Support the Center - Policy Website

Supporting Political Reform to Break the Two-Party Duopoly

Interview

An Interview with David Benac, Candidate in the Democratic Primary for US House of Representatives in SW Michigan

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David is an unabashed progressive, but his enthusiasm and knowledge shines through this interview.

How we will pay for his proposals was not well explained. But he is knowledgeable.

One interesting idea from David is that we need representatives from the far right and left and through their dialogue lawmakers will reach the middle. This is not the experience we’ve seen over the past 35 years, but I hope he is right. I think electing centrist candidates is the best way to achieve centrist results. But David seems extremely sincere in his preference for dialogue and relationships to achieve consensus. He is thoughtful and well informed.

Have a listen to David and get to know his views and him better:

An Interview with Dave Pagel, Republican Primary Candidate for the Michigan Senate

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Dave Pagel interviewed Support The Center (supportthecenter.org) at his Berrien Springs Apple Packing plant on 7/23.

Dave primarily votes Republican (97% of the time). However, what came through in this interview is his integrity and a sincere desire to do the right thing even if it means voting independently of his leadership. He says he avoids a façade, and he is a “what you see and hear is what you get” kind of guy. He avoids ideological posturing, and clearly is someone who is interested in good programs to improve the State’s education (his public service started out as School Board Chairman in Berrien Springs, serving for many years), roads, prison systems (he heads the State Committee controlling 20BN in appropriations and developing reforms).

In this day and age of political posturing, Dave is refreshing.

He explained the life of public service he has lived, even while running his packing business which employs 20+ (depending on the season).

Take a listen to learn about Dave’s views and to learn about him as a person:

 

Kim and Dave Fritz – Interview with Baroda Trump Supporters

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Kim and Dave had a great conversation with Support The Center (supportthecenter.org).

Dave feels Americans should be willing to pay more for American made goods.   He is ok with tariffs.  But as we discussed NAFTA for example, which Trump may blow up, Dave and Kim did not feel blowing it up would be good overall.  We discussed TPP and the fact that the Asian countries in TPP have formed their own TPP, this time without the US, but with China.  When Dave and Kim learned that Trump took us out of the TPP, at the risk of isolation, this gave them some pause.

We discussed the 2018 Trump tax reductions, and Dave approved of it as long as he gets a cut.  But Support The Center pointed out the extraordinary percent of the tax cut benefits going to the super-rich, thus adding to the deficit and indirectly hurting everyone else when this borrowed money has to be repaid.   This gave Dave and Kim some pause.

Take a listen to their views:

Michael Shelton defends liberal policies and principles.

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Michael Shelton, from Stevensville, MI clearly articulates his beliefs in this video.   The Middle class should get a bigger slice of the pie.  Trickle down doesn’t work; that the Republican mythology since Reagan.  How much money do the rich need before they create more jobs and wealth for the rest of us, Michael asks?  Trump is erratic and incompetent.  Take a listen to his views:

A Trump Supporter – Mark Schutze of Baroda, MI

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As you will learn from the video interview below, Mark Schutze says he voted for Trump because he feels Trump is a good businessman.  Mark tends to vote Republican.  He recognizes Trump can be a bully, but he felt he was better than Hillary and he preferred an outsider.   He did not feel we had great choices in the 2016 election.  He talks about how politicians shouldn’t serve for too long as they learn how to use their positions to enrich themselves.  Have a listen:

https://youtu.be/ogRzuw7VS2g

 

An Interview with a Trump Supporter – Frank Small of Stevensville

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As you will learn from the video interview below, Frank Small considers himself a conservative.  And he believes Trump is doing “good things” – 173 good things in his first year, to be exact.  He talked most about the tax cut and its beneficial effects.  In this one hour long interview, Frank and I cover many topics.   Have a listen: