Actor Viggo Mortensen’s Thoughtful Observations On Our Presidential Candidates & His Activism & Artistic Pursuits

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Published on Nov 5, 2015

Viggo Mortensen, the actor known by millions for his portrayal of the warrior-king Aragorn in the blockbuster “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, joins us to talk about peace, the ongoing wars in the Middle East, U.S. empire, working with the late historian Howard Zinn, and his response to the growing police boycott of director Quentin Tarantino’s films for speaking out against police brutality. Mortensen is a vocal advocate of progressive causes, using his celebrity to speak out for social justice. On top of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Viggo Mortensen has starred in numerous films including David Cronenberg’s movies “A History of Violence,” “Eastern Promises,” for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, and “A Dangerous Method,” for which he received a Golden Globe Award., Mortensen is also poet, painter, photographer, and book publisher who spotlighs alternative voices. He is the editor at his own imprint, Perceval Press, which has just reissued the 2003 book, “Twilight of Empire: Responses to Occupation.” Democracynow.org – Democracy Now!, is an independent global news hour that airs weekdays on 1,300+ TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream 8-9am ET:
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My Comment:  Although I didn’t Agree with a Lot of Stein’s views I did Agree With Her About the Unequal Bank Bailouts Amidst the Rising Poverty and Inequality in America.  I am Not a Supporter of Abortion-too many abuses of the fetuses.  Here She Was on the Issues:
 Jill Stein on Abortion 
Click here for 8 full quotes on Abortion OR other candidates on Abortion OR background on Abortion.

  • Offer abortion services free to women at the poverty level. (Jul 2014)
  • Healthcare is a right, including women’s reproductive rights. (Nov 2012)
  • Real choice includes information on prevention. (Nov 2012)
  • Birth control should not be up to your employer. (Oct 2012)
  • Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. (May 2012)
  • Maintain abortion rights & provide free birth control. (May 2012)
  • Give women easy access to “morning after” pill. (Oct 2002)
  • Protect a woman’s right to choose. (Nov 2001)

 Jill Stein on Budget & Economy 
Click here for 14 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR other candidates on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.

  • Predatory capitalism: concentrate wealth and lose democracy. (May 2016)
  • We are in state of emergency; not state of recovery. (Jan 2015)
  • Obama stimulus was ok, but only made slight dent in crisis. (Nov 2012)
  • We’re again bailing out Wall Street with quantitative easing. (Oct 2012)
  • Still no end in sight to economic crisis: focus on jobs. (Oct 2012)
  • Stimulus plan was not big enough. (May 2012)
  • Top 1% are rolling in dough; the rest are in crisis. (Feb 2012)
  • 2011 debt ceiling debacle spurred candidacy. (Jan 2012)
  • It’s un-American that top 1% own 90% of wealth. (Jan 2012)
  • Our economy is not working for our vast majority. (Jan 2012)
  • Austerity policies: harsh on YOU but easy for establishment. (Jan 2012)
  • 90% tax on bonuses for bailed out bankers. (Jan 2012)
  • End the Bush-Obama recession; ask wealthy to pay share. (Dec 2011)
  • Reduce spending via military cuts & preventive health. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Civil Rights 
Click here for 12 full quotes on Civil Rights OR other candidates on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.

  • Protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination. (Aug 2016)
  • No discrimination based on orientation whether it’s LGB or T. (Jul 2015)
  • “Religious Freedom” is surrogate for patriarchal domination. (Jul 2015)
  • After marriage equality comes workplace equality. (Jul 2015)
  • Must follow up direct action with electoral politics. (Jun 2015)
  • Black Lives Matter: fix the system of racism. (Mar 2015)
  • Recognize gay marriages & civil unions from abroad in visas. (Jul 2014)
  • All people entitled to full civil rights, including gays. (Nov 2012)
  • Pay equity for women remains critical, despite some programs. (Oct 2012)
  • First pro-gay-marriage candidate in first gay marriage state. (Dec 2011)
  • Economy that is not fully inclusive is inherently unstable. (Dec 2011)
  • Legalize gay marriage. (Nov 2001)

 Jill Stein on Corporations 
Click here for 11 full quotes on Corporations OR other candidates on Corporations OR background on Corporations.

  • 80 billionaires own as much as the lower 50% of world. (Jan 2016)
  • Privatization is an enormous step backwards. (Jul 2015)
  • Break up “too-big-to-fail” banks. (Jun 2015)
  • Hillary is the Wal-Mart candidate. (Jun 2015)
  • Transaction tax of .03% on every Wall Street transaction. (Nov 2012)
  • Enormous bipartisan collaboration on deregulation. (Oct 2012)
  • Romney & Obama are both pro-1% big corporation. (Feb 2012)
  • Corporate elite richer than ever, but pay less tax than ever. (Jan 2012)
  • Record profits-with politicians’ help–caused the recession. (Jan 2012)
  • Make all corporate tax subsidies transparent. (Jan 2012)
  • 1776 Revolution threw off corporate rule; it’s creeping back. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Crime 
Click here for 8 full quotes on Crime OR other candidates on Crime OR background on Crime.

  • Black Lives Matter movement is a vital & logical response. (Aug 2016)
  • Cops violate rights of blacks in cities & Latinos at border. (May 2016)
  • Black Lives Matter: end racism & police militarization. (Feb 2015)
  • Judicial system makes mistakes & kills innocent people. (Nov 2012)
  • Stop dumping resources into the prison-industrial complex. (Nov 2012)
  • Incarcerating poor & minorities has become big business. (Jan 2012)
  • Death penalty is ineffective, and also barbaric. (Dec 2011)
  • Mandatory sentencing: ineffective & racially discriminatory. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Drugs 
Click here for 7 full quotes on Drugs OR other candidates on Drugs OR background on Drugs.

  • Replace drug prohibition with harm reduction. (Aug 2016)
  • The war on drugs is racist. (May 2016)
  • End the racist war on drugs and school-to-prison pipeline. (Feb 2015)
  • Transform from criminal drug system to public health system. (Nov 2012)
  • I support legalization of marijuana. (Jan 2012)
  • Marijuana is dangerous because it’s illegal, not vice-versa. (Dec 2011)
  • Bring marijuana sales under a legal regulatory framework. (Sep 2010)

 Jill Stein on Education 
Click here for 28 full quotes on Education OR other candidates on Education OR background on Education.

  • Guarantee tuition-free education pre-school thru university. (Oct 2018)
  • Treat education as a right. (Aug 2016)
  • Wall Street bailout was $17T; student loan bailout under $2T. (May 2016)
  • Cancel college debt: it’s now $35,000 per student. (Jan 2016)
  • Make public college education free. (Jan 2016)
  • Repeal incentives for privatization/charters in NCLB. (Jan 2016)
  • Call for an end to school privatization. (Oct 2015)
  • Common Core empowers contractors over teachers. (Jul 2015)
  • Charter schools assault the treasure of our public schools. (Jul 2015)
  • End high stakes testing. (Jun 2015)
  • Mobilize to simply keep public education in existence. (Feb 2015)
  • Replace No Child Left Behind with professional teachers. (Jul 2014)
  • Negative income tax for guaranteed basic income. (Jul 2014)
  • Bail out the students instead of bailing out the banks. (Oct 2012)
  • Supports evolution; supports sex education. (May 2012)
  • Establish basic right to free college education. (Jan 2012)
  • Students are on the receiving end of generational injustice. (Jan 2012)
  • College loans trap students in financial prison of debt. (Jan 2012)
  • Right to a tuition-free public education, pre-K thru college. (Jan 2012)
  • Focus on student needs, not corporate needs. (Dec 2011)
  • Move school decisions from national to grassroots level. (Dec 2011)
  • Charter school siphon resources from public schools. (Dec 2011)
  • Opposes teacher-led prayer in public schools. (Dec 2011)
  • Vital public system under attack from privatization. (Sep 2010)
  • Stop blaming teachers for “underperforming schools”. (Sep 2010)
  • Standardized tests are misused; they hurt students. (Sep 2010)
  • No economic barriers to quality college education. (Sep 2010)
  • Boost public schools, and hold them accountable. (Oct 2002)

 Jill Stein on Energy & Oil 
Click here for 22 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR other candidates on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.

  • Halt any investment in fossil fuel infrastructure. (Oct 2018)
  • Climate change is humanity’s greatest existential threat. (Oct 2016)
  • Nuclear power plants risk proliferation and going Fukushima. (Sep 2016)
  • Declare a climate emergency & get to 100% renewables by 2030. (Aug 2016)
  • Green New Deal to turn the tide on climate change. (Aug 2016)
  • COP 21 is symbolic victory, but we need to go much further. (May 2016)
  • Create 20 million jobs by investing in renewables. (Apr 2016)
  • “All of the above” policy puts fossil fuels above all. (Jan 2016)
  • Climate change causes record storms, floods, and drought. (Jan 2016)
  • Immediate halt in all new fossil fuel exploration. (Oct 2015)
  • Completely zero out climate emissions, as fast as possible. (Jun 2015)
  • Make wars for oil obsolete: 100% renewables by 2030. (Feb 2015)
  • Fight against climate change instead of fighting for oil. (Oct 2012)
  • Weatherizing homes creates jobs & addresses climate change. (Oct 2012)
  • We can’t wait 4 more years to address climate change. (Jan 2012)
  • National ban on fracking; natural gas is not clean. (Jan 2012)
  • No evidence that carbon sequestration solves climate crisis. (Jan 2012)
  • Let states prevent nuclear power plants. (Jan 2012)
  • World War II-scale mobilization to reduce carbon burden. (Jan 2012)
  • Renewable energy is win-win for economy & national security. (Dec 2011)
  • Nuclear energy is dirty, dangerous and expensive. (Dec 2011)
  • Logging wood for electricity is neither clean nor green. (Sep 2010)

 Jill Stein on Environment 
Click here for 19 full quotes on Environment OR other candidates on Environment OR background on Environment.

  • Ban neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten pollinators. (Oct 2016)
  • Apply federal Superfund program to polluted drinking water. (Oct 2016)
  • Adopt the Precautionary Principle. (Aug 2016)
  • Stand up to the aggressive abuse of eminent domain. (Apr 2016)
  • Create local, sustainable, organic, plant-based food system. (Mar 2016)
  • Water should be tested for radioactivity and heavy metals. (Feb 2016)
  • Moratorium on GMOs until they are proven safe. (Jun 2015)
  • Restore shorelines, deltas, forests, and grazing systems. (Jun 2015)
  • Promote sustainable agriculture & freedom from toxic threats. (Apr 2015)
  • Filthy Five: clean up coal plants in Massachusetts. (Mar 2015)
  • Current food subsidies drive system towards FrankenFood. (Nov 2012)
  • Connect the dots between super hurricanes and oil burning. (Oct 2012)
  • EPA should apply science, free from polluters’ influence. (Oct 2012)
  • Green Transition Program: convert gray economy to green. (Jan 2012)
  • Environment & economy are interdependent; not at odds. (Dec 2011)
  • Sustainable transportation plus sustainable food supply. (Dec 2011)
  • $200M for 50,000 green jobs: address both supply demand. (Sep 2010)
  • Sustainable development; and ban genetically modified food. (Nov 2001)
  • Weak scientific understanding of effects of toxic exposure. (Jan 2000)

 Jill Stein on Families & Children 
Click here for 6 full quotes on Families & Children OR other candidates on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.

