Bernadette Greene Placentia

Bernadette Greene Placentia was born in Galesburg, Illinois. She attended the University of Arizona. Her career experience includes working as a truck driver and political operative.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a former long-haul truck driver & small fleet/small business owner with over 27 years and 3.5 million miles experience and I bring a different perspective to Congress. After Bidenomics ended my trucking career, I worked as a Campaign Mgr for multiple candidates, responsible for all aspects of their campaigns. I believe in bringing back Representative Democracy, and I am tired of the professional politicians and elitists of both Parties making irresponsible decisions & implementing useless legislation while they enrich themselves & amass power. My career gave me the opportunity to spend time in every part of America and to meet every American, so I understand the issues, concerns and worries affecting the majority of us and will therefore introduce common-sense, implementable solutions that will actually solve problems and improve the lives of everyday Americans. I hold my Democratic ideals close but my allegiance will always be to the People, not to a Party. I’m a pro-choice, pro-union, pro-Ukraine, life-long gun owner & Conservative Democrat. I support strengthening our borders & protecting American jobs while respecting the Rights of others. I’ll fight to protect SS, Women’s healthcare rights, secure our water resources & support public schools and will work to ensure every American has the opportunity & resources to achieve their dreams. I believe in supporting our Veterans, & will fight to protect the most vulnerable amongst us, like our children and the elderly.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am one of you. I’m not a professional politician, I’m a no bullshit, tell it like it is, working class candidate that won’t waste time fighting culture wars but will instead focus on solving problems for regular Americans.I will fight to protect Social Security, expand Medicare and Medicaid, support our public schools, our Veterans and I want to increase support for Law Enforcement via better pay, better training, better equipment and better access to mental health care while eliminating those that have no business carrying a badge. We need to secure our border, but recognize the need for legal workers. We need to reengage with our Allies to fight Chinese & Russian aggression, and reclaim America’s position as a global leader.I strongly believe in Representative Democracy; 25% of the Senate and 67% of the Supreme Court went to schools just .04% of Americans can get into. Over 60% of Congresspeople are multimillionaires before they get to Congress, and nearly 100% of them have doubled their net worth within 4 years of taking office. We have Representatives that have never lived outside of an area with mass transit, and most do not know the price of eggs, or gas. What chance does a high school graduate have of ever buying a home? We need to offer more opportunities for training and affordable educational opportunities for everyone; the tax breaks for billionaires needs to end, and we need to start paying down our debt without cutting essential social services.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Reducing the flow of illegal drugs into our country; securing safe, reliable drivers that are responsible for moving 82% of all of America’s freight. Expanding Medicare and Medicaid, protecting Social Security for future generations; defending women’s healthcare choices; supporting Ukraine; expanding Unions and workers rights and increasing worker pay.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Read my interview by George Packer in the Aug 2024 issue of The Atlantic Monthly magazine (section 8).

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Above all I value integrity and abhor hypocrisy,

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To Represent the American People, not to unilaterally support their Party.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That if elected, every constituent believes that I always tried to get the best for them, that even if they disagree with me on a specific policy point they never doubt my concern, my willingness to fight on their behalf.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Challenger explosion in January 1986.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Waitress

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

In theory, that each Representative is a voice for their constituents and will represent their beliefs and protect them. Unfortunately, too many Representatives nowadays are loyal only to their Party.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

To recognize that we as a people are being divided by corporations and the uber-wealthy and that we are in danger of surrendering our Democracy to wannabe Dicatator’s.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I strongly support term limits- 2 six year Senate terms, 6 two year House terms, ten year terms for Federal judges including the Supreme Court.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely

What committees interest you?

Transportation, trucking, immigration/border, drug prevention.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe strongly in transparency and believe there is excessive waste and some fraud in our government institutions, however, the current attempt by an unelected, out of touch billionaire to eliminate waste has resulted in chaos, cost more money, and destroyed lives. Every Representative should be required to hold quarterly town halls in their community and be held accountable by their constituents.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

26 year Veteran solo long haul owner op trucker, wife, adoptive mom, lifelong gun owner, prochoice & fierce protector of all rights of all our citizens. “We were not born into a Political Party, we were born into a country.”

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Secure Our Borders Without Sacrificing Our HumanityRestore, Protect & Defend Women’s Reproductive Right, Voting Rights, 2nd Amendment & LGBTQIA+ RightsTerm Limits & Age Caps

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Trucking Issues, Better VA Healthcare, Advocating for affordable continuing education and helping our educators. Safe-guarding Social Security. Combating misinformation and extremism. Police Reform to include better training, better pay and increased screening.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, Courage, Honesty, Strong work ethic

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Tom Petty “Won’t Back Down”

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, I do not.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Party Extremism; manipulation by media; uncontrolled Artificial Intelligence and unethical political leadership.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Strongly support!

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely