A case for a Congressional candidate with common sense and mutual respect for Congress

The polarizing attitudes and ideology that has taken over the American political environment -- as witnessed in recently-held political debates and rallies, nationwide -- is a danger to traditional American democratic values of diversity and respect of the “marketplace of ideas”, where people are not listening to each other, where respect for diversity is lacking, where the prevailing political attitude seems to be “my way or the highway”.

With the exception of that brief glimmer of Congressional cooperation when drafting and debating the recently passed $2 trillion stimulus bill, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act), party politics was placed on hold and replaced by common sense and mutual respect. Unfortunately, such an approach is missing on a daily basis, often replaced by polarization and party politics “as usual”.

It is time to bring back common sense and mutual respect back to Congress and Washington, DC. The CARES Act is proof that such a shift in approach can happen, where it was supported unanimously passed by the Senate on March 25, 2020, and passed on March 26, 2020 in the House via voice vote and signed into law by President of the United States Donald Trump on March 27.

The people, of North Nevada, deserves a representative who has respect for diversity of political opinion, for consensus on common sense solutions; where honesty, respect, integrity and ethics are the political norms and not the exceptions to the rule.

In other words, we need to elect for Congressional District 2 a candidate of moderation, integrity and pragmatism; somebody who seeks out consensus and compromise -- while being both honest and loyal to one’s own core principles, ethics and beliefs.

Specifically, the people of North Nevada deserve a candidate who is willing to co-sponsor legislation with Republicans; working together for a pragmatic solution; a person puts aside party labels and focuses on the issues. History has shown that consensus politics passes successful and widely accepted legislation; dogmatic ideologues only generate mistrust and chaos that fail to unite the American people.

This election is about the need to stimulate meaningful and sustainable jobs creation; the need to advocate for a balanced, equitable and fair tax system; the need to ensure a sustainable and affordable Medicare health care system – especially for our must vulnerable, that being our senior citizens ; and the need to guarantee the continued public support for the security of Israel, our only and true democratic ally in the Middle East.

From a public policy point of view, I advocate a balanced, equitable and fair tax system; increased low-interest, federal guaranteed student loans and grants for higher education; the need to ensure a sustainable and affordable Medicare; a commitment for the security of all Americans at home, and to lead America and its allies, notably Israel, in the battle against terror and extremism.

I offer a vision of growth and progress but with a dose of realism. Social change comes from within the person; not to be forced upon by political ideologues of either the left or right-wingers. I offer the voters a perspective of global issues based on my own experience in the spheres of rule of law and jobs-generating economic development.

However, it takes more than beliefs to accomplish such goals. It requires a proven track record of accomplishing such real change. I believe that I offer a competitive advantage, that few, if any other, Democratic candidates, can match. My academic credentials, e.g., Master of Laws’ (LL.M.), law degree, from the London School of Economics, as well as a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, notwithstanding, I bring 30+ years of experience in the public sector, non-profit sector, and the private sector, worldwide including being on the Board of Trustees for an IRS-approved 501c3 non-profit charity.

In terms of skills, how many of my competitors for the Democratic nomination have experience actually drafting legislation? or working with Congress or with any other legislative body? How many Democratic candidates have actually negotiated with Beijing over important trade matters effecting American jobs?

Have any of the other Democratic candidates actually been involved in fighting corruption or money laundering in Asia, Africa, the former Soviet Union, China, and elsewhere?

How many of the Democratic candidates have a track record of helping migrant farm workers in their constant struggles against the state Farm Bureau, and their anti-worker political and social views and policies? Did any of the other Democratic candidates serve as a volunteer with the US Peace Corps? – or even applied or considered to join?

In terms of experience, I offer a demonstrated track-record of his ability and willingness to listen to what folks are actually concerned about -- rather than just hearing during political campaign time! I have demonstrated a respect for diversity of opinion, as well as being fair and compassionate with those in need or seeking assistance.

Most recently, I served as resident Country Director with USAID-funded program, “Strengthening Elections and Political Processes in Armenia” (SEPPA), focusing on election reform and human rights.

In fact, my public service started as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Micronesia, advising both national and local village/municipal government policy-makers, and then as a legal advisor with the non-profit Citizens Democracy Corps, in Eastern Europe.

Other experience includes working as both a rule of law/criminal law reform and parliamentary development advisor primarily in conflict/post-conflict zones primarily relating to human rights, rule of law/justice reform, and civil society strengthening on behalf of the US State Dept, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), US Agency for International Development (USAID), EuropeAid, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

This included working in such post conflict locales as: Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Kosovo, West Bank/Gaza East Timor, and Indonesia and former Socialist/Communist states such as Mongolia, Zambia, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic.

I also served as a legal advisor with both the US Patent and Trademark Office and the US Trade Representative’s office, negotiating with Communist China in both Washington, DC and Beijing, relating to unfair trading practices by China, resulting in loss of American jobs, as well as to take measures to stop China’s constant stealing of American intellectual property.

What are my specific common-sense legislative reforms that have a first priority?

CLIMATE CHANGE: If we are truly committed to passing a healthier environment on to our children, then we must treat the challenge posed by global warming as a threat to our national security.

FOOD SAFETY/FARMING: Finding a common sense approach to food safety that can alleviate hunger as well as prevent contamination and the spread of food-borne illnesses is paramount. This includes fighting for strong emergency federal disaster assistance to our farm communities, particularly natural disasters.

MEDICARE REFORM: The federal government must begin to negotiate with drug companies to lower medication prices for people on Medicare; phasing out “for-profit” Medicare insurers, replacing them with non-profit providers.; and expanding Medicare to those aged 55-64 over the course of ten years.

VETERANS: An increase in federally funded treatment, counseling and support, for those suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their families, especially those who must serve as caretakers for injured and disabled veterans. Strong GI Bill benefits to ensure every veteran has access to higher education.

GUN SAFETY: Disallowing interstate travel of concealed weapons; prohibit sale of gun suppressors (silencers); ban high-capacity gun magazines; disallow sale/usage of bump-fire stock devices; prohibit private ownership of semi-automatic assault rifles and all military-graded weapons. Gun violence in general, not just mass shootings, needs to be addressed with a holistic approach. Medical, education, law enforcement, non-profit, legal, and other professionals must begin a serious conversation within and between their communities with real follow up.

PUBLIC EDUCATION: Federal cost-sharing funding non-profit vocational training, both in North Nevada's high schools and community-sponsored adult continuing educational centers; the use of Federal contributions towards ensuring that every public-school student has free - at home - access to a laptop computer for educational purposes - as well as free limited home access to the Internet for those families receiving public-funded assistance.

ISRAEL: The continued commitment to freedom of expression and religion, and democratic values is unprecedented across the globe, across history, and especially across the Middle East. This is precisely why Israel is, and must remain, our closest ally.

JOBS: Reducing, where possible, regulatory burdens and create an environment that encourages investment and job creation; cracking down on countries, such as China that cheat and eliminating tax breaks for big businesses that ship jobs overseas; federal funding for infrastructure rehabilitation for our aging roads, bridges and water systems. These reforms will generate 1000’s of high paying, sustainable employment opportunities, for both the experienced journeyman as well as the entry-level apprentice.

In the final analysis, the people of North Nevada deserve a candidate who offers badly needed common sense and mutual respect in Congress, hopefully with actual experience in legislation and human rights, as represented by this candidate, Steven Mitchel Schiffman.

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