Democratic candidate for the 4th Congressional District James Thompson shared his political philosophies at a public forum at Pratt Community College on March 30.

His life experiences from being homeless to being in the military and now as a civil rights attorney in Wichita have given James Thompson, Democrat candidate for the Kansas 4th Congressional District, a distinct perspective on life.

Thompson shared his political philosophies and ambitions in a public forum for around 30 in Carpenter Auditorium at Pratt Community College.

Thompson said he was inspired by the presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and how he was able to connect with young people on a range of topics.

When things were at the lowest for Thompson, a teacher,Charles Tweed, helped him see that he could do something with his life and he is thankful for that teacher.

"He is the epitome of what a teacher should be," Thompson said.

Agriculture is vital to Kansas and Congress needs to pass an effective trade bill. He thinks dropping NAFTA could have a negative impact on grain sales to Mexico.

Thompson said he was not a farmer and he was not afraid to seek out an advisory council to help him understand issues.

Having a good job and making a livable wage that allows a person to live with dignity and spend time with the family is needed in the country. Changing minimum wage is an issue that needs to be addressed. A blanket change is a problem. While $15 minimum wage might work in California, in Kansas it would put some people out of business. It's not a blanket solution problem.

Having affordable public education is a key to make that happen but it takes legislators willing to take action.

"It's a matter of having the political will to do that," Thompson said.

A voucher system is not the way to help the education. Vouchers will destroy the public education system and would segregate schools.

On health care, Thompson said the Affordable Care Act needs to be reformed but not thrown out all together. It also has not been fully implemented. Medicaid was supposed to be expanded but not all states have done that to see how Affordable Care will work when it's all in place.

The Republican health plan would hurt people in the 50 to 64 age range as well as the middle class.

Health care needs to be made more affordable and the government needs to negotiate medical prices.

Thompson said he would like to obliterate our dependency on foreign oil. He favors renewable energy but understands that the countries infrastructure is set up for a fossil fuels system so changes will have to work together.

He said building a wall on the Mexico border is a huge waste of money. It's a horrible idea. The country needs to stream line the immigration system and mass deportation is not the answer to illegal immigration.

One thing that helped Thompson decide to run was that democrats and republicans were contacting him and encouraging him to run. He said Republican candidate Ron Estes scared him and he didn't want Estes taking Gov. Brownback's policy ideas to Washington and making them nationwide.

He said it's important to be accessible to the voters and will continue to do town hall meetings because his job requires him to listen.

Thompson is married to Lisa for 13 years and they have a daughter Liberty.

@GaleR_Tribune