Trevor Thomas (D-MI)... The Serious Candidate In The Race Others Will Have To Work Hard To Measure Up To

Later today we're going to take a look at why wealthy gay donors and DC-centric gay organizations like the Victory Fund don't champion young, gay political leaders from outside the Beltway sewer system. When I was thinking about it last night I had Trevor Thomas foremost, though not exclusively, in my mind. Today Thomas, who suffers in the eyes of "serious" Beltwayoids of being young-- he's 28 and seeks the nomination to run against deranged anti-Choice fanatic Justin Amash, age 32, who won his House seat when he was 29-- released one of the most details and comprehensive platforms I've ever seem from any congressional candidate anywhere. Of course, anyone who actually knows young Trevor would expect nothing less from him. I'm not sure how old his social conservative Democratic opponent, Steve Pestka, is, but he thinks like he's well into his eighties and, though running as a Democrat, he is also a deranged anti-Choice fanatic and worked to defund Planned Parenthood when he was in the state legislature. Trevor is from a couple of generations of new, pragmatic progressive leadership forward.

Bob Eleveld, a former Kent County Republican Party Chairman, is impressed. "It's clear," he said, "that Trevor's plan mirrors the values of Jerry Ford-- someone who was fiscally responsible and understood the challenges that face our community. Trevor Thomas has proven he is ready to take on Justin Amash and is best positioned to win among progressives, moderates, and Republicans." Keep that in mind as you read these ideas, most of which revolve around the need to reinvigorate west Michigan economically, both in the immediate term and in the long run. You can take a look at the whole thing with all the details here. What follows is a summary:

1. CREATE WEST MICHIGAN JOBS AND GROW THE ECONOMY

Trevor’s Plan: Deal with the National Debt and Create a Pro-Growth Environment

 -Deal with the National Debt Without Ideology Interfering
 -Simplify the Tax Code and Reduce Rates so that Everyone Pays Their Fair Share
 -Reduce the Corporate Tax Rate and Eliminate Loopholes
 -Connect Businesses and Employees with Available Resources and Tax Credits

Trevor’s Plan: Bolster Manufacturers and Level the Playing Field

 -Stand as a Partner with the Auto Industry and Communities Most Affected by the Recession
 -Eliminate Tax Breaks for Companies Sending Jobs Overseas
 -Crack Down on Currency Manipulation and Other Trade Practices that Hurt American Workers

Trevor’s Plan: Trust Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

 -Improve Access to Loans for Small Businesses
 -Unleash Venture Capital for Start-ups and Entrepreneurs

Trevor’s Plan: Fight for Michigan Workers

 -Extend the Payroll Tax Cut to Put More Money in People’s Pockets and Spur Growth
 -No Worker Left Behind
 -Protecting Workers’ Rights
 -Combat Wage Theft

Trevor’s Plan: Keep Our Agricultural Economy Growing

 -Ensure Families and Farmers Can Afford to Protect and Preserve their Land
 -Fight for Farmers in West Michigan

2. INVESTING IN A WEST MICHIGAN FOR TOMORROW

Trevor’s Plan: Invest in Our Infrastructure and People

 -Ensure Michigan Gets Its Fair Share of Federal Funding for Transportation
 -Support Our Public Servants in the Face of Budget Cuts

Trevor’s Plan: Protect Our Future

 -Fighting for Social Security, Adjusting Benefits for Folks Under Age 40
 -Support Citizens Preparing for Retirement Without Relying on the Government

Trevor’s Plan: Smart Investments in Education and Training

 -Protect Students from Sky-High Interest Rates on Student Loans
 -Close the Training Gap by Partnering with Community Colleges
 -Support Our Educators

Trevor’s Plan: Make Michigan a Clean Energy Leader

 -Encourage West Michigan’s Growth as the Lithium Battery Capital of the Nation
 -Invest in Michigan As a Leader in Wind Power
 -Eliminate Tax Subsidies for Big Oil

Trevor’s Plan: Protect our Environment and Conserve Natural Resources

 -Protect the Great Lakes: Combat Invasive Species
 -Regulation of Oil Pipelines to Protect our Natural Resources
 -Federal Support for Renewable Energy Sources
 -Call for Action on Carbon Pollution and Climate Change
 -Fight Against Fracking that Threatens Our Water Supply and Hurts Property Values

3. A MICHIGAN FOR US ALL

Trevor’s Plan: Health Comes First

 -Stand Up For Women’s Access to Health Care
 -Protect Medicare for our Seniors
 -Don’t Back Down on Affordable Health Care for Every American
 -The Next Generation of Outdoor Enthusiasts

Trevor’s Plan: Fairness and Opportunity

 -Join the Chamber of Commerce in Diversity and Inclusivity Initiatives
 -Allow Benefits for Domestic Partners
 -Connect Vulnerable Populations With Government Resources
 -Work to Put an End to Bullying
 -Enact the DREAM Act

Trevor’s Plan: Protect Individual Liberties

 -Fight to Keep the Internet Open to All
 -Protect Sportsmen’s Rights to Responsible Gun Ownership
 -Keep Federal Lands Open

Trevor’s Plan: Fight for Consumers

 -Level the Playing Field for Community Banks and Pay for the Big Bank Bailout
 -Bolster Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
 -Get Serious About Reducing Foreclosures
 -Combat Speculation that Drives Up Prices for Consumers
 -Protect Our Children from Harmful Substances

Trevor’s Plan: Good Government

 -Support Campaign Finance Reform
 -Transparency and Accountability As An Elected Official

4. AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE WORLD

Trevor’s Plan: Support our Allies, Use our Influence

 -Keep Iran Nuclear Free
 -Treat China as a Competitor
 -Support and Nurture our Alliance with the State of Israel

Trevor’s Plan: Smart Engagement with the World

 -Transition Power to the Citizens of Afghanistan
 -Keep our Commitments for Emergency AIDS Relief
 -Engage Diplomatically and Work With Our Allies in Key Conflict Areas

Trevor’s Plan: Security Starts at Home

 -Build a Foundation for Long-term Security with Smart Military Spending
 -Help Our Veterans Get Their Benefits Now
 -Strengthen Michigan’s Border Security

That's what a winning campaign looks like-- far more than a list of endorsements engineered by an out-of-touch, self-serving careerist-oriented DCCC. You can help Trevor win this one, here at the Blue America ActBlue page.