PLATFORM
"Curtis Wylde impressed me with his intelligence and his influence. From all points, I knew I was talking to an intelligent individual who understood the working class of the present and future. He is a great asset to this movement and we need more leaders like him, leading us to victory and leading us to the solutions of our social issues. He’s the kind of person people can rally around." - BC DeGraff
Issues overview:
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Pro-Sustainability
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Pro-Labor Unions
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Pro-$15 Minimum Wage
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Pro-Choice
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Pro-Equality
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Pro-LGBTQIA
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Pro-Education
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Pro-Legalization
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Pro-Racial Justice
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Pro-Law Enforcement
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Pro-Military
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Pro-Veterans
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Pro-Medicaid Expansion
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Anti-Regressive Policies
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Anti-Money in Politics
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Anti-Fossil Fuels
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Anti-RTW
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Anti-Big Banks
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Anti-Big Business
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Anti-Big Pharma
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Anti-Private Prisons
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Anti-Police Brutality
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Anti-Discrimination
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Anti-Systemic Racism
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PRO-SUSTAINABILITY
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PRO-PROGRESS!
CURTIS ON THE ISSUES
Sustainability
I view Sustainability as the single most important and pressing issue facing our civilization. Creating a sustainable society will help our planet heal, create jobs while reducing cost of living, and free us of the monopolies electric companies, and the fossil fuel industry currently maintain.
We need to transform our society into one of renewable sustainability that works in tandem with nature. Missouri was the first state west of the Mississippi River to produce coal commercially. In 2015 Missouri still relied on Coal for 78% of our electricity generation. Missouri has one nuclear power plant, Callaway Nuclear Generating Station, which contributed 12.5% of the state's net electricity generation in 2015. Meanwhile, Renewable energy resources, including conventional and pumped hydroelectric power, accounted for 3.7% of Missouri's net electricity generation in 2015; most of that generation came from conventional hydroelectric power and wind. Solar now creates more jobs than Oil and Coal combined.
Missouri ranked 44th in our nation (out of 50) in Energy Efficiency. WE CAN DO BETTER!
Jobs & Wages
We need to make our District and State an attractive place for new and existing businesses. To do that, we create an attractive community-driven place for our workforce to live and raise their families. Therefore, instead of creating tax-breaks/incentive programs, we invest in our parks, family services, child-care, attractions, and community-based services that will allow for a thriving population that can be competitive with larger cities. We should also end certain unnecessary rules and regulations on new businesses, i.e. a Sign Permit should not cost more than the Sign it is permitting. The city should not get more money for giving you permission to display a sign, than the sign-maker makes from actually creating the sign. We need to lessen the bureaucracy that, in many cases, is a deterrent to small businesses to start and survive in our region.
Also, the #Fightfor15 is one we can win. We need to impliment a $15 an hour minimum wage. If minimum wage grew with inflation it would be around $22 an hour! It did not. A $15 minimum wage would raise all wages, create a larger block of consumers, and kick-start the stimulation of our economy.
Legalization
Being a longtime advocate, I firmly believe in the Legalization of Cannabis (Marijuana) for both Medicinal and responsible recreational use. Most studies now show cannabis to be far less dangerous than both alcohol and tobacco. Missourians are coming around to new, unconventional methods of increasing our revenue, and as proven by Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, can be a boom to state and local economies, and can also be a strong new cash-crop for our farmers, as well as a source of new business. Hemp should also be legalized and allowed to be farmed and cultivated for its many hundred uses. However, we must also regulate it consistent with alcohol and tobacco, not allow youth access with exception of medicinal need as prescribed by a doctor. Use does not mean abuse!
Marriage Equality/ LBGTQIA Rights
I firmly agree with the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision making Same-Sex Marriage legal throughout this great country. Affirming the protections allotted to American citizens in the 14th Amendment, to include Same-Sex Marriages. In the ‘Land of the Free’, no person or entity should ever have the right to control who you marry, for any reason. I will always support this, and will vote against any bill/legislature that attempts to derail equality.
People fear what they do not understand. So, we must educate the public to end fear of and stop violence towards members of the LGBTQ community. Which is second only to race-based violence. We need to put a stop to all discrimination across the board, (Including Insurance company discrimination), and vote down any legislature that would allow this.
