By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

TROY — Jack Kevorkian, who gained national notoriety as “Doctor Death” for his actions and beliefs on assisted suicide, and served time in prison as a result of them, fielded questions from a dozen people about his political agenda at the Troy Community Center Aug. 21.

“This is a very informal session,” he said. “Nothing is off limits.”

The former pathologist faces incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Twp., and Democrat Gary Peters, a former state senator, for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 9th District. 

U.S. Congressional District 9 includes Oakland Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Orchard Lake, Farmington Hills, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Berkley, Royal Oak, Clawson and Troy.

Kevorkian, 80, who is running as an independent, described his health as “fair.” He said he is only interested in serving one term in office because he is “not trying to make this a job.”

“My original mission in doing this (running for office) is to inform people of the Ninth Amendment,” he said. He believes that adherence to the Ninth Amendment, which he said addresses the rights of the individual, would eliminate most of the nation’s ills. “Our rights are trampled because we are taught not to care,” he said.

Kevorkian said he only voted one time in his life, for Geoffrey Feiger, his attorney, when Feiger was running as a Democratic nominee for governor in 1998.

“I’ve never belonged to a party. Parties are harmful. I want to see parties destroyed,” he said. He also said the U.S. Supreme Court was “corrupt, cowardly, and dishonest.”

“I’m a real patriot and I think America is rotten,” he said.

He accepts no money for his campaign. “Taking money I don’t need personally indicates I’m out for gain, and not really independent,” he said. “I take no contributions.”

Kevorkian praised a book written by Oakland County Circuit Judge Michael Warren titled, “America’s Survival Guide, How to Stop America’s Impending Suicide by Reclaiming Our First Principals and History.” Kevorkian also touted a short book/pamphlet he wrote when he was in prison titled “9th Amendment.” 

He favors strict enforcement of immigration laws, rather than “buildings or walls.”

Kevorkian said that use of illegal drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine, should be decriminalized and compared the current laws to Prohibition.

He supports a universal health care plan where pharmaceutical and oil companies would be taxed 10 percent on “excess profits,” and those monies would be used to pay insurance premiums for everyone. “This takes the burden off the auto industry, and would allow them to be more competitive and expand,” he said.

“In Congress I can expose these ideas,” he said. “If I don’t make it (get elected) it doesn’t stop the campaign.” He said that he’s been sharing his ideas with college students at Harvard and New York University.

“My hope is with young people,” he said. “The students have to lead us into riots,” which he said would spark change.

Kevorkian said he is not satisfied with the two presidential candidates, and urged the electorate not to vote in any election in which a party is represented.

This, he said, would “bring the country to its knees” and incite change.

Michael and Mary Eremia, both 80 from Bloomfield Hills, said that they always admired Kevorkian’s independence and courage, although they didn’t agree with everything for which he stands.

“As Catholics, we don’t believe in killing,” Michael said. “But I do believe the government is corrupt.”

Michael said that like Kevorkian, he was not happy with either presidential candidate and that he would “probably sit this one (election) out.”

You can reach Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1054.