Posted on Jul 6, 2018
LTC Kopser, Democratic nominee for Texas’ 21st Congressional District, here for a live Q&A on 7/12/2018. Questions?
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Joseph is here to discuss the following topics:
Why he decided to run for office
What work he’s done to support veterans as an entrepreneur and community leader
Why veterans make good lawmakers
How he’ll work across the aisle if elected
Politics needs a culture of servant leadership and integrity
Joseph is the Democratic nominee for Texas’ 21st Congressional District. In a district that includes 10 counties from San Antonio to Austin and parts of the Texas Hill Country, Joseph spends his days on the campaign trail meeting voters and local leaders. TX-21’s current Congressman, Lamar Smith, is infamous for denying scientific fact and refusing to engage with his constituents. As he seeks to replace this 30-year incumbent, Joseph is building a new coalition of voters who believe the values, priorities, and expectations of Texas’ 21st congressional district will serve as a model of service and representation for Texas and the United States. His priorities include health care for all, moving towards a 100% renewable energy economy, and passing a real 21st century Jobs Act.
Joseph Kopser graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. After graduating Ranger School, Joseph requested to go to Texas and was assigned to Fort Bliss in El Paso. In 2002, he earned his Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, with a focus on Campaigns, Elections, and Special Advocacy. Joseph taught as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point from 2002-2005. In the summer of 2004, Joseph deployed to Baghdad to assist with the Iraqi elections. From June 2005-February 2007 he was Cavalry Squadron XO and S3 Operations Officer of 1-9 Cav with the 1st Cavalry Division, and deployed to Iraq for the second time. From April 2007-May 2008 he was Battalion XO of 2-7 CAV with the 1st Cavalry Division. From 2008-2009, he was Strategic Planner for the Future Force Integration Directorate, where he worked with Major General James Terry to communicate the Army's priorities of modernization to Congress and Industry. From 2009-2011, he served at the Pentagon as Special Assistant for the Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey. His final Army assignment was as Department Chair and Professor of Leadership and Strategy with the Texas Army ROTC at the University of Texas at Austin. He retired in 2013 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Joseph is here to discuss the following topics:
Why he decided to run for office
What work he’s done to support veterans as an entrepreneur and community leader
Why veterans make good lawmakers
How he’ll work across the aisle if elected
Politics needs a culture of servant leadership and integrity
Joseph is the Democratic nominee for Texas’ 21st Congressional District. In a district that includes 10 counties from San Antonio to Austin and parts of the Texas Hill Country, Joseph spends his days on the campaign trail meeting voters and local leaders. TX-21’s current Congressman, Lamar Smith, is infamous for denying scientific fact and refusing to engage with his constituents. As he seeks to replace this 30-year incumbent, Joseph is building a new coalition of voters who believe the values, priorities, and expectations of Texas’ 21st congressional district will serve as a model of service and representation for Texas and the United States. His priorities include health care for all, moving towards a 100% renewable energy economy, and passing a real 21st century Jobs Act.
Joseph Kopser graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. After graduating Ranger School, Joseph requested to go to Texas and was assigned to Fort Bliss in El Paso. In 2002, he earned his Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, with a focus on Campaigns, Elections, and Special Advocacy. Joseph taught as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point from 2002-2005. In the summer of 2004, Joseph deployed to Baghdad to assist with the Iraqi elections. From June 2005-February 2007 he was Cavalry Squadron XO and S3 Operations Officer of 1-9 Cav with the 1st Cavalry Division, and deployed to Iraq for the second time. From April 2007-May 2008 he was Battalion XO of 2-7 CAV with the 1st Cavalry Division. From 2008-2009, he was Strategic Planner for the Future Force Integration Directorate, where he worked with Major General James Terry to communicate the Army's priorities of modernization to Congress and Industry. From 2009-2011, he served at the Pentagon as Special Assistant for the Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey. His final Army assignment was as Department Chair and Professor of Leadership and Strategy with the Texas Army ROTC at the University of Texas at Austin. He retired in 2013 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
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Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 39
LTC Joseph Kopser
Thanks Michael.
Here are my questions:
You took an oath to "Support and Defend the United States Constitution....". Not liberals, not the democratic or republican party, heck not even the President.
So with that being said:
1) Stance on the 2nd Amendment? Would like to know thoughts and why or what, if anything, you would vote to change.
2) Socialism and the major push by the left to remove our Republic and replace it with socialist agendas.
3) How do you feel about the duly elected President of the United States? Forget all the bullshit on the news. Right now he is President, no charges or anything else and until such time as there is or isn't definitively, I would like to know where you stand.