Bathroom Issue: I used to believe you should use the bathroom of the “parts” you have. Not the sex you were born with nor the sex you identify with, but the sex you physically are. Though considering I believe no one has the right to physically check anyone else to confirm they are using the correct bathroom, it is the business of no one else which bathroom you're using. We need to provide safe, judgement-free public environments for all people. Furthermore, we need more unisex & family bathrooms to accommodate families of all types, and gender.
Same-Sex adoption: The same rights of all straight parents should be afforded to all same-sex parents.
Education
A strong education for our young people is the foundation upon which any great society must be built. While I agree our level of education should be equal across all grades, nationwide, in every state to insure our educational systems are standardized. We also need to end “Teaching to test”, and begin curriculums that educate the current and coming generations to be Critical Thinkers. We must also move away from the newly adopted “Common Core Curriculum”, which has been proven to only benefit the educational book publisher’s financial interest. This system is failing our children and teachers alike, as the teachers must learn this vastly complicated system of education to be able to educate our children. Our teachers are losing their passion to teach, and this is trickling down to our students losing their passion to learn
Women's Reproductive Rights
I believe in Freedom. In my view, no one has the right to tell any woman what decisions they are allowed to make with their own body. Freedom is choice. If it isn’t your body, it isn’t your decision to make. Many anti-Women’s rights advocates will argue the moral implications of such decisions without contemplating the mental, personal and socio-economic consequences of forcing a woman to have a child that she is not capable of caring for, or was conceived through traumatic situations (ie: Rape, Incest). These same Anti-Women’s Rights advocates will then vote against necessary funding for prevention of these unplanned pregnancies, planned parenthood, and advocate anti-family/anti-child aide to assist unprepared mothers for the child they’re forced to have. Many citing religious views, however the Bible clearly states “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7)
I am Pro-Choice. I am also Pro-Life, not just Pro-Birth.
However, I will not advocate, or vote to pass any legislation that would advocate “late-term elective abortion” except in extreme, and rare cases where life is in jeopardy. Science has shown that an unborn child in the 3rd Trimester is a fully formed child, and can exist, grow, and flourish outside of the mother at that point.
Right-to-Work
All Americans, including my neighbors in Missouri District 107, already have a right to work. This bill, which should have been called “Right-to-Work for Less”, was created by executives to put more profits in their pockets, less money in yours, and lessen the collective bargaining power of the middle-class. I believe all citizens should have a right to work for a Living Wage! A strong Middle-Class has a proven track record of creating a stronger economy, and Missouri is no different.
I will not vote or advocate any bill/legislature such as Right-to-work (for less) or any similar bill, that will affect our already hard-working, under paid, Middle-Class in any negative way. We need to allow the opportunity for opportunities. A consumer-based society requires consumers.
Healthcare
I feel it is our obligation as a civilized society to provide Universal “Healthcare for All” as a right to all Missourians (and American Citizens). An accident or illness can happen to anyone at any time, and we cannot allow these unforeseen circumstances to destroy the lives of our citizens while they’re at their most vulnerable. We must also invest in preventative systems such as health education, dietary education, and be willing to explore holistic/natural forms of healing. It has become clear that Medication and Pharmaceuticals are not the only means of treating ailments and disease and, in many cases, hinder health, healing, and can sometimes even be harmful.
We need to join the rest of the industrialized world in recognizing Healthcare as a RIGHT to all people!
Agriculture
We must cultivate our Rural, Agricultural communities by considering new, sustainable methods of farming. We should explore emerging systems such as Vertical Farms, which use far less water than our current farming techniques, in a smaller area, and without damaging as much soil. We should focus on local, natural, organic farming, and not allow the over-regulation that currently plagues our farmers. Corporations such as Monsanto and other Big-Ag companies, can no longer be allowed to squeeze out small, family-owned farms in the name of profit. We also need to lessen the regulations placed on personal farming, and sustainable living. Society has to realize, that money is not edible.
Equal Rights/ Civil Rights
We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all Men (and Women) are created equally and endowed with certain inalienable rights; among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We must continue to fight against discrimination of any kind, for any reason including, but not limited to Race, Color, Creed, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Religious beliefs (or Lack thereof), Nationality, Disability, or Age. I believe in equality, period. Equal Pay for equal work should never be a debate, it should be common-sense!
