I'm Karen Kwiatkowski -- running for the Virginia's 6th District seat against Bob Goodlatte, entrenched RINO and SOPA cosponsor. AMA

karen4the6th · 3 months

Individual liberty -- yes. But to participate in any government program really means we have given away our claims to some of that liberty. The money is government money -- it is our money, mine and yours. A lot of people think the government just prints money -- ooops, I guess it does! But you get my point.

karen4the6th · 3 months

I'd support that if the states decide to do it -- I think (but am not sure) that each state administers its welfare payment program. If a state forces drug checks on employees, the question is are welfare recipients "employees" -- many feel they should be. Curiously, when the progressive era started there was a lot of chartable and church organizations that helped the poor, the indigent, the addicted and drug users. But their charity came with a moral uplifting price (church attendance, quitting the alcohol or the drug, working and getting educated.) Government was in demand to take this over because people thought it wasn't fair the demand a moral change in the poor -- after all, it wasn't their fault, and they had a right to food, shelter, a good life regardless. Today's massive welfare programs are facing pressure to do what the old charities used to do -- demand something back from the recipients, require them to change their ways. I think it's fascinating how things come around and repeat.

karen4the6th · 3 months

Thanks -- and some of the redditors who think my views are "unusual," I credit with having really been fed a a few bucketloads of crap about the role of the state, the trustworthiness of the state, and the nature of the state. Some seem to think that corporations are bad and venal, but the state or government isn't. It's much the same thing, entwined in a thousand different ways. Co-dependent enablers, and both hating in many ways liberty, individualism, and the free market.

Take the worst and laziest people you know, the least talented, and the most ethically corrupt, and then reward that behavior with power, adoration, and money -- and you basically have the US Congress, with a few exceptions. That sounds mean -- but we'd get a better government by randomly selecting names form a phone book, and sending them up for a couple of years.

Yes, I'm running for Congress -- with a very clear idea of what I'm getting into, and how I'll deal with it, and with a pre-identified time limit. Thanks for your vote.

karen4the6th · 3 months

I oppose neoconservatism -- which is basically very supportive of both a warfare and welfare state, as long as the little people get to pay for it all. Neocons in the Pentaogn and on Cheney staff in the early 2000's contrived an invasion of Iraq, and succeeded in lying their way into one. We in the Pentagon, and the American people were suckers. I've written extensively on this, Salon had it like this: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0310-09.htm I'd love to see the domestic arm of the USG demilitarized -- but in fact the trend is completely in the opposite direction. Corporatism, crony capitalism and national socialism (fascism) are closely related. I am actually surprsed to see so many here who seem to trust the very govenrment that has created and fostered the abuses, and the very politicians who are on the take and in the pocket of the corporations. Bailouts -- we all opposed them -- but Congress didn't. It doesn't get more obvious that that. SOPA and PIPA, likewise, on a smaller scale, a simple buyoff by corporations to avoid dealing with a changing world and product competition through legislation.

karen4the6th · 3 months

Goodlatte is very much the hypocrite here, as he seeks to stop internet poker and that kind of gambling, but continues to take money from other gambling concerns, like horse racing and support that.

karen4the6th · 3 months

I don't think compromise in a basic value system is required. Especially if we did one bill at a time. The forced compromise and the fear of gridlock comes when we pile so many diferent things and issues and laws into omnibus bills, and force people to choose. If forced to choose, in a case like that, I would vote no. But there is a better way to legislate (and while it wouldn't produce gridlock, it would produce fewer laws, and wiser legislation. One subject at a time is the answer. Meanwhile, if Dennis and I agree, as we would on unconstitutional war and the Bill of Rights, I'd vote as he votes, neither one of us in violation of our principles.

karen4the6th · 3 months

These are actually listed on our campaign material and I believe on the website. Absolutely but someone bat me to the One Subject at a Time act -- I think it was just proposed by a Republican congressman. The answer is yes, and if you go to www.downsizedc.org (where these ideas and proposals emanated) you will find a lot of things I agree with and support.

karen4the6th · 3 months

I spoke out and wrote against the lies told by warmongers in the Pentagon and elsewhere regarding the invasion of Iraq in 2003. I wore the uniform of the USAF and served for twenty years. I'm just like anyone else here, just a citizen, but I've been on the receiving end of a lot of public criticism and verbal abuse for my opposition to government lies. Actually you all (even those who are more progressive and statist) have been quite nice here in the AMA, btw...

karen4the6th · 3 months

No, no, and it used to be the Senators, but after the 17th Amendment was ratified, I am not sure how states get their government's represented.

