Dan Chapin

Defense / Veterans

Reallocate $1 Billion from the defense budget to Home Land Security expressly earmarked to create a domestic terrorism unit which will track, enumerate, and investigate all reports of potential violence. This unit will work closely with federal and local law enforcement organizations and be responsible for keeping all parties informed of potential threats. Learn more

This would include all health issues , both physical and mental, for all returning veterans being covered and funding provided for as long as recovery takes. Learn more

Accept the Fact that War is Bad.  War should not be a great opportunity for large profits, the profit motive should be removed from war.  Any wars should be paid for with a war tax and no conflict would be consider over until all costs of the war were paid. Learn more

Drug Policy

creating a new cash crop which can grow almost anywhere and is an unparalleled source of bio-fuels, paper products, clothing, and many other products. Learn more

Immediately legalize the growing and production of any Hemp products Learn more

Economy

Reform corporations so that acting in the public good is more important than creating a profit Learn more

Immediately Reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act. Learn more

Education

I would also set up a forgiveness program for those working and paying taxes.  If a student repaid at least $1000 on their loan I would give them a matching tax credit up to $1000. Learn more

I would refinance all student debt through the government at 1% interest rate, whether it was held by students or by their parents. Learn more

For a successful and smooth running country we also need the carpenters, construction workers, plumbers, electricians, masons, mechanics, and all other tradesmen that perform the necessary tasks and jobs that keep the gears and systems running. Learn more

We can start to return the power back to the American citizens by once again insuring that all Americans who qualify can receive a higher education that is tuition free.  This would include not just a college education but also a trade education. Learn more

This would be equivalent to a 1 penny fee on $100 of transactions.  There would be citizen exemption equivalent to the minimum wage Learn more

The government would provide tuition free education to any public university or college and hopefully this would create an incentive for public universities and colleges to create and implement highly rated and effective trades programs. Learn more

The cost of this program would run between $80 and $130 Billion per year.  Here is how I would pay for it. We place a transaction fee of .0001% on all financial transactions.  This would include commodities, currency, stocks, derivatives, and any other exotic or common financial instruments. Learn more

Environment / Energy

Create National Strategic Energy and Materials Reserve.  Create Alternative Energy Research and Development Fund. Learn more

Immediately legalize the growing and production of any Hemp products, creating a new cash crop which can grow almost anywhere and is an unparalleled source of bio-fuels, paper products, clothing, and many other products. Learn more

Climate Change is real, it is growing, and it is a danger to the safety and economy of America. Learn more

Establish a Cap and Trade policy where all adult citizens share equally in the total Carbon amount used in the US annually. Learn more

Citizens who are energy conscious and practice good conservation will be able to sell their extra credits to fund college, purchase a home, or pay off debts. Learn more

Government Reform

I would propose the Congress establish a procedure for placing a limited number of Citizen Initiatives on the National Ballot.  If passed Congress could make only minor changes, such as making the Initiative legally and administratively effective.  Congress would not be able to change or repeal the Initiative for at least 2-4 years. Learn more

Must spend 1200 hours in productive session/year or lose 1% of salary for every 10 hours below that. Learn more

This would mean that out of state influence, corporate money, union money, super pac money, or money from unidentified sources would all be excluded, since none of these entities could legally register, receive a ballot, or vote in our elections. This would have returned control of Colorado elections to Coloradans. Learn more

All votes of any kind will be recorded and part of the open permanent record. Learn more

I would also move Election Day to join with the 4th of July to create a four day weekend for a National Celebration of Freedom and Democracy. Learn more

Furthermore, by placing the election in the first week of July our Representatives could be held to, if nothing else, at least having to take ownership of the National Budget which would be due as the new fiscal year would start on October 1 of that year. Learn more

Cannot accept anything of value from a single person for more than the minimum hourly wage/quarter and cannot accept anything of value from more than 100 persons/quarter.  Cannot receive anything of value from any non-human persons, entities, or organizations. Learn more

Any hold or stoppage of any bill must name the representative requesting such action, with that information to be published and part of open public record. Learn more

Every Representative would have the right to bring one bill of 5 pages or less to the floor for a vote every year. Learn more

Fact finding trips or anything paid for by individuals, corporations, or any other entity must be assigned by lottery with numbers being divided proportional to representation of parties, with at least 1 member from each party represented. Learn more

I believe Election Day should be a paid National Holiday. Learn more

All Bills referred to committees would be required to be returned to the House for action within 90 days of being referred to committee.  Any Bill could be expedited by a specific request by the Representatives.  For each four Representatives requesting the Bill be expedited one day would be subtracted from the 90 days allowed down to a minimum of 10 days. Learn more

One of the main ways political organization would be deemed in the interest of Colorado and Coloradans would be that they could only accept assistance, items of value, or money from those who could legally be Colorado electors. Learn more

All Bills and Amendments and who introduced them must be part of open public record.  This would include all committee votes and actions. Learn more

In addition each Representative would have to answer for their own budget or budget choices.  If they could not answer questions on how they would vote on budget issues or if they had no policies on the budget then at least the voters would know that before the election. Learn more

Limit the compensation that any former elected Representative can receive after leaving Congress, from any organization, if that organization works with the government, is contracted by the government, or if the organization is involved in lobbying Congress or government in any way. Learn more

All travel plans, meetings, events, dining, and schedules for fact finding trips must be reported and part of open public record.  All representatives must file a report of results of every trip or event they attend. Learn more

There would be required a significant effort to qualify an Initiative for possible inclusion on the National Ballot and then only between 3 and 5 issues would be selected by the citizens to be placed on the National Ballot. Learn more

Guns

Promote fees on firearms and ammunition to create a revenue neutral system to oversee firearms and ammunition which will not penalize those who chose not to possess arms. Learn more

Require all firearms to be registered. Without responsible ownership we cannot keep destructive weapons out of the hands of the dangerous or irresponsible segments of society. Learn more

Weapons and ammunition classified as militia weapons would be required to be regulated (as per the Second Amendment). Citizens would retain ownership but the storage, use, training, and distribution of militia weapons and items would fall under the purview of the States National Guard units. Items would be stored in National Guard armories and use and training would be controlled by the local Commander. Learn more

Raise the age of gun ownership to 21. Learn more

Require universal comprehensive background checks for all gun purchase. If a background check cannot be completed in 5 business days the request will be denied. Learn more

Reallocate $1 Billion from the defense budget to Home Land Security expressly earmarked to create a domestic terrorism unit which will track, enumerate, and investigate all reports of potential violence. This unit will work closely with federal and local law enforcement organizations and be responsible for keeping all parties informed of potential threats. Learn more

Classify all military style weapons and accessories, or weapons that a main use would be military type of use, as militia weapons. This would include items such as AR-15 or similar weapon, magazines with a capacity of over 6 bullets, bump stocks or similar enhancements, silencers, enhanced ammunition, and body armor. Learn more

Create and implement systems to identify those who, for the safety of society, should temporarily or permanently be denied possession of firearms. In addition, provide counseling and help for those who are, or become, mentally or emotionally questionable to possess firearms. Learn more

Not only allow but require the CDC to track and report on all violence that is gun related in the U.S. Learn more

Limit the ownership and possession of firearms to those who possess the maturity, the responsibility, and the knowledge to safely possess and use those firearms. Learn more

Require liability insurance to guarantee that those who are accidentally or intentionally injured by firearms will not suffer financial hardship or bankruptcy due to no fault of their own. Let the free market determine firearm responsibility just as it does with automobiles. Learn more

Limit Weapons that are not Necessary for NORMAL Use or Security – Especially any weapons or accessories which are military style or have as one of their main uses, a military type of use. Learn more

Require all operators of firearms to pass a test of knowledge and skill to obtain a license to operate. Most activities that can cause harm to society need skilled operators. Learn more

Ensure that those who are accidentally or intentionally injured by guns will not have to also suffer debilitating financial damage. Learn more

Reallocate $1 Billion from U.S. military aid to Home Land Security expressly earmarked to create a mental health unit that would provide mental health services for troubled and potentially violent individuals. The unit would also create a website and hotline where individuals could go for help and citizens could anonymously report potential threats or individuals in need of assistance who could possibly injure themselves or others. Learn more

