Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Jackson's professional experience includes working as a college vice president of academic affairs. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1973 to 2002. Jackson earned a graduate degree from North Carolina Central University in 1983, a degree from Harvard University in 2003, and a Ph.D. from Lynn University in 2002.[1]

Jackson has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

American Sociological Association

National Council of Black American Affairs (NCBAA)

National Education Association

Palm Beach State College Retirees Association

NAACP

Navy Chief Petty Officer Association

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Phil Jackson is a retired United States Navy Chief Petty and retired College administrator with extensive political experience in local, state and national scenes. He is a community activists who works to provide a voice to those who lack a platform to advocate for the needs of their families and communities.

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?

Phil supports providing quality healthcare for all Americans by providing a public option.He support immigration reform to allow a path to citizenship and support for the people of Cuba, Haiti and those in the Central American Northern Triangle.Phil advocates the protection of our environmentally sensitive and tribal lands through a Green New Deal.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Phil believes that American has to promote democracy and human rights abroad and social justice and civil rights at home. Every American has to have access to quality healthcare via a public option. He supports DACA and a path to citizens for our friends and family.

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

Phil has looked up to activist and politician Julian Bond for the example Senator Bond set for him and the other members of the North Carolina Central University student chapter of the NAACP as Senator Bond stood with them as they sought justice for those who were killed by a band of Klansman and Nazis in what has become known as the "Greensboro Massacre."

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

I enjoy reading the works of political philosophers. I particularly like English philosopher John Locke's "Two Treatises on Civil Government" where in he expressed that people by nature are free and equal and have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of property (happiness).

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

The most important characteristic of an elected officials is to conduct themselves statesman, keeping the general welfare of the citizenry at the center of all their decisions and actions.

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

Leadership and Integrity and the values of honor, courage, and commitment.

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

The core responsibility for someone in elected office is to be attune to the issues affecting their constituents and to advocate in support of them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of a United States Congressional Representative who serve the needs of all his constituents regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion with a particular focus on the needs of senior citizens, children and families and the less fortunate in our communities.

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

At the age 24, while a graduate student at North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, Phil along with his fellow members of the university's student chapter of the NAACP, joined in student lead protest with political activist and politician Georgia State Senator Julian Bond (NCCU Lecturer), North Carolina State Attorney General, Mickey Micheux, and Chancellor Albert Whiting in protest that lead to justice for those who lost their lives in the Greensboro Massacre.

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

Phil Jackson made a commitment to join the United States Navy upon graduation from high school at the age of 17. He first duty station was the Naval Hospital Corpsman at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) where he served as corpsman on the surgical ward and laboratory assistant in the Hematology Stat Lab. His last active duty assignment was the commands laboratory technician in NAVCOMMSTA Nea Makri, Greece. Upon completion of his active duty service, Phil joined the United States Navy active reserves where among other assignments, he served as the Leading Chief Petty Officer for Naval Hospital Jax at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center, West Palm Beach, Florida. Chief Jackson's last assignment was Leading Chief Petty Officer and inaugural member of Naval Central Command, West Palm Beach extension.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is "Thomas the Melungeon: Free Person of Color Civil War Soldier" by Gigi Best. I like this book because of the light it shed on the plight of my family and other people of african, european, and native american descent in our society.

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

N/A

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

I am a singer, thus there is no single song that gets stuck in my head. However, I do find myself singing gospel songs at some of the most inopportune times much to the surprise and often joy of those who might be within ear shot.

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

The divisions and lack unity within some of our communities that arises from time to time is something that I have struggled with over the years. We have to continue to advocate that all people are born free and equal and are endowed with certain inalienable natural rights to "life, liberty and a pursuit of property (happiness).

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

The United States House of Representatives, unlike any other body, is the voice for the diverse constituencies that exist across our name. "It is the people's house."

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

Although it could be beneficial, it is not essential that a representative have prior government or political experience. These career politicians develop a kind or blindness or tunnel vision that puts them out-of-touch with the issues and concerns of the citizenry. America could benefit from fewer lawyers and career politicians in Congress and more professionals like educators, nurses, police officer, etc. who hold the kinds of jobs that the vast majority of their constituents hold.

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

The greatest challenges of the United States over the next decade is to bring stability to the Western Hemisphere by developing meaning immigration reform that address the push and pull factors that causes children and families to endanger their lives by navigating treacherous terrain as they traverse to the borders of the United States. It also of critical importance that the U.S. address the matters affecting the people of Haiti and Cuba.

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

I would like to serve on committees that address the issues of workers, children and families, military and veterans affairs, foreign policy.

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?

This is a difficult question since I think that for a good congressman two years might not be enough given the fact this means they have one year to focus their total attention to the needs of the people in their district and the second requires a focus on reelection which focus less on policy issues and more on staying in office. Nevertheless, I am an advocate for term limits for members of both houses of Congress.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Phil is supports term limits for United States Representatives and Senators.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Did you know that there are "automobiles" mentioned in the Bible? God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden in a "fury" and the disciples were all in one "accord."

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

I believe that politics is the "art of compromise" and reasonable compromise is critical to a successful democratic government.

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?

I would work with colleague on both sides of the aisle to draft and introduce legislation to fund critical needs in my district and across the nation.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0"); });