Interview with One Drunk Redneck

 Approximate Read Time: 18 mins

 

Sarah Hayes:
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to "The Evening Spotlight," where we dive deep into the issues that matter most. I'm your host, Sarah Hayes, and tonight we have a special guest joining us in the studio. Please give a warm welcome to One Drunk Redneck, candidate for the 2024 presidential election.

Welcome to the show, One Drunk Redneck.

One Drunk Redneck:
Thanks for having me, Sarah. Pleasure to be here.

Sarah:
It's great to have you. Let's jump right in, shall we? Your recent speeches have focused heavily on the theme of individual rights and privacy, particularly in the context of medical decisions. Could you elaborate on your vision for what you've called the "Medical Bill of Rights"?

One Drunk Redneck:
Certainly, Sarah.  The old mantra, "my body, my decision" means exactly what it says.  When it comes to any medical decisions, the individual gets to make the final decision, hopefully with the guidance of his or hers doctor.   Politicians, employers, nosy neighbors, insurance companies, or anyone else don't get to tell me what decision I need to make.

Sarah:
That's a strong stance, indeed. You've mentioned the importance of informed decision-making. How would you ensure that individuals have access to accurate and comprehensive information to make these crucial decisions about their health?

One Drunk Redneck:
That's a tough question requiring an answer that would take more time than allotted for this interview.  Obviously a doctor is telling me what I need.  He is board certified to help me make those decisions.  Let me give you an example.

Because one of my opponents in this election pushed through the development of the COVID vaccine, I was concerned that corners were being cut to rush the vaccine development and very concerned that safety measures during the development phase were being ignored.  I had a conversation with my doctor who neither pushed or mandated a decision, but answered my concerns in language I could understand.  No matter what all the politicians and social media trolls were telling me, ultimately I made my decision on the COVID vaccine based on what my doctor had to say.  That's how the the patient-doctor relationship should be and free from outside interference.

Sarah:
That's a poignant example highlighting the importance of trust in the patient-doctor relationship and the need for individuals to have access to reliable information. 

Now, shifting gears slightly, you've spoken about the need to protect medical records and genetic information. How would you propose balancing privacy rights with the legitimate needs of healthcare providers and researchers to access certain medical data for treatment and research purposes?

One Drunk Redneck:
Thank you, Sarah.  

For the most part, HIPPA does a good, but limited, job of protecting one's medical information.  But there are plenty of exceptions to the rule.  Law enforcement, for example, can request records if they suspect you of committing a crime.  Just as they would need a search warrant to search your house or even your garden shed for evidence, they should be required to get a search warrant to look at your medical records.  The search warrant protects your fourth amendment rights.  

Ancestry sites need your DNA to search your ancestry.  Once they have given you the report, they no longer have a need for the sample.  All samples and records should be destroyed. 

Now there may be a reason to keep the records.  It probably makes seeking relationships easier and faster.  Those records, at minimum, should be protected by the fourth amendment.  No one outside of the ancestry company's walls should have unfettered access to the records.  

Personally, I think it would be better if we all accept the fact that we are all related in one way or other and stop giving away DNA samples for analysis.  You wouldn't open your front door to anyone and say, "Come on in and look for whatever you want."  Why would you freely give the blueprint of who you are to strangers?  If you start wondering why no one will hire you, or why your insurance premiums are so high compared to your friend's, the answer might lie in who got hold of your genetic information.

Sarah: It sounds like you're advocating for stricter controls over who has access to individuals' medical information, especially when it comes to law enforcement and genetic data.

Now, looking ahead, if elected, how would you work to implement these changes at the federal level while still ensuring that healthcare providers have the necessary access to patient information for effective treatment?

One Drunk Redneck:
Obviously I would task my Surgeon General with putting a plan or plans together that incorporates protections for all of my concerns.  Whether it's amendments to the HIPPA and Patriot's Acts or a whole new Bill of Medical Rights, the plans would be presented to Congress and the people for debate and maybe eventual approval.  

You know, I'm not a politician and I struggled through eighth grade Social Studies, but I'm pretty sure that is how our political system is supposed to work.  I don't make the laws.  The people make the laws and Congress finalizes the people's decisions.  In my ideal world, that's how our democracy works and survives - government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Sarah:
It seems you're emphasizing the importance of collaboration between government branches and public participation in the legislative process.

Now, shifting gears a bit, let's talk about your vision for healthcare overall. You've outlined some specific concerns regarding medical rights, but what broader reforms do you envision for the healthcare system, and how do you plan to address the various challenges facing it, such as access, affordability, and quality of care?

One Drunk Redneck:
I'm all for affordable healthcare for everyone.  Affordable doesn't mean paying as much or more than a mortgage or rent payment to get it.  We're the richest nation in the world, yet we have a mediocre healthcare system despite spending more on healthcare per capita than any other country.  That doesn't make sense.

Wealth and prosperity highly correlates with lower maternal pregnancy related deaths, yet among the developed nations, maternal deaths in this country run at almost 24 per 100,000 live births.  The next highest rate among the wealthy and prosperous nations is Canada at slightly more than 8 deaths per 100,000.  What is Canada doing that we are not?  Those stats are from 2020, so the strong revamping of our reproductive health laws since the overturn of Roe v Wade can't be blamed.  I fear the abortion issue and how states are handling it will only make our maternal death rate go higher.

When you look at the numbers, a sane person would start looking at these other country's healthcare system and start incorporating some of what they are doing right to improve our own system.  Universal healthcare may not be the answer for America, but the numbers show the you-get-what-you-pay-for system isn't the answer, either.

Sarah:
Maternal mortality rates are indeed a critical issue that needs urgent attention. It's concerning to see such disparities between countries, especially when we consider the resources available in the United States. So, if universal healthcare isn't the immediate solution you're proposing, what specific reforms or strategies do you believe could improve healthcare access and outcomes while also addressing affordability concerns?

One Drunk Redneck:
Oh, wow, you got me sitting on the hot plate now and I don't think any Preparation H is going to help me.

I would rely on the experts - Surgeon General, Health and Human Services, Federal Insurance Office, and other relevant offices - to form a team to study the issue.  They'd have a deadline of one year to start making recommendations because if I don't make that deadline, they'd study it for twenty years or more and nothing would be changed.  

Since rich and powerful people don't talk to me because I can't afford to go to their Happy Hour, I really can't be more specific than that until those rich and powerful people have to listen to me.  But I do see a hybrid solution between universal healthcare and the get-what-you-pay-for system.

One thing I would want to see is a small business program to provide more affordable healthcare to employees of small businesses.  Small business makes up almost half the workforce, yet most end up with mediocre, leaning to poor, healthcare plans to offer their employees because they don't have hundreds of thousands of employees like Walmart or Amazon.  This needs to change and will be my first priority to make happen.

Sarah:
Your emphasis on empowering small businesses to provide better healthcare benefits is certainly intriguing. It's undeniable that they face unique challenges in competing with larger corporations when it comes to offering comprehensive benefits packages.

Given the complexity of healthcare reform and the various stakeholders involved, how do you plan to navigate the political landscape and garner support for initiatives like the small business healthcare program you mentioned?

One Drunk Redneck:
Healthcare reform is complex only because the stakeholders made it complex to benefit their individual bank accounts.  Since almost half the people work for a small business, I'll take my plans to them.  If I win their support, it'd be easier for me to work with Congress to get them to listen to the real government, the people, instead of the healthcare stakeholders who fill their reelection coffers.  In other words, effective change has to come about through a strong, grassroots effort.  I'll sow the seeds, see how the grass grows, and nurture the lawn to success.

Sarah:
Grassroots efforts have historically played a significant role in shaping policy and driving change, particularly on issues as critical as healthcare. It's refreshing to hear your commitment to prioritizing the needs of everyday Americans over the influence of special interests.

Now, shifting gears slightly, let's talk about another pressing issue: education. In your platform, you emphasize the importance of individual rights and freedoms, including in the realm of education. Can you elaborate on your vision for education reform and how it aligns with your broader principles of individual liberty?

One Drunk Redneck:
Now you got me jumping from one hot plate to another.  