4) National Reciprocity. You know as well as the rest of us, we go through full background checks to carry sidearms etc in most states. Seeing people arrested because they strayed over a state line, even by accident, because that state is anti gun vs their own state (WI vs IL for example) is wrong. What is your position?
5) Do you have faith and do you believe in God?
6) Final question - How do you feel about the NFL and the national anthem situation?
You took an oath to "Support and Defend the United States Constitution....". Not liberals, not the democratic or republican party, heck not even the President.
So with that being said:
1) Stance on the 2nd Amendment? Would like to know thoughts and why or what, if anything, you would vote to change.
2) Socialism and the major push by the left to remove our Republic and replace it with socialist agendas.
3) How do you feel about the duly elected President of the United States? Forget all the bullshit on the news. Right now he is President, no charges or anything else and until such time as there is or isn't definitively, I would like to know where you stand.
4) National Reciprocity. You know as well as the rest of us, we go through full background checks to carry sidearms etc in most states. Seeing people arrested because they strayed over a state line, even by accident, because that state is anti gun vs their own state (WI vs IL for example) is wrong. What is your position?
5) Do you have faith and do you believe in God?
6) Final question - How do you feel about the NFL and the national anthem situation?
Sorry, LTC, your the wrong party, I use to be a Democrat, till President Carter won and lost Iran to the crazies. I’ll never vote for another. Best of Luck!
Boy, this thread sure brought out some of the crazies on RP. Came out from the shadows to throw elbows.
SPC Erich Guenther
Yes I agree. When you invite a guest into your house, they should be treated with hospitaility and respect. I am not for Socialism myself but... People forget that Socialism existed in the United States BEFORE World War II. Milwaukee had a somewhat successful Socialist Mayor just after World War II and people were a lot more civil about it then, including military Veterans. Regardless the guest poster never claimed adherence to Socialism.
Golda Meir, another Milwaukee native and so called: "the Iron Lady of Israel" was also a Socialist and Athiest and spent time in the USSR, nobody cared when she became PM of Israel and nobody in the United States cared that much either. No Communist or Socialist plot to take over Israel was even mentioned. That was back when the Soviets and Eastern Bloc were actively arming the Israelis though.
Golda Meir, another Milwaukee native and so called: "the Iron Lady of Israel" was also a Socialist and Athiest and spent time in the USSR, nobody cared when she became PM of Israel and nobody in the United States cared that much either. No Communist or Socialist plot to take over Israel was even mentioned. That was back when the Soviets and Eastern Bloc were actively arming the Israelis though.
SSgt Clare May
As the Co-Founder of RallyPoint Networks Inc. CPT Aaron Kletzing, did you expect anything less? Politics and religion... two best fighting words ever uttered by man or woman since the dawn of time. You as the Co-Founder should have thought about that before permitting persons seeking elected office to garner votes here using your platform's position to enhance that individuals goal. Just sayin' CPT... Just sayin"...
LTC Joseph Kopser - Sir, I'm not part of your district but I would love to hear your thoughts on you would use this told to better not only the overwhelming number of veterans in your district but how you would champion to improve things for veterans across this country.
LTC Joseph Kopser
Thank you Ben. Here is what I wrote on another thread about this topic: First I want to see more Veterans in Business. Here in Texas, I helped co-found the first Bunker outside of Chicago where it began. I also created an endowment at the University of Texas to support Student Veterans. And lastly, I will share my testimony before Congress in Nov 2013 about Veterans support. As for me.... You will not find a stronger supporter of Veterans in Congress. It's what I do. Long before I decided to run for office. I will post three links below. Bunker Labs Austin: https://bunkerlabs.org/austin/ and San Antonio: https://bunkerlabs.org/san-antonio/
Bunker Labs Austin | Bunker Labs
Our Programs LIVE Join Bunker Labs and invited guests to get inspired, educated andconnected! LIVE is Leadership with Innovators and Veteran Entrepreneurs where wewill be running thought experiments, answering critical questions to help yourbusiness make forward progress and learning more about how we can get you moreconnected to the resources needed to make your businesses
LTC Joseph Kopser
Here is an article about the endowment we created: http://www.today.mccombs.utexas.edu/2015/02/ridescout-veteran-entrepreneurship-blackbox-trainer
RideScout Co-founders Establish Fund for Veteran Entrepreneurs | McCombs TODAY
Veterans make great innovators, if given the opportunity, say RideScout co-founders Craig Cummings and Joseph Kopser.
LTC Joseph Kopser
And here is my testimony before Congress: https://archives-veterans.house.gov/witness-testimony/mr-joseph-kopser
Chairman Flores, Ranking Member Takano, and distinguished Members of the Committee: As a simple Cavalryman from Texas, it is truly an honor to be invited to testify in front of such an esteemed body. Thank you for the opportunity.
