Talk:CanadaVOTES: NDP candidate Max Lombardi running in Cambridge

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> Your name: Max Lombardi

> Political party: New Democratic Party > Riding: Cambridge

> > New candidates: Why are you running for political office, why at the > federal level, why this party, and why in this riding? I am running for the New Democratic Party of Canada in the riding of Cambridge because 140 straight years of Liberal-Conservative promise-breaking governments have fueled intense voter cynicism. To restore confidence in our democracy, we need a real change in direction on the bread and butter issues of the economy; the environment and health care -- a change that moves your family forward -- not backward. Cambridge has been my home for most of my life. My wife Josie and I want our community to be more prosperous, healthy and fair for our triplets and for all the citizens.

> Incumbents: Why did you choose to run for office, and why do you wish > to continue as an MP? > > New candidates: Previous to this campaign, have you been politically > involved? I have served in my local school council and ran for school board trustee in 2006.

How will you apply your previous work/volunteer/life > experience to serving your constituents? I understand the jobs crisis and that JOB LOSSES HURT FAMILIES. When my previous employer MTD Products in Kitchener announced massive layoffs in 2007, it was a direct blow to my family as well as to many friends and co-workers. My family roots are deeply entrenched in the farmer and labour working class.

> Incumbents: Are you satisfied with your time as MP? What would be the > biggest highlights of the roughly two years since the last election? > The biggest disappointment? > > As you campaign around your riding, it's likely that some issues are > mentioned more often by voters, than other issues. What would you say > are the three hottest topics this election, in your riding? What would > you and your party do to address these issues? 1) Affordability and bread-and-butter issues: change direction on global trade deals to set standards high (not low) on wages; labour standards and environmental protection; invest in good-paying green-collars jobs of the future; we would create an independant watch dog to monitor and regulate gas prices if necessary 2) Address climate change: set firm caps on emissions with a cap and trade system; make big polluters pay for their emissions; use the revenue to invest in new-tech environmental solutions like building and home retrofit programs. 3) Improve Health Care: train more doctors and nurses to reduce wait times; invest in innovation like modern home care; provide seniors with free drug and dental coverage.

Is there any misconceptions about you, your leader, or your party and platform? On the contrary, citizens are more responsive to our message than ever before.

> > There's a more ways than ever to get your message out, from the > traditional campaign fliers and lawn signs, to new media like > websites, Facebook, and YouTube. The tried-and-true routes get the > message out to the masses much easier, but digital alternatives are > much more measurable in how many are seeing or interacting with your > campaign. What seems to be the most effective, from your experience?