While Mike Itkis recognizes as a liberal, he doesn’t march in lockstep with the Democratic Celebration establishment. Instead, he will be shown as an Separate on the ballot for New York’s 12th Congressional District on December 8.
Itkis seeks to offer the voters of the 12th District an authentic alternative to career politicians like his main opponent, Jerry Nadler, who gained the Democratic Party’s principal election on September 23. “I am a liberal with drastically various views,” Itkis said by telephone from the city that never sleeps.
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A straight-talker, Itkis isn’t scared to weigh in on today’s biggest controversies, championing roles that subject to New Yorkers. As a result, he advocates for increased cybersecurity, stopping the war in Ukraine, and protecting the solitude and sexual rights.
1. Going for a Stay to Defend America
As a cybersecurity expert for the US military with more than two decades of experience, Itkis understands Americans’vulnerabilities online all too well. Now, he really wants to the federal government to complete something more about them.
“Congress must set up a Federal Internet Security Agency to help defend Americans online,” Itkis said. “Foreign stars, even domestic criminals, are working ceaselessly to recognize and use our weaknesses. Without this sort of agency, Americans have reached a larger constant danger of being hacked, phished, or targeted for extortion, as well as having their reports or identities stolen. Americans’digital footprints may be applied as launchpads for espionage or massive spyware problems against their employers, businesses, and even our whole country.”
In accordance with Itkis, a Federal Internet Security Agency would create a “protected private network” for Americans. This kind of agency will be in a good position to inform US citizens on most readily useful methods for online behavior and their responsibilities towards others, give customers with a government-issued digital personality and give a structure for digital solitude rights. These capabilities may somewhat mitigate dangers inside our national computing environment.
Conscious of new problems about Huge Data, Itkis given that the Federal Internet Security Agency wouldn’t be a police force agency, nor would it not be run by any intelligence or military organization. The regulations required to ascertain the agency would establish the axioms on what safety and solitude should be balanced. This way, the safety actions wouldn’t guard criminals nor would they allow police force to directly accessibility customers’information.
2. Guarding Liberties Abroad
As casualties support in Ukraine, and Russia’s intrusion hardens in to a protracted struggle, professionals question whether Ukraine must continue steadily to pour their lifeblood to restore every last inch.
Itkis’s history offers him with the credibility to weigh in on this controversy. Created in Soviet-era Ukraine, he immigrated to the US as a boy. In 2009, he joined the US Military, and after Russia invaded Crimea and Donbas, he was a member of a US Military Civil Affairs team sent to coach Ukraine’s Hold Officers at the National Defense University in Kiev.
Itkis requires the US government to date=june 2011 their objectives in Ukraine. While Congress passed H.R. 7691 to deliver $40.1 billion in the military and humanitarian help to Ukraine, it didn’t give objectives for US foreign plan there.
“What’s the endgame for all of us?” Itkis asked. “It’s important for individuals to realize that the US’s objectives aren’t necessarily just like Ukraine’s. Congress includes a responsibility to clearly define our technique in Ukraine because it’s in charge of appropriating resources in the best pursuits of US citizens.”
Our recent National Security Strategy highlights democracy, equality, and human rights. Now, it’s not yet determined that it is feasible — as well as desired — to replace Ukraine’s edges to where they were in 2013. It is distinct, however, that Putin will be politically conquered if Ukraine manages to have free and good elections, treats all citizens similarly regardless of their “ethnicity” or first language, and offers freedom of presentation even to those that hold unpopular views. Itkis thinks that this would be a far better aim than territorial strength for the United States.
3. Modify plan to reflect today’s America
Itkis also advocates for modify in US domestic policy. “The procedures we’ve today are intended for standard household structures, but America is and has been going from what’s regarded standard,” Itkis said.
At the time of 2021, nuclear people — which are identified as committed couples with kids — only comprised 18% of National house holds.Simple people account fully for nearly 50% of the adult population in America, and the rate of unmarried couples and single people has been increasing because this knowledge started being collected in 1976.
“I am an individual adult in New York City,” Itkis pointed out. “It’s time to conclusion discrimination against unmarried people.”
To take action, Itkis needs to protect the best to solitude, which seems recently threatened following a US Supreme Court’s choice to overturn Roe V. Wade. He also advocates ditching archaic regulations that criminalize sexual relations between consenting adults.
“An ultra-conservative method of sexuality appears to drive a lot of procedures, both in the military and private living,” Itkis said. “As a result, these procedures have a tendency to favor committed couples around single individuals.”
4. A New Type of Prospect
His new work in the military and cyber safety required him to keep a low profile. Therefore, exactly why is Itkis today ready to step out of his comfort zone and enter the political mix?
“Taking a look at the political landscape, I could not find a politician who displayed me,” he answered. “I think a lot of New Yorkers sense the same way. It’s my purpose to offer them someone to election for.”
Itkis may have a point. New York’s 2022 principal voter turnout rate offers a picture of low passion, both for Democrats and Republicans. For Democrat’s, that September, voter turnout stood at just 13%, nearly a 50% decrease from the 2018 gubernatorial primary. Add that springs complicated redistricting, and it seems New Yorkers that are provided up.
The recently-redrawn 12th Congressional District of New York covers Midtown, Top East Part, and Top West Part neighborhoods of Manhattan.