The Issues
The most important issue facing Montanans, and all Americans, is whether we, as a people, will allow the federal and state governments to continue to erode our rights and freedoms and threaten the existence of our republic. Most of you think this is not a problem. You are wrong. Our governments continue to expand – in the name of compassion or to "help the children," or for some other "compelling" reason. Whatever the reason, government expansion means less freedom. Government is the imposition of force. Laws force everyone to comply or they will deal with a law enforcement officer and the courts.
We must return to the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. These documents set out the role of government in our Republic. They provide a very constrained role for government - to provide us with protection of our rights, and security from aggression.
Today government has far exceeded this limited role - in violation of the constitutions. We must hold politicians to their oath of office to uphold the constitutions. The constitutions are restrictions on the authority of the government. The constitutions are the law by which government must operate. Ignorance of the law is no defense for politicians any more than it is for us.
When the constitutions are ignored, government is like "the Borg" on the TV series Star Trek. This species of space creatures seek to assimilate or absorb you into their system. Their message is: "Resistence is futile, you will be assimilated." The government-Borg's two primary tools for assimilating us are taxes and schools. The government controlled schools assimilate our minds, and taxes assimilate our production. Please carefully review my position on both of these issues to see how we can defend against government assimilating us.
The following are summaries of my position on "the issues." As you review each issue you will see that I think "outside the box." These are not typical political solutions to problems. Politicians will always find a solution that involves government control and enhances their chances for reelection - using your tax dollars to buy votes. My solutions are usually much different. They are based on the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the federal Constitution. These documents are the focus of a free nation and a free Montana. All of my solutions will focus on limited government, free markets, and individual liberty/responsibility.
For more details on an issue, click on the underlined title. (For many of the issues listed below I have relied heavily on Dr. Mary J. Rupert's book Short Answers to the Tough Questions, SunStar Press, Kalamazoo, Michigan).
Our Criminal Justice System.
We are not discouraging law breakers because our court system is not focused on the victim. We must reorient courts to focus on victim restitution. If elected, I will propose a system wherein aggressors would be required to compensate their victims. In addition, they would also have to pay the cost of police apprehension and the costs of their trial.
The Environment.
Most environmental problems can be traced to the government. We need to reemphasize private ownership of all land. The combination of restitution and property rights provides superior environmental protection.Helping the Poor.
In the 1960's 13% of American families were classified as poor. Since then America has spent nearly six trillion dollars to help the poor. Today 13% of American families are still classified poor. That's right -- no improvement! Government forces poor people to stay poor with programs that provide far more than mere subsistence and teach them to avoid personal responsibility. Government must get out of the way of poor families.Abortion and Euthanasia.
I believe that life begins at conception. Life is an inalienable right that must be protected by the government. Euthanasia is another matter. Everyone has the right to control their own life B including deciding when to end it. Some people may see euthanasia as a terrible sin. This may be so, but unless death is forced on someone against their will, government must never be involved in the decision.The War on Drugs.
The government has lost this war. It has cost us a great deal in terms of money, and freedoms. "Illegal" drugs do little permanent damage to the individuals who take them. Long term mandatory sentences destroy lives of peaceful, nonviolent citizens. This has become an insane war on the people, and we must stop it.Consumer Protection.
Who knows best? You or some government elitist? Will companies that sell faulty items stay in business long? We need protection from the government more than "predatory" companies.Gun Control
The constitution did not give us the right to have and carry guns. We have an inalienable right to protect our lives with any effective tool, including a gun. We the people did not authorize the government to get involved with our right to have and to carry arms. It is beyond government's delegated power to control our guns. All gun laws must be repealed.Education.
Government schools are no longer focused on education. They have become political indoctrination centers. Government controlled education was the very first form of government welfare. Sunday school or Monday school – neither is a government function. We must get government our of our schools. All schools should be privatized and related taxes repealed.Jobs and the Right to Work.
Government cannot create jobs. Only entrepreneurs and businesses create jobs. Government can only prevent the creation of jobs. We must get government out of the way of businesses. Everyone must have the right to freely choose to join a union or not to join a union. It must never be a condition of employment. Nor should government get involved in setting minimum wages. Determination of wages is strictly a matter of bargaining between the employee and the employerHomosexual Rights.
Homosexuals must enjoy all the rights of every individual -- no more, no less. They should not have a protected status under civil rights laws.Taxes and Spending.
Government must be reduced to its minimum functions -- protecting the rights of individuals, and providing only a very few essential services. If we start there we could eliminate the state income tax without imposing a sales tax. All taxes should be "user fee" based to the greatest degree possible.Parenting.
We must restore the right and responsibilities of parenting to parents. Parents are now afraid of their children because mere discipline may be reported as abuse. Government has it's nose too far into family functions, thereby weakening the family bond.Crime Control.
Of the "civilized" nations, America has the highest percentage of its population in prison. Are we that bad? I don't believe so. We have far too many crimes. Not all sins should be crimes. We must draw the line at some appropriate point. Activities without victims are not crimes. (And society is not a victim!). Consensual behavior is none of the governments' business. Also see "Our Criminal Justice System."Health Care.
Health care is not an unalienable right. Nor is it an entitlement. We are all responsible for our own health. Government should not be involved in this area in any way.Gambling.
This is an area of free choice for each individual. Activities without victims are not crimes (and society is not a victim). Consensual behavior is none of the governments= business. Government should not be involved in gambling in any way. It should not regