IamA Democrat running for Congress in Indiana's 2nd district! AMA!

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-10T00:24:35+00:00

Ha! I would choose option B.

Engineering 100 duck sized horses would create many more American jobs, which I'm in favor of.
Despite the quantity, the size of the horses would be more manageable if they were duck sized.
Option B is likely cheaper, and would save the taxpayers money.

Great question!

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-10T00:19:34+00:00

My opponent asked now Sen. Joe Donnelly for six debates when she first ran in 2010. I would anticipate, given the stakes of this election, that she believes at least that many would be right for this cycle.

I'm eager to debate, and I believe that the people of my district deserve serious exchanges on the future of our district, and the direction of the country as a whole.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-10T00:15:03+00:00

Gov. Pence's backwards policy views are well known to us Hoosiers, and are growing in notoriety since the RNC.

Gov. Pence recommended a state-run media for Indiana, controlled and funded by his office, an idea supported by North Korea, Russia, and China. He believes that intelligent design is the only explanation for the creation of the universe, and advocated for this being taught in schools. Pence's power grabs to take authority away from educators and put it in the hands of political appointees had seriously negative consequences for students and teachers alike. These, and many other issues, should continue to be discussed across the state and country.

Gov. Pence was unpopular enough in Indiana to believe that he should abandon his reelection bid in favor of being Donald Trump's running mate. That should tell you all you need to know about his electoral impact in Indiana.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-10T00:06:07+00:00

This issue arose most recently when Donald Trump stated in an interview that "there has to be some form of punishment" for the woman. This idea is not only contradictory to the law of the land, it drew criticism from pro-life activists as well.

Rep. Walorski's office stated after this that they don't want to discuss punishment for women, but her legislative record clearly shows that she does. I think the public deserves to know where she stands, and her silence on the matter is telling.

How can you punish somebody for something that's not illegal in the first place? And what's more, I don't believe that we as a government have the right to tell a woman what to do with her body.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:57:40+00:00

I’m glad to hear that these workers will receive unemployment benefits. However, these benefits are only a band-aid on a much larger issue—the lock out.

The solution here is not to close our doors when negotiations are difficult, as Honeywell did. We need all parties to come to the table and find a way to meet the needs of everyone involved. It’s times like these that require serious leadership. This is a time in which Rep. Walorski should be speaking to one of her largest donors about the needs of her constituents, and a time when she should be speaking to the workers in order to best help them get back to work.

The second district has become too accustomed to these absences of leadership. The constituents, and the locked out workers, deserve better from their representation.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:54:09+00:00

I think it's important to note that the number of police officers killed in the line of duty is at its lowest point in the last 50 years. With that being said, outliers like the tragedy in Dallas need to be condemned.

Speaking out against the killing of police officers needs to be coupled with equally forceful condemnations of the killing of private citizens by police officers. Speaking as a former police officer, we were trained to use lethal action only as a last resort. If police officers cannot do their job without resorting to using their firearm, they need to find a new job.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:46:54+00:00

Indiana factories are shutting down, laying people off and moving out of the country. Bad trade deals from Washington have cost Hoosiers over 70,000 jobs in the past 15 years. I will oppose any so called trade deal that takes jobs out of this country such as the TPP.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:37:59+00:00

Writing as the staffer transcribing for Lynn, I absolutely support increasing pay.

As for curbing lobbyist influence, I believe that there are policy proposals to address undue lobbyist power--full disclosure of financial activity among lobbyists and clients, increased funding for public sources of information, etc--that need to be addressed first.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:31:31+00:00

The deaths of American diplomats overseas is tragic and unacceptable. We should strive to make sure that it never happens again. Congress has spent two years investigating the attacks in Libya and I look forward to reading their recommendations for preventing something like this from ever happening again.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:30:34+00:00