We need to extend all rights to all people.
Gun Rights
Again, to abide by the vision of our forefathers, we must refer to the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States which reads:
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
I also agree with the subsequent judgements of the Supreme Court which affirms a citizen is not required to be a member of a Militia, and that this Federal Law affirms these rights are not be infringed upon by State, nor Local Governments. However, I do believe these rights should be well-regulated, including Background checks, Registration, (etc.) which would be a step toward preventing someone of questionable mental stability from acquiring firearms. We should also close all means to circumvent the regulations such as Gun Shows, Delivery, and Private sale loopholes. We can sell a car in a private sale, but must register it using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), we should be required to register our firearms using the Serial Number. We cannot make firearms a crime, as then only criminals will be in possession of them.
Taxes
First, our tax code should be simple, and easy to understand. Second, We need to stop offering so many tax incentives to Corporate owned franchises, and offer those incentives to small, local businesses, entreprenuers and the common-man. We need to create a robust "Main Street", and stop propping up Wall Street!
Religious Freedom
America was a nation founded under the ideals of personal freedom, morality, and tolerance. I believe the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution is very clear on the Governments role and view on this. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
We live in a land of all Religions and Beliefs, therefore, I will strongly advocate for the separation of Church and State.
Transportation
It is vital to invest in both our motorized and non-motorized transportation systems, to create a robust, thriving community. From Solar roadways, to advanced and connected bike/ walking trails, we need to explore all sustainable options. We should also advocate sustainable systems on every level, such as solar traffic lights, and highly-efficient transportation planning. Multilevel intersections would allow greater ease of travel, which will improve transportation for local communities, as well as attract more tourism to our District and Missouri.
Immigration
America is known as the “Melting Pot” of the world. This country was built upon a set of values that evolved into the phrase displayed at the Statue of Liberty “Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the Golden door!”
Unless you are a native American, you and your family are immigrants. We must continue to be the “Land of Opportunity” by giving today’s immigrants a clear path to citizenship in this great Nation!
Voter Rights Reform
All American Citizens should be automatically registered to vote at 18 years of age. 17y/o for primaries and caucuses leading up to a general election if you will be 18 years old on the day of the general election.
Campaign Finance Reform
We need to overturn the Citizens United SCOTUS ruling. I advocate public funding of elections. This allows for fair and equal elections. More money should not mean more power. Money is not speech & Corporations are not people!
Criminal Justice Reform
We allow man to build private, for-profit prisons then line the pockets of our lawmakers to make more laws to meet their vacancy requirements for said prison to be more profitable. Then, after 30+ years of these privatized prisons jailing as many as possible and taking the fathers or mothers out of homes, creating single-parent environments while multi-national corporations off-shore the American Dream, forcing wages so low that those single-parents must keep two or three jobs to make ends meet, causing our next generation to not have the parental guidance they could have otherwise, and some may turn to crime or drugs that eventually lead them down a similar path to their predecessor. Which begins the exact same cycle again. We see our friends persecuted because they're POC, or LGBTQQIAA2S, or poor.
THIS MUST STOP!!
Seniors
One of the things we should be judged on is the quality of life of our seniors and the most vulnerable among us. We must roll-back the cruel cuts made to the state’s budget eliminating in-home health services to 8,000 senior citizens and people with disabilities.
We must also have extremely tough penalties for abuse in nursing homes and care facilities who are found to provide sub-standard care of our seniors, and the disabled.
Veterans
We should never send U.S. Soldiers to war if we will not accept responsibility for them when they return.
Military
We should bring as much of our military home as possible while still maintaining enough global presence to have actionable positions. This will keep our defense spending in America, and allow for better mental health for our military. I couldn't think of a better way to secure our borders either.
Military
We should bring as much of our military home as possible while still maintaining enough global presence to have actionable positions. This will keep our defense spending in America, and allow for better mental health for our military. I couldn't think of a better way to secure our borders either.
Opioid Crisis
We must put our concentration into treatment not incarceration. We must also need to crackdown on predatory pharmaceutical enablers who benefit from the plight of others who are (or have family) experiencing addiction.