Joseph Alfonso

Joseph Alfonso was born in New York, New York. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2013.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

From growing up in a tough neighborhood to promoting change, my life has been a journey fueled by a deep commitment to making a difference. Raised amidst challenges, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of resilience and determination. These early experiences shaped my unwavering dedication to positive change for my community.

My path led me to serve my country as a US Marine, where I learned the values of honor, duty, and service. During my years in the military, I honed leadership skills and a profound sense of responsibility. It was an honor to defend our nation, but I've always known that my mission to create a better world extends beyond the battlefield.

Now, I'm ready to serve my country again in a different way, through a new battlefield - Congress. My passion for improving the lives of everyday Americans drives me to advocate for clean water, robust veteran services, and workers' rights. I'm dedicated to ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to thrive and that our great nation remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for all. Together, let's write the next chapter in our shared journey towards a brighter future.

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?

Protecting Our Water, Protecting Our Future: Ensure access to clean and safe water for all Americans. We will invest in modern infrastructure, support environmental conservation efforts, and hold polluters accountable to safeguard our water sources for generations to come.Honoring Our Veterans, Strengthening Our Military: Our veterans deserve the best care and support. I will fight for robust funding for veteran services, improved healthcare, mental health resources, and job opportunities. Additionally, we'll prioritize a strong and well-funded military to keep our nation safe.Championing Workers' Rights: Workers are the backbone of our economy. I'm committed to fighting for fair wages, workplace safety, and the right to organize. Together, we'll ensure that every American worker has a voice and is treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about a comprehensive public policy agenda that addresses critical issues affecting our society. These include:

Water Quality: Ensuring access to clean and safe water is essential. I advocate for robust investment in modern infrastructure, stringent environmental regulations, and holding polluters accountable to protect our water sources for future generations.

Veterans/Military: Our veterans deserve unwavering support. I am dedicated to securing adequate funding for veteran services, enhancing healthcare and mental health resources, and creating job opportunities for veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. We must also maintain a strong and well-funded military to safeguard our national security.

Workers' Rights: Workers are the backbone of our economy. I am committed to championing fair wages, workplace safety, and the right to organize. Every American worker deserves a voice and respect in their workplace.

No-Cost Healthcare for Minors: I believe in providing comprehensive healthcare for minors without imposing financial burdens on their families. Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, and investing in our children's health is an investment in our nation's future.

Putting an End to Tax Loopholes: We must create a fair and equitable tax system. Closing tax loopholes for the wealthy and large corporations ensures that everyone pays their fair share.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A treasurer of a non-profit organization, State Plumbing Board member and US Marine veteran Mr. Alfonso has worked his way up from social inequality to becoming a strong supporter for veterans, those placed in a disadvantage and has worked through many challenges many face. Experience ranging from working in the trades, designing and coordinating reconstruction efforts throughout Asia, finance and public service.

Using my field experience with environmental, coupled with my degree knowledge, to improve the long standing pollution that has been growing through the years.

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?

No matter who you are, where you come from or what your social status might be I will make sure your concerns are addressed.I make sure to meet you halfway. Never letting you do all the work, while I sit back.I can bring everyone to the table and keep a level head to advance the policies that are important to our community. Starting with ones we all agree on first.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Veteran services can be much better than they are and I intend to push for more ways to staff our VA clinics to provide the services our veterans deserve and earned.

Working with state officials to create better safeguards for our waterways, such as, ensuring polluters cover damage control while we monitor those efforts.

Improving career access, not just jobs, so that people can find fields where they feel accomplished.

Providing better services to our rural communities that get overlooked for career training, better water access, broadband capabilities and public utility. And to support our farmers by updating, and fully enforcing, antitrust laws so they can grow their crops competitively.

Fiscally responsible efforts that cut spending on expenditures that continue to accrue new cost. Then, refocusing on the communities that have been forgotten or neglected.

Improving our immigration system by working with surrounding neighbor countries to better organize people looking to migrate to here. This also includes making a change to the visa numbers allocated to countries that have lower request for from and placing those available numbers to countries that actually have people that want them.

Making sure equal rights and people's rights are being respected. The people shape government, government does not shape the people.

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

Former Governor George Pataki of New York. Gov. Pataki went around New York City and one day came to my side of town in the South Bronx around or about 1999-2000. Media were there, the mayor at that time and many others. Our playground was far from anything fun. Rusted pipes, half broken basketball courts, potholes almost everywhere and really nowhere to safely play. When the former Governor came through and saw the playsets, no public restroom access or anything he did not hesitate to step away to voice his frustrations. We had a few lower government politicians come through there and said they would do something about it, but never happened. Gov. Pataki looked at all the kids there and said "don't worry kids, this will be a park before you know it". A few weeks later trucks showed up and put a new park in.

So that level of commitment to my word is who I would like to follow.

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

9/11 was the first historical event. I had just turned 12 years old and was in Middle School, still in class, when it happened.

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

Working in construction. My family was first taught to work with our hands and in the process you learn to work with your mind. Construction work was apart of most the early years of life, and still is in some ways today. Over 20 years.

Note: Alfonso submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on January 27, 2022.

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January 26 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Mr. Alfonso has experience as a US Marine Afghanistan veteran with numerous awards including being stationed overseas, in banking, real estate, construction trades, title work, public service and is currently serving as a State Plumbing Board member, thru 2023. Son of immigrants from the South Bronx and was inspired by his teachers, who worked for unions, to always fight for the things you believe in.

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?

Veterans matter and the services that we are currently offering are not meeting the demand.Water quality is a growing issue throughout the state. Experience, such as my own, in working to rebuild systems will be vital to these improvements.Careers need to be brought back, not just offering jobs. This goes for our rural, suburban and inner city areas that have been neglected.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Improving the VA and ensuring they are fully staffed and can handle the demand.

Support for more public utility in rural communities and areas where servicing the community are not being met.

Enforcing the law when it comes to anti trust, with regards to our local farmers who are being held up by corporate interest.

Water quality and water management is vital to the surrounding community. We have mechanism to prevent shore erosion and keep residents from needing bottle water.

Data security is in dire need of overhauling. Protecting our minors, senior citizens, those vulnerable and our military members from breaches and hacks.

Immigration is something I have personally been trying to navigate for almost 4 years. There are steps we can streamline, as well as, make changes so we are not constantly scrambling for a plan.

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

My teachers and coaches that helped guide me. Their dedication to keep pushing me to strive my best and never give up on myself has been with me since middle school. One of the main sayings was from a coach who taught us "practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect" I continue to live by that to this day.

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

'Class; A Guide Through The American Status System' by Paul Fussell

'The Color of Law' by Richard Rothstein

'The Road to Unfreedom' by Timothy Snyder

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

Follow through and follow up, being objective to topics that matter to people most, being able to work with other lawmakers to get the will of the people met, and taking full responsibility.

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

I have lived the experiences many residents have. Being able to work with anyone willing to work with me. I am decisive, persistent in achieving the goals and have an unrelenting work ethic to back it all up.

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

Getting the job done.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Being able to show those who come from my similar background there are many ways to effect change. Creating policies and initiatives that helped our veterans, senior citizens, current and future generations how to improve the community and letting them know when the time comes, I will be available to offer any guidance I have.

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

September 11th, 2001, about twelve

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

US Marine. 4 years

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

We all have struggles and each struggle is important to us all. Acknowledging and respecting each others struggles is important.

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

It is the most accessible office for residents. Communities are able to voice their concern directly to the person who lives much closer than other office holders. This makes for real change to laws and policy that are important to those communities. It is the job of the US Representative to meet with these residents, find issues effecting them and create policy, or initiatives, to solve those problems.

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

Previous government experience is helpful and beneficial. But, it takes more than just years in politics to know how important the laws you right are. You also need experience working in the economy, living the failed policies in place and/or military experience where you have to work within government oversight.

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

Water security, social security, the environment, immigration and poverty. We are currently trying to expensively upgrade water systems that would been cheaper, had our representatives made sure maintenance was being done. Social security would require a comprehensive, and common sense, change to how it is funded. Our environment has endured the brunt of our country's development and we have to hold those accountable for the pollution by making policy that improves the way handled waste and get our energy. The way our immigration system has been handled the last 20 years is to simply cut the departments funding, make it harder to enter legally and cause confusion to those did everything right and still have to wait many years. We need to properly fund departments so we no longer have bottleneck issues not only at our borders, but in the embassy's as well. We should be looking at ways to improve wages sooner rather than later, and make entrepreneurship more accessible to everyday citizens. We can no longer say poverty is choice, when in fact, our policies are not being designed to help those struggling.