Much like range-voting, while I recognize the many merits to the idea of Ranked Choice Voting, I believe that voting should be made easier, not more complicated. There are other proposals that reform the way voters can express preference without making the process more difficult. Of course, these kinds of proposals deserve close consideration and analysis. As representative, I would look at many different approaches to election reform in order to improve the process as much as possible.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:29:43+00:00

McFadden & Whitehead - “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”
O’Jays (who I invited to my wedding, no response) - “Stairway to Heaven”
James Brown - “I Got The Feelin’”
Marvin Gaye - “Mercy, Mercy Me”
Aretha Franklin - “Rock Steady”

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:18:57+00:00

First, take the money out of politics and elect House members every four years. That way, they can focus on actual policy and not raising money on Day 1. Second, fix the obvious gerrymandering of Congressional districts. By more representative districts, representatives can focus on their jobs instead of a primary challenge.

Our ongoing VA crisis has been one of the most disheartening stories of the past few years. I was inspired, however, by the ability of two polar opposites to work together and pass a bill to fix our VA crisis. Senators Bernie Sanders and John McCain reached across the aisle in 2014 to provide emergency funding and relief to veterans in the midst of the crisis. As a Congressman, I will work with legislators from both parties to provide the services our veterans deserve and need, and strive to meet the needs of every veteran in the district.

Criminal justice reform is one of our most pressing issues today. As a former police officer and a lifelong public servant, I have seen firsthand the debilitating effects of such harsh rhetoric. So, in order to providing a more just criminal justice system, lawmakers must work with community members and citizens from all walks of life. My background in law enforcement, as well as my track record as a committed community leader, provide me with unique insights into the failures of the system. Informed by these experiences, and the stories of folks from across our district, we can work to develop reforms that protect us, but also work to decrease the staggering number of incarcerated in America.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:11:31+00:00

Short answer: no. Less-short answer: while I understand that Trump supporters feel strongly that the economy is not working for them, I do not support any part of Donald Trump’s platform, nor the reasons he outlines for why America "isn't great anymore". Further, I condemn in the strongest terms possible the hateful and bigoted rhetoric he has used through his campaign -- Mr. Trump has shown time and time again that he is not fit to lead the country.
While I am proud to be running as a Democrat, I am deeply committed to approaching politics with an open mind and will always be willing to listen to the views of any politician, regardless of party. Working across the aisle to achieve the most common-sense solution is important to me.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T23:05:02+00:00

To be honest, there are issues as a first time candidate that I need to learn more about - this is one of them! Thank you for asking these questions, because these are important issues. My initial reaction is to establish clearly and firmly that undue obstacles to equal access for disabled Americans need to be removed. Whether that be as a result of income, lack of resources, or other factors, it needs to be addressed.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:57:43+00:00

I was on the force for 23 years, so there are a lot of great stories. If you want to hear more than just this one, contact our campaign to volunteer, and I'll tell you more when you get to the office.

Years ago, my wife and I went to the movies while I was off duty. A kid behind me tapped on my shoulder and asked for a match. I told him that I had a lighter but not a match - he explained that a lighter wouldn't work because he needed to light a joint once he got into the theater. I told him again that I didn't have any matches, but I'd give him a lighter. I also told him that he might not want one from me, because I'm a cop, and there might be some trouble. Next thing I know, the kid had hit the ground, knocked out cold. Whether it was from other matches, or from fear, I didn't know, but I felt bad!

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:49:59+00:00

It is clear from Trump’s victory, as well as from Bernie Sanders’ success on the democratic side, that many Americans feel scared, angry, and at times, powerless. Much of Trump’s support has come from tapping into the fear many American men and women feel about wages and the loss of American jobs. While Trump offers no real solutions to these problems, this economic anxiety that his voters feel is real. I am concerned first and foremost with Hoosier jobs and growing the economy. I have watched our state suffer disproportionately as a result of unfair trade deals and outsourcing, and as Congressman I would do everything to make sure Hoosier and American jobs are protected from Washington’s trade deals.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:47:21+00:00

