goal is to see Obama failing. Sorry to inform you Upton, but your party's success means nothing to someone who is out of work and trying to scrape by.
I have often called President Obama the "Milquetoast President" for always starting out every proposal with a compromise that is 99% conservative Republican ideas and for scolding liberals for not supporting him. Do you think President Obama has failed to understand liberals and our willingness to fight for him, if he actually gives us a reason to?
Election 2012: Be Educated! Be Active! Vote!
www.PhoenixJustice.com
This is one I have pondered myself many times. We have been told he is really intelligent, which I don't doubt it just seems that negotiation is not his forte. I think it is vital for Obama to stay on the fighting track he is on now, which is asking for everything he wants and showing that he isn't going to budge. You can't start a negotiation by giving away all of your chips and I hope Obama will remember that.
John's running against one of the wealthiest members of Congress, a corporate shill who inherited every dime he's got. And John is a normal working class guy. While he's answering questions, please consider making a contribution to his campaign here.
Nothing bugs me more than the way Democrats always cave in to GOP hostage-taking and shift to the Right. Like a bunch of spoiled children, Republicans are perfectly willing to bring us to the brink of catastrophe to get their way... and why not? Once something works, you keep doing it. Nothing more deconstructive than reinforcing bad behavior.
And that's not the worst of it. Every time Democrats cave, the general consensus is that "Conservatives must be right" because Democrats eventually "agree" with them, so their position must not of been that strong to begin with. It's a nasty cycle that is destroying this country.
So my question is, will you be a Democrat that STANDS UP for Progressive ideals and what you know is right? I'm looking for a fighter, not another wishy-washy Democrat that eventually caves-in to obscene constant childish nuclear brinksmanship.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
Mugsy, you asked the right guy, the right question! I can't wait to sit back and enjoy his answer!
I will say this, I was born the youngest of seven and had to learn how to fight early on in life and have been doing it since. I am not going to Congres for a career move or stroke my ego rather I am serving my nation again because we need fighters. It is typical for progressives and Dems to be timid, but I guess you can say I am cut from a different cloth and I look forward to a few good scraps when I get there.
I am not sure it is that true liberals and progressives are timid, I think there are so few us in Congress that our voice isn't heard, unless we do something negative. Do you think the media ignores true liberals and progressives because proclaimed moderates and conservatives give them a better show?
Election 2012: Be Educated! Be Active! Vote!
www.PhoenixJustice.com
We liberals and progressives are not timid rather the politicians we generally send to DC. I do think that the media does ignore us and one case in point is when the governor of Michigan started taking over towns with emergency managers who ended up firing all of the elected officials we had a short blip on Maddow's show and then it fizzled. It is up to us then to get the word out.
“Let them call me rebel, and welcome; I feel no concern from it. For I should suffer the misery of devils, were I to make a whore of my soul.” Thomas Paine
John, Upton's patrician background and feudal attitude towards ordinary people is probably wildly popular with the people like the Koch brothers who finance the Tea Party, but the guy has a voting record that I'm betting a lot of tea party types would hate if they understood what a complete corporate shill he's always been. Do you think there's any serious chance of making inroads with your populist message among these disaffected tea party people? Or are they a lot cause of racists, bigots and brainwashed Fox zombies?
Quite honestly I am not counting on any of the TEAliban crossing over as I witnessed last cycle. What we are going to do in the community organizing will bring folks from many different stripes together to get me elected, but I will do it without sacrificing my progressive principles.
Don't know if you read the NY Times poll this week, but the tea partiers are the MOST likely to vote for whomever they think can beat the Democrat rather than one who upholds their alleged principles.
Good luck to you John, if you think you can reach them ... ;)
No, I think they're brainwashed Fox zombies and completely useless. At their core almost all teabaggers are racists fist and foremost. The rest is just window-dressing.
Please: Stop the bastardization of the term "progressive" by the Democratic Party elites. There is nothing progressive about the current Democratic Party nor is believing one must work within the current two party system.
The Progressive Party of America was the last political party to truly threaten the two party establishment. Where are you "progressive democrats" in promoting this concept once again? You must understand that the Progressive Party was born of the last Guilded Age.
Why do you persist without courage and with unity, progressive "blog-o-sphere," in promting a broken system?
Welcome, Mr. Waltz; however, I expect a great deal from you are your peers that I'm not quite convinced you can deliver.
You are accurate that the term has been bastardized and many Democrats have not lived up to what progressives stood for in the early 1900s. I will tell you I am not relying on any party to get me elected and have shown that I solely fight for the people. I can deliver because of this and due to the fact I was raised blue collar and still am. With my background I walk in the same shoes as the folks I am fighting to represent and will never lose site of that.
If you beat Upton, what would you like to do about the health care reform bill that passed last year? It seems-- at best-- only a half-way solution and-- at worst-- another giveaway to big corporate interests that fund our political class.
My wife went without health care for three years because she had a pre-existing condition and finally got care this year. The "reform" we seen was exactly what you called it and that is a handout to corporations. What we need is a true single payer health care system that stops treating our health care like a commodity like tires and soap.
I'm nervous that if Obama is reelected he's going to go back for another shot at a "grand bargain" that trades away part of the pittance seniors get from Social Security and Medicare. Do you foresee any circumstances you would support him and the Democratic House leadership in this kind of a compromise?
Anything that attempts to destroy Social Security and Medicare I will fight against it. The solutions that Republicans and often what Obama agrees with to these two valuable programs do not answer the real problems that need to be fixed. Instead they look to abolish the programs so that corporate fat cats can have a chance to run them. Privitization has led us to starting and staying in fictitious wars and jailing folks in order to make a profit. This needs to stop and I will stand up to fight it all the way.
I've been reading a lot of material lately that leads me to believe that this is really the animating issue on the far right, more potent than any other. How does that play into your district and can you effectively make a case for comprehensive immigration reform in a time of economic crisis?
There is no doubt that this is a touchy issue that is seemingly being ignored, which in turn is inflaming the problem not solving it. With the economy in the shape it is there are a lot of folks who are worried that any immigration will take away more jobs. The fact is there are no jobs right now and we have no manufacturing policy plus any jobs we could have are overseas. Making the point that the "free" trade deals have been a million times more destructive than folks coming into this country to live a better life. We are all immigrants and until we get rid of the selfish me me me attitude that has been force fed to us and realize we are a united community then this issue will always be at an impasse.
John, what can Crooks and Liars readers who don't live in Michigan do to be most helpful in helping you beat Upton or as the Twitter hashtag puts it so well, #FedUpton?
Thank you Howie and Digby for having me today and again thanks a million to all those who joined. There are many ways you can help including getting the word out to everyone you know about my campaign. When you are tweeting use the hashtag #fedupton because we all should be FED UP with Upton. Of course going against a well funded corporate shill anything you can chip into the effort would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to not only serving for my nation again, but I look forward to fighting for all of us!
As Howie said:
"John's running against one of the wealthiest members of Congress, a corporate shill who inherited every dime he's got. And John is a normal working class guy. Please consider making a contribution to his campaign here:" https://secure.actblue.com/page/blueamerica12
1) Do you support repealing the Patriot Act which overthrew our Bill of Rights?
2) Do you support a full Audit of the private Federal Reserve system?
3) Do you support overhauling our secret vote tabulating election process?
4) Do you support ending the expensive and disingenuous War on Drugs?
5) Do you support ending the fictitious and economy crushing War on Terrorism?
6) Do you support investigating unsolved crimes like the Anthrax attacks?
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Thank you to John Amato as well for the endorsement!
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