Douglas Alexander

Douglas Alexander was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1979 to 1999. He earned a bachelor's degree from Bucknell University in 1980 and a graduate degree from North Carolina State University in 1993. His career experience includes working as a high school social studies teacher and an account executive in technical sales and being self employed.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Every normal citizen is fed up with Congress. I’ve decided to do something about it. I spent ~100 hours travelling throughout WI 2nd district (Sauk, Iowa, Lafayette, Green, Rock*, and Dane counties) gathering 1,000+ signatures to gain a platform from which to tell you now the below:

1) The best first step to grab back power from a corrupt and dysfunctional Congress is to impose term limits on Congress.

2) It requires a Constitutional Amendment (CA.)

3) You say “That’s hopeless Douglas!--Congress will never propose it.”

4) I say “Silly Wabbit, that’s what I used to think, but Article V of the Constitution states if ⅔ of state legislatures call for a CA on the same issue, it gets proposed, thus end-running Congress!”

5) Fifteen states have already called for a CA imposing term limits on Congress; fourteen are in various stages of considering to. That equals 29. We only need five more, and we’ll have done it. So, there IS hope!

My website has a map of the 50 states, showing where each stands. This is where YOU come in: call/email/text your friends in each key state, encouraging them to contact their state legislators, encouraging them to vote in favor.

If I am elected I will keep in close touch with key players in each state. When hearings are held (I testified in favor in WI--my video) I will travel to testify in each state capital as a sitting member of Congress, explaining from the inside why it is important to pass this resolution.

sans Janesville & Beloit

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?

Imposing term limits on Congress is necessary before any of the below will be addressed:

Affordability and our $39,000,000,000,000 debt

Avoiding incoherent wars

Providing undocumented immigrants a reasonable path to citizenship, so they are not working in an uncomfortable quasi-slave environment. Also, so they can visit their loved ones and return to their new home in the USA. Members of Congress are more interested in getting re-elected than making tough and controversial votes to provide dignity to these people. So, they “punt” on difficult issues. The result?--they keep on getting re-elected; they are all becoming millionaires, and nothing is getting done. And this heartless non-policy continues, making us all appear heartless.Our dysfunctional health system is bringing obscene wealth to Pharmaceutical, Insurance companies, and other power brokers who are quite happy with the system JUST the way it is. But its confusing and way too expensive for normal citizens. Congress should represent us, not them, and design a way to allow us to shop for healthcare the way we shop for education and cars: we make informed decisions, and know what it will cost going in.

Pornography. Some may diverge with me here, but no self-respecting society would put up with subjecting their youth to a firehose of moral sewage imprinting their minds with images of sexual violence, degredation, and domination. Love is patient, and kind. It does not insist on it’s own way. (See website.)Farm bill: our tax dollars are rewarding Big Ag and Big Chemical companies with our tax dollars, to the detriment of regenerative farmers who have recognized the failures of the nutrition-bankrupt industrial model. They are focusing again on nurturing moist, alive topsoil with a healthy microbiome, which infuses crops with nutrition and does not require chemicals. They cover and protect their topsoil, and use mostly natural pest control. Transitioning to regenerative farming takes time and is expensive: this is what our farm bill should be incenting and rewarding! But career politicians like the cash they get to their campaign chests, and send Big Ab most of the Farm Bill dollars, along with soda companies which offer no nutrition.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Folks, none of the issues above are acted upon because Congress is full of career politicians more interested in getting re-elected than tackling tough issues. As an analogy, regenerative farmers focus on building up healthy, living soil. Whatever crop is sown will then thrive. Similarly, we voters need to concentrate on sending citizen legislators to D.C. who don’t care about re-election or raising money for their party; who are willing to work with members from another party as long as they share the same end goals. They will tackle issues sincerely, listen & learn, debate & compromise, and pass the best laws they can. Then they will return home and live under their own laws. Thus, if we nurture a healthy Congress, we’ll all thrive.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jesus Christ. While on earth he had people’s best interest in mind. He spoke truth to power, and did not aspire to worldly power for his own aggrandizement. He was a “ public servant” in the most humble, nurturing way.

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

Integrity. Character Before Career.

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

Fulfill your vow. Represent constituents, not power brokers. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Having helped get a constitution amendment passed that imposed term limits on Congress: three terms in the House of Representatives; two in the Senate.

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

If we’re not counting paper boy, it was as an assistant to the building manager of Attic Angels Nursing Home. For one summer.

ADD. It’s both a blessing and a curse. I tried drugs, but thrive best without them. I have developed helpful habits and strategies. Here’s a hack I came up with, which you’re welcome to use but do not share it with ANYONE. Instead, please point them to read it here. Ready?

