Election 2016: Where Does Cinnaminson Township Council Stand?

Americans will visit the polls on Tuesday to choose a new President and county leadership. Where does the Cinnaminson township council stand? Here are some answers on the 2016 election at the state and national levels.

Disclaimer: Cinn City News reached out to all members of the township council. Don Brauckmann was the only member who returned our request for comment on the 2016 election. The answers in this article do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of Cinn City News. They have been submitted by Mr. Brauckmann.

Cinn City News: As a member of politics yourself, has it ever been more important in any other election year for Americans to get out and vote?

Brauckmann: In my lifetime, I cannot recall an election with so much at stake than this one. After 8 years of one party being in control of the White House, another 4 years of the same party rule would equal 12 years of one-party control of the White House – something that hasn’t happened since 1933.That much one-party rule for that long a time solidifies one parties principles and ideologies on our courts, laws, federal programs, policies, and our American way of life. This election is incredibly important so I urge everybody to please participate in the election process by voting this Tuesday, November 8th.

Cinn City News: What are the most important issues in this year’s election both at the county and national levels?

Brauckmann: 1) Control of Burlington County as well as the United States is at stake this Tuesday. In Burlington County our county taxes and county services that are provided by them are all important issues.

2) On a nation level, I am not happy at all with the spending, policies, priorities, and direction America has taken over the past 8 years. The most important issues facing our nation are too many to count and there couldn’t be more contrast between the two major party choices for President. Personally, my top political issues are as follows:

a. The Economy: I am very concerned about Americans jobs, reforming our tax code to encourage American reinvestment, growth and prosperity, controlling our national debt and spending, improving our trade agreements, curbing entitlement spending and putting Americans first.

b. National Security and National Defense: Having served in the USMC and having a son currently serving on active duty with the USAF, I am deeply concerned with the current administrations decrease in military spending, the continued downsizing of our military and its mission essential equipment, the lowered morale of our troops and our diminished posture as a world power. I am also very concerned with veteran’s issues and the failure of our government to take care of those who served our nation. We need to rebuild our military to protect our interest at home and abroad and to make sure our veterans get the care they deserve.

c. Health Care needs to be reformed to make it more affordable for Americans. With Obamacare, premiums have skyrocketed, companies are opting out, fines are now being imposed on Americans who have not enrolled, and coverage for illegal immigrants on the backs of tax paying Americans is now being considered. We need to explore more affordable options and to look for ways of improving or replacing Obamacare before it bankrupts us.

d. Immigration reform, securing our borders, and ending Sanctuary cities. With the rise of terrorism and our national debt, we need to control the flooding of illegal immigrants coming into America. We are a proud nation built on immigrants but we are also a nation of law and order. We need to insure that the process to become an American citizen is strictly followed and involves intensive vetting of applicants, especially from regions of the world prone to radical Islamic terrorism. We also need to end Sanctuary Cities that protect many dangerous illegal immigrant felons.

e. Supreme Court: The next President will be in a position to appoint up to three justices so that will swing the balance of the majority of our Supreme Court to fit their ideology. This is one of the most crucial issues facing our nation because it will have an impact for decades to come. It is imperative that we select Supreme Court Justices that will follow the constitution.

f. Term Limits and Lobbyist restrictions: I truly believe in term limits for elected officials both locally and nationally and on a national level, feel lobbyist need rules in place to control their influence and power over our elected officials. Twelve (12) years is what I personally believe is the maximum anyone should serve in a single public office and I am very happy one candidate has finally pledged to bring this issue to our congress and before “We the People”.

g. Putting America and Americans First. We need to take care of our own interest and our own people first and foremost. We have Americans living in poverty and deplorable conditions, we have a failing infrastructure, we have problems with disease and other health related issues yet we spend billions on other countries. I very strongly believe we should take care of our own first!

Cinn City News: What do you say to people who think that their vote does not matter? Who feel they cannot impact the outcome of an election at any level?

Brauckmann: a) I would remind people how lucky we are to have the right to vote and that I have been to and seen firsthand many countries in the world that aren’t so lucky to share this freedom. That many brave Americans have died to preserve this right and those blessings should never be taken for granted. Also, that this year the election might be very close so every vote will certainly count.

Also, that people should never be intimidated to show their support for their candidate if they choose. Unfortunately, this election cycle has brought out the worst in people and campaigns with one even being caught paying people to cause fights and disruptions during the other candidates functions. People have been attacked or demonized; their property has been damaged, or they’ve lost friends simply for showing their support for one candidate. As Americans, this is completely unacceptable. Even politicians sometimes lack the intestinal fortitude to endorse the candidate of their choice given the nasty name calling and labeling associated with supporting their pick– also very sad.

With all that being said, voting in America is still a very private thing so once you go into the booth and close that curtain, vote your conscious without fear or prejudice because that’s what we do in America. Just please VOTE.

Cinn City News: Finally, who do you officially endorse in the county election and the Presidential election and why?

Brauckmann: a) In Burlington County, conservative leadership has led to the lowest county tax rate in New Jersey for its residents all while maintaining our current services. Our county government is efficient and responsive and always is looking for ways to improve the services they provide to Burlington County residents while being mindful of their responsibility to be a fiscally conservative taxing entity. In my opinion, the republican candidates (Jean Stanfield, MaryAnn O’Brien, and Latham Tiver) have proven to do a great job so I am proud to endorse them.

b) For President, neither candidate is perfect and I’ll admit Donald Trump isn’t as polished as I would like; but I remain far more concerned about what Hillary Clinton has done, or not done…..than what Donald Trump has ever said! Hillary Clinton has been in politics for over 30 years and has little to show for it except scandals, corruption allegations and now several FBI criminal investigations – something unprecedented in our history. She is also a career politician who has become incredible wealthy from public service and a vote for her will be a vote for business as usual in Washington.

America is in dire need of a reset and Donald J. Trump is exactly what is needed to bring about the positive change needed to get America back on the right track. He has awakened so many Americans as evident from his record setting crowds at his rallies and his “yuge” following. Washington is broken and he is exactly what is needed to fix it because he is an outsider. He will put new people in positions of power and will “drain the swamp” by bringing in fresh perspectives and leadership to take us in new directions. He also doesn’t owe anything to anyone like Wall Street, corporations, or lobbyist so he will be independent. The issues I listed above are so important to me and the candidate that has inspired me by presenting the best proposals for real hope and change is Donald J. Trump. For that reason, I am proud to say I enthusiastically endorse Donald J. Trump for President.

Polls are open in Cinnaminson Tuesday, November 8 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. District locations can be found here. Please arrange your schedule and vote. 

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