Patch Candidate Q&A: Preston Nelson, 8th Congressional District

ILLINOIS — Libertarian Preston Nelson, from Elgin, will face Democratic incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi in the Nov. 3 General Election. Nelson, an inventor and entrepreneur, also held jobs as a teacher, waiter, and was a missionary in 2012. Nelson said he only accepts donations from individuals, and not big companies like his opponent.

Patch sent a candidate questionnaire to each campaign. The answers below were submitted on behalf of Nelson's campaign and have not been abridged. Early voting begins on Sept. 24 ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3.

U.S. House — Preston Gabriel Nelson

Age (as of Election Day)

30

Town/City of Residence

Elgin

Office Sought

U.S. House

Party Affiliation

Libertarian

Family

We were all born and raised in Illinois.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

A.A.S. Information Technology 2011 Rend Lake College

Occupation

Inventor, entrepreneur: 2020
Wireless internet technician: 2016-2020
International fashion model: 2014-2016
English (as a foreign language) teacher: 2013
Missionary: 2012
Computer Network Technician: 2010-2012
Waiter: 2008-2010

Campaign website

www.vote4nelson.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Premature death — There are two largely preventable categories: War, and Disease.

*WAR*

Besides the overwhelming national debt, over a million people have died since George W. Bush first invaded the Middle East. Barack Obama campaigned on ending wars, then he wound up giving weapons and training to Al Qaeda terrorists, and most of the media and congress provided cover for him, claiming that they were "moderate rebels," despite a 2012 Defense Intelligence Report which informed the President and Congressional Intelligence members of the terrible nature of those rebels. That report is available here: http://www.judicialwatch.org/w...
I will fight to bring our troops home, for real, and I will never allow the US government to give more weapons to terrorists.

*DISEASE*

It is said that over 50% of Americans today suffer from at least 1 preventable disease. Also, over 90% of those who do not survive COVID-19 infection suffer from at least 1 preexisting condition. In fact, prevalence of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, breathing disorders, and cancers have sharply increased since the government began nationalizing our food supply decades ago. We spend BILLIONS of dollars every year to subsidize food, and most of it is REALLY unhealthy. We spend millions to subsidize white sugar. Sugar is documented to drastically inhibit immune system function for hours after consumption. Most Americans consume processed sugar all day, every day. These bad diets are literally sponsored by the government, with our tax dollars. This is insane, and it is literally killing us.
I will work to redirect the billions of dollars in the farm bill to healthy, local, fresh, natural, sustainable agriculture to promote better, more diverse diets. This will result in a healthier population, and a healthy population with healthy immune systems is the only was that we will defeat COVID-19.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support those protesting for justice because the system has repeatedly failed them. However, I OPPOSE violence, acts of aggression, and vandalism of private property. Demonstrations must be peaceful, and when they are not, the whole purpose is defeated.

Black lives matter, period. However, the movement and the organization are not (exactly) the same. The movement is people of all colors, clamoring for justice. The organization, however is made of big money, which I believe is meant to steer activists towards the Democratic Party. That party has consistently failed to enforce justice, and even worked against it. Joe Biden authored policy that worked to unevenly imprison people in minority communities. Kamala Harris has a long record of prosecuting people for "victimless crimes," and even blocked evidence that would have exonerated someone on death row. So yes, I support the peaceful protestors, but I am opposed to violent protestors, and I oppose those seeking political profit that they do not deserve.

If the established parties are serious about justice, then they should immediately pass the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, and the Ending Qualified Immunity Act.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

It is absurd. Police are needed to protect innocent people. Many of these issues result when police are over-extended, and do not have adequate personnel to police their jurisdictions. I oppose the militarization of police, but police should be funded adequately to ensure justice. What we need is to seek justice in all circumstances. It is unfortunate when violent crimes go unsolved because police do not have resources, or because resources are being unwisely spent to enforce silly laws, like drug prohibitions, while homicides go unsolved.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

It is a great failure. Early on, the CDC forced doctors to destroy tests for the virus because they were not "approved." Then, governors of several states forced nursing homes to house sick patients. As much as half of the deaths in early months came from nursing homes in such states. At one moment, the government has said that masks are ineffective, and at other times they say that they are better than a vaccine. According to Ben Swann's investigative reporting, a large pharmaceutical research corporation called Moderna was seeking to patent a coronavirus vaccine as early as Spring 2019, so it seems that someone has been seeking profit potential since before the mainstream ever heard of COVID-19.

The government has no constitutional authority to impose any of these lock-downs, or mask-mandates. Furthermore, the 1st amendment guarantees our right to peaceably assemble. It is up to the people to decide when, where, how, why, and with whom they will gather. Personal responsibility is of the utmost importance, and the greatest responsibility may be to maintain a super healthy diet so that our immune systems will defeat COVID-19. Numerous players on my favorite baseball team acquired COVID-19. After a mandatory 2-week leave, they returned, breathing healthily and playing baseball at a processional caliber. Most all of us have the potential to beat COVID-19 in similar manner. It is unrealistic to develop and rely on a new vaccine every time the various viruses evolve. The only way forward is to promote a truly healthy population, and that is why I so prioritize reforming agricultural/food policy and subsidization.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My opponent receives millions of dollars in campaign donations from billionaire corporations and special interests. My opponent receives money from the military industrial complex, big insurance companies, big banks, elite lawyers, United Airlines, etc.

