1.
What distinguishes you from your opponents?
I
will not take special interest money. Corporate and
special interest money I believe have a negative influence
on our lawmakers. Big money donors expect something in
return for their campaign contributions. The preamble
of the Constitution says it was written by the people in
part to "promote the general welfare" of those
same people. When certain people or organizations have
so much power they can wield over our legislative process
through the giving of hundreds of millions of dollars as
campaign contributions, I believe that the voice of the
ordinary citizen is drowned out. I will not accept
that money, or allow it to taint my decisions on what is the
best for the country, or our district.
2.
How long have you been involved in politics? Do you remember
the first time you voted?
I
made three goals when I was 15 years old. One was to
be a rock star, one to be a millionaire, and one to run for
President. So, I guess I started then. I think I
first voted when I was 23 or 24. I was not involved
politically in my earlier years. I was busy being a
rebel I guess you could say, and living the rock and roll
life. I played in rock bands until I was 23.
- 3.
What is the greatest challenge of public service?
I would have to say making a decision which you know is best
for the country, but may be unpopular with the electorate.
Leadership is part of being involved in public service
though. A person has to be prepared to make those
calls. Also, sending a person's son or daughter off to
war has got to be a tough call. Sending our fellow
countrymen and women's sons and daughters off to foreign
lands should not be something done without much
investigation and debate with all people involved in that
process.
- 4.
What is the most important issue in facing the sixth
District?
Boosting
our local economy. Especially in the tech. sector.
We also need to boost tourism which hurt everyone after
Sept. 11th. Also, our transportation system needs help
big time. I drive the freeways almost everyday, and go
through the backups. Sonoma County is especially bad.
We really need high speed rail to San Francisco, and the two
lane Hwy. 101 expanded to three. Officials say it will
take ten years to do that. Personally, I think that's
BS. Now, if we can take special interest money out of
the decision making process in politics, have corporations
pay their fair share of taxes again instead of jacking
individuals with them, get Congress to stop anti-competitive
mergers which result in higher prices for consumers and
layoffs for workers, and stop giving billions of
dollars in corporate welfare to multi-national companies
just to have them send American jobs to third world
countries, the problems I mentioned before, will solve
themselves.
- 5.
What advice would you give someone thinking of running
for public office?
DON'T DO IT!!!! (Laughing). No, seriously, it is
tough, especially if you fund it on your own (and you're not
rich!), but it can be very rewarding. I am very
competitive, and I like to win, so, I am putting in
overtime on this one. The first time you run, you will
learn a lot about the system, and strategies on how to get
your name out there, and you will hone your skills at
running an effective campaign. It is truly a learning
experience. Be prepared though, you absolutely cannot
please all of the people all of the time. I like
people to like me, so, when someone disagrees, that can be
tough, but, hey, that is part of living in a free society,
we can disagree, and still get along, and work for what is
best for the country, and the people that live here.
- 6.
What was your first car?
It
was a '72 Ford Capri. Junky piece of crap too.
Tranny blew after two months. That's ok, it was only
$150 plus an old Atari computer.
7.
What was your favorite subject in High School?
Well,
cutting school and going to the beach with my friends had to
be one of my favorite subjects (laughing. It was
great!). No, really, ROP
electronics. I was always making gadgets and messing
with electronics at home, like robot arms, and
electromagnetic rail guns. I loved to build things,
especially electro-mechanical.
- 8.
How did you become involved in the Reform Party?
-
- I
left the Republican party about 4 or 5 years ago,
because I wanted to run for office, and I didn't want to
go through the hassle of going up against someone in a
primary. So I joined the Reform party which was
more centrist than any other third party out there.
Now, I wouldn't leave. It is great to be involved
in something other than the two party corporate
sponsored monopoly.
9.
What is your favorite movie and favorite actor?
That is a tough one!!!! It was the "Matrix",
I love that movie, but, then I saw "The One" with
Jet Li. Another great one! It had special
effects like the Matrix in it also. Of course, there
is "Vanilla Sky" with Tom Cruise, kick ass movie!
You have got to see this one if you haven't.
10. Will the U.S. invade Iraq by December 2002?
No.
It will be 2003. Probably later in the year than
sooner, but you never know, he (Bush) could shoot for the
anniversary of Desert Storm, or use an attack on Iraq as an
election year popularity builder. In any case, does
anyone want a war right before Christmas?? I doubt it.
What a way to depress everyone. Bush has to make the
case to the people that it is imperative that we attack
also. We will be building consensus among other
countries too.
11.
If you were in Congress today, what would be your first bill
to sponsor?
Publicly
Financed Elections. Take special interest and
corporate money out of the election
process. The people do not run this country anymore,
the interests do. We have to pay for the campaigns of
our representatives if ordinary people are to have a voice
in our government. As it is now, special interest
money pays for our lawmakers election campaigns. We,
(the taxpayers) pay each representative $150,000 in salary,
but it cost $650,000 to run an election campaign.
Guess where they get the money to do that? That's
right, corporations, and special interests. Guess who
gets to influence legislation more than ordinary American
citizens? That's right, the interests, and typically,
the citizens get the shaft in higher taxes, jobs sent to
third world countries because of crappy trade deals,
food, air, and water safety regulations rolled back because
polluters give big money to both major parties etc etc.
12.
Why should the citizens of the 6th District Elect you on
Nov. 5th, 2002?
Because I will not take special interest money. The
candidates from the major parties have, and will. I
will not allow interest money to influence my vote.
I will research all bills up for vote from all sides.
I have done almost no fundraising for my campaign. I
am spending my money, and my time, and going to events
talking to the voters to see what they want from their
representative, and letting them know that they have a
choice. If I am elected, I will spend the time that
other candidates use to raise campaign funds, to talk to the
people who elected me. This is not about who can raise
the most money. Also, I am a fighter. I am like
nuclear warhead going off when I am fighting for an issue I
care about (I think I intimidate my opponents too
(laughing)) I will fight for the issues that those who
elect me want to be addressed
Jeff Rainforth
Reform Party Candidate
US Congress, D-6, Ca.
www.rainforth4congress.org
California
Politics
Interview
with Jeff Rainforth (CA-6th)