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

Veteran Affairs, Energy and Commerce, Financial services, Homeland Security, Small Business, Joint. Committee on Taxation, Select Committee on Climate, Agriculture, and Natural Resources

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

Yes, there are shifts in the area that can be sudden and we need to be dynamic. Communities often go through changes from corporations leaving and sending careers overseas, economic recessions have happened three times in the last 20 years and a sitting representative might not have the knowledge on how to go forward, and ultimately it keeps the power of the office in the hands of the people.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

It is important we begin planning on implementing term limits. Congress most recently still has had a higher disapproval rating than approval. Our policies are no longer representative of the needs of the people and the discussion/vote has to be done. Policy advisor is already a role we previous office holders can hold and aide sitting representatives on important matters.

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?

A veteran that was told his benefits might have expired after leaving service. These benefits he was referring to were medical, VA compensation and education benefits. He is currently working and didn't know where to go for assistance. Like many veterans of the last two wars, he felt like he might not be worthy of those benefits to some degree. I took it upon myself to help him get set up with ebenefits, explained the process of filing claims and to not feel embarrassed for asking help. He is one of many veterans who don't need a push, but needed a hand.

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

Compromise is necessary. Residents want their elected officials to raise to the occasion and find common ground. By making bipartisan policy that can meet as much of the most pressing issues everyone is facing allows for a better community.

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?

Making sure the offices that collect the revenue are doing so fairly. Our currently policies have stripped our tax collection to a point where many have to figure out on their own how to file a return. Putting forward a Bill that would make collecting taxes and paying back any excess the government received monthly. There are a number of models to build on around the world, many of which are allies.

Campaign website

Alfonso's campaign website stated the following:

Water Quality

Chemicals are polluting our waterways. Without drastic change in how the U.S. government holds companies accountable, we the people will continue to see the effects on our ecosystem and the health of those we love.

Veterans Affairs

Battle Creek VA system serves as the medical care hub for most West MI veterans. I will work to protect its services and make them more accessible to anyone in need.

Military Spending

The US needs to refocus spending into taking care of troops and families, rather than spending time on extensive R&D, leaving those who served more at risk of poverty and homelessness.

Equality Protections

I believe in equity across the board. I will fight for a level playing field for everyone in MI-04 regardless of any social or economic obstacle that is thrown your way. We are all human, and should not be restricted by the government to live how we choose.

Anti-Trust Laws

Every industry has been eaten up by large conglomerates that leave out small business and hurt consumers. From agriculture to tech, I will crack down on these monopolies and give power back to the people.

Reproductive Rights

We need to protect access to reproductive health and leave family planning decisions to the individual. A person's bodily autonomy should not be violated based on someone else's religious or spiritual beliefs.

Gun Violence

Safe gun ownership is supported by the majority of Americans. We need common sense gun laws to ensure weapons of war are not accessible to persons that might be a danger to themselves or others. Safely handling, storing, and usage of guns must be emphasized to save lives and to educate people on the deadly power of these weapons.

Unions

Americans fought and died for the right to organize and any union busting is an insult to the rights of workers everywhere. Organized labor helps to ensure workers are treated with respect and all of their needs are met in a timely manner.

Social Security

Hard working Americans deserve to retire without anxiety and fear, and those that are unable to work should not be forced into poverty. We need to properly fund and maintain Social Security so that future generations, like my daughter, can benefit from it.

Data Security

Our personal data should not be a commodity without our consent. I will force companies to be transparent with what data they steal from the public.

Immigration

We need simpler paths to citizenship and we need cessation of dehumanizing those coming to America for a better life. Our work visas should be easier to obtain and maintain, especially by smaller businesses.

Public Utilities

Local governments deserve to set the standards of service we receive from our utilities. Helping cities to expand their public utilities drives down cost and gives their citizens more reliable and satisfactory service.

Careers

We need to create more careers for West Michiganders by bringing in new growing industry while simultaneously supporting the farmers and other hard working individuals in our state through subsidies and government assistance.[2]

—Joseph Alfonso's campaign website (2022)[3]