I live in Drexel Hill with my loving wife, Kim. Currently, I am in my sixth year of a seven year MD/PhD program at Temple University. I am 29 and a member of the Jewish faith. If I win the election, I will take a leave of absence from my education for two years in order to serve my district in the United States House of Representatives.
During my medical training, I have come to realize that the number one cause of death in the United States and abroad is poverty, an issue which has been ignored by members of our government. I believe that only extensive grassroots participation in our federal government will lead to the changes that will benefit my future patients and the health of the world population.
Healthcare
Healthcare is a right beyond the reach of many United States citizens. Currently, 46 million Americans do not have healthcare. Those with healthcare find the costs of coverage expensive. Furthermore, many policies are ill suited to cover all medical needs. My campaign supports universal healtcare coverage and the end of corporate influence in our healthcare system. Furthermore, my campaign also supports tort reform in order to reduce frivolous lawsuits against the medical profession.
The Occupation of Iraq
My campaign does not support the ongoing occupation of Iraq. It is unlikely that this campaign will bring democracy to Iraq or any other nation in the Middle East. Furthermore, the recent removal of Saddam Hussein will not end the problem of world proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The War on Terrorism
Endless warfare will not end terrorism. The causes of terrorism must be addressed in order to lessen this threat. Poverty and unregulated globalization are important causes. In addition, the United States must become more enlightened in its foreign policy initiatives. These policies should reflect American values of freedom and democracy.
Election Reform
Corporations should not be allowed to fund any election. Elections should be publicly funded. Our campaign seeks to end the electoral college and institute instant runoff voting.
Energy Policy and the Environment
The United States must end its dependence on foreign oil. This country should embrace conservation measures, energy efficiency, and alternative energy sources. I would pursue efforts to increase funding for public transportation systems such as SEPTA. Furthermore, our government should actively participate in environmental conservation efforts and ratify the Kyoto Protocol to limit the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
The National Debt
The national debt is currently 6.4 trillion dollars. 20% of our national budget is spent on interest payments servicing this debt. This percentage will grow as the debt increases due to new deficit spending. My campaign seeks to decrease the national debt in order to decrease wasted annual spending on these interest payments.
Military Spending
Military spending is the leading federal budget expenditure in the United States. The military should be scaled down. Large military projects with no application to modern warfare should abandoned. Our nuclear and chemical arsenals should be dismantled. Finally, the Pentagon should follow the same rules of accounting as any American corporation. Currently, the United States military can not account for over 25% of its budget, a situation worse than observed during the Enron scandle.
Other Issues
I realize that many people have concerns other than those listed above. If you have any questions concerning another issue, feel free to contact me.
