Josh Sauberman

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Sauberman graduated from Fordham University in 2004 after studying psychology and political science. Sauberman's professional experience includes working as a United Nations policy analyst and mediator, a principal for a film production company, and as an insurance brokerage owner. As of the 2018 election, he served on the Steering Committee of the Long Island Activists.[2][3]

Josh Sauberman did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1. Reduce our property taxes through substantial federal investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

2. End the era of "pay-to-play politics" by 1. amending the Constitution to reflect that corporations are not people; 2. seeking term-limits for Congressmen and Senators; 3. pushing for better anti-corruption and anti-bribery legislation that prevents elected officials from putting their interests before that of their constituents.

3. Resolve the long-standing issue of immigration by creating a pathway to citizenship for "DREAMers" and refugees alike that balances our nation's border security with respect for human rights and dignity.[5][6]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

I am incredibly passionate about healthcare. Having gone through cancer without the benefit of any insurance coverage, I find it absurd that elected officials continue to kick the can down the road at the expense of their constituents' lives. I am also very passionate about the quality and cost of our education. For too long, our public schools and public higher education institutions have gone underfunded; leaving families saddled with massive amounts debt. If 30+ years of trickle-down economics have yielded these results, then why not try a new approach?Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[6]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Joshua Sauberman answered the following:

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

I look up to my fourth sibling Mitchel, which may be strange since I am the oldest child. He's a guy who went through a lot of personal adversity to make it in the world, and his continued persistence makes me proud every day.[6]

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

I've been working on social-impact documentaries over the past few years and have helped put out two that reflect my thinking - "Inequality for All" (2013) and "Saving Capitalism (2017).[6]

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

A good elected official is accessible to their constituency; someone who listens before they act, but is vocal in their advocacy. A good elected official does not rely on others to carry their water, but is a partner in getting their concerns resolved.[6]

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

I bring unique ideas and energy into a role that is too often occupied by people who solely seek to advance themselves. Unlike most elected officials, I am not looking to attain higher office. Instead, I am looking to resolve decades-old problems that adversely affect my community.[6]

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

Representatives must be able to read and write legislation. They must be present in their district to address the needs and concerns of their constituents. They must also consider any piece of legislation with those needs in mind. Most importantly, they must not put their own needs ahead of those of their constituency. Voters send elected officials as their proxy. We must treat the job in that manner.[6]

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy that restores balance and functionality to our government. Things are chaotic right now because long-standing laws have been whittled away. We need to change that dynamic to ensure our government "of the people," remains one "by the people, for the people" and not the corporations or monied interests.[6]

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

The first historical event that I can remember bearing witness to was Mauerfall (the fall of the Berlin Wall). I was seven years old, watching the events unfold on WNYW-TV in our living room. It was night time, and I remember seeing people with pickaxes and sledgehammers hacking away at the wall. I also remember seeing people pulling others atop the wall. I never considered what the events meant until I became more politically aware.[6]

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

My very first job was as a file clerk for our family's insurance business. I was ten years old and the pay was $5/hour, which was a lot of money for a kid back then. The benefits were also pretty good - free lunch and snacks. A few years later, I got my first job in retail as a cashier at Babies "R" Us. The pay was a whopping 85 cents better, but I had to pay for my own lunch.[6]

What happened on your most awkward date?

I've got one story that I've told at a few comedy clubs, but I'm going to resist telling it here out of deference to the other party.[6]

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

My favorite holiday is not a Hallmark-greeting card holiday. It's National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, which occurs on April 30th. This holiday allows me to celebrate my adopted, furry friends while raising awareness of the plight of thousands more who wait in shelters for a loving family to bring them home.[6]

What is your favorite book? Why?

