Ethics

I believe that no candidate should take any for-profit corporate or significant out-of-state funds. People work for those who pay them, and if big corporations are paying big money to support a candidate, how can that candidate then claim to be working for their constituents?

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” --Upton Sinclair

I believe there is no more dangerous bunch of nonsense to emanate in our time from the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court than the idiocy that regards corporations having the same rights as people, and that money is to be regarded as protected speech by the First Amendment. The Constitution says "We The People", not "We The Corporations," so why is that so difficult for the Supreme Court to understand? Perhaps it's because they are paid to not understand that.

There is no bigger corrosive effect on our democracy than the insidious concept that “Corporations are People.” I strongly support the efforts of local organizations like the folowing:

• New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics as well as these national groups:
• Move to Amend
• End Citizens United
• Represent Us

All of these organizations are working to remove the corrosive influence of money from our democracy.

I accept no for-profit corporate funds. My opponent, on the other hand, has accepted significant donations from for-profit corporations, many from out of state, giving him an advantage in this race. Why should out-of-state corporations have a voice in this election? Clearly they see their donations as a worthwhile investment in having their guy in the NM House.

What if we did not have campaigns at all -- instead, just appoint whoever raises the most money? In about 90% of elections, the better-financed candidate wins. Shouldn't the candidate who has the better policies for the people win, instead of the candidate who collects more money as shown here: Open Secrets.

Politicians should behave as though their every move and every conversation will be published on the front page of the newspaper and all over social media. Only rarely should deliberations and minutes of meetings not be made public; they should be kept secret only for a very good legal reason.

"Sunshine is the best disinfectant" - Louise Brandeis

All politicians -- including judges -- should be subject to the same laws that all citizens are subject to. Violations of the law by politicians must be publicized and dealt with.

I have taken the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.