Healthcare

Reallocate $1 Billion from U.S. military aid to Home Land Security expressly earmarked to create a mental health unit that would provide mental health services for troubled and potentially violent individuals. The unit would also create a website and hotline where individuals could go for help and citizens could anonymously report potential threats or individuals in need of assistance who could possibly injure themselves or others. Learn more

Reform Medicare to create a national network of General Practice Doctors.  All Americans could receive basic medical care anywhere in the Country at a cost equivalent to or lower than their hourly wage per month. Learn more

Immigration

Create a comprehensive policy which includes compliance and registration by immigrants, establish a cut off point for immigrants remaining in the country, penalties for employers and rental parties who ignore legal requirements, establish guidelines for a path to citizenship, and establish Human Rights for immigrants. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

Establish Net Neutrality and designate “last mile” providers as Common Carriers.  This would increase competition and lower the cost of all digital services, Internet, Phone, and TV by as much as 60%. Learn more

Create a Federal Mass Transit project equivalent to the National Highway System. Learn more

Legislation

Immediately legalize the growing and production of any Hemp products, creating a new cash crop which can grow almost anywhere and is an unparalleled source of bio-fuels, paper products, clothing, and many other products. Learn more

Establish a procedure by which Americans can place a limited number of Citizen Petitioned Initiatives on the National Ballot. Learn more

Establish Registration, Licensing, and Insurance requirements for the ownership of guns.  Legally define militia weapons and create regulations and procedures for safely storing, handling, and using those weapons.  Create organizations for tracking domestic threats and for providing mental health services for those in need. Learn more

Immediately legalize the growing of Hemp and the production of all Hemp products – creates a new cash crop which can be grown almost anywhere and is a valuable source of bio-fuels, paper, clothing, and many other consumer products. Learn more

Reform Social Security resulting in up to a 15% increase above cost of living increases for retired Americans in the next 3 years – an increase of as much as $11,900 for a retired citizen and a decrease of taxes paid by working Americans in their working lifetime by as much as $92,000. Learn more

Election Day a paid National Holiday and move it adjacent to the July 4th Holiday to create a four day weekend for the Celebration of Democracy. Learn more

Reform the Income tax system to prefer earned income over unearned income – creating a tax cut of $900-$3400 for up to 85% of Americans. Learn more

Create a Carbon Cap and Trade program where the carbon credits are controlled equally by every adult citizen in America – creates a system where if a citizen is conservation minded they can sell their credits to pay for education or buy a home. Learn more

Up to a $2500 per semester tuition credit for every person who can qualify for admission to a public University or College in the United States. Learn more

Reform Medicare to create a National network of General Practice Doctors so that any American can go to any GP Doctor in the network anywhere in the Country – at a cost of what a citizen’s hourly wage is per month but not less than 1 hour at the prevailing minimum wage. Learn more

Secure the use of the Internet for all citizens equally.  Pass Net Neutrality and designate carriers of the “last mile” as common carriers – creates more competition and promotes the free market for Internet access lowering monthly costs for the average American and stops the large communication corporations from locking out the small business man or the average citizen from access to the business opportunities available on the Internet. Learn more

Immediately Reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act. Learn more

Social Services

Reform Social Security to make it solvent forever, to increase payments to retired Americans by up to 15%  additional over cost of living increases in the next three years worth up to $11,900 for a retired American, and lower the lifetime amount an average worker is taxed by up to $92,000 over their working life. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

Congressional salaries would be tied to the minimum wage.  This would be based on 7 times the minimum wage and referenced to 40 hours/week for 50 weeks/year.  No more automatic salary hikes for Congress.  If they want a pay raise then they need to start with the least among us and raise the minimum wage. Learn more

Reform corporate taxes by instituting a minimum progressive bracket Learn more

Lower the corporate top tax rate but establish a progressive minimum tax rate to ensure that corporations that make billions do not avoid paying any taxes at all. Learn more

Reform the Income Tax system so that earned income is valued more than unearned income. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

The minimum wage should be raised to a minimum of $11.00 per hour and tipped employees should make not less than 70% of minimum wage.  I support the proposed $15.00 minimum wage. Learn more