There he is. We made it. >> Fantastic. It's great to see you. >> Can you hear me? >> Yeah, I can hear you. But it's all good. >> It's all good. Yes, you figured it out. That's level one. That's level one. For our viewers who are Gen X or millennials here, Mike, Mr. Michael Maxenti by himself figured it out how to join the lightheaded. That should tell you a lot. By the way, I'm sitting here at at Starbucks at the Raven building in Congress. That's where hopefully you will be ending up soon. >> Yep. >> Um Yes. So, without further ado, of course, I'm glad that you joined this live. This life is meant to give Iranian Americans, especially the ones who are California in your district, a kind of overview of who you are and what your policies are, what your politics are. So, you know, I'm going to ask you a series of questions. Some of them are yes, no questions. Some of them are, you know, questions that I'd like you to elaborate on. So, tell us a little bit about yourself. I know you've you've been in Southern California for pretty much your whole life. >> Yeah, just real briefly. Yes, I am a native Californian uh with roots in North and South. I'm a father of two, a grandfather of four. Uh I've lived and worked in this district here, 47 for 51 years. Uh where I worked my way up to a president of a division of American Standard. I was a COO for a joint venture launch of a corporate Nissan Corporation and another Japanese company. I oversaw building a manufacturing plant, launching that for them. Then I was gifted with a a second child late in life and I fulfilled a commitment to step away from the corporate world. I started a small publishing business because I wanted to put being a parent first. I built that publishing business into the second largest tourism publishing business in California. Uh, and while I was doing that, putting being a parent first, I was on Children's Hospital board of directors for 14 years. Uh, I coached 17 sports teams, was president of the little league. Uh, but I got involved back in politics. So, so that's a little bit of my background here in the community, things I've done. Uh while I was uh building my tourism magazine, I was on the executive board of directors for 12 years for the tourism council. uh where uh I came up with the idea after 911 of how to market Orange County differently and u and it was accepted by the board. We ended up winning the national award for the fastest recovery of any destination resort in the country. Um I also built the largest fundraiser in the history of Children's Hospital while I was there. I've always been involved in the community and in my business finding solutions to problems that deliver results, real results. And now I've decided to get into politics because I'm sick and tired of watching politicians take surveys, come before us, and tell us everything we want to hear in a very polished way. Uh get our money, get our votes, get elected, and then go back to Washington and do only what the money is paying them to do. and the corrupt side of the leadership of the parties is dictating them to do. And right now with Iran, we have to do u something of significance and I'll leave that for you. >> Speaking of which, I was just in Orange County two weeks ago. I talked to a lot of Iranians who are very concerned about the future of California, especially Orange County. They feel like there's a an invasion of foreigners, especially coming from China, especially coming from country that are hostile to United States, including the Islamic Republic. Um, and they've been openly asking me about this. Um, are you an America first kind of candidate? Do you what do you what what are your thoughts? What kind of Republican are you? Well, I'm I'm definitely an America first, but I'm I'm an America first based on the founding principles of our country and the Republican party. And what I've told to many many people every chance I get and I from this phone you can't see the lapel pin that I'm proud to wear and I purposely wear it in every interview that I do and and whenever I uh am out in the public because I want to invite questions about what's going on in Iran and our involvement there. Uh what Iran in my opinion do and I share this every opportunity is that we are fulfilling the commitment to be that light on the hill of our founding fathers. when we're invited in as the Iranian leadership that this this four community leadership under Resa Palavi um and Bjan Kean and and so many others have invited America to help them lift the mechanisms of oppression from their their shoulders so that the Iranian people can reclaim their freedom and their country and it's our obligation as part of our founding to do that and stay with You tell because it's going to take a couple of years for you to actually get to the ballot box, form a constitution, choose your form of government, whether it be a monarch or a form of monarchy and and a parliament. That's up to you. Our job is to help you go down that path. And Resa Palabi can take you to the ballot box and u he's an outstanding leader that the people have chosen to lead you forward. and I couldn't be more proud to contribute in a small way to this effort. >> So, I'm going to ask you a series of yes or no questions and if you want to take time 10 15 seconds to elaborate, please do so. Do you support regime change in Iran? Oh, >> absolutely. >> Would you support President Trump