  • Kids in poverty can’t go to school in condition to learn. (Jul 2015)
  • Half-million in foster care means system is dysfunctional. (Jul 2015)
  • Don’t assume that mothers should always get custody. (Jul 2015)
  • Physician married to a physician; two sons and one dog. (Apr 2015)
  • Family planning is 1st principle of reproductive healthcare. (Dec 2011)
  • Fund community youth programs for at-risk youth. (Sep 2010)

 Jill Stein on Foreign Policy 
Click here for 21 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR other candidates on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.

  • Support Iranian nuclear deal as part of nuclear-free Mideast. (Oct 2018)
  • Syria invited Russia into war; don’t threaten no-fly zone. (Oct 2016)
  • US helped create refugee crisis, so we should help them. (Oct 2016)
  • Re-examine NATO to avoid economic and military domination. (Aug 2016)
  • End CIA-supported coups and regime change in Latin America. (Mar 2016)
  • U.S. meddling in Mideast exacerbates terrorism. (Feb 2016)
  • Stop US funding and support of the Israeli occupation. (Feb 2016)
  • Back to the drawing board on our relationship to the Mideast. (Feb 2016)
  • End foreign aid to countries with human rights abuses. (Dec 2015)
  • Take 65,000 Syrian refugees immediately, not over 18 months. (Sep 2015)
  • Work towards neutral Ukraine; don’t arm them against Russia. (Jul 2015)
  • China provides less heavy-handed foreign aid than does US. (Jul 2015)
  • Lifting the Cuban embargo was long overdue. (Jul 2015)
  • Expanding NATO threatens Russia and breaks our promise. (Jul 2015)
  • Focus on human rights, international law, and diplomacy. (Jul 2015)
  • Re-establish foreign policy on basis of international law. (Jun 2015)
  • End Israeli apartheid occupations and illegal settlements. (Oct 2012)
  • Get tough policy has opposite effect of what was intended. (Oct 2012)
  • End trade embargo and travel ban on Cuba. (May 2012)
  • Start holding all parties accountable in Israel/Palestine. (Jan 2012)
  • US should behave as member of world community, no world cop. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Free Trade 
Click here for 9 full quotes on Free Trade OR other candidates on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.

  • NAFTA destroyed jobs in US and Mexico. (Oct 2016)
  • We want antidotes to NAFTA. (Sep 2016)
  • Oppose bipartisan job-killing corporate trade agreements. (Jan 2016)
  • Fight global trade deals’ “investor-state” court system. (Jan 2016)
  • TPP attacks our basic national sovereignty. (Jul 2015)
  • Opposes Fast Track and executive action. (Jul 2015)
  • TPP is like NAFTA on steroids. (Jul 2015)
  • International trade boards compromise American sovereignty. (Oct 2012)
  • NAFTA caused the wave of undocumented immigrants. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Government Reform 
Click here for 16 full quotes on Government Reform OR other candidates on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.

  • We need ranked-choice voting in presidential elections. (Oct 2016)
  • Supreme Court needs to be for the people and their rights. (Oct 2016)
  • No money from lobbyists; No money from SuperPACs. (Sep 2016)
  • Replace Electoral College with national popular vote. (Aug 2016)
  • Term limits end guaranteed re-election & lifetime incumbency. (Jul 2015)
  • Confederate flag should be removed from all public locations. (Jul 2015)
  • Earmarks grease the skids for corruption. (Jul 2015)
  • Establish a constitutional right to vote. (Jun 2015)
  • No corporate nor lobbyist donations; just small donors. (Jun 2015)
  • No religious oaths for public office, juries, or citizenship. (Jul 2014)
  • 2002 Clean Elections repeal meant “throw the bums out”. (Jan 2012)
  • Voter Bill of Rights: full public financing; paper ballots. (Jan 2012)
  • Building for the future makes America great. (Dec 2011)
  • PACs connect campaigns with rich donors, & disconnect public. (Dec 2011)
  • Re-establish Clean Elections Law: end “pay-to-play”. (Sep 2010)
  • Insulate public health decisions from special interests. (Jan 2000)

 Jill Stein on Gun Control 
Click here for 7 full quotes on Gun Control OR other candidates on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.

  • Australian gun restrictions stopped mass shootings. (Dec 2013)
  • Gun ownership should be appropriately regulated. (Nov 2012)
  • Gun ownership should be appropriately regulated. (Nov 2012)
  • More local regulations; more background checks. (Oct 2012)
  • Reduce culture of violence via mental health & legal drugs. (Oct 2012)
  • Address community violence with more mental health services. (Oct 2012)
  • Gun at home more likely to cause injury than to defend home. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Health Care 
Click here for 25 full quotes on Health Care OR other candidates on Health Care OR background on Health Care.