Thanks for joining us LTC Joseph Kopser! My question is pretty simple and straight forward: since leaving the military what have you done to support veterans and the military community? If elected, what support can Texas's veterans and military expect from you in congress?
LTC Joseph Kopser
Thanks Carlos.... I have a lot to say on that subject. First I want to see more Veterans in Business. Here in Texas, I helped co-found the first Bunker outside of Chicago where it began. I also created an endowment at the University of Texas to support Student Veterans. And lastly, I will share my testimony before Congress in Nov 2013 about Veterans support. As for me.... You will not find a stronger supporter of Veterans in Congress. It's what I do. Long before I decided to run for office. I will post three links below.
LTC Joseph Kopser
Bunker Labs Austin: https://bunkerlabs.org/austin/ and San Antonio: https://bunkerlabs.org/san-antonio/
Bunker Labs Austin | Bunker Labs
Our Programs LIVE Join Bunker Labs and invited guests to get inspired, educated andconnected! LIVE is Leadership with Innovators and Veteran Entrepreneurs where wewill be running thought experiments, answering critical questions to help yourbusiness make forward progress and learning more about how we can get you moreconnected to the resources needed to make your businesses
LTC Joseph Kopser
Here is an article about the endowment we created: http://www.today.mccombs.utexas.edu/2015/02/ridescout-veteran-entrepreneurship-blackbox-trainer
RideScout Co-founders Establish Fund for Veteran Entrepreneurs | McCombs TODAY
Veterans make great innovators, if given the opportunity, say RideScout co-founders Craig Cummings and Joseph Kopser.
LTC Joseph Kopser
And here is my testimony before Congress: https://archives-veterans.house.gov/witness-testimony/mr-joseph-kopser
Chairman Flores, Ranking Member Takano, and distinguished Members of the Committee: As a simple Cavalryman from Texas, it is truly an honor to be invited to testify in front of such an esteemed body. Thank you for the opportunity.
LTC Joseph Kopser thank you for sharing your time with us here on RP. Also thank you for choosing to continue your service after retiring from the Army. In many ways you are an example for others to follow, regardless of whether an individual may agree/disagree with elements of your platform. Best wishes and good luck to you.
LTC Joseph Kopser
Thank you Aaron. I look forward to returning to public service. Below I will post a paper you might enjoy as well.
LTC Joseph Kopser
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Good Day LTC Joseph Kopser;
I am proud to see veterans running for Congress and I hope you are successful.
My question is how, as a lawmaker, you will ensure that laws are enforced in the Executive branch, by the Judiciary and others; how will you work towards making Government the model employer for all to emulate.
My second question is that how do you feel about whistleblowers in the military and how would you ensure military whistleblowers are truly protected against reprisals and elimination prior to a completed investigations and due process. How will you ensure all military whistleblower cases, past and present receive due process, so those victims of illegal actions receive their dues?
Again; I hope you succeed as an advocate for veterans and their rights on the Hill.
Thanks.
I am proud to see veterans running for Congress and I hope you are successful.
My question is how, as a lawmaker, you will ensure that laws are enforced in the Executive branch, by the Judiciary and others; how will you work towards making Government the model employer for all to emulate.
My second question is that how do you feel about whistleblowers in the military and how would you ensure military whistleblowers are truly protected against reprisals and elimination prior to a completed investigations and due process. How will you ensure all military whistleblower cases, past and present receive due process, so those victims of illegal actions receive their dues?
Again; I hope you succeed as an advocate for veterans and their rights on the Hill.
Thanks.
LTC Joseph Kopser
As for enforcing laws, I will lead by example and exercise my oversight when I feel they are not being enforced. As for whistleblowers, they all need protection. Thanks for your support.
CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana
Always Sir; my pleasure. Veterans lead the way. Thanks LTC Joseph Kopser and best of luck.
What would be your position on setting up a Soveriegn Wealth Fund similar to Norway's in which the proceeds from investing can be used to lower the National Debt of the United States? We would fund it via taxes on Natural Resources exported to other countries like Norway does (Oil, Bauxite, Iron Ore, Coal, etc).
Also, what is your position on establishing a Austin to San Antonio rail passenger corridor, with multiple train frequencies as has been proposed already.
Also, what is your position on establishing a Austin to San Antonio rail passenger corridor, with multiple train frequencies as has been proposed already.
MSgt (Join to see)
Look up how muh bauxite is currently mined in the US. Lack of bauxite mines is not because of lack of good sources either.
LTC Joseph Kopser
I love the idea of passenger rail between the two cities. Servicing the cities in between as well. As for the SWF, not sure, please send me a paper on it.
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