striking Iran nuclear facilities? >> Absolutely. Can you can the Islamic Republic reform itself? >> No way. >> Okay. Do you separate Iranian people from the regime in Iran? >> Absolutely. At least 90% and I believe the others if given the opportunity for freedom and live there would come over. But at least 90% of the people as I understand it uh uh it would be for >> so a lot of Iranians in that area in Orange County. There are a lot of Iranians in Orange County. They're well educated, mostly well educated. They're mostly well off. Um what is your message to that group of Iranians who've always chosen not to vote? a large let me tell you this based on my information the large portion of Iranian Americans don't vote >> this is the first chance and and I've been advocating the fact that if the Iran if Iranian Americans don't get involved Washington will ignore them do you agree with that assessment firstly if they don't vote >> no I you know personally it would be wonderful if the significant amount of them would vote and I'm hoping that a significant amount of them will take the time to vote for the first time because they actually feel they have a representative who will go to Washington and fight on their behalf. Um, but I understand the discouragement for people not voting in the past and we have to earn that vote in the future. But >> that won't change anything I'm doing. I got committed by when I first went to the Masawa Festival and learned of the horrific treatment and ex was going on in your homeland. I was appalled that we were kept from that. And soon as I learned that, I literally couldn't sleep that night after coming home thinking about that. I got up in the middle of night, wrote a script of a video I wanted to produce in support of that. I sent that to Bjan Keon because I certainly didn't want to put anybody in danger by doing anything. And uh I produced that video and then I've been honored to to go to many rallies and events throughout Southern California and even going to Washington to try to do everything I can to support this effort and help people in America understand this is so vastly different than the regime changes that our government has done over the last 30 40 years or since World War II. Those were mostly bad. >> This is the opposite. This is something that is part of our DNA of a founding of our nation is to help bring freedom uh the opportunity for freedom throughout the world but onto their path for their culture the way they want it. Not to impose our will upon them just to use our opportunities through economic and military power to to lift those mechanism of oppression and give other people a chance to find their path to freedom. you seem to be very familiar with Iranian culture. Um, is that correct? I mean, take take us a little bit back. Um, during I I'm guessing during the revolution, you went to school. Do you remember the Islamic revolution? What is the image in your head? And what was going around you? Uh, especially if you had any Iranian friends at that time in California? >> Well, there's two three different parts to that. First off, yes, I remember very well under Carter uh and when the revolution was there and and how that led to the hostages and then Reagan coming in uh and being able to get those hostages freed coincidentally on the first day in office. Um so, and those memories of death to America and all of that were burned there. Um, but then living here in Orange County, I've encountered many Persians u who who called themselves Persian because they didn't want to be identified with Iran. I >> recognize that easily, but I love the love their food. Uh, love the people. You got some of the most beautiful women in the world. Uh, and uh, so I've enjoyed what their contributions have been significant to Orange County on many levels, culturally, economically. Um so That's something that was I've been learning over the last many years, 30, 40 years. But then when the Masa Festival I was invited to a year ago, that changed everything for me in terms of my understanding of what we as a nation needed to do and why I've been in support of Trump's efforts ever since then and trying to help my other American friends when they say, "Oh, we're against the war." No, this is not what we've done in the past, folks. this is what we're supposed to be doing as a country. So, I'm I'm honored to contribute and over the last year in any way I I can and will continue to as long as I can and as long as as you all need the help and that could be a couple of years. Some of your potential future colleagues in the US House of Representative and also Senate from California >> have openly criticized President Trump for his war against Iran has openly um supported the idea of negotiation with the Islamic regime with Iran if you're elected to US Congress. Would you try to persuade? How would you vote? What would be your vote regarding the continuation of war against the regime in Iran and also the prospects of any negotiations with the regime and what would you tell your potential future colleagues about these two topics? >> Well, again, a multi-part question. First and foremost, u I will try to do everything I can to influence them to that what we're doing is what we're supposed to be doing. this is what our founding principles are and this is not uh we you know we have to keep our boots off the ground. I mean that's that is something we