  • Medicare-for-all better & cheaper than ObamaCare. (Oct 2016)
  • Vaccines are a foundation to a strong public health system. (Oct 2016)
  • Early diagnosis and intervention for mental illness. (Oct 2016)
  • Healthcare for all including contraception. (Aug 2016)
  • Require vaccines to protect other children. (May 2016)
  • Illusion that ObamaCare is a step towards single-payer. (Jan 2016)
  • Tort reform becomes unneeded under Medicare-for-All. (Jul 2015)
  • Threats like Ebola are threats to public health worldwide. (Jul 2015)
  • Single-payer public health insurance program. (Jun 2015)
  • What injures the climate’s health also injures human health. (Jun 2015)
  • Healthy People, Healthy Planet: link environment & health. (Mar 2015)
  • Thousands die each year when excluding from adequate care. (Jul 2014)
  • Health insurance wastes 30%; Medicare only wastes only 3%. (Oct 2012)
  • 75% of expenditures are sick care system, not healthcare. (Oct 2012)
  • Medicare Part D is a giveaway for pharmaceutical companies. (Oct 2012)
  • Affordable Care Act is neither Affordable nor Caring. (Oct 2012)
  • ObamaCare took single-payer & public option off the table. (Feb 2012)
  • Medical doctor & advocate for community health provider. (Jan 2012)
  • ObamaCare was step backward for goal of single payer. (Jan 2012)
  • Right to quality health care: Medicare for All. (Jan 2012)
  • Streamline bureaucracy: $400B yearly for comprehensive care. (Dec 2011)
  • 30% of healthcare costs squandered on ads & CEO salaries. (Dec 2011)
  • Single-payer Medicare-for-all system. (Sep 2010)
  • Save money & increase access with single-payer system. (Oct 2002)
  • Implement universal health care. (Nov 2001)

 Jill Stein on Homeland Security 
Click here for 25 full quotes on Homeland Security OR other candidates on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.

  • Don’t take sides in Yemen; arms embargo instead. (Oct 2016)
  • Warsaw Pact ended NATO’s reason to exist, then NATO expanded. (Oct 2016)
  • Both scary: Hillary wants Syria war & Trump wants more nukes. (Oct 2016)
  • $6 trillion to pay for wounded veterans from failed wars. (Aug 2016)
  • Peace offensive: shut down bases, F-35, & Saudi funding. (Aug 2016)
  • Close the 700+ foreign military bases. (Aug 2016)
  • Immediate weapons embargo to the Middle East. (Oct 2015)
  • New 9/11 investigation, and public release of evidence. (Sep 2015)
  • Military-industrial complex shows woes of privatization. (Jul 2015)
  • Disarm North Korea as part of worldwide nuclear disarmament. (Jul 2015)
  • Edward Snowden is a hero for exposing mass spying. (Jul 2015)
  • Bring troops home from 800 bases abroad. (Jul 2015)
  • 700+ foreign military bases are bankrupting us. (Jun 2015)
  • End persecution of government and media whistleblowers. (Jun 2015)
  • Burden of fighting is borne by families of lesser means. (Jul 2014)
  • Torture creates enemies rather than eliminating them. (Apr 2014)
  • Eliminate nuclear weapons in Middle East & whole world. (Oct 2012)
  • Switch from bloated military to spending at home. (Oct 2012)
  • Bush & Obama criminalized the right to protest. (Oct 2012)
  • Patriot Act ends the right to judicial review. (Jan 2012)
  • Bloated military budget enables knee-jerk military solutions. (Jan 2012)
  • End Patriot Act; it surrenders freedoms in name of security. (Jan 2012)
  • PATRIOT Act is a flagrant violation of 4th Amendment. (Dec 2011)
  • Repeal National Defense Authorization; keep right to trial. (Dec 2011)
  • Cut military 50%; spend that $500B on economy. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Immigration 
Click here for 11 full quotes on Immigration OR other candidates on Immigration OR background on Immigration.

  • H1-B Visa program is ok, but help global economy abroad. (Oct 2016)
  • End fear-mongering; immigrants are law-abiding. (Sep 2016)
  • FactCheck: 2.5M deportations counts removals, not returns. (Jan 2016)
  • We’re deporting more immigrants than ever, 2.5M under Obama. (Jan 2016)
  • Deportation of vulnerable refugees is morally abhorrent. (Jan 2016)
  • Undocumented immigration massively spiked after NAFTA. (Oct 2012)
  • Extend DREAM Act beyond age 30. (Oct 2012)
  • Provide a legal path to citizenship for immigrant residents. (Feb 2012)
  • End the war on immigrants; end “secure communities” cruelty. (Jan 2012)
  • Undocumented immigrants are critical component of economy. (Dec 2011)
  • No pathway to citizenship for criminals; open to all others. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Jobs 
Click here for 10 full quotes on Jobs OR other candidates on Jobs OR background on Jobs.

  • Guaranteed jobs for all who need work. (Oct 2015)
  • Focus on pink jobs: the jobs of meeting human needs. (Jun 2015)
  • Pay liveable wages, not just minimum wage. (Mar 2013)
  • Directly create jobs, not via tax breaks. (Oct 2012)
  • Stimulus spent $220K per job; I propose $20K per green job. (Jan 2012)
  • Economic Bill of Rights: unionize; fair taxation; fair trade. (Jan 2012)
  • Full Employment Program: green jobs and community needs. (Jan 2012)
  • Green New Deal: emergency program for 25M jobs. (Dec 2011)
  • Casinos’ costs are far greater than their benefits. (Apr 2010)
  • Require living wage. (Nov 2001)

 Jill Stein on Principles & Values 
Click here for 25 full quotes on Principles & Values OR other candidates on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.

  • Greens overcame ballot laws designed by Democrats and GOP. (Oct 2016)
  • Majority of Americans want a four-party debate. (Oct 2016)
  • In private, Hillary is for wealthy, but not in public. (Oct 2016)
  • Outreach to Bernie Sanders voters. (Aug 2016)
  • Hillary Clinton is untrustworthy, but “too big to jail”. (Aug 2016)
  • Hillary supports Wall Street, war and the Walmart economy. (Jul 2016)
  • OpEd: mainstream media ignores Greens unless they hurt Dems. (May 2016)
  • Democrats’ superdelegates kill grassroots candidates. (May 2016)
  • We are in state of crisis–for economy, ecology & democracy. (Jan 2016)
  • Moral foundation for society good; religious basis bad. (Jul 2015)
  • Raised Jewish; married to a Protestant atheist. (Jul 2015)
  • Arrested for attempt to participate in presidential debate. (Feb 2015)
  • Greens are only non-corporate party: we win by being heard. (Feb 2015)
  • Grew up in a middle-class, suburban, apolitical family. (Feb 2015)
  • Petition to open up debates to more than two candidates. (Oct 2012)
  • At breaking point for people, planet, economy, & democracy. (Oct 2012)
  • Side-by-side issue comparison to Barack Obama. (Aug 2012)
  • Tea Party hijacked by funding from major corporations. (Mar 2012)
  • Occupy Movement: coming of age of a younger generation. (Feb 2012)
  • Dems & GOP are both sinking ships; one just sinks faster. (Feb 2012)
  • Ran as Green Party nominee for MA governor in 2002 & 2010. (Jan 2012)
  • Silence is not an effective political strategy. (Jan 2012)
  • Dems & GOP blame each other while both support establishment. (Jan 2012)
  • Green New Deal: emergency 4-part anti-recession program. (Jan 2012)
  • Join with Occupy movement to throw off rule by the 1%. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Social Security 
Click here for 6 full quotes on Social Security OR other candidates on Social Security OR background on Social Security.

  • Remove income cap on social security taxes. (Aug 2016)
  • Save Social Security and Medicare from assault by the right. (Nov 2015)
  • Privatizing would lead to huge losses for retirees. (Nov 2012)
  • Don’t turn over retirement to private corporations. (Nov 2012)
  • System perfectly solvent when rich pay their fair share. (Oct 2012)
  • Social Security is not in crisis; and it’s not a handout. (Dec 2011)

 Jill Stein on Tax Reform 
Click here for 6 full quotes on Tax Reform OR other candidates on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.

  • Rich should pay 55%-60% taxes, not 15% or 35%. (Sep 2016)
  • Increase inheritance taxes; use it as “Aristocracy Tax”. (Jul 2015)
  • Incomes rise for wealthiest 1% but their taxes have fallen. (Dec 2011)
  • Fees and sales taxes hit lower and middle income hardest. (Sep 2010)
  • Close tax loopholes & stop corporate welfare. (Oct 2002)
  • Replace “trickle down” with 50% tax cuts on lower incomes. (Oct 2002)

 Jill Stein on Technology 
Click here for 7 full quotes on Technology OR other candidates on Technology OR background on Technology.

  • Demilitarize outer space; don’t privatize outer space. (Oct 2016)
  • Negotiate an international treaty banning cyberwarfare. (Oct 2016)
  • Make science policy more democratic & responsive to citizens. (Oct 2016)
  • Green New Deal for efficient public transportation. (Jan 2016)
  • Renew our infrastructure and assure everyone has a job. (Jun 2015)
  • 4 million people wrote to FCC to preserve net neutrality. (Feb 2015)
  • No government policing of the internet. (May 2012)

 Jill Stein on War & Peace 
Click here for 24 full quotes on War & Peace OR other candidates on War & Peace OR background on War & Peace.

  • End policy of regime-change and military intervention. (Oct 2016)
  • Stop bombing Muslims abroad and stop bashing them at home. (Oct 2016)
  • Libyan invasion was a catastrophe that inflamed the Mideast. (Sep 2016)
  • Nuclear disarmament with Russia, not threats over Syria. (Sep 2016)
  • Invasions violate international law unless we’re threatened. (Aug 2016)
  • Pro-war means anti-feminist. (Aug 2016)
  • War on terror has cost $6T and a million lives. (May 2016)
  • War in Iraq created Frankenstein’s monster of ISIS. (May 2016)
  • U.S-backed regime change in Iran caused current conflict. (Feb 2016)
  • Nuclear-free Iran as step toward worldwide disarmament. (Feb 2016)
  • Involved in Vietnam anti-war movement in school & college. (Feb 2015)
  • ISIS grows out of chaos that we created in Iraq. (Jan 2015)
  • Stop economic sanctions and cyber-attacks against Iran. (Nov 2012)
  • National conversation before we go to war. (Nov 2012)
  • Blowback across Middle East due to our immoral war policy. (Oct 2012)
  • Stop the flow of arms to Syria on both sides. (Oct 2012)
  • Iran does not threaten our national security. (May 2012)
  • We’re not safer internationally with drone wars. (Feb 2012)
  • End the Oil Wars. (Feb 2012)
  • Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were illegal. (Jan 2012)
  • We never should have been in Iraq; we’re still not out. (Dec 2011)
  • We should not be in Afghanistan; no military solution. (Dec 2011)
  • Humanitarian aims in Libya ok; but not regime change. (Dec 2011)
  • End our military misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Sep 2010)

 Jill Stein on Welfare & Poverty 
Click here for 5 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty OR other candidates on Welfare & Poverty OR background on Welfare & Poverty.

  • Millions thrown off food stamps because they can’t find work. (Jan 2016)
  • Economic human rights: food, water, & housing. (Jun 2015)
  • Right to affordable housing: expand rental & home assistance. (Jan 2012)
  • Don’t prevent church-based welfare, but not as substitute. (Dec 2011)
  • Affordable housing & community development. (Nov 2001)

VoteMatch Responses
(Click here for VoteMatch quiz)
VoteMatch Question & Answer
(Click on question for explanation and background)		 Based on these stances:
(Click on topic for excerpt & citation)
Strongly Favors topic 1:
Abortion is a woman’s unrestricted right
(+5 points on Social scale)		 Healthcare for all including contraception: Strongly Favors topic 1
Offer abortion services free to women at the poverty level: Strongly Favors topic 1
Healthcare is a right, including women’s reproductive rights: Strongly Favors topic 1
Real choice includes information on prevention: Favors topic 1
Family planning is 1st principle of reproductive healthcare: Strongly Favors topic 1
Give women easy access to “morning after” pill: Strongly Favors topic 1
Protect a woman’s right to choose: Favors topic 1
Strongly Favors topic 2:
Legally require hiring women & minorities
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Cops violate rights of blacks in cities & Latinos at border: Strongly Favors topic 2
Confederate flag should be removed from all public locations: Strongly Favors topic 2
Pay equity for women remains critical, despite some programs: Strongly Favors topic 2
Incarcerating poor & minorities has become big business: Strongly Favors topic 2
Economy that is not fully inclusive is inherently unstable: Strongly Favors topic 2
Strongly Favors topic 3:
Comfortable with same-sex marriage
(+5 points on Social scale)		 Protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination: Strongly Favors topic 3
No discrimination based on orientation whether it’s LGB or T: Strongly Favors topic 3
After marriage equality comes workplace equality: Strongly Favors topic 3
Recognize gay marriages & civil unions from abroad in visas: Strongly Favors topic 3
All people entitled to full civil rights, including gays: Strongly Favors topic 3
First pro-gay-marriage candidate in first gay marriage state: Strongly Favors topic 3
Legalize gay marriage: Strongly Favors topic 3
Strongly Opposes topic 4:
Keep God in the public sphere
(+5 points on Social scale)		 “Religious Freedom” is surrogate for patriarchal domination: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Moral foundation for society good; religious basis bad: Strongly Opposes topic 4
No religious oaths for public office, juries, or citizenship: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Opposes teacher-led prayer in public schools: Strongly Opposes topic 4
Don’t prevent church-based welfare, but not as substitute: Neutral on topic 4
Strongly Favors topic 5:
Expand ObamaCare
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Medicare-for-all better & cheaper than ObamaCare: Strongly Favors topic 5
Early diagnosis and intervention for mental illness: Favors topic 5
Illusion that ObamaCare is a step towards single-payer: Strongly Favors topic 5
Single-payer public health insurance program: Strongly Favors topic 5
Thousands die each year when excluding from adequate care: Strongly Favors topic 5
Medical doctor & advocate for community health provider: Strongly Favors topic 5
ObamaCare was step backward for goal of single payer: Strongly Favors topic 5
Right to quality health care: Medicare for All: Strongly Favors topic 5
Streamline bureaucracy: $400B yearly for comprehensive care: Strongly Favors topic 5
30% of healthcare costs squandered on ads & CEO salaries: Favors topic 5
Save money & increase access with single-payer system: Strongly Favors topic 5
Implement universal health care: Strongly Favors topic 5
Strongly Opposes topic 6:
Privatize Social Security
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Remove income cap on social security taxes: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Save Social Security and Medicare from assault by the right: Opposes topic 6
Privatizing would lead to huge losses for retirees: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Don’t turn over retirement to private corporations: Strongly Opposes topic 6
System perfectly solvent when rich pay their fair share: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Social Security is not in crisis; and it’s not a handout: Strongly Opposes topic 6
Strongly Opposes topic 7:
Vouchers for school choice
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Guarantee tuition-free education pre-school thru university: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Treat education as a right: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Call for an end to school privatization: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Common Core empowers contractors over teachers: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Mobilize to simply keep public education in existence: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Replace No Child Left Behind with professional teachers: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Right to a tuition-free public education, pre-K thru college: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Focus on student needs, not corporate needs: Neutral on topic 7
Move school decisions from national to grassroots level: Favors topic 7
Charter school siphon resources from public schools: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Vital public system under attack from privatization: Strongly Opposes topic 7
Boost public schools, and hold them accountable: Opposes topic 7
Strongly Opposes topic 8:
Society bears cost of pollution
(+5 points on Social scale)		 Ban neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten pollinators: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Apply federal Superfund program to polluted drinking water: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Adopt the Precautionary Principle: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Create local, sustainable, organic, plant-based food system: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Water should be tested for radioactivity and heavy metals: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Healthy People, Healthy Planet: link environment & health: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Current food subsidies drive system towards FrankenFood: Opposes topic 8