A World of Three Zeroes, by Mohamad Yunus has become a recent favorite book because it pushes the boundaries of conventional thinking concerning sovereign economic and fiscal policy. It also serves as an inspiration for my plan to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct, economic empowerment of the Palestinian people. It's something that no one talks about, but I hope to work on a bit more if I'm elected.[6]

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

If I could be any fictional character, then I would be Swedish Chef from the Muppets. Like me, he seems to have a bit of fun in the kitchen.[6]

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

I have been to 84 countries, so I often find myself returning with pieces of art native to those countries. Among these, my favorite is by far the didgeridoo, which I acquired in Perth in 2010. It was a pain in the rear carrying it back to America, but I have spent countless hours annoying neighbors and past girlfriends playing the instrument.[6]

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

Presently, it's "(Ocean) Bloom," which is a beautiful, yet haunting collaboration between British rock band Radiohead and famed film score composer Hans Zimmer for the BBC series "Blue Planet II." Before that, it was Drake's "Nice For What," and before that, it was Björk's "Wanderlust."[6]

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

Caring for my family and myself has been a struggle for most of my adult life because we live in a nation that doesn't have its priorities straight. Our elected officials have prioritized endless war spending over the relative strength and well-being of its people. In our particular case, I became a parent to my siblings at age 20, while my father was put out to pasture in a nursing facility. I also had to provide for my care when my insurance carrier denied coverage for cancer. These are things that shouldn't happen if we lived in a moral society with rules that protected people from potential abuses.[6]

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

Not always. Prior experience in government certainly helps a person stay in elected office, but their performance in the role is dependent on the policies they pursue, and whether those policies are reflective of their constituency.[6]

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

Finding a lasting solution on healthcare is the single most significant challenge the United States will experience in the next decade. The skyrocketing cost of healthcare has already sent some municipalities and whole parts of our government into bankruptcy. Reactionary, and increasingly draconian austerity measures to balance the budget have rendered even more governments unable to address the everyday needs of their citizens. If we do not address this issue soon, then our economy will face collapse.[6]

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

If elected, I want to serve on any of the following committees: Appropriations, Budget, Education, Foreign Affairs, Oversight and/or Transportation committees. Serving on even would of these committees would put me in a position to advance an Progressive agenda on behalf of working and middle-class families throughout America.[6]

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

N/A[6]

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

I think two years can be enough time for a Congressman to serve if there were meaningful campaign finance reform. The fact that Congressmen must spend countless hours raising money for re-election is something that prevents them from doing their job. We need to change that aspect, so our representatives can address our needs and concerns with the time allotted.[6]

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term limits can cut both ways. They are a great way to prevent the swamp-like atmosphere that currently exists in Washington, but they also create a loss of invaluable institutional history over the course of time. Despite this, I am in full support of term limits for Congressmen and Senators.[6]

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I believe that districts have become too heavily gerrymandered; essentially, carving near-lifetime appointments for officeholders and preventing "change" from happening in Washington. We need an independent, non-partisan redistricting commission in New York and throughout the rest of the country to prevent any one party's monopoly on the political agenda.[6]

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

If the Democrats want me, then I will certainly consider it. Unfortunately, however, the two-party system remains broken under our current campaign finance scheme. I would much rather re-join a party and partake in its leadership when those issues are resolved. If these issues remain unresolved, then I am fine establishing a third party to shake things up.[6]

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The candidate completed [the profile publisher]'s biographical information submission form:

What is your political philosophy?

I have decided to run for Congress because our way of life on Long Island is prohibitively expensive, breaking the backs of tens of thousands of families, who struggle under the weight of exorbitant healthcare costs and skyrocketing property taxes, while enduring longer, more expensive commutes. Recognizing the unsustainability of these alarming trends, I am looking to write a new prescription for all that ails our country by advancing a Progressive agenda that meets the needs "of the many, and not the few." My platform seeks to reduce local property taxes through direct, federal investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure. In particular, we are looking to advance a single-payer healthcare system, debt-free higher education, and regional infrastructure improvements that reduces our carbon footprint and delivers on climate change readiness.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Our comprehensive platform is available at joshforny.com/issues[6]

—Josh Sauberman[2]

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