Survey of 2020 Presidential campaign websites: on Government Reform
Rocky De La Fuente:
Overregulation needs to cease immediately
Overregulation needs to cease immediately. Frivolous government regulation tends to stifle growth and redirect capital from jobs to compliance. This is not to attack those regulations that are properly designed to provide for the health, safety,
and general welfare of the public; rather, it is directed at regulations that are relics from the past that serve no useful purpose in the present. Freeing up the related capital that is spent on compliance will kick start employment growth.
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website rocky101.com
Mar 4, 2020
Mike Bloomberg:
Phase out paperless voting machines
Mike will work with Congress to mandate that all paperless voting machines are phased out and replaced with systems that leave a verified paper trail. He'll require states to conduct statistically significant audits after every election and to publish
the results publicly. And he'll increase oversight of voting-system vendors to make sure that all Americans can have confidence their votes will be counted when they cast their ballots.
Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website MikeBloomberg.com
Jan 20, 2020
Mike Bloomberg:
Ensure equal status for Puerto Ricans; supports statehood
Mike will support statehood for Puerto Rico, subject to approval by Puerto Rican voters. He will ensure that all Puerto Ricans receive the same benefits and rights as other American citizens. Mike's economic plan will provide fair safety
net funding to Puerto Rico, including full funding for Medicaid, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Child Tax Credit, as well as full Social Security benefits.
Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website MikeBloomberg.com
Jan 20, 2020
Tom Steyer:
It's up to us to un-rig the voting system
The Right to an Equal Vote: A true democracy depends on the broadest participation possible. But as things stand now, all Americans do not have an equal vote. The struggle to make sure everyone is allowed an actual voice in our democracy is ongoing, and
it's up to us to un-rig the system that continues to favor wealthy corporate donors.Deliberate voter suppression by Republicans, gerrymandering, and corporate money flooding our politics have made it impossible for us to obtain equality in our
government. Many people have to travel for hours to get to their polling location. Many more are faced with hours of wait time just to get inside. People worry they'll be penalized at their job for taking time to go to cast their ballot. This isn't fair
or democratic, and now we have a president who is doing everything he can to exacerbate this inequality.
Voting must be easy and accessible, for every American. Without that, we are left governed by a democracy of dollars, not voters.
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website, TomSteyer.com
Jul 8, 2019
Joe Sestak:
Stop corporate abuses of lobbying power
In Congress, I got a first-hand view of the impact of lobbying. The end result is that all too often our laws and policies are directed by corporate power & finances, ensuring corporate interests have priority over the interests of the American people,
as well as people around the world. Our government is supposed to be "of, by, and for" the people, so as President I will do everything I can to stop corporate abuses of power and have our government once again be accountable only to the people.
Priorities:- Lobbying reform to put an end to the undue influence of corporate lobbying.
- Overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, because corporations are not people and money is not speech.
- Reinstate Net Neutrality to keep the
Internet a level playing field.
- Address intellectual property theft and cyberspace security which result in both companies and foreign countries (in particular China) threatening American enterprise and security..
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website JoeSestak.com
Jun 23, 2019
Howie Hawkins:
Voter suppression policies need to be reversed
We do not have real political democracy, let alone economic democracy. To have a democratic society, we need to restructure government and elections. Voter suppression policies need to be reversed, starting with restoring the pre-clearance provisions of
the Civil Rights Act. We would put in place automatic voter registration, same-day registration, extended voting days, Election Day as a National Holiday, and other reforms, including mandatory voting (vote or pay a moderate fine) as practiced in
Australia, Belgium, and much of Latin America, with a None of the Above option that would trigger a new election if it wins.Ordinary people have little power over the government decisions that affect their lives. In addition to improving the
elections to representative offices, we will campaign for a participatory direct democracy at the base of society. We will campaign for a grassroots democracy based on community assemblies open to all citizens like New England Town Meetings.
Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website HowieHawkins.us
May 19, 2019
Mike Gravel:
Replace Electoral College with direct election of President
The Electoral College has been responsible for two Presidents within the last three winning an election without winning a majority of the votes. This system of selecting presidents was a tool originally created to suppress democracy; historically, it
has empowered slavers and segregationists. The injustice it has perpetuated continue today. The democratic option is direct election of the president. The US should abolish the Electoral College, moving to a system of direct election of the president.
Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website MikeGravel.com
Apr 9, 2019
Mike Gravel:
Ranked choice voting replaces "lesser of two evils"
Our current first past the post system of democratic elections does not ask for a majority in order for a candidate to declare victory. Often times, voters will be asked to vote against their conscience and choose the "lesser of two evils."
Ranked choice voting, or instant run-off voting, allows voters to rank candidates, giving their first vote to their preferred candidate. A candidate can only assume victory with a majority of first-round and run-off votes, making every vote count.
Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website MikeGravel.com
Apr 9, 2019
Wayne Messam:
End barriers to voting
Across this country, voting rights are under attack as politicians create barriers that make it harder for people to register to vote and cast their ballots, cut back early voting, and engage in unconstitutional acts of voter suppression.We must
protect Americans' right to vote regardless of economic and societal status--not limit participation in the democratic process and discriminate against our own people. It's up to us to keep fighting against these attempts to limit the right to vote.
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website WayneForUSA.com
Apr 9, 2019
Marianne Williamson:
No voter ID; no politicized gerrymandering
IF I'M ELECTED, MY ADMINISTRATION WILL SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:- A state-by-state rejection of politicized gerrymandering.
- Elimination of unfounded restrictions on eligible voters, such as voter picture ID's.
- The institution of
automatic voter registration at the age of 18.
- Guarantees that our voting systems are secure from internal as well as external threats.
- Establishment of election day as a national holiday (or Saturday).
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website Marianne2020.com
Apr 8, 2019
Marianne Williamson:
Establish public financing for federal campaigns
IF I'M ELECTED, MY ADMINISTRATION WILL SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - A Constitutional Amendment to establish public financing of our federal campaigns.
- Holding special interest and corporate lobbyists accountable to the rule of law.
A Williamson administration would work assiduously to address the above-mentioned external issues, and I would help the American people connect the dots, understand what has happened, and work in their own communities to save our democracy.
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website Marianne2020.com
Apr 8, 2019
Andrew Yang:
Adopt ranked-choice voting model for all primaries
One reason we sometimes wind up with extreme politicians is that we have a one-round process that does not always reflect people's true preferences. Ranked choice voting would help reward candidates who command broad support and would
lead to better results. The process matters.Problems to be solved: - Our current plurality/first-past-the-post system drives tactical voting and partisanship while not necessarily reflecting the will of the majority.
As President, I will...Push the DNC to adopt a ranked-choice voting model for all democratic primaries.
- Work with Congress to adopt ranked-choice voting for all federal elections.
Source: 2020 presidential campaign website Yang2020.com
Mar 29, 2019
Andrew Yang:
Provide every eligible voter with $100 Democracy Dollars
The big problem right now with running for office is that you have to get the money on your side and the people on your side, and these are two different things. Imagine if every American had $100 Dollars to give to their favorite candidate--then if
you get 10,000 people behind you, you'd get $1 million. You could then act in the best interests of the people you represent instead of sucking up to rich people and companies. Calling rich people for money is soul-crushing. We'd all be better off if
politicians just needed to worry about representing the people that elected them rather than hustling for money all of the time.As President, I will...- Provide every eligible American voter with $100 Democracy Dollars for each
federal election cycle, a voucher that they can use to support candidates of their choosing.
- This amounts to $23+b nationwide per election, allowing for more than 4x the spending fueled by mega-donor contributions and dark money.
Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website Yang2020.com
Mar 29, 2019
Andrew Yang:
Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United
Money has overrun our politics, and that needs to change. I will gladly overturn Citizens United and return the American government to its people. This would also improve policymaking as leaders can turn toward solutions instead of constantly trying to
raise money for their next campaign. Let's get big money out of politics once and for all--we'll all be much better off for it. I don't love calling rich people either, nor does any sane person.As President, I will...-
Support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, which was a terrible decision that has made our politics even more polarized.
- Support a public financing system of elections to reduce the influence of money in our democracy and open
up the field beyond the very wealthy.
- Eliminate super PACs and vessels for corporate intervention in campaigns.
- Enforce our current campaign finance laws to curb corruption.
Source: 2020 Presidential campaign website Yang2020.com
Mar 29, 2019
Howard Schultz:
Political contributions unduly influence policy
When our political parties accept millions of dollars in contributions from lobbyists, Congress acts in the interest of lobbyists, not in the interest of the America people. Pharmaceutical and healthcare companies spent
$280 million last year alone to unduly influence elected officials and should we be surprised, at any level, that congress has not acted more vigorously to reduce the price of pharmaceutical drug products.
During the Great Recession, big banks and automakers, who have legions of lobbyists, got bailed out. American workers who lost their jobs did not.
No wonder seventy-one percent--seventy-one percent--of Americans believe that our system of government--right now, seventy-one percent believe -- the system is rigged. And it is.
Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website HowardSchultz.com
Mar 13, 2019
Howard Schultz:
Gerrymandered districts reflect will of political parties
An example of our broken political system is gerrymandering. When our parties draw voting districts to favor one side or the other, Congress reflects the will of the political parties, not the will of the people. That's not how it's supposed to be done.
If you're a Republican in a Democratic district or a Democrat in a solidly Republican district, or an Independent in any district, your voice and your vote is silenced, and it doesn't matter because it's been predetermined. That's not our democracy.
That's not how it should be. Our dysfunctional two-party system has also fueled political extremism on the far left and on the far right. These two extremes differ in nature, but their respective voices, while small in number, are loud and
getting louder. So loud, in fact, that they now represent a clear and present danger to our democracy and our free-enterprise system--two key pillars of American democracy and our American life.
Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website HowardSchultz.com
Mar 13, 2019
Howard Schultz:
Reduce partisanship with 2/3 vote for Court nominations
I would not nominate a Supreme Court justice unless he or she could be confirmed by two-thirds--two-thirds--of the United States Senate. The Courts have become yet another battlefield in the ongoing war between Democratic and Republican leaders.
That's not how our democracy should work. These battles have undermined our faith in the rule of law and the impartiality of the entire judicial system. All of this has to change.
We need to restore faith and confidence of in our courts so that we can get back to believing that we're all equal--all of us--under the laws of this country. Taking politics out of the Supreme Court nomination process is a critical first step.
In fact, I challenge every single candidate running for president, from both parties, to make the same commitment, right now, that I'm making. Regarding two-thirds, and to honor that.
Source: 2020 Presidential Campaign website HowardSchultz.com
Mar 13, 2019
Howard Schultz:
Our government's dysfunction is great & we need to fix it
Over the past several weeks I've asked every group I've met, all over the country, a question I'd like to ask of you: Raise your hand if you think the government is working well for you, your family, and the American people. Just look around. We don't
have one hand up. This has been consistent throughout the country over the last five weeks. No hands go up. Well I'm here to say that I don't accept that and I believe that we as Americans deserve better. The system is broken, it's not serving us,
and we need to do something about it. The cost of our government's dysfunction is great and obviously it's impacting all of us. Our biggest problems are not being solved: Income inequality. A lack of opportunity in too many communities. The rising
cost of health care. A broken immigration system. Climate change. Schools that aren't preparing young people for jobs of the future. I believe strongly that this dysfunction should not stand. I know together we can solves these problems. We can.
Source: Miami Dade College speech:2020 Presidential Campaign website
Mar 13, 2019
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021