Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

General Thoughts democracy

Political corruption is a cancer that eats away at the foundations of democracy. It manifests in many forms, including lobbying abuses, bribery, extortion, nepotism, cronyism, patronage, parochialism, graft, embezzlement, and influence peddling. Each of these practices undermines public trust and distorts the democratic process, shifting power away from the people and into the hands of the privileged few.

The rise of money in politics can be traced back to the 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision, where the Supreme Court ruled that government could not limit corporate political spending without violating free speech rights. This landmark case opened the door for unprecedented financial influence in elections. In 2010, the Citizens United decision expanded this ruling, allowing unlimited political spending by nonprofits, for-profits, unions, and corporations. The result was a dramatic increase in untraceable money influencing elections, weakening the Federal Election Commission's (FEC) ability to enforce spending limits.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Corporate communism

Corporate communism: as a system of governance where wealth redistribution and state intervention are employed to significantly increase corporate power; often using communist style tactics, such as government wealth funds to perches business entities. wildly exacerbating wealth inequality in society.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

illiberal forces

"A Republic, If You Can Keep It" The words of Benjamin Franklin resonate more strongly today than ever before. Democracy is not self-sustaining—it requires vigilance, courage, and a commitment to defending it, no matter the source of the threat. Regardless of where a threat to democracy originates, it is our duty to counter it and call it out for what it is.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Transparency and Classification

Another significant issue eroding trust in government is the over-classification of information. While it is reasonable to classify information to protect sources and methods, there are instances where information has been classified for less justifiable reasons—such as to avoid public embarrassment or shield agencies from accountability. This practice undermines trust and hinders informed public discourse.

Review and Reform the Classification Process: We must take a closer look at the overall classification system to ensure that information is classified only when necessary. This includes regular reviews of classified materials to determine if continued classification is warranted.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Improving communication with the Lawmakers

I propose the development and implementation of a government communication application that would be available on mobile devices. This platform would allow direct, secure communication between citizens and their representatives, functioning similarly to social media platforms but dedicated solely to civic engagement.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Money in Politics

The influence of big money in politics undermines our democracy. When politicians accept large donations to influence policy, the public loses trust in our institutions. We must end this cycle of corruption.

I believe we should transition toward a publicly funded campaign system to ensure that elections are fair and not driven by private interests. Private money in government erodes democracy, infecting our systems and destroying public trust. To avoid this, we must act decisively.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Supreme Court reform

In light of recent corruption scandals and several controversial Supreme Court decisions, I have been a strong advocate for Supreme Court reforms since 2020. Today, those concerns have expanded to include broader issues, such as accountability, ethics, and judicial overreach.

To address these challenges, I propose the following three reforms:

Ethics Code Enforcement: I support the enforcement of a robust judicial ethics code by an independent, third-party body. This body would be tasked with ensuring transparency and holding Supreme Court justices accountable for unethical behavior. Additionally, we must redefine legal standards for bribery, extortion, influence peddling, and other corrupt actions to close loopholes and strengthen deterrents.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Congressional Term Limits

I believe term limits should be in place and enforced for our congressional leadership. Specifically, I propose a limit of 8 years in the House of Representatives and 8 years in the Senate, for a total of 16 years in Congress. This time frame strikes a balance between fostering experience and ensuring regular turnover that brings fresh perspectives to our nation’s challenges.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Minimum Wage Reform: A Localized Approach

At first glance, abolishing the federal minimum wage may seem like a harmful idea. However, in practice, the federal standard is often used by employers as a justification to pay workers below a true living wage. A "one-size-fits-all" approach does not reflect the economic realities of different regions—what may be livable in one state may be completely inadequate in another.

Targeted Wage Increases: Local and state officials can set wages based on the actual cost of living in their communities, ensuring workers earn enough to support themselves and their families.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Public Showers and Public Bathrooms: A Path to Dignity

By incorporating public showers and bathrooms into rest stops, transit hubs, and other high-density areas, we can provide convenient, accessible locations for those in need. These facilities serve not only as places for hygiene but as beacons of hope—spaces that acknowledge the humanity and resilience of those experiencing hardship.

Benefits of Public Hygiene Facilities:

Restoring Dignity: Providing access to hygiene facilities helps individuals maintain a sense of self-worth, which is crucial for mental health and reintegration into society.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Tiny Homes and 3D-Printed Houses: Pathways to Stability and Dignity

Tiny houses for temporary use by a homeless person, constructed in areas with a high homeless population. providing them with a safe and stable place to live as they work towards getting their lives back on track.

These tiny houses, similar in size to a studio apartment, offer individuals a sense of dignity and autonomy, giving them the space, they need to rebuild their lives. By creating these temporary housing solutions, we can help facilitate individuals' journey towards permanent housing. while also addressing the immediate need for shelter. This approach recognizes the importance of stable housing in restoring a person's confidence and enabling them to focus on other areas of their life, such as finding employment or accessing necessary healthcare, mental health, and treatment services.

Offering these tiny houses in areas with high homeless populations ensures that those who need it most have access to a vital support system, helping them to build a foundation for a brighter more dignified future for them self’s.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Farm Loans

Barriers to Access:

One of the primary obstacles embedded in the farm bill is a clause requiring proof of "managerial ability." While intended to ensure responsible lending, this clause can unfairly exclude hardworking farmers and ranchers who may lack formal managerial credentials but possess the practical expertise needed to run their operations. Removing this requirement would vastly increase loan eligibility and allow more farmers to access the funding they need to succeed.

Additionally, the requirement for applicants to prove they have "sufficient credit elsewhere" often disqualifies farmers who could otherwise benefit from the favorable loan rates offered, which range from 1.5% to 5%. This provision effectively locks out many smaller operations and family-owned farms that need competitive financing to grow or recover from financial setbacks.

To make farm loans more accessible and equitable, I propose the following reforms:

Remove the "Managerial Ability" Clause: Shift the focus to the farmer’s practical experience and history of operation rather than formal managerial qualifications.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Support Staff: The Unsung Heroes of Our Schools

I believe that support staff deserve the same level of respect and access to benefits that teachers receive. Their dedication to our schools and students is invaluable, and they deserve a better standard of living.

We need to push for improved working conditions and compensation for everyone involved in educating the next generation. This includes:

Fair Wages: Ensuring that support staff receive fair pay that reflects their essential contributions to our schools.

Austin Winkelman 9/10/25 Austin Winkelman 9/10/25

Food Programs: Expanding Access to Essential Nutrition

Increased Funding for Community Food Shelves: Community food shelves need more funding to provide higher-quality, longer-lasting food. Too often, the food available at these shelves is near expiration or requires immediate freezing, making it difficult for families to rely on these programs for consistent, healthy meals. By increasing support, we can ensure food shelves are stocked with fresh, nutritious food that serves the community’s needs rather than acting as a repository for grocery store waste.