Bill Shein, democratic candidate for Congress, staged a “meet and greet” at the Westfield Athenaeum last night. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Bill Shein, Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District of Massachusetts, hosted an informal Town Hall style meeting at the Westfield Athenaeum yesterday where the economy, political finance and climate change were discussed.
Shein, a writer, humorist and activist, will face current Congressman Richard Neal and Andrea Nuciforo, Jr., former state senator and current Berkshire Middle District Register of Deeds, in the Sept. 6 Democratic Primary. Because there are no non-Democratic candidates, the winner of the primary is set to become the new U.S. representative.
Shein is a resident of Alford, located on the New York border in the southern Berkshires. Although he lives the small-town life in his town of just 400 residents, Shein thinks globally and said he is the only candidate in the race – and one of few across the country – talking about climate change concerns every day.
“Every story about climate change uses the words ‘faster than expected’,” said Shein, citing melting polar ice caps and the “violent, unpredictable weather” being experienced right here in western Massachusetts.
He told the dozen audience members that changing the economics of fossil fuels needs to be a priority.
“It’s related to the economy,” he said.
Shein, who does not accept any campaign donation of more than $99, has become known for his stance on political finance and rejection of corporate donations.
He said too many politicians today accept money from lobbyists and then become lobbyists after leaving office.
“Part of the money problem is four out of five members of Congress become lobbyists, so they’re going right from serving the public to cashing in,” he said. “I think that’s wrong.”
Shein said one of the problems with large corporate donations is the majority of campaign funds are coming from a small source and in addition to “buying” votes, it also buys silence.
During the casual conversation with audience members, Shein said he did not support wars and the trillions of dollars spent on war would have been better spent on other issues. He said he does agree with cuts to military spending. However, there are many communities that rely on military and defense spending and shutting down bases without a plan to help the community is the wrong way to cut spending.
“They need to invest that money to diversify areas where we have military bases,” he said. “When the Pentagon decides to close a military base, there is no money for redevelopment given to the community until it’s done, and then it’s too late.”
Shein said he supports the Budget For Al (the Budget of the Congressional Progressive Caucus) and local job creation. He laughed at the “new” push to buy local and said there was a time when local was the only option.
When asked why he did not run as an Independent candidate to guarantee his name in the November election, Shein said he is truly a Democrat and has been a Democrat for 30 years – since he was 16 years-old.
Shein said he is a progressive Democrat who plans to follow in the footsteps of retiring U.S. Rep. John Olver, who previously represented the Berkshires, and join the Progressive Democratic Caucus if elected.
“I said when I started this campaign that we need representatives listening as much as they are talking,” said Shein, who said he has been listening to constituents across the redrawn district.
“In Congress, I will speak out every day, whether the Republicans are in charge or the Democrats are in charge,” said Shein.
