Michael Swanson

Michael Swanson was born on Kadena Air Base in Kadena, Japan. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 2018. Swanson's career experience includes working as a cashier with Walmart.[2]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Growing up in the jobs I've had, I have most always been a rank-and-file worker. At the time of taking this survey, I have never once held a management role in a job; I know what it is like to be on one of the bottom rungs of society. That experience fuels my drive to want to make labor reforms that can better the lives of the people who work as much time as possible to make ends meet. The working member of society deserves a break, an opportunity to slow down, and not have to worry about their life outside of work while they are at work.

I am also passionate about fixing the healthcare system. The current system is prohibitively and unnecessarily expensive, as relying on insurance creates a total gamble, and when something comes up, people still have to spend time being tied up ensuring that their insurance covers the procedures that they need with no unexpected charges. That is a drain on the power of the lower class, and causes unnecessary deaths in the process, and it must be changed.

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

I look up to my mother, as the experiences I've seen occur to her in my time growing up, she was the parent I had in my life the most due to my dad's volunteering for deployments. Through those experiences I've witnessed from her, I learned how to be resilient in the face of adversity.

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

Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. The book form of my answer which is "live it," or "walk a mile in my shoes." Truly, many people may never be able to understand what it is like to be in this position if they have not lived it in the current economy.

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

As stated in a previous question, conviction is one quality that is important, as it helps keep the official accountable to what they campaigned on. Another one is integrity. Did you screw up as an official? Are you willing to place your whole career on the line to defend your actions in the way you voted for something? I believe just those two qualities have escaped numerous Members of Congress over the years.

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

I believe that elected officials should be truly representative of the people that elected them, and should be willing to go to work every day ready to champion their issues that affect their lives. Government shouldn't be about playing politics 24/7, it should be about creating a positive change in the lives of every day people. With that being said, my convictions and my morals speak to that desire to create that change I wish to see, as the saying goes. I would hear the issues my constituents send me and then weigh that against my platform to see how best they can solve those specific issues.

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

Make the title mean something. Truly represent the people who elected you. The meetings you take with constituents should not be purely for the photo op, it should be for heeding their issues to take to the House floor and speak on behalf of them to achieve the desired outcome.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Being a part of a movement that restores faith in the government, which currently is an awesome uphill battle to accomplish. I would hope someone would look back on my record and think that I acted on the faith of the electorate and used them as a guide and not as a pawn to boost my own self-interests.

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

9/11. I was 3 weeks shy of turning 5 years old.

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

My very first job was when I was 15, and I worked in my first high school's cafeteria at the time. Not including the summer months, I worked that job for just over 5 months, until I turned 16 and would transition to working for a McDonald's nearby my school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Last Lecture by (the late) Randy Pausch. It is mainly a nearly identical transcript of his actual lecture. There is a video of it on YouTube. His lecture talks mainly about living and achieving your dreams. It is something that I empathize with because as a child, there were multiple things I wanted to be when I grew up. So far none of them have come true, but it hasn't stopped me from chasing it.

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

Red Dirt Road by Brooks and Dunn. Boot Scootin' Boogie is usually also stuck in there.

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

This was one of the hardest questions. My platform speaks to much of the things that I have experienced in my life, but one of the struggles I have faced was the social aspect of being in a military family. For the uninitiated, military families can expect to stay at one base for about 3 years at a time, and can sometimes have the option to remain at their current station if it is on the "dream sheet" of options. Many families don't get the fortune of staying at one base for longer than those three years, which effectively means the social lives that military dependents once knew are changed to virtual, or completely forgotten after a while. While I have had the opportunity to utilize social media to keep up with old friends, moving consistently does create a bit of a strain on those friendships.

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

It is truly more representative of the American people on the Federal level. Certainly, Representatives once elected can champion any set of issues they wish, but due to the short terms, they are held more responsible for their actions in office than other elected officials. The typical downside is that with the way redistricting goes, many districts don't see large shifts of political views over the course of each decade, and eventually become unrepresentative, especially if the Member has become beholden to any influences that are not the people who elected them.

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

It can have its place in the resumé as something to note, but it shouldn't be held as a requirement. At that rate, then we can only expect a pipeline-like system where only government officials have the ability to run for office, which would be detrimental to the process of government. I wholeheartedly believe that Congress needs new people elected so that Congressmembers are able to respond to issues that cause the society they represent to evolve. In essence, you don't want to bring a spear to a gun fight.

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

Climate change. Considering it is expected that 2030 is currently the start of the point of no return, it is critical that it is one of the first issues that the next Congress can take the reins on. Also, the economic disparity between workers paid minimum wage, and high level corporate executives that profit from that labor. If the wealth gap continues to widen, eventually the buying power in the United States will drop to a point where millions of people will be unable to participate in the economy, greater than the likes of which we are experiencing today.

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

Based on my life experience, I would work best on the Education and Labor committee, as well as the Transportation committee. All three of these subjects are in my heart, and are causes I will go to fight for if given the opportunity.

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

It is, however, I would be in support of term limits (for both chambers of Congress) to help limit the time Members spend in office. Public service is a great career if you make it to be, but holding one office shouldn't be an experience you run for the majority of your life.

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

Is it a cliché to say Bernie Sanders? Even during his time as a Representative for Vermont, he held the same conviction then as he does now as a Senator. Conviction is the greatest quality that someone should want out of their elected official... the drive and desire to hold true to the values that they campaigned on, and maintain during their time in office.

Also, I do enjoy Katie Porter and her whiteboard. She is the kind of examiner I would love to aspire to become in my time in Congress, getting the real answers out of testimony to only prove the points that must be made regarding an issue.

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?

There is. While at work one day, a customer, an older lady, had come to my self check out area and she hailed me over. She asked if I could help her with ringing up the items she had gotten... and I obliged. We talked a bit while I scanned her items, and she had told me about her cancer diagnosis, and how it affected her ability to get around and do tasks that a typical healthy person would be able to. And this part of the conversation struck me, as it made me realize how an issue in my platform would be able to change her life for the better if maybe she didn't have to worry about how to pay for her treatments, or even what doctor she would have the option of going to.

Tell us your favorite joke.

How many giraffes can you fit in a mini cooper? 4, two in the front, two in the back. How many elephants can you fit in a mini cooper? Take the giraffes out, then 4, two in the front, two in the back.

How can you tell if there is an elephant in your fridge? There's footprints in the butter. How can you tell if there are two elephants in your fridge? They giggle when the light goes out. How can you tell if there are three elephants in your fridge? You can't quite get the door closed. How can you tell if there are four elephants in your fridge? There's a mini cooper parked outside.

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?

Considering the platform I have, it is extremely helpful to have that place in the Constitution for the House's powers that otherwise wouldn't be able to be accomplished in the Senate. With that in mind, it may be able to help the use of companion bills that could partner with Senators to accomplish similar priorities if needed. Certainly, there would be a concern for the lower and middle class, as the grain of salt is "How will this affect the majority of the country in benefits and drawbacks?"

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