Burstein for Congress Platform

[mabfan]

For those of you who keep up with my life via this blog and not through any other source, you may not have heard yet that I have formed an exploratory committee to look into running for Congress from the Massachusetts Fourth District. As this LiveJournal tends to be more about me and my writing, I haven't really thought of it as a place to discuss this particular campaign. (Although yes, I have discussed many of my local races here from time to time.)

However, I wanted to let everyone know that my exploratory committee has posted a platform on our website. As we work to collect signatures to get my name onto the Democratic ballot, I thought it was only right to let people know what I hope to accomplish if elected to congress. So visit the Michael on the Issues page and see where I stand on the issues of jobs, education, health care, marriage rights, women's rights, copyright and the Internet, and space exploration.

Comments

[gingicat]

I'm in the Fifth District - but I'd be tempted to move so that I could vote for you.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

If you have any free time and want to help me collect signatures in Brookline or anywhere else, let me know.

[points.livejournal.com]

We're in the 7th, but I'm willing to help. We could use more sanity. Need any computer support? :)

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Send me an email, and I'll connect you to my computer guy.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

I'm a few thousand miles away from your district, but my best wishes to you, fellow Democrat!

[sdelmonte]

I'm with you on all these issues. The question is how you would stand out from a pack that most likely will share your views on most of these items. Space travel is likely to set you apart, but I doubt it would be a major element in your platform.

I guess, of course, this is why you are exploring whether to run. I am sure you would make a good congressman. But you know better than I do the ins and outs of running for office in the first place.

Also, it's refreshing to read a platform that doesn't begin and end with Israel. As important as it is to you and I, I am always put off by everyone running for any elected office in NYC tripping over themselves to be more pro-Israel than Ben Gurion. (And I am still really annoyed that I have a Republican congressman now because he was seen as more pro-Israel than the religious Jew!)

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Israel is important to me, as you know, but I didn't feel it needed to be a part of my platform. And I do feel very strongly about a vibrant space program.

[ericjamesstone.livejournal.com]

Michael,

Having worked on a Congressional campaign and seen the the insane hours the candidate had to put in (and he still lost), I admire your willingness to run.

I disagree with much of your platform, but since your district is very unlikely to elect a Republican, I have no problem in personally rooting for you to win.

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And I hope I'll have your vote for SFWA Secretary. :-)

[ericjamesstone.livejournal.com]

Of course.

[teddywolf.livejournal.com]

You lack a tax platform and an infrastructure platform. The former is essential, especially in this age of class warfare with the tax code used as a proxy; the latter is unsexy in terms of politics but shows you're serious about some of the nitty-gritty, and that can help when it comes to getting the attention of the state Democratic Party.

My time is limited, but I am willing to help when able. My time is a bit less limited when it comes to items that can be done over the net, such as proofreading and copyediting. This political scientist stands at your disposal.