I accept only donations from individuals.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Raja declined to even listen to the mayor of a city he represents in the 8th district. The mayor claims that members of his community were affected by asbestos at the headquarters of a certain large corporation. Asbestos was then illegally dumped within Rolling Meadows. This corporation also donates thousands of dollars to Raja's reelection campaigns. This is an ongoing investigation, but read more here: http://illinoispaytoplay.com/?...

Raja has failed to make progress for DACA and DREAMERS.

When given the opportunity to vote to bring our soldiers home, Raja voted AGAINST it to prolong deployments to Syria.

Raja has not endorsed or cosponsored the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, nor the Ending Qualified Immunity Act. However, Raja does have a plan that will greatly increase bureaucratic burden for police, a plan that will probably waste precious resources and encourage more good police officers to retire early.

Finally, Raja is the spearhead of an effort to ban vaping. This has already forced numerous local businesses to close, and threatens many more. It is true that vapes, which were illegally manufactured and sold, killed over 60 people. However, it is also true that smoking cigarettes kills over 500,000 people annually. Vaping may not be the most healthy practice, but nothing is worse than cigarettes. My mother nearly became a cigarette statistic. The good of vaping is that it provides an alternative to cigarettes for thousands, maybe millions of Americans. In this way, it is saving lives. But, the vaping industry is a huge threat to tobacco profits, and tobacco companies have a history of contributing to both Democratic and Republican campaigns.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Representing real people is the most important issue. Billionaire corporations and political donors receive too much attention from Congress. Most all of our issues are rooted in this, from never-ending wars, to subsidies for unhealthy food.

Inflation is another huge issue. The Federal Reserve's target rate is 2-3%. That sounds low, but even at that, the US Dollar loses half of its value every 27-35 years. Inflation most adversely affects those on limited income, and it makes it extra hard to retire. If our currency was not always being devalued, then there would not be so much societal stress over the minimum wage, and the increasing costs of goods and services. Even more troubling now, is that the Federal Reserve's primary calculation for inflation does consider the actual prices of goods and services, but rather overall spending. This provides some insight as to how the prices of groceries are increasing even now as the government says "inflation is too low."

Healthcare: 1) I would like to offer Medicare for anyone who wants it. This will provide an effective standard for care. 2) I would like to completely deregulate private healthcare and insurance. Anyone should be free to pursue any healthcare they want with their money, and we should be free to buy any insurance policy that we like. With this combination of reforms, there will be a public safety net for all who need it, while the industry will be free to innovate, and compete for our business by offering better care and lower prices.

Education funding / Property taxation: Property taxes are the worst, most un-American form of taxation. It is ridiculous that Americans are threatened to have their property confiscated for taxes, and that is the underlying basis of property taxation. It is a violation of the 4th Amendment, and should be banned... Property taxes also fund school. This results in uneven funds for schools, as some communities can pay more in these taxes, and other communities pay very little. So, some schools are well funded, while those in poorer communities are not well funded. Banning property taxation at the national level will force the states to pursue a more equitable policy for education funding.

Abortion: I am committed to finding a solution that both protects Women's right of bodily autonomy, and also protects the unborn children's right to life.

I am committed to offering the best, most sincere and honest representation to all people in the 8th district. As a Libertarian, I will not play partisan games, but I will work with everyone in Washington to protect peace and prosperity.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I once hiked from one side of the Grand Canyon to the other side. It was 27 miles from one side to the other, and over a mile down, and back up. I am always striving for forward progress.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success

Making progress on any of the above-stated issues would be success. Furthermore, I would like to protect and enforce real democracy by mandating equal ballot access to all political parties and independents, as well as equal access to debates.

Most people are unaware that Democrats and Republicans need only a few petition signatures to have their names written on ballots, but Independents, and people of any other political party frequently are forced to gather THOUSANDS more signatures. Even more, Independents and "third" parties are not allowed to begin the political process until almost a year after Republicans and Democrats get to, so they have a huge head-start. Even more than that, Republican and Democratic lawyers frequently file lawsuits to have Independent and "third" party candidates removed from ballots. Finally, when the Independents and "third" parties finally make it onto the ballots, they are frequently not permitted to participate in the most high-profile debates. All of this is a slap in the face to American democracy, and I would be hugely successful by passing legislation to end this.

Why should voters trust you?

I was a missionary in a 3rd world country for over a year, so voters should know that I am not looking for money, or a comfortable place to be. I am trying to do good in the world.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

The national debt is ridiculous. The wars are a major driver of this debt, and I will work to end them. Despite the debt, we have spent over an extra $3 trillion so far this year in lieu of COVID-19, and trillions more are still going to be spent. A few reports have shown how so much of this money has gone to politically connected businesses, seemingly to pad profits.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When asked "What should I do to further the cause of Liberty?" Ron Paul answered: "Whatever you want to do." If you want to teach, then be a teacher. If you want to run for office, then run for office. If you want to stand in front of court houses handing out FIJA literature, then do that. "Do what you want to do." Just do not hurt anyone, or take their stuff.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Policy positions are only as valuable as the sincerity of the politician. Many politicians say all the right things, only to then vote in favor of special interests. Politicians pretend to fight the "opioid epidemic," but 60 minutes did an exposé, exposing how practically the entire Congress voted unanimously to pass legislation that derailed DEA efforts to prosecute large distributors of opioids which were filling obviously fraudulent orders of the drugs. It is understandable, considering how much money big pharma uses to lobby Congress.

I will not accept any corporate money.

I am not a perfect person, but if a perfect candidate is the people's standard, then they will be represented by the best actor. We have had enough actors in Washington. I am a real person, speaking as honestly as I know how.