Profile: Harley Mikkelson

Name:  Harley Mikkelson

Office you are Seeking: U.S. Senate

Current Profession: Retired

Age: 65

Where Do you Live: 3122 W. Caro Rd., Caro Michigan

Marital Status and Children: Married with five adult children

Questionnaire:

Why did you decide to run for this office?

I have been involved with the Green Party for over ten years because I believe it has the best ideas for solving our country's problems and making our country better.  When I was asked to run for the U.S. Senate I could not refuse because I felt compelled to do what I can to offer a Green alternative to Republican and Democratic policies.  Our country needs a single payer health care system, to bring all our troops home, and provide better preschool through college public education.

What particular skill set or experience would you bring to this office?

I am now retired but when I was working I spent almost all my working life working in public employment.  I am a Vietnam Veteran,  I have worked for the Post Office, the Michigan Departments of Education, Community Mental Health, and Human Services.  Government employees are a vital part of our economy; they preform need services; I understand this from personal experience.

What, in your opinion, is the primary cause for the political polarization that we see in Washington, and what could or should be done about it?

Our system of financing political campaigns gives to much influence to special interest groups.  We need public financing of political campaigns.

If the deficit is a major concern, how best should we deal with it as a nation, spending cuts, tax increases or both?

The deficit is not the major problem; the concentration of wealth in fewer and fewer hand is the problem.  The government is not spending to much money it is not taxing the people who have benefited from government policies enough.

What is the biggest issue facing Michigan that you  believe you could positively impact by holding the federal office that you are seeking?

The biggest issue facing Michigan is how to create a sustainable economy with more opportunities for all Michigan residents.  I would work for increased federal money for education, to cut military spending on foreign wars, for a single payer health care system, and for increased money for sustainable local food production and processing.