have to do. Um but that's all everything else that we can do to use our military might and our economic strength to help. We have to do uh and then working in conjunction with with the Jewish people to help. It's it's it's >> it's karma. It's a lot of things you could call it, but from Cyrus the Great 2500 years or so ago, freeing the Jews from their enslavement, their slavery, here's the opportunity now for the Jewish people to do return the favor uh and solving this problem. One of the things I will tell the the other colleagues and I tell everyone, helping Iran regain its freedom, it is the lynch pin to the to the solving this terrorist issue worldwide, but particularly in the Middle East. And this is crucial. So for people that want to say, "Oh, this isn't a war and they shouldn't be." No, this is about peace and you can't necessarily get go, you know, there's a saying over my shoulder here. Peace. The way to peace is peace. You know, there is no way to peace. That is the way. Well, that's naive in today's world when you've got terrorists who are committed to changing the way the world operates and particularly want to take down um America and freedom for all. They want to impose a totally different way of life onto the world and that's not acceptable and that's not what America was founded to do. And our help for Iran uh is crucial to that effort. >> You hit that nail on the head. Let me ask you two more questions before I let you. I know you're very busy. One of the main concerns of Iranian Americans, of course, is Iran's future in territorial integrity. They don't want Iran to fall apart. They don't want civil war in Iran, of course, and they don't want the US government to support any groups that has a history of terrorism in Iran. One of those would be or if you're familiar with them. Now, some of your Democrat dem some of your co potential future colleagues here in your House of Representatives and also some Republicans have been uh accepting donations from MEK appearing in some of their events, accepting large amounts of money from from any especially Congressman Brad Sherman for I think two decades have been accepting money from NDK. What is your position? What is your position on MEK or any other group that has the name Mujahedin on it? You know, MEK stands for >> Oh, they're they're just another face on that terrorist world. U I mean, MK is just trying to put a a he's trying to put a lipstick on a pig. You know, they're just part of the problem in the worst way. And anybody who is so naive to think that MEK represents the the bulk of the Iranian people and and a regime that wants freedom and prosperity for its people is either naive or just more interested in their own self-interest and corrupt as hell. >> And lastly, as you know, internet has the regime has shut down the internet for Iranian people for over 70 days. I get a lot of calls, a lot of cries from inside the country. The United States government has traditionally and principally supported free flow of information, access to information, access to news. If elected to Congress, would you be supporting legislation to advance the access of Iranian people through free internet? >> Absolutely. It's crucial that we have communication tools available to bring people together, you know, to solve these problems. Yes, the internet is is today's it's a very sharp double-edged sword for sure, but it's one that we have to use to cut through the lies and the hatred uh so that truth can emerge and people can regain their freedom. So, absolutely. >> So, Michael Maxi, thank you so much for your time. If people who are watching this live interview are interested to know more about you, where they can where can they see you? Do you have any events that you want to invite Iranians to come talk to you? What's the best way to donate to your campaign to help your campaign? And when is your primary due? >> First off, the primary vote is June 2nd. So, I encourage everybody to vote and vote Maxi for Congress in district 47 if you can. And anyone, everything I do in Congress will be for everyone. So, even if you can't vote for me, I would appreciate their support. They can go to my website maxenti4 and that's spelled out fo r not the numeral four folks maxenti4 congress.com quite simply they can learn more about me there's an opportunity there to to donate we've got phone banking going on I'm not rich I'm not famous and I'm not infamous so this is where it's a real grassroots effort uh to elect somebody who can truly represent the people who's not beholden to the leadership of any party, but I'm going there with an agenda for America first. Always putting people over policy. And I see the policy that we're that Trump is leading us on in regards to your homeland is something that is beautiful and exactly what we should be doing and we need to keep going with it fully. So your support and anyone watching would be greatly appreciated. U and so thank you so much. >> Thank you, Michael. God bless you. God bless America. and I wish you success. Good luck. >> And I And I wish you success. It's more your country is is I love the people I've gotten to know. When I saw your name, Arash, I thought made me think of of the great uh you know, legend uh of Arash. And you know, >> they call me sometimes they call me that. Sometimes they call me that. >> Yeah. >> Very kind of you. Thank you. Byebye, Michael. >> Take care. Bye-bye.