Our Interview with David Kulma for Congress

What inspired you to run? Why did it move you to the point of running for office?

I was inspired to run by Bernie Sanders’s call for regular people to stand up and participate in the political process. I knew that this race needed someone to speak about progressive ideas and policies, like free public college, so I stood up. I believe that a progressive running on real issues can make an outsized impact in this race, in this district, and in Congress.

What is the number one issue that you’d like to change as SC District 5’s congressional rep?

My number one issue is ending prison slavery and repealing the exception clause from the 13th amendment. Slavery is legal in this country: we enslave prisoners to make ridiculous profits for private prison companies and prison contractors. My first act as SC5’s congressman will be to call for congressional hearings into the 13th amendment and how it enables slavery to this day.

What actions are you going to take to expand the job market or increase wages?

I am calling for a WWII style overhaul of the economy to rebuild our energy sector and infrastructure that will fight climate change, move our country completely to renewable energy, and make our society sustainable. I also believe that we need to enact a universal basic income to make sure that everyone can afford to live even as large companies plan to automate more and more work.

$15 per hour? Will you fight for it? How will small businesses be able to afford this raise?

I am for the $15 minimum wage and fully support the Fight for $15 and a union. We also need to peg this higher minimum wage to inflation to guarantee it remains a livable wage. Small businesses will benefit from the higher minimum wage through the increase in the number of people able to afford their services.

What can you do in Washington to help SC improve public school education?

First of all I am calling for using public education funding only for public schools. This means ending all vouchers for charter schools and the like. Second, I’m calling for an end to standardized testing. We need to put classrooms back in the hands of teachers and students. We should be investing in public schools, not penalizing them.

Who are your endorsements?

So far I have been endorsed by Demand Universal Healthcare (DUH) and the progressive news podcast and youtube channel The Humanist Report.

What hobbies do you enjoy/take part in?

I’m a musician and composer. One of my collaborations was reviewed in the New York Times. This artistic work takes up most of my free time. I spent the past two years making youtube videos. I made 500+ daily silly and weird videos in a series I called “Surreality.” I have also been making educational videos about music called Music Corner.

How can people support you? What do you need help with the most?

We need people to give money and to volunteer to help in any way they can. We need to the get the word out about our issues to as many people in the district as possible, and our small grassroots campaign cannot afford to right now.

Income and Wealth Inequality

We have socialism of the rich and plunder of the poor in this country.

College Tuition Free and Debt Free

We need to make public colleges and universities free and then forgive all student loan debt.

Climate Change

Climate change is the greatest threat to the survival of humanity, and we must work together to guarantee a livable planet for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.

Racial Justice

We must end white supremacy.

Reforming Wall Street

We need to break up the big banks, reinstate Glass-Steagall, and put a tax on wall street transactions.

Corporate Welfare (subsidies)