karen4the6th · 3 months

It looks a bit scary. It seems like it would be more community centered, but it seems like instead it is just an extension of government, seeking to enforce things that maybe aren't even "laws" but rather guidelines. I don't know for sure. I'm all for neighbors helping neighbors, and community grous that work for the good of their community. Do they deputize the CAPS volunteers? We don't have that here in the West of the state that I know of.

karen4the6th · 3 months

Good assessment. I plan to undo as much government as I can, in accordance with the Constitutional constraints on the federal government role and duties. That is change you may or may not believe in, but it's exactly what the founders believed in. I imagine I will become known quickly as the second Dr. No, and I'll never be part of the old boy club. I've worked in male dominated workplaces for 20 years, and I'm not looking for affirmations by the political parties. And, I've bonded my term limit pledge. (bondedtermlimits.org)

karen4the6th · 3 months

It is wise never to confuse society and community for the state and politicians. I am all for human beings working together, and for a vibrant and caring society. I just don't believe that government, or the concept of the state, has ever had much to do with that. I've worked in government too long, and studying too much history to believe much good is accomplished through the use of force -- and government is nothing more than the use of force -- usually by the minority upon the majority. As George Washington said, government is force, like fire, a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

karen4the6th · 3 months

Ka-tows-ski

karen4the6th · 3 months

I have two grandchildren, and that picture is doctored to make me look prettier or at least younger than I am. I apologize for that, but we are a vain bunch. I'm 51, and that's plenty old enough to be a Grandmother!

karen4the6th · 3 months

Sorry -- you'll have to spell out the acronym for me.

karen4the6th · 3 months

No sisters!

karen4the6th · 3 months

Not that I know of.

karen4the6th · 3 months

I like that show but haven't watched enough episodes to ID which character I'd be. I'll ask my husband because he would know this.

karen4the6th · 3 months

Thanks. That was a great documentary -- very balanced and it does help people think about the problem today.

karen4the6th · 3 months

It is one of the other buildings that collapsed in a minimum of seconds on its own footprint later in the day on 9/11, at about 5:30 I believe. It is significant because the official 9/11 Commission Report mentions it only once, and it is difficult to explain. I've seen news footage of the collapse of Building 7, beyond that I have no idea what happened there.

karen4the6th · 3 months

It's our reddit, I believe. If you are in our district your alternative is the SOPA guy -- and guess what -- he doesn't enjoy or appreciate LRC either!

karen4the6th · 3 months

Yes, and frankly I like Ron Pauls 1 Trillion dollar reduction program, and its a start. I also like the idea of across the board cuts on the remaining governmental departments, and I proposed a few months ago in the Roanoke Times that in addition to a budgetary cut that 20% of each department's money be held back for a June (of the fiscal year) reauthorization, in a department by department (not omnibus) style congressional vote. It won't be easy.

You have to get government investing and false government promises of default protection out of the game. And just like the "outstanding" SEC work done in preventing Bernie Madoff's scheme over many years, saying you have government regulation doesn't mean squat if government is incompetent or in bed with the targets, as they usually are. Rather, the promise of failure for bad performance and bad risktaking is the best regulator. We don't have that in a corporate capitalist system, so regulating that system without dealing with the underlying problem of government collusion doesn't help as much as might be expected.

3) I don't think a decent education has to cost as much as the DOE statistics would indicate. And college costs are inflated by the availability and ease of student loans, and are certainly not market driven or based, in fact higher ed is one of the coming bubbles. Even Biden says this http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/02/06/biden_admits_government_subsidies_have_increased_college_tuition.html Local is better, and more affordable. We may need to look to commercial education providers, home schoolers, and self driven education (charter schools, completely new models) to get our money's worth, but the 1900 style system of public education we have, centralized, expensive, unresponsive to parents and communities) is outdated and really doesn't work to educate for the 21st century.

karen4the6th · 3 months

Ya think? I have to take all the credit and the barbs from the readers here. I write my own stuff. For good or for bad.

karen4the6th · 3 months

I really think it is just a cute acronym and it sounds like Rhino, which is another animal like the elephant. Our whole district back 60 years ago was all blue dog democrats, and now it is conservative constitutionalists. Goodlatte is a country club GOP'er, and his days were numbered even before my primary run against him. The fundamental question is how much state interference do you like in your life, your job, and your home. Here in the 6th district we don't like that much! You sound like a liberty and constitution minded person. Go with that -- and from what I can tell so far, a lot of the GOP core is rotten.

karen4the6th · 3 months

Thanks - I did add the website, and thanks for donating -- it is greatly appreciated. Our money goes way further than the incumbents, so it's a great investment! I'll check out the site and let you know!

karen4the6th

TROPHY CASE

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