This article first described Plump’s first four position papers, on ISIS, Opioids, Jobs, and the Veterans. The fifth, and last, appeared–How to fix our political system. I’ve edited the original article a bit, and added new information. If Plumb enters congress after this election, we shall review how he uses these in his first term.

John Plumb, between being on the campaign trail meeting the people of the NY23rd and raising campaign funds, and meting his Naval Reserves responsibilities, has been crystalizing his priorities and values and is producing a series of position papers on the important issues of the day. He has released five position papers on ISIS, Jobs, Opioids, Veterans and Our Broken Political System.

This is like doing your homework before it is assigned. These position papers are being used in his campaign to inform his soon to be constituents on where he stands. More importantly these will be used when he becomes our House Representative in January. He will be able to get right to work and start the process to bring along real change.

We saw a glimpse  of John’s philosophy when he objected to President Obama’s January 2016  Executive Actions “to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer.”

 “I don’t like the president’s unilateral approach because Republicans and Democrats alike should work together to find solutions to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals, terrorists, and the dangerously mentally ill.” (source)

Plumb, knowing that the current congress is in constant grid-lock, realizes that the process that works bests includes the give-and-take needed to compromise. It is not the “my way or the by way” philosophy that has brought the country to a stand-still.

The position papers attacks each issue from multiple fronts. For example the recent “Keeping Our Promise to Rural Veterans and their Families” plan includes education, economics, health care, mental health and military components. 

The “Growing Our Rural Economies: Protecting the Jobs We Have and Creating New Ones” includes Trade Deals, Renewable Energy, Create Conditions for Success, College Affordability, and High Speed Internet components. 

In “Ending Our Opioid Epidemic” Plumb discusses pain management, treating overdoses, treatment and recovery, stopping illegal drugs, and effectively using media campaigns to influence possible abusers.

Plumb’s plan in “Combating ISIS and Defeating Radical Islamic Extremism” includes protecting the homeland, hunting ISIS leaders, sharing information with our coalition, and cutting the ISIS funding sources, and ISIS’s use of social media.

Plumb’s last position paper deals with about “Fixing Our Broken Political System“. He recognizes money is so essential to run for office that our political system suffers.  The Key Priorities Plumb points to includes undoing the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling, increase congressional transparency, extend time former congress member have to wait before the become a lobbyist, and how we strengthen congressional ethics oversight powers.

By following the links provided, you can read Plumb’s position papers, which includes more specific details and reference sources.