Weatherizing homes creates jobs & addresses climate change: Opposes topic 8
Green Transition Program: convert gray economy to green: Opposes topic 8
Renewable energy is win-win for economy & national security: Opposes topic 8
Environment & economy are interdependent; not at odds: Opposes topic 8
$200M for 50,000 green jobs: address both supply demand: Opposes topic 8
Weak scientific understanding of effects of toxic exposure: Strongly Opposes topic 8
Strongly Opposes topic 9:
Stricter punishment reduces crime
(+5 points on Social scale)		 Black Lives Matter movement is a vital & logical response: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Black Lives Matter: end racism & police militarization: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Judicial system makes mistakes & kills innocent people: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Stop dumping resources into the prison-industrial complex: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Death penalty is ineffective, and also barbaric: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Mandatory sentencing: ineffective & racially discriminatory: Strongly Opposes topic 9
Strongly Opposes topic 10:
Absolute right to gun ownership
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Australian gun restrictions stopped mass shootings: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Gun ownership should be appropriately regulated: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Gun ownership should be appropriately regulated: Strongly Opposes topic 10
More local regulations; more background checks: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Address community violence with more mental health services: Opposes topic 10
Gun at home more likely to cause injury than to defend home: Strongly Opposes topic 10
Strongly Favors topic 11:
Higher taxes on the wealthy
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Rich should pay 55%-60% taxes, not 15% or 35%: Strongly Favors topic 11
Increase inheritance taxes; use it as “Aristocracy Tax”: Strongly Favors topic 11
Negative income tax for guaranteed basic income: Strongly Opposes topic 11
Transaction tax of .03% on every Wall Street transaction: Strongly Favors topic 11
Make all corporate tax subsidies transparent: Strongly Favors topic 11
End the Bush-Obama recession; ask wealthy to pay share: Strongly Favors topic 11
Incomes rise for wealthiest 1% but their taxes have fallen: Strongly Favors topic 11
Fees and sales taxes hit lower and middle income hardest: Strongly Favors topic 11
Close tax loopholes & stop corporate welfare: Favors topic 11
Replace “trickle down” with 50% tax cuts on lower incomes: Strongly Favors topic 11
Strongly Favors topic 12:
Pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens
(+5 points on Social scale)		 H1-B Visa program is ok, but help global economy abroad: Favors topic 12
End fear-mongering; immigrants are law-abiding: Strongly Favors topic 12
We’re deporting more immigrants than ever, 2.5M under Obama: Strongly Favors topic 12
Extend DREAM Act beyond age 30: Strongly Favors topic 12
Provide a legal path to citizenship for immigrant residents: Strongly Favors topic 12
End the war on immigrants; end “secure communities” cruelty: Strongly Favors topic 12
Undocumented immigrants are critical component of economy: Strongly Favors topic 12
No pathway to citizenship for criminals; open to all others: Strongly Favors topic 12
Strongly Opposes topic 13:
Support & expand free trade
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 NAFTA destroyed jobs in US and Mexico: Strongly Opposes topic 13
We want antidotes to NAFTA: Strongly Opposes topic 13
Oppose bipartisan job-killing corporate trade agreements: Strongly Opposes topic 13
Fight global trade deals’ “investor-state” court system: Strongly Opposes topic 13
TPP attacks our basic national sovereignty: Strongly Opposes topic 13
Opposes Fast Track and executive action: Strongly Opposes topic 13
TPP is like NAFTA on steroids: Strongly Opposes topic 13
International trade boards compromise American sovereignty: Strongly Opposes topic 13
NAFTA caused the wave of undocumented immigrants: Strongly Opposes topic 13
Strongly Opposes topic 14:
Support American Exceptionalism
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Syria invited Russia into war; don’t threaten no-fly zone: Strongly Opposes topic 14
US helped create refugee crisis, so we should help them: Favors topic 14
Re-examine NATO to avoid economic and military domination: Strongly Opposes topic 14
End CIA-supported coups and regime change in Latin America: Opposes topic 14
Deportation of vulnerable refugees is morally abhorrent: Strongly Opposes topic 14
Take 65,000 Syrian refugees immediately, not over 18 months: Opposes topic 14
Work towards neutral Ukraine; don’t arm them against Russia: Opposes topic 14
China provides less heavy-handed foreign aid than does US: Opposes topic 14
Expanding NATO threatens Russia and breaks our promise: Strongly Opposes topic 14
Focus on human rights, international law, and diplomacy: Strongly Opposes topic 14
National conversation before we go to war: Opposes topic 14
US should behave as member of world community, no world cop: Strongly Opposes topic 14
Strongly Opposes topic 15:
Expand the military
(+5 points on Social scale)		 Support Iranian nuclear deal as part of nuclear-free Mideast: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Warsaw Pact ended NATO’s reason to exist, then NATO expanded: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Both scary: Hillary wants Syria war & Trump wants more nukes: Strongly Opposes topic 15
$6 trillion to pay for wounded veterans from failed wars: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Peace offensive: shut down bases, F-35, & Saudi funding: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Close the 700+ foreign military bases: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Disarm North Korea as part of worldwide nuclear disarmament: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Bring troops home from 800 bases abroad: Strongly Opposes topic 15
700+ foreign military bases are bankrupting us: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Burden of fighting is borne by families of lesser means: Opposes topic 15
Switch from bloated military to spending at home: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Reduce spending via military cuts & preventive health: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Cut military 50%; spend that $500B on economy: Strongly Opposes topic 15
Strongly Favors topic 16:
Make voter registration easier
(+5 points on Social scale)		 We need ranked-choice voting in presidential elections: Strongly Favors topic 16
No money from lobbyists; No money from SuperPACs: Strongly Favors topic 16
Replace Electoral College with national popular vote: Strongly Favors topic 16
Establish a constitutional right to vote: Strongly Favors topic 16
2002 Clean Elections repeal meant “throw the bums out”: Strongly Favors topic 16
Voter Bill of Rights: full public financing; paper ballots: Strongly Favors topic 16
PACs connect campaigns with rich donors, & disconnect public: Strongly Favors topic 16
Re-establish Clean Elections Law: end “pay-to-play”: Strongly Favors topic 16
Insulate public health decisions from special interests: Strongly Favors topic 16
New voices heard with Clean Elections law: Strongly Favors topic 16
Strongly Favors topic 17:
Avoid foreign entanglements
(+5 points on Social scale)		 Don’t take sides in Yemen; arms embargo instead: Strongly Favors topic 17
End policy of regime-change and military intervention: Strongly Favors topic 17
Stop bombing Muslims abroad and stop bashing them at home: Strongly Favors topic 17
Libyan invasion was a catastrophe that inflamed the Mideast: Strongly Favors topic 17
Nuclear disarmament with Russia, not threats over Syria: Strongly Favors topic 17
Invasions violate international law unless we’re threatened: Strongly Favors topic 17
Pro-war means anti-feminist: Strongly Favors topic 17
War on terror has cost $6T and a million lives: Strongly Favors topic 17
War in Iraq created Frankenstein’s monster of ISIS: Strongly Favors topic 17
U.S. meddling in Mideast exacerbates terrorism: Strongly Favors topic 17
U.S-backed regime change in Iran caused current conflict: Strongly Favors topic 17
Immediate weapons embargo to the Middle East: Strongly Favors topic 17
ISIS grows out of chaos that we created in Iraq: Strongly Favors topic 17
Stop economic sanctions and cyber-attacks against Iran: Strongly Favors topic 17
Get tough policy has opposite effect of what was intended: Strongly Favors topic 17
Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were illegal: Strongly Favors topic 17
We never should have been in Iraq; we’re still not out: Strongly Favors topic 17
We should not be in Afghanistan; no military solution: Strongly Favors topic 17
Humanitarian aims in Libya ok; but not regime change: Strongly Favors topic 17
End our military misadventures in Iraq and Afghanistan: Strongly Favors topic 17
Strongly Favors topic 18:
Prioritize green energy
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Halt any investment in fossil fuel infrastructure: Strongly Favors topic 18
Climate change is humanity’s greatest existential threat: Strongly Favors topic 18
Nuclear power plants risk proliferation and going Fukushima: Strongly Favors topic 18
Declare a climate emergency & get to 100% renewables by 2030: Strongly Favors topic 18
Green New Deal to turn the tide on climate change: Strongly Favors topic 18
COP 21 is symbolic victory, but we need to go much further: Strongly Favors topic 18
Create 20 million jobs by investing in renewables: Strongly Favors topic 18
“All of the above” policy puts fossil fuels above all: Favors topic 18
Climate change causes record storms, floods, and drought: Favors topic 18
Green New Deal for efficient public transportation: Favors topic 18
Immediate halt in all new fossil fuel exploration: Strongly Favors topic 18
Completely zero out climate emissions, as fast as possible: Strongly Favors topic 18
Make wars for oil obsolete: 100% renewables by 2030: Strongly Favors topic 18
Fight against climate change instead of fighting for oil: Strongly Favors topic 18
We can’t wait 4 more years to address climate change: Strongly Favors topic 18
World War II-scale mobilization to reduce carbon burden: Strongly Favors topic 18
Nuclear energy is dirty, dangerous and expensive: Strongly Favors topic 18
Sustainable transportation plus sustainable food supply: Strongly Favors topic 18
Sustainable development; and ban genetically modified food: Favors topic 18
Strongly Opposes topic 19:
Marijuana is a gateway drug
(+5 points on Social scale)		 Replace drug prohibition with harm reduction: Strongly Opposes topic 19
The war on drugs is racist: Strongly Opposes topic 19
End the racist war on drugs and school-to-prison pipeline: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Transform from criminal drug system to public health system: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Reduce culture of violence via mental health & legal drugs: Opposes topic 19
I support legalization of marijuana: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Marijuana is dangerous because it’s illegal, not vice-versa: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Bring marijuana sales under a legal regulatory framework: Strongly Opposes topic 19
Strongly Favors topic 20:
Stimulus better than market-led recovery
(-5 points on Economic scale)		 Guaranteed jobs for all who need work: Strongly Favors topic 20
Obama stimulus was ok, but only made slight dent in crisis: Strongly Favors topic 20
Still no end in sight to economic crisis: focus on jobs: Strongly Favors topic 20
Stimulus plan was not big enough: Strongly Favors topic 20
Stimulus spent $220K per job; I propose $20K per green job: Strongly Favors topic 20
Full Employment Program: green jobs and community needs: Strongly Favors topic 20
Green New Deal: emergency program for 25M jobs: Strongly Favors topic 20

Jill Stein is a Hard-Core Liberal.
Click here for explanation of political philosophy.
Click here for VoteMatch quiz.

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