John Thrasher is a musician and a career educator. Now he wants to serve his community in Congress. He and his wife Jackie have two grown children, and John now teaches elementary school bands in his retirement throughout the Deer Valley district.
John seeks the Democratic nomination (see his primary opponent, Dr. Chat’s interview) to take on Trent Franks in the general election. I interviewed Mr. Thrasher via email last week. I have not posted any follow-up questions, if you have any, please post them in comments and if John doesn’t respond to them there, I will forward them to him via email, and get you an answer.
When did you become a Democrat?
I am a life-long Democrat, registered as one in 1963.
Why are you the best choice to take on Trent Franks?
I have lived in Arizona since 1958. I have raised two children here. My career as an Arizona educator has allowed me the opportunity to see what has been done to Arizona’s people and what needs to be done to make life better for all of us.
Are there Democratic policies or values you want to see changed?
I believe that the Democratic party needs to work more closely together and with a more focused vision if we are to provide the leadership this country needs.
What committees would you prefer to serve on if elected to Congress?
Education, Government Reforms, Transportation and infrastructure.
Are you in favor of immediate withdrawal from Iraq?
I am in favor of withdrawing from the active participation in the internal affairs of Iraq, but we must protect the borders and the infrastructure from foreign incursion.
Are you in favor of immediate withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Our job is not completed. Resources withdrawn from Iraq can be used to complete the mission.
Would you support the unilateral use of force against Iran to prevent them from acquiring nuclear weapons?
Such an action is unnecessary if global cooperation is used to provide verification of compliance.
How do we deal with North Korea now that they have nuclear weapons and are developing the means to strike United States’ territory?
China has already addressed that issue and we are participating in the sanctions necessary to prevent further development.
How can we help end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
By continuing to provide opportunities for a diplomatic solution.
How can we afford to provide healthcare coverage to every American?
By recognizing that the health care industry has become a monopoly and exercising government power to control it.
How can we fix the coming deficits in the Medicare program?
See Above Answer to #9.
How do we fix the coming deficits in the Social Security program?
According to information from the GAO, the Social Security program, provided it is not plundered to support the general operations of the government, is sufficient through 2050 even with the projected rising costs of healthcare. Control these and the solvency is assured. We should also recognize that sending a significant portion of the workforce to fight on foreign soil is not the way to bring future solvency to Social Security.
Would you support increasing any taxes to close the budget deficit?
The deficit is more an artifact of the budget priorities than of the budget itself. However, increased taxes on luxury items and eliminating taxes on necessities will expand the economy sufficiently to recover from the current deficit.
Can we cut military spending outside of war-related expenditures, and where?
In any organization as huge as the United States military there will always be opportunities for adjustment. Closer oversight and accountability is key to this effort.
How can the federal government help to improve our education system?
Stop unfunded mandates and restore the educational priorities that gave this country the economic and technological dominance we achieved after World War Two.
How can America redress our structural trade deficits with the rest of the world?
We have to recognize we are a country of consumers and adjust our priorities to providing other countries with the standard of living that will make them markets for our advanced technology and agricultural products.
How do we keep jobs in America with livable wages when we are competing with developing nations with much cheaper labor and laxer business regulations?
Raise the minimum wage and eliminate corporate incentives for utilization of foreign labor at the expense of the American worker.
Do you support the Conyers Resolution to form a select committee to investigate impeachable offenses by the President?
Whether wiretapping domestically, violating the Geneva Conventions, or ignoring Constitutional guarantees, NO president or government official should be above the law.
How should we combat terrorism in an age of globalism?
International cooperation.
How can we get control of economic immigration from Mexico?
My plan has always been to eliminate incentives for undocumented workers by denying them access to jobs and holding employers accountable.
Do you support clean, publicly financed campaigns for federal offices along the lines of Arizona’s Clean Elections?
Absolutely.
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