Jerry Northington
At-large, United States House of Representatives
A Vietnam veteran and one of the nation's leading veterinarians is hoping to bring his life experience and leadership to Congress. As a scientist and health care professional, Jerry has had to develop listening, problem-solving, case management and other skills that are so lacking in the halls of Congress today. As a small businessman, he has had to learn how to stretch a dollar and keep good records. As a teacher, he has learned to communicate and motivate others to work toward a goal.
Jerry's answers to our questionaire:
Why are you seeking office?
The voters of Delaware deserve real representation, not just more of the same old pablum. Voters today deserve the opportunity to pick a candidate who represents their interests, listens to their concerns, and will work to the benefit of ALL the people. I have had a very successful professional career. The time has come for me to repay society for some of life's benefits. I have long stood for the people as a whole. Now the time has come to put money and time behind those stances.
What qualifies you to represent working families?
I have been an employer, a business manager/owner, and am now an employee. All my adult life I have endeavored to represent the best interests of everyone in the business. By working to elevate employees and to improve their lives, the business and clients benefit just as the employees. All is interrelated in a manner that guarantees benefits to all if benefits are spread to the people who do the work first hand.
What are the main issues affecting the people you would represent?
I am an anti-war candidate who believes the economy needs a new direction. We should be spending our war dollars to create jobs. My voting populace is facing the same economic pressures as the
rest of the nation. In addition we live in a shore state. If global warming continues my state will find large parts of itself under water in a few short years.
What is your position on the “Right to Work” issue?
There is no issue for me. Every person wanting a job should have the opportunity to work. I believe in and support labor unions and to the institution of a prevailing wage law. Every working person has the right to earn a living wage to the extent they can support a family on the basis of their labor.
Do you feel government entities should change zoning laws to
accommodate big block retailers like Wal-Mart?
There may be instances when such accommodation benefits the community in general. I believe the employee track record of any company (and especially Wal-Mart) should be taken into consideration before any bending of zoning rules is allowed. If a company has a record of positive contributions and fair treatment of employees, accommodation may be beneficial. Companies with a record of abusing workers to the extent allowed by law should be declined.
How would you use your position to address America's health care
crisis?
HR676 is a fine start. I am an advocate of single-payer health care under which all Americans are entitled to the finest of health care available in the world today. Upon entry to the House I would sign on to HR 676 as a sponsor.
What is your position on living wage ordinances?
I support any measure that brings workers the benefits of a living wage in return for their daily labor.
What is your position on trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA and
the WTO?
I am opposed to those arrangements as they are structured today. There may be ways to open such agreements but these are not doing the job. We need open and free trade around the globe. Done the right way all citizens of the world could benefit. We must not allow any agreement that does not have equal benefits for the working populations in all signatory nations.