Interview: Keith Brekhus (G) for U.S. House for 9th District of Missouri

By: Joe Urban 

1. What distinguishes you from your opponents?

I differ from my opponents on a number of substantive issues. In my race
both The Democrat and Republican are anti-choice on abortion. I am the only
candidate speaking out against waging an uprovoked war with Iraq. I am the
only candidate calling for democratic reforms such as clean election laws,
and instant runoff voting. I am the only person in the race calling for
conversion to renewable energy.

2.   How long have you been involved in politics? Do you remember the
first time you voted?

I first voted in 1984. That year I voted for Mondale for President in the
only state he carried (MN). I first became an active member of the Green
Party last year, though I voted for Nader and other Greens in 2000.

3.   What is the greatest challenge of public service?

The greatest challenge in public service may be to serve the public
rather than the monied interests. Few of our public officials these days
seem to be truly public servants, most appear to be corporate pawns instead.

4.   What is the most important issue facing the 9th District?

For many people in the Ninth District, the most important issue may be
the bread and butter issues. Will they be able to make ends meet, when the
administration is squandering so many of our resources on costly military
adventures, and when subsidies go to the wealthy corporations and
agribusinesses while working families and family farmers get the shaft?

5.   What advice would you give someone thinking of running for public
office?

I would encourage anyone who is considering a run for public office to
jump in the ring. Our democracy is strengthened when we have a wide slate of
candidates who offer a full and diverse range of perspectives.

6.   What was your first car?

The first car I drove was a 1974 Dodge Polara owned by my parents. The
first car I owned was a 1984 Plymouth Reliant K car. I currently do not own
a vehicle, and normally walk or ride the bus for in town traveling.

7.   What was your favorite subject in High School?

In High school my favorite subject was social studies.

8.   How did you become involved in the (G) Party?

I started coming to Green Party meetings in 2001. I was well aware of
what the Green Party was, and I was volunteering with a local peace group
prior to joining the Greens. Some members of the group encouraged me to come
to the GreenParty meetings.

9.   What is your favorite snack?

vegetables with ranch dressing dip.

10.  Will the U.S. invade Iraq by December 2002?    Should they invade?

Although I oppose an invasion of Iraq, I suspect the Bush administration
will go ahead with invasion plans late in 2002 or early in 2003.

11.  If you were in Congress today, what would be your first bill to
sponsor?

The first bill I would introduce would be a clean election laws bill
that provides for publicly funded campaigns.

12. Why should the citizens of the State of Missouri Elect you on Nov.
5th, 2002?

 I offer a progressive alternative to the status quo, and have the best
vision for a sustainable, just and peaceful future.

13. Tell us more about your involvement with Runoff Voting (IRV)
Coalition?

The IRV Coalition is a group of dedicated citizens from a wide variety
of political viewpoints who agree that IRV makes more sense than the current
undemocratic plurality winner-take-all elections. To fully understand IRV
and how it works, I recommmend visting the Center for Voting and Democracy's
website.

14. How do we improve U.S. Education? 

We ought to raise the pay and standards for public school teachers.
Classroom sizes need to be reduced. Furthermore, social programs in the home
that help parents make ends meet, will go a long way towards providing the
adequate health care, nutrition, and environmental factors that enable
parents to help prepare their children for school.

15. What would be the first three bills you would sponsor if elected to
Congress?

A Clean Election Law, and Instant Runoff Voting would help democratize
our political process. I would also introduce legislation to repeal the
unconstitutional and misnamed PATRIOT Act which violates the Bill of Rights
and deprives U.S. citizens of our most basic civil liberties.

16. What is your view on the recent Enron debacle? Will the new law be
effective? What type of corporate legislation will you be a proponent of?

The Enron debacle is a symptom of a larger problem. For too long, both
major political parties have adopted a dangerous free market paradigm that
assumes that corporations will act in the public interest without
regulations. Capitalism succeeds best when corporations are held
accountable. Food should be safe, labor standards and environmental laws
should be enforced. The idea that profit-driven self-interest will
inherently provide the best system is a misguided libertarian fantasy that
both the Republicans and Democrats seem to have embraced until the Enron and
World Com fiascos. I doubt the new law has the teeth necessary to curb all
but the most obvious abuses. I would promote strong regulations, including
felony convictions for corporate leaders who repeatedly violate
environmental or labor laws.