1. I believe that non-harmful activities incident to homelessness such as loitering and public drinking should be legalized. I also believe that since going to the bathroom and sleeping are absolute human needs, no one should be punished for taking care of those needs in a socially unacceptable place when they lack reasonable access to a socially acceptable place. I would support the creation of a democratically-run shelter system similar to SHARE/WHEEL in Seattle, and lower barriers to housing (see my answers to Questions 2, 3, 6, 7, and 13), in addition to repealing ordinances described in my answer to [first part of] Question 1.
2. ( a. increasing the amount of the MFIP (welfare) grant) Yes, though I believe government ownership of business and guaranteed employment with subsidized child care and proper accommodations for special needs is a better solution in the long term.
(b. working towards a Guaranteed Annual Income at either Federal or State level) Yes, with similar provisions to my answer to Question 3a.
(c. support for universal single payer health care) Yes, though I believe getting rid of the insurance/payer model and making medical facilities government institutions like public schools or libraries is a better solution in the long term.
3. The City of Minneapolis should confiscate foreclosed homes by eminent domain and sell them for $1.00 each.
4. Yes.
5. I would not seek one, but in the unlikely event that I received one, I would accept it.
6. I believe that non-destructive, non-harmful trespassing should be declared “zero priority” for law enforcement.
7. I’m Minnesota Nice, I’ll say Yes twice. Yes. Yes.
8. As I value local autonomy, I would try to deal with this issue on a local level rather than involve the Feds. However, if they initiate an investigation, I will cooperate 100 percent.
9. Yes. If the State of Minnesota or the Midwestern US attempts to secede from the Union (which I support), and the Federal government decides that it is worth a second Civil War, it will be to our advantage to have such equipment under local control.
10. Yes.
11. No.
12. Yes to all four, though I believe it is only fair that gardeners/farmers should have to pay for the use of City water like anyone else. I also support ideas like Project Sweetie Pie.
13. (a. co-housing or intentional communities) I support them but feel this is more of a middle/upper-class solution.
(b. housing cooperatives) Same as my answer to Question 13a.
(c. easing laws to allow more SRO (single room occupancy) living spaces for the very low-income at risk of homelessness) Yes. Though I wish to specifically encourage the old-fashioned residential hotel model (no lease, rent by day, week, or month, no damage deposit, no background/credit check) as opposed to the tenancy/lease model.
(d. easing current laws about use of space for homeless shelters) Yes. I would like to see democratically-run shelters of 10-30 people each dispersed throughout the city (and suburbs if possible).
(e. means for deploying empty houses as either “low-cost homesteads”, affordable rental homes or public-support shelters) Yes.
14. I believe we need to work on issues such as youth civil rights and public transportation as well as the items enumerated in this questionnaire. I also support the creation of a City Ombudsman’s office. These are the issues where my campaign offers a unique alternative to the current system.
15. My vision is that every citizen of this city have the best life possible. I would do this through measures similar to and including the ones I have mentioned in my answers here, and through use of the “bully pulpit” inherent to the position of Mayor.
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