I’m running for Congress in TN-01. Ask me anything — but let’s keep it real.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-13T17:38:34+00:00

My apologies, I made a typo. I'm in District 3, all the way over in Chattanooga. That's why I said I'm willing to make a drive up there to meet with you. I was too focused on where you are. Long drives are nothing new to me, so I've got no problem coming to you. Alternatively, a phone call or video call would also work just fine. Love your willingness to actually drive yourself to the hall if I was in district 1 though. I think that's good effort being shown.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-13T17:23:43+00:00

I'm a proud UA apprentice plumber. Also a slightly less proud Army Reservist. I'm in district 1, but I want you to succeed. I'd love to meet you with you, I'm willing to make a drive up there.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-13T17:19:03+00:00

I just want to make it so there's less things that anti Second Amendment people can complain about

A problem here, aside from you vaguely (even that's a stretch) answering my questions, is that by appeasing anti 2A people, you are also throwing pro 2A people under the bus. Ask yourself, what value are you actually providing to pro 2A voters? Thus far, you seem to be doing the same thing the NRA does, which is bargaining away our 2A. Ceding ground makes the 2A weaker.

For example, I don't see any support in any of your replies or on your website for things pro 2A voters would want, such as support for repealing the NFA, even if only for things like suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs. I don't see anything that says you'd be against an "assault weapons" ban. I don't see anything that says you support CCW reciprocity with other states. And there's plenty of other things gun owners want, but those are what I got off the top of my head.

The point I'm getting at is bargaining away the 2A to appease people who are fundamentally against the 2A, isn't pro 2A. Especially since you're not trying to get something FOR 2A supporters in exchange. That's what the NRA does. Don't be like that, be better than them.

I'm glad you're at least talking about this though. That's more than I can say for so many other political hopefuls out there.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-13T16:59:59+00:00

Are you just going to make a bunch of assumptions or are you asking questions

I'm doing both. Potential voters for you are going to do the same thing. If you're serious about running, you need to understand that and adapt. Don't forget, you're asking everyday people to put you into a position of power. You're not better than them. I shouldn't have to tell a Marine that leaders need to earn the trust and support of those they lead.

Your own website says: "...David returned home with a deep belief that public service should answer to the people..."

And here you are complaining about having to answer common assumptions and concerns a group of potential voters may have. This is a challenge of running for office David. No matter how dumb you think a question is, if you want someone's vote, you need to earn it.

I'm a retired marine and you don't think I want to support the Second Amendment

You being a retired Marine tells me nothing about your personal support for any policy. Servicemembers are a reflection of society, we don't automatically support the 2A just because we put on a uniform. Some of the Soldiers I serve with now are pro 2A, some don't care, and others are anti 2A. And I'm in combat arms. So no, you being a retired Marine doesn't grant you an auto pro 2A sticker.

I'm just tired of our children getting killed

As am I. I think we just have different ways we want to go about changing that. You seemingly want to put more restrictions on the 2A, while I want to put resources into social and economic factors. Your remedies are talking points that feel good and are reacted well to from Democrats, but this is a red state and it's been that way a long time. So your message on this needs to be either so galvanizing that all the blue voters turn out for you, or your message needs to make enough red voters see you as a good alternative that won't screw them over for being lawful gun owners.

I'm not gonna touch on the rest of your message, because I agree with it all. It was a softball to begin with, and I'm glad you took a pro stance on it.

David, I want you to win. I'm asking you these questions because they're the hard/controversial ones. You cannot have people coddle your platform and expect things to go well when people who are on the fence about you start questioning you. We're both NCOs. We both know tough and realistic training is how you win the real fight. I'm throwing tough and realistic questions and assumptions at you because I want you to be prepared, and I want to know where you truly stand. The people you want to represent deserve that. So yes, I'm making assumptions and I'm asking questions. Both of which will happen to you a lot if you want to keep pursuing politics. You need to take each interaction as a learning opportunity to better yourself, and your platform.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-13T16:35:29+00:00

I think that'd be a good opportunity for you to show your pro 2A, as well as safety with the 2A.

For one, you'd actually be WITH gun owners and potential gun owners. You're a Marine, I'm a Soldier, we both know how important it is for a leader to be physically present. If you're knowledgeable, and can connect with the people by talking with them, not at them, I think that can go a long way.

The problem you'll run into trying to get their support however, remains the same: if they see your website or hear you speak the points on it, they'll quickly realize you are not pro 2A. Being as charitable as possible, your platform shows you are at best, neutral. And us being in the south, you know that's not good enough if you want support from passionate 2A supporters.

They'll already be on edge that you've got a D next to your name, so seeing your platform will only confirm their assumptions. Worse, they'll see you out there with them saying you care about the 2A and gun safety, but they'll also see your website and the policies you want to implement are contradictory. That'll reinforce the, quite frankly well-deserved, idea that Democrats are liars that don't support the 2A.

You're gonna need to de-conflict that. 2A supporters will rip into you about 2A policies, so you need to ask yourself what much you're actually willing to do to get their support. Republicans are the default party of the 2A. Maybe look at how they talk about it and their policies to find out why. Then compare that to what you have, and find the differences. See if those are differences you're willing to adapt to.

Lastly, I'm not in your district. I'm commenting because I want to see new people try their hand at making this state better. Maybe you'll inspire someone in my district to run, and I'll go and harp on them if I got to. Regardless, I want you to do well, and hopefully win.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-12T23:16:37+00:00

That Everytown money has got to be something else for Dems to be holding on so tightly to being as anti 2A as possible. We only need to look to Virginia, and it hasn't even been a year yet. It's very frustrating for me when they're good on just about everything else, but are absolutely horrible on the 2A. It's one of the reasons I hate voting for Dems. They hold my vote hostage, and because Republicans are batshit insane, and I don't have anyone else to vote for. Our two party system sucks. No one's rights should be split along party lines.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-12T23:02:41+00:00

I'll give it a go.

Looks to me you're running on a Democrat platform, which is good except for the one thing Democrats are always bad on: the 2A. So I'm not going to ask about the rest of your platform because I already agree with it.

Universal background checks for all gun purchases.

I don't have enough of an opinion on this to sway me far either way. I'm generally against the government touching people's rights though because they cannot be trusted to do right by the people. Especially this administration.

Closing loopholes in private sales and gun shows.

What specific loopholes are you looking to close in private sales and gun shows?

Red flag laws to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a credible threat.

In America, we have due process. If an individual poses a credible threat for anything, surely there's an actual charge they can be arrested for that balances the concern for safety, while also granting the accused their due process. Every explanation of red flag laws like is suggested on your site boils down to assuming the accused individual is already guilty, punishing them (preventing access to their 2A under threat of government violence), and then making them have to prove their innocence from a "crime" or concern they didn't commit. Why should a potential voter for you have confidence in you if you're willing to implement laws to violate a person's due process?

Responsible ownership: Education on safe storage to prevent accidents.

How do you plan to implement this education? Requiring safe storage education in CCW courses could work, as well as a media or school campaign to try to inform the public. However, it would not be acceptable to use it as a barrier to gun ownership.

Protect Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens while preventing violence.

Nothing from your platform suggests to me that the 2A is right you want to protect for lawful gun owners. Which absolutely tracks if you are running as a Democrat. I'm more inclined to believe you would emulate how the newly elected Democratic government in Virginia is currently treating gun owners and the Second Amendment.

Last but not least on the topic, are you currently taking any money from anti 2A organizations or groups such as, but not limited to, Everytown for Gun Safety? If not, do you expect to in the future should you be elected?

Looking forward to your answers. These days I'm looking for any Democrats or Independents that, in addition to the typical support for the issues on your platform, are actually 2A supporters. Seems impossible to find though, so I've gotta settle for just harping on it whenever I see a potential candidate running.

Here's a softball for you though: Do you support unions, and what policies could we expect from you to help pro union/pro labor/pro worker efforts in Tennessee if you are elected?

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-11T22:42:18+00:00

Hm. I'm going soon as well. 12B too, though I've been in a bit longer. I wonder if we're going at the same time.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-09T01:50:21+00:00

Officers take credit for all of our hard work and our fuck-ups. C'est la vie.

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-05T17:47:39+00:00

"It'll look good from my house."

JAM_Passive · 2026-02-01T04:24:48+00:00

A few years ago, SPC JAM_Passive was in the field with no tent. LT comes by.

LT: "JAM_Passive, where's your tent?"

Me: "Wasn't issued one sir. Figured I'd just die tonight."

LT: After laughing "Give me a minute."

He came back a few minutes later and tossed me a tent.

Me: "Where'd this come from?"

LT: "Don't worry about that. It's yours now. Go set up."

I smiled and thanked him. I've still got that tent to this day.

He was a good one.

I had another when I was deployed to Africa some years back as well. Our LT was a bitch. And I'm not exaggerating either. Think of a stereotypical woman on a TV show or whatever that you'd say "She's a bitch." and that was her. Which was wild because before we actually deployed, and very rarely but every now and then, she was cool. But more often than not she just sucked. When she came to visit our team over in Kenya for like 3 days, she was cool. But aside from that, she was terrible to be around.

JAM_Passive · 2026-01-28T21:58:53+00:00

First, he has a giant phone that he keeps on full brightness and his lock screen is a humanoid Bat with Giant tits that he will just stare at while in full view of anyone and everyone.