We need schools that provide a safe environment for every child to learn.  Politicians, religious, groups, and other special interest groups need to back off.  Their efforts aren't teaching.  They're indoctrinating.  A huge difference.  Besides, what they think is inappropriate for their child to learn is not necessarily what I think is inappropriate for my child to learn.  When those groups start dictating curriculum and books that can and cannot be available in school, then they are stomping on my parental rights to educate my child the way I see fit.

Then there's the so called woke debate, which I personally hear as a justification to express bigoted and racist beliefs.  Right now we are experiencing the growing pains of learning that we've been taught lies all our lives.

No, George Washington did not cut down the cherry tree and say, "I cannot tell I lie.  I cut the cherry tree down."  The truth is his Dad asked him to cut the tree down.

No, White southerners didn't fight for a right to keep slaves.  Perhaps the southern politicians financed the war to preserve slavery, but it was sold to the soldiers as an issue of state rights.

No, the White north didn't fight the war to end slavery.  They fought the war to keep our fledgling country united, as our country's name says.  

Yes, slavery built this country at the expense of the rights and dignity of Black people.  Both the north and south benefited immensely from slavery.

That is what needs to be taught in our social studies and history classes.  We shouldn't pretend our history happened any other way and start teaching fairy tales.

As our society shifts from accepting lies as our history to facing the wrongs of our history...that's a good thing...we should have education experts ensuring only the facts are being taught, not the present day emotions and judgments of the era.

When a parent doesn't feel their child is getting an appropriate education at the public school, they can always take their child to a private school or home school them.  But no one should expect a one-size-fits-all education program nor strive to build one.  

Sarah:
Your stance on education is clear: prioritizing the dissemination of factual information over ideological narratives. It's evident that you believe in empowering parents to make choices about their children's education while ensuring that schools provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

Now, let's delve into another aspect of your platform: economic policy. You've mentioned the importance of supporting small businesses, particularly in terms of healthcare. How do you plan to address the broader economic challenges facing the country, such as income inequality and job creation, while also championing the interests of small businesses?

One Drunk Redneck:
We're hot plate jumping again.

If I leave California and my job of flipping burgers for $20 per hour, the new minimum wage in California, and move to Mississippi and flip burgers for $7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage since Mississippi doesn't have a state minimum, is that an example of income inequality?  Jobs don't pay the same for various reasons.  

This isn't exactly how I
pictured Ms. Sarah Hayes

First thing is the federal minimum wage needs to be raised.  In 1965, the minimum wage allowed a family of two to live in a studio apartment while covering the basic necessities of life like food and utilities.  Obviously, it costs a whole heck of a lot more to live in California than it does in Mississippi.  So should the federal minimum wage meet the cost of living requirements in the poorest state or the median of all states?  

Personally, I favor basing the minimum wage on the poorest state, which is Mississippi.  A family of two, with no children, needs to make $19.89 per hour.  My first step is to get Congress to start raising the minimum wage every year until that rate is met.

Raising the minimum wage gives all families an equal start to making something of their lives.  Not everyone can be chiefs, though, so all families would still be guaranteed a living wage.

Mom and Pop might claim they can't afford those wages and still remain competitive in the market.  I would make an exception to the minimum wage for employed immediate family members.  I would also offer tax credits to businesses with less than fifty employees to offset the increased wages.  The government's job should be helping them to succeed, not taxing them out of existence.

Income inequality based on gender or race is harder to prove.  If you, Sarah, are making...and I'm making up a number here...$50K per year, but your male counterpart is making $75K per year interviewing drunk rednecks, is that income inequality?

On the surface, it might look like it, but it doesn't mean there's an inequality.  Perhaps your male counterpart has been working at the job five years longer than you so he's gotten five more pay raises than you have.

It's hard to legislate one's pay because of all the variables that go into determining it.  Would you support the firing or layoff of your male counterpart because the powers that be decided he makes too much money to interview drunk rednecks?  Especially in retail, laying off employees who make too much money for their job description is a common practice.  Ethically we may think the practice is wrong, but legally, the business has the right to protect its bottom line.  

