Oil & Gas, Coronavirus and the Joker’s Oval
The Joker’s Oval, I think the laughing is about to end. It’s about time we started taking care of this and taking care of us.
Unemployment is at a 50-year low and economic growth is steady. Assess the state of the economy and tell us how you would improve economic prospects for Americans.
We have to connect any tax cuts to gains for the American economy. Watching stockholders take home all the tax cuts year after year while American workers have to work longer hours and more jobs is unacceptable and has drained the American Dream of hope and joy. #Gaither15IL
What security role should the U.S. play in world affairs?
American leadership, both from the Oval Office and Congress, has lurched from too much involvement with no strategy to win, to too much caution to a confused amalgamation of the two under President Trump.
Why should voters nominate you and not your opponents?
Consistently, I have shown up, stood up and spoken out on our rural issues. When I hear a problem, I don’t just give it lip service, I do something about it. #Gaither15IL
A Pro-Growth Investment in the Future of Sullivan
Let’s think about what Sullivan needs to make life better for those who are here and for those who are growing up here as well. We need to make it even better for those who are children so that we give them reasons to plant root and seed here. That is how communities grow again.
Farm Bailouts and Trade Strategy
Of course, President Trump has been playing musical chairs with farmers, trade and China for over two years, and the only one with any trade deals in America seems to be Ivanka Trump.
Rep. Shimkus is Retiring
Ask most farmers, they're over President Trump's Trade and Tariff War. Ask businesses, both small and large, the growing uncertainty in the Trump economy is making life more difficult. Ask working families, they've not received much if any of the benefits of the Trump-Republican massive tax cuts that have created historic Trillion Dollar Deficits. It would be difficult for anyone to defend let alone to fight to prolong these failing economic policies for our rural communities.
Discussing Politics and Religion
There should be no reason we cannot discuss issues without it descending into a disrespectful shouting match. #GaitherForIL
A Campaign About People and Policies
This campaign was about people and policies for an economy that works for everyone, education that prepares our children for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and a healthcare system […]
Social Security Fairness Act
I would support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2017, which has broad bipartisan support. It’s one of the areas where my opponent and I are in agreement. Unfortunately for our teachers and spouses, this bill has been sitting in the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security since March of 2017. It is not even listed on the Subcommittee’s website as a bill introduced in the 115th Congress, so the GOP is not serious about solving this problem.
Early Childhood Education
If we don’t create equity in the early education system in the 15th District, many of our communities will never catch up in the modern global economy. We all know that funding education through property taxes is a failing policy for businesses and families alike. Rural school districts suffer while booming communities are able to fund robust education programs. Our children deserve better. Early Education is the foundation on which a child’s future is built. With a renewed American investment in our children, we will better compete in a global economy, halt the brain drain, and bring better paying jobs back to the 15th District. This is what having a broad, generational vision can bring to America. It is long overdue.
Representation Not Abdication
Rep. Shimkus continues to abdicate his constitutional responsibilities to protect and defend our country from external and internal threats. He, along with the rest of Congress, are also abdicating their constitutional responsibilities of regulating trade with foreign Nations. This is threatening our downstate and southern Illinois economy.
Tired of Falling Behind
Instead of electing career politicians who rely on big dollar donors and offer rubber stamps and excuses, we should be focusing on what will build an economy, rebuild our infrastructure, and deliver education that provides for a better future. That's why I decided to run against a 21-year incumbent who I saw as being out of touch with the hardworking people of the 15th District. They deserve someone that will listen to their experiences and concerns and act upon them in Congress. That's what I will do as your representative and why I am fighting to earn your support and your vote this November.
Separating Families: Broken Immigration
I’d say there is plenty of common ground, common sense, and common values on this issue. Separating children from their parents is not just a tragedy, it’s traumatizing. I’m also concerned about our broken immigration systems, as many Americans are. We need to fix our broken immigration system so that people can come here legally, so that those seeking asylum can do so safely, and that we can grow as a nation and provide for hardworking Americans that have spent a lifetime working hard for their own families and communities.
People Over Party.
To me, I'm focused like a laser on changing the conversation. Moving beyond this blame game. Finding common ground, using common sense, and utilizing common values to move our district forward. That is why I'm showing up, standing up, and speaking out everywhere I go. Wages have been stagnant for decades, in some industries wages have actually been decreasing. This is why the economic environment is so hostile to both workers and especially to business. Without eliminating the disincentives and punishments for getting back to work, the bridge to self-reliance is non-existent. When you examine downstate politics, the Republicans have one mantra. “Madigan.” That’s all they run on mostly, adding in one or two social issues that divide and separate as opposed to build and boost our local economies. I know that the People are exhausted by that boring, tired playbook.
Gun Sanctuaries and Broken Immigration
Aren’t we sick of the partisan bickering, the pundit speculating, and the status quo strangling us all? I know I am. That’s why I’m running for Congress because I’m sick of both parties doing nothing but make our problems worse.