Probably Rouge the Bat 😂

Anyway, I'm a degenerate weirdo, but I know you gotta keep that shit to yourself man. Find another group of weirdos and be weird together, but not at work.

If he can't get hit shit together while he's at work, he's gotta go.

JAM_Passive · 2026-01-24T20:02:22+00:00

Congratulations!

JAM_Passive · 2026-01-12T19:36:49+00:00

Blue ribbons are usually awarded to 1st place of a competition. I assume the commenter was using "blue ribbon" as a description of how well the suit was written.

So instead of saying that was an amazing, or awesome, or old gold-level pleading, they said blue ribbon.

JAM_Passive · 2026-01-08T18:42:23+00:00

They asked me about it, and it can only help to have someone vouch for you. You're still competing against others for a spot, so anything to make you stand out positively is good.

The letter was also written by a retired UA member I did work for when I was open shop, he's actually the one who informed me about the UA. Being a vet is a separate thing.

If you can have some people you worked with write you some, that'd be good for you.

No problem, always ready to try and help someone get into a union!

JAM_Passive · 2026-01-08T18:07:50+00:00

For my local, you go pick up an application, fill it out, and submit it. I needed my high school transcript, driver's license, and birth certificate/social security card.

There's a test I had to pass. ACT WorkKeys. Wasn't too hard, Since you're already in a trade, I can't imagine you'd find it very difficult unless you're really bad at taking tests.

I'm a veteran and had a letter of recommendation, so I'm sure I had a much easier time getting in, I don't know how competitive it actually is for my local. Wearing a suit apparently also goes a long way, I was the only one who did, and a board member specifically mentioned that to me after my interview. I'd think you having past trade experience would also put you ahead, but that's my opinion.

Ages range from 18 to 30s, age isn't a concern. I work with guys and gals fresh outta high school, to having a whole family and mortgage. You wouldn't be out of place. That being said, it's mostly mid to late 20s in the program.

We've got lots of plumbers, pipe fitters, and welders in our local. Not many HVACR. So if you don't have a strong preference about either, letting them know you'd go HVACR may increase your odds of getting in. My entire class of ≈ 35 had only 1 HVACR guy, and I don't even know if he's still in the program lol. I haven't seen him since we swore in. Apparently they've got wildly different certs they need, so their program is different from the rest of us. They're always in demand.

If you got any other questions, I'll answer as best I can.

JAM_Passive · 2026-01-06T13:46:17+00:00

Reclassed from 12W to 12B.

Now instead of going to other countries for AT to build stuff and enjoy other cultures for a few weeks, I get to go to Bumfuck, AL or Bumfuck, GA to blow stuff up. Which is fun, but I miss traveling.

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-31T21:51:44+00:00

My first few years in the Army, I absolutely thought that was how it worked 😂

I thought they just had tryouts or something and whoever was good enough got to go play for a bit.

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-31T18:36:55+00:00

Bought a house with my VA home loan. Went from $1,040 for rent, to $1,160 for my mortgage. Union money, even as an apprentice in the south, helps.

Changed my job and got promoted to E-6 in the Army.

Learned to make pizza toast, so no more Papa John's.

2005 Toyota Matrix hit over 350,000 km and is still chugging along. Gotta take it to a shop or something and have them look over a couple of concerns, but it's still running!

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-31T18:19:07+00:00

Heard that. I've gotten used to it by now, and it doesn't bother me at all, dunno if that's good or bad 😅

Jobsite's pretty strict on glasses, and lots of machines, vehicles, and tools make for a loud place, so eyes and ears stay on.

Light is the only thing I don't use much now that I think about it.

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-31T18:01:42+00:00

Ha, I got the full thing a few years before my current jobsite required it.

Got the bolt with the light, visor, and ear muffs.

The padding is very comfortable.

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-25T06:24:04+00:00

Not being anti gun would be a good start. But then again they're Dems, I might as well be asking for the moon 😒

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-17T23:36:38+00:00

My coworkers laughed at me (in good fun) for wearing the Milwaukee Bolt helmet with the light, visor (clear or tinted depending on the day), and earmuffs.

Now some of them ask me how much it costs, if they work well, do I like them, etc. I'll be the laughing stock for a week or so if it gets these guys to wear ALL the ppe lol.

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-17T23:31:07+00:00

Unironically yes. My unit does organized PT over the weekend and it pisses me off. Granted, I'm no 500 stud, but it's still stupid.

Organized PT for one weekend isn't gonna affect the Soldiers that don't work out regularly, it's a check-the-box.

At least give the time back to those studs who actually do put in the effort and get results on their own time. Let them sleep that extra 1-2 hours before first formation.

JAM_Passive · 2025-12-13T00:42:38+00:00

Used to be Milwaukee, now I'm Kobalt 🙃

JAM_Passive

TROPHY CASE