All that said, if someone thinks they are a victim of unequal pay because of their race, gender, or other protected class, but doesn't have enough evidence to prove a discrimination case, then submit resumes to other employers requesting a salary of the counterpart you learned makes more.  If you are hired, you legally don't need to give a two week notice.  Once you get the position, you can up and leave in the middle of this interview to show your employer how teed off you are.

Sarah:
Your perspective on income inequality is quite detailed and involves a multifaceted approach, including raising the minimum wage and providing support for small businesses. You also mentioned the complexities surrounding gender and race-based income disparities, emphasizing the importance of evidence and individual agency in addressing such issues.

Moving on to another pressing topic, let's talk about climate change. Many experts argue that it's one of the most significant challenges facing our planet today. What specific policies or initiatives do you propose to address climate change while balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability?

One Drunk Redneck:
We need to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels and head in the green direction.  The task might be made easier as AI takes over many of our jobs and we won't need to commute every day to work.

Actually, we should've learned something from COVID.  During the lockdown, we ended up with a quieter and cleaner world.  The difference was measurable.  We should've built on that experience and offered incentives to employers to keep their employees home.

We need to accelerate the development of charging stations.  But given the battery technology we have today, I don't think electric vehicles are the answer.  We need to change the way we work.

As AI and robots takes over the routine grunt work, we'll need to consider replacing the minimum wage with a guaranteed minimum income.  The workforce will become freelancers doing odds and ends jobs and mostly working from home.  Everyone will join a social media platform that mirrors real life.  You control what others see in your many different worlds - home, school, social, job - and we'll live and do most everything virtually.  When we do need to leave our physical home, we'll rely on our electric vehicle and public transportation.  Public transportation will go everywhere.

Ok, I'm getting way ahead of myself and most of what I see won't happen in my lifetime.  But we need to head in the direction of less reliance on fossil fuels and consumables and move towards more clean energy and sustainable technology.

Sarah:
Your vision for transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing green technologies is certainly ambitious. It's interesting how you tie this transition to advancements in AI and remote work, suggesting a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology and the environment.

But let's circle back to the present for a moment. Climate change is already affecting communities around the world, from extreme weather events to rising sea levels. What immediate steps do you propose to address these current challenges while we work towards your long-term vision?

One Drunk Redneck:
There isn't anything I can do about extreme weather and rising sea levels.  The forces creating the current problems took over a hundred years to make.  If I could wave a magic wand and make my greener, cleaner world a reality tomorrow, it would still take a hundred years or more for the world to return to the more stable state we had in pre-industrial times.  

Before I can get to the greener and cleaner world, I have to get people to embrace my vision of the future.  Sure, I can take baby steps now, like giving businesses incentives to employ more remote job positions.  Maybe government grants to encourage the development of a secure, multifaceted, privacy rights conscious, social media platform - let's call it life platform so as not to confuse it with today's social media platforms.  People need to become comfortable living and working in a virtual world and secure that their privacy will remain intact.  That might be hard to do as they see AI and robots slowly taking their jobs away.

Sarah:
It sounds like you're advocating for a gradual transition towards your vision of a greener, more sustainable future. Building trust in new technologies like AI and remote work will be crucial in this process.

But let's talk about the role of government in this transition. How do you envision the government's role in incentivizing businesses to adopt remote work and develop sustainable technologies? And how would you address concerns about privacy and security in this increasingly virtual world?

One Drunk Redneck:
The government first needs to have a vision of what the world will be like whether or not we do anything today.  They also need to define a vision of what the world could be like in a hundred years if we start building now.  Rarely does someone come along and try to set goals for the future.

LBJ started social programs to end poverty.  JFK was more specific and wanted a man on the moon by the end of the decade.  MLK had a dream where everyone acted like brothers and sisters regardless of the color of their skin.

JFK succeeded in putting a man on the moon, but for what end other than boasting rights I'm not sure.  But his goal set the space program in motion.  Today, we are talking about mining the moon and colonizing Mars.

LBJ didn't end poverty, but his vision allowed for social programs that have lifted many out of abject poverty and raised the standard of living for the poor to higher levels than existed before his time.

MLK's dream is still a dream, but much closer to reality than when he first gave that speech sixty-one years ago.