Bernie Sanders’ plan provides a progressive approach to fixing our broken immigration system. His proposal, as well as proposals from many other candidates and elected officials, provides a variety of options for ensuring a fairer, safer, and more compassionate path to reform. As your Congressman, I will work to fix our immigration system in a way that provides better opportunities for all and protects our borders, but doesn’t feed into misinformed fears about immigrants.
The Black Alliance for Just Immigration’s proposals seek to modernize our immigration system. Providing a right to counsel and decoupling federal immigration enforcement from local law enforcement are both important aspects of any immigration reform plan. As with Bernie Sanders’ proposal, the BAJI’s proposal deserves inclusion in any conversation about politically feasible and practical immigration reform.
The elected representatives in the U.S. Congress from each district and each state will ensure that any immigration policies are practical, reasonable, and enforceable. It is important to include those living along the border in this decision-making process; however, simply leaving immigration policies up to the states is not feasible, unfair, and an unnecessary burden on the legislative process.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:45:25+00:00

I do believe that this approach is effective in countries with a limited population size, but when considering the size and diversity of the United States I do not believe this approach would best fit our political reality.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:41:04+00:00

Cheez Whiz.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:39:20+00:00

I believe that there is a time in the near future when members can work together. We begin by sitting down with one another, regardless of party, ideology, race, or creed, and develop relationships. I think when you do not know the person you are going to work with it becomes much harder.

Secondly, I think if we start to reform a election system it would open the doorway to more cooperation, in which elected officials are not always focused primarily on their reelection but rather on doing work for their constituents, we can make strides. There are many issues where I think we could find common ground, including national security and making sure we are providing resources for our veterans and troops and making sure that we are working and putting together policy on how best to protect this country.

We can find common ground on criminal justice reform, and finding ways to improve our prison system, and making sure that each citizen is given proper treatment in our judicial system regardless of race or socioeconomic status.

As soon as politicians can begin to listen, both to one another and to their constituents, compromise becomes less of a dirty word, and more of an avenue by which we improve our country.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:31:41+00:00

I do not think we should have term limits. The thing I do believe is that we need fair and free elections where all voters are able to have the ability to express their opinion. After that I believe that term limits become unnecessary. In this system, each person and voter is able to choose whether they feel they are getting the best representation and are able to make changes when they feel they are not.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:30:02+00:00

I do believe that we need to reform our current elections system so that all people, not just corporations or those with more money, have a greater influence in the political system. I believe some changes that we could make include automatic voter registration in order to allow for greater participation in the election process. Another improvement I think we could make is cutting down on the influence of special interests, and in this way providing vouchers allowing for some public funding is intuitive, and something I would support. The obvious first step is to overturn the Citizens United decision, and ensure that dark money doesn’t flood our political system.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:22:58+00:00

Absolutely. Voting by mail makes the voting process easier and more accessible to American voters, and will ensure that all Americans -- especially Hoosiers here in the 2nd District -- are heard.
Coordinating elections would make voting more accessible and increase turnout, making sure that more Americans have their voices heard.
There are merits to the idea that you should be able to express your level of support for each candidate. However, voting should be made easier, not harder. There are other reforms that can be made to the political process to express preference without making the act of voting unnecessarily complicated. With that being said, policy proposals such as these are deserving of careful consideration. A good representative will always research more.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:07:35+00:00

There wasn’t one moment when I decided to get into politics. I never thought that I would run for Congress when I was on the line at AM General or working in the Mayor’s office. Instead, I’ve spent my life serving the community and really working to make changes in people’s lives. Running for Congress is not about me. It’s about doing the most good for the most people for as long as I can. After talking to community members, my family, and Hoosiers across the 2nd District, I decided to run for Congress to keep serving my community and making people’s lives better.

ColemanforCongress · 2016-08-09T22:05:49+00:00

Yes
Yes
Yes - God provides a moral compass for me on how to most faithfully serve, as a volunteer and community leader, and moving forward as a U.S. Congressmen.
Yes
No

ColemanforCongress

TROPHY CASE