“Hey Siri, set a timer for three seconds…”

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

It is delinquent in executing its responsibilities, and unique to the extent it has betrayed its mission and joined the opposite side, submitting to the very power brokers which we, the people, elected them to keep in check.

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

Corralling the federal government’s $39,000,000,000,000 debt, which will only occur if we get rid of the career politicians in Congress.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The assassanation of JFK, the records of which have still not been released.

Douglas Alexander did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a regular guy like most of you who is disappointed in both parties and fed up with the career politicians in Congress who are more concerned about winning the next election than doing what’s best for our country.

My campaign will be educational. Congress holds the purse strings of all our tax dollars. They have become corrupt. THIS IS WHY I'M RUNNING, to get you all focused on the real problem and what we can do to address it. The leadership in Congress--both Democrats and Republicans--are drunk on power and don’t represent our interests despite what they say. The solution is putting term limits on Congress (TLoC).

82% of registered voters (both Dem and Rep) consistently poll in favor of TLoC. Did you know that? If not, why didn’t you know that? …I’ll tell you why: the power brokers in D.C., including the press, don’t want you to know that.

If all of you in SW WI who want TLoC vote for me, we’ll win and I’ll take our mission to a national platform. And I’ll represent all of you. I won’t be beholden to a party: I’ll listen to all sides of every issue that arises.

Democrat politicians tell us the problem is “those Republicans;” Republican politicians tell us it is “those Democrats.” They all get re-elected, they all are becoming millionaires, and nothing gets done.

Don’t take their bait! Don’t throw away your vote. I’ve stepped up as an independent to give you a chance to make your vote count for REAL change. This is your opportunity. Don’t pass it up.

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?

My #1 issue is generating momentum to impose term limits on members of Congress. The idea behind term limits is 1) to get rid of career politicians, and 2) attract an entirely different person to run for Congress, with entirely different motivations once in office. They would much more likely have the heart of public servants. Did you know this is truly a bi-partisan issue? A recent national poll on Oct 16, 2021 shows 82% of both Democrat, Republican and Independent voters poll in favor of term limits on Congress. In 2018 a similar poll showed the same results. For details on these polls, search on “Oct 16 scott rasmessen term limits” and also “M&A poll voters overwhelmingly support term limits for Congress”Unless term limits are enacted, this #2 and following won’t occur, but if we start sending citizen legislators to Congress, we’ll be able to 1) pass genuine, no-loophole-legislation to create a level playing field vis-a-vis money in campaigns, and 2) pass a rule/law prohibiting exiting members of Congress from taking a revolving door job. By that we mean a job with a lobby organization, typically located near the capital on K street. Although campaign donations are a lobbyists’ #1 way to get members of Congress to do their bidding, a second, powerful incentive is the promise of a job at a lobbyist--or on the board--of the company to which they have been routing billions of our tax dollars while in office.Congress needs to clean up their own corrupt practices, and also seriously perform their duties of oversight of the executive branch. One example of their own corrupt practices is our farm bill. Members of the Agriculture Committees receive hugh donations from Monsanto and other big food businesses, and in return use our tax dollars to subsidize their dysfunctional food practices that are making our entire society fat, obese, depressed and brain-fogged, and ultimately kill millions via mitochondrial dysfunction, diabeties, and heart disease. Examples of executive branch oversight? You tell me. The FDA, the CDC…read about it in this CNBC report: cdc-admits-covid-response-fell-short

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Sorry, I'm a one man campaign right now and need to head over to Monroe "Cheese Days." If you want to help me in this campaign, I need your help. I've expressed my passions above although there are others such as Final Five voting (a variant of ranked choice voting)...please see my website for others.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father was a great man. He was quite well known in his community of work and I always tell people who say how much they liked or were influenced positively by him that he was the same person behind close doors that they knew in public.

Dad was calm, gracious, slow to speak and wise with his words. He lived a life of integrity and humility. The older I get I recognize tendencies in myself that I admire in him and seek to fan those flames and strengthen those tendencies!

I try to follow Jesus Christ and the guidance he gave and the example he set, that's a bit of a different category. :)

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

Mr. Smith goes to Washington.

"Tightrope" by Nicholas Kristof & Sheryl WuDunn

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

1) Integrity

2) Integrity

3) Integrity

4) Enough intelligence to discern what advantage power brokers are angling for within various pieces of legislation, and understanding what is required to prevent them from hijacking legislation such they they get the majority of funding. Also enough intelligence to prevent them from inserting language that is deleterious to small business and/or the public at large, giving them an unfair advantage.

5) a willingness to scale back the obscene perks of Congressional office. Also to curb potential abuse such as voting to prevent members from purchasing individual stocks, since they have access to all sorts of significant information affecting various sectors of our economy. Also a willingness to close the "revolving door" by prevent ing members from taking jobs with any company that benefited from legislation they helped pass.

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

I'd prefer to show you.

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

1) Right the current wrongs of Congress that make it so dysfunctional

2) Be open to all legislation, not just voting as a party dictates. Seeking to improve it, and if unable, vote against it and always explain in straightforward language why you voted the way you did.

3) Listen to experts, learn a lot. Seek out experts who are not lobbyists, esp. in your district.

4) Listen also to common constituents who are affected by federal legislation

5) Help out constituents as appropriate.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Having contributed to getting a Constitutional Amendment proposed (there is no question one would pass if we can just get it proposed) to impose term limits on Congress.

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

The assassination of JFK; I was 7. More memorable was the assassination of MLK. I was watching "Daniel Boone" on the TV with my Mom, who was ironing. The news crawled across the bottom of the TV screen. I had to ask Mom who he was. She as very sad, I can't remember exactly what she said, but I remember how serious it was.

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

My first full time job--I assume paper route does not count--was during the summer of my college years working as a waiter at the equivalent of a Perkins restaurant that was open 24 hours. I worked the "graveyard" shift from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Everyone should work in the service industry for a few months; it changed the way I tip for a lifetime!

My first real job, after college, was as a Naval Officer, going though the "Officer & a Gentleman" Naval Candidate School in Pensacola, FL, then flight training, then assigned to a squadron in Jacksonville, FL from where we deployed to Sigonella, Sicily and Rota, Spain over a span of three years. My shore tour was teaching an officer leadership class to junior officers. After seven years, I got out and became a 9th grade Social Studies teacher in Raleigh, NC, but finished my twenty years in the Naval Reserve.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Mr. Darcy

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

"Helpless" from "Hamilton"

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Filling our really long questionnaires.

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

It is the "people's house." All matters of federal revenue must start in the House, as opposed to the Senate. Since terms are only two years, it is possible for someone in a demanding career to choose to make a sacrifice to offer their expertise and experience for the public good, and then get back to their career after two years.

Let me expand on that. Currently--while we still don't have term limits on the legislative branch even though we do on the executive branch--members of the House have to sit on the back bench for ~ten years before they start to have any real influence. What are they doing during that time? Besides the typical local constituent support, voting in lock-step with their party, etc. they are spending hours raising money for their party and their re-election campaign. Why would anyone want to contribute two years of their life as a public servant under that dysfunctional dynamic? But once we have term limits imposed, such movers and shakers in our communities can come for two years and still spend time keeping their careers going from afar, probably spending 5-8 hours a week lending expertise back to their companies when especially needed. That's because they would not need to fundraise at all. Obviously some might want to stay for a 2nd or 3rd term, but there would be many that plan on only one term from the start. They don't need to add one nickel to their campaign fund. And there is nothing wrong with them spending a little time on their real job: from the start it was assumed representatives had work back at their farm or shop in the district, and were only in Washington, D.C. part time.

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

Nope.

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

…Did you know that? Ask yourself: why haven’t you heard that 82% of Democrat and Republican voters consistently poll in favor of imposing term limits on Congress? I’ll tell you why: the power brokers of both parties DON’T WANT you to know. Thus, their lackey’s in the press ignore it. This is why I am running as an independent: to get the word out.

Once enacted, term limits will change the dysfunctional dynamic in Congress for the following reasons:

Term limits means no one in Congress can become a career politician.

That means they don’t need to wait for seniority to be effective.

That means they don’t need to focus on re-election.

That means they don’t need to stay loyal to their party.

That means they don’t need to dial for dollars.

That also means they don’t have to agree to lobbyist demands.

That means they have the freedom to do what’s right for their constituents and the country as a whole.

Party loyalty will take a back seat to fulfilling one’s campaign promises and getting bills passed that address the issues of the day.

I imagine, once citizen legislators replace career politicians, they might do what is unthinkable now: they might announce to the county their priorities for the next session! What a concept!

“The deficit Congress”

“The immigration Congress”

“The healthcare Congress

“The climate change Congress”

Obviously they would handle all sorts of bills each session, but signaling ahead to the country their top 1-2 priorities would signal experts in those areas to consider sacrificing their careers to be public servants for the majority of a two-year period. Many could/would not, but some would. They would bring an energetic, urgent attitude to Congress of “We've gotta get this done during these two years.”

[OK, last time: at this point please continue reading my answer to the next question, which I'm ignoring to continue this one...]

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Most definitely: The House Judiciary Committee, specifically the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. It is this subcommittee where resolutions to propose Constitutional Amendments are first assigned. H.J Resolution 6 is languishing there now, proposing a Constitutional Amendment to impose term limits on Congress.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-joint-resolution/6?s=1&r=58

But it would be easier to simply search on "HJ Resolution 6" and it will come up. Now, this resolution calls for a limit of six terms in the House, two in the Senate. I prefer--as do many others--three terms in the House, and two in the Senate. That House terms are only two terms long shows that the intent is for citizen legislators to come for 2, maybe four, no more than six years, and then go back to their district. Otherwise they might as well be Senators.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

n/a

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Absolutely. It was set as two for a reason. (See above.)

--Because they are entrenched career politicians. They’re more concerned about winning elections than getting anything significant accomplished. Incumbents in Congress win reelection 93% of the time. Is that a level playing field?

Another reason for the dysfunction: the Seniority system. Congress chooses to follow this norm--they don’t have to--whereby members have to get reelected 5-6 times & prove their party loyalty before they earn powerful committee chairs.

A third reason is Adverse pre-selection. (see below for more on this.)

Congress has devolved to the following dynamic. Freshman congressmen and women are ushered by their party into a caucus and told the ropes:

If you want to get that pet project for your district approved, you must obey the party leaders.

If you go renegade, don’t expect any $$ for your district, nor for getting re-elected.

You must raise thousands of dollars a day for the party and your own reelection fund. (Search Youtube “Dialing for dollars David Jolly” where 60 minutes interviews Rep. David Jolly, who states that his 1st responsibility was to raise $18k per day.)

You must fight the other party at every step: you must vote along with us and support our position on the issues.

The solution: there is a movement in this country--of which I am a part and invite you to partner with me--o get a Constitutional Amendment proposed to limit Representatives in the House to three terms; in the Senate, two.

In the latest national poll of registered voters, 82% polled in favor of imposing term limits on Congress. It is bi-partisan desire: Registered Democrats and registered Republicans poll >80% in favor. (search on “Rasmussen poll term limits”)

[At this point please continue reading my answer to the next question, which I'm ignoring to continue this one...]

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Aaron Burr.

(JUST kidding!)

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Great question--not yet. but I hope to hear many.

Tell us your favorite joke.

This isn't a joke, but a saying that I think is hilarious: "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean your not being followed."

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

Yes. // …They would bring in contacts from all across the industry to tackle the many facets of immigration/healthcare, etc. By the end of the session, a solid, serious bill would be passed, and most of those freshmen would go back to their careers and live under the laws they just passed.

Now, most members of Congress are dead set against limiting their terms. This is the best job they will ever have! Perks:

$174,000 per year

Pension:

$18,000 @ 6 years

$44,000 @ 15 years*

$59,000 @ 20 years

The Members' annual Representational Allowance (MRA) for personal, office, and mailing expenses averages $1.25m per year.

In 2015, a bill demanding members fly only coach was floated. In 2021 an effort was made to deny members of Congress the right to purchase individual stocks. House leadership rejected both outright; they never came to a vote.

The exclusive House gym, which provides the latest in cardio and weight lifting machines, offers a swimming pool, basketball and paddleball courts and flat-screen TVs.

Most receive health insurance through DC Health Link, an exchange under Obamacare. Last year, the exchange offered 57 plans in the gold tier.

Congress is only in session 145 week days out of the 261 week days in a year. If we allot three weeks vacation, that means 160 work days are accounted for. Thus, members have100 free work days each year to spend as they wish. Certainly they will spend some time in their district. What do they do with those other days? “Fact-finding trips to Europe?” They have no boss; the closest persons to hold them accountable for their time would be their party supporters back in the district. But whom do you think they invite on those trips?

You all know what it’s like at work when the boss is out of town…imagine having 100 of those work days every year! You can easily see why members of Congress don’t want term limits. They want to ride this gravy train for as many years as they can.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

To call to account the House of Representatives--more so than the Senate or the Executive Branch--for taking responsibility for spending our children's money to keep happy the power brokers who are enabling them to keep getting reelected. They are the #1 institution responsible for the federal government being ~$31,000,000,000,000 in debt. And that figure does not account for future entitlements to which they are beholden to pay. Not including those in this number is akin to you not including your mortgage on your balance sheet because it is mostly owed in future years. If we did include that number, our federal government would be >$60 trillion in debt.