The first thing I will need to do is gather the experts to make my dream a more realistic dream.  Then it is the government's role to adopt the dream and sell it to the people.  Then it is the the government's role to start working towards the dream.

Yes, immediately I could start pushing for incentives to businesses that encourage working from home to get some, if not a lot, of cars off the road.  

Yes, I could, and probably would, offer grants to tech companies to start developing a life platform with all the privacy rights safeguards.  At first, it might act like today's familiar social media programs, but as people embrace it, more grants would follow to add on to it to attain the goal of virtual living and working.

Yes, I will work on the global scale to get countries to respect the sovereignty of the countries where we mine our rare, but important, elements like lithium that power our world.  Mining companies need to work with the indigenous populations, not ignore them.  I read a story where a Chinese company moved into a developing country to mine lithium.  They brought their own workers, polluted the waters from where the local fishermen earned their money, stripped the land rendering it unusable for crops, and left the indigenous population in abject poverty.  That's too high of a price to pay for a greener world and the world's governments shouldn't turn a blind eye to the abuses.

I watched a video on the social media platform, Linked In, where a guy took a plastic bag, stuffed it in a pitcher of water, and vigorously stirred it with a big spoon.  In less than a minute the bag dissolved. 

It was made of a plant that grows in Latin America.  The bag was completely organic and disappeared like all dead plants do.  This is an awesome opportunity to invest in the Latin America countries where this plant grows, create a new American business, and perhaps slow down immigration at our borders as we invest in our neighbors.

So, yes, slow baby steps at first, but we need to radically redefine government's role.  Government's role is to build tools the people can use to make our country, and the world, a better place.

Sarah:
It sounds like you're advocating for a proactive and ambitious approach to tackling some of our biggest challenges. Building a vision for the future and then working backward to set achievable goals is certainly a compelling strategy. And you've highlighted some concrete steps that could be taken, from incentivizing remote work to investing in sustainable technologies and global partnerships.

Speaking of partnerships, how do you envision collaborating with other nations to address issues like climate change and sustainable development? And what role do you see the United States playing on the global stage in these efforts?

One Drunk Redneck:
We can't solve the problems of global warming and sustainable development without the help of other nations.  We need their help.  Our role should be one of leadership.  We lay out the vision and goals, always mindful of other countries' needs and concerns, and work with them as partners.  We need to get the world committed and invested in the solutions and work as a team.  That's easier said than done, but if we don't at least try, we can't say we tried everything to solve the problems.

Sarah:
Collaboration and leadership on the global stage will indeed be crucial in addressing these complex issues. It's encouraging to hear your commitment to working with other nations as partners, recognizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding. As we move forward, how do you plan to navigate potential challenges and disagreements that may arise in these international efforts?

One Drunk Redneck:
Like any politician has done in the past - have a team of diplomats talk a lot, and then talk a lot some more, and then take what little steps we can towards a dream we all share.  My dream is not perfect, but it gives us a place to start in radically changing how governments have historically conducted business.

Sarah:
It sounds like you have a clear vision for moving forward, even in the face of challenges. Building consensus and taking incremental steps towards a shared vision can indeed pave the way for meaningful progress. As we come to the end of our conversation, is there anything else you'd like to share with our audience before we wrap up?

One Drunk Redneck:
I'm ready for a beer.  Anyone out there have a twelve pack to share?

Seriously, I'm running as a write in candidate.  Please don't forget One Drunk Redneck.  But more importantly, please listen to what I have to say and start repeating it to those for whom you do vote.

Sarah:
Thank you, One Drunk Redneck, for sharing your perspective with us tonight. And to our audience, thank you for tuning in to "The Evening Spotlight." Remember to stay informed and engaged, and to consider the ideas and visions put forth by all candidates as we approach the upcoming election. Goodnight, everyone.

One Drunk Redneck:
Goodnight.  Reckon I'll have to go get my own twelve pack.

Sarah:
Goodnight, One Drunk Redneck. Enjoy your evening, and thank you again for joining us.

Posted by One Drunk Redneck with the help of Sarah Hayes, ChatGPT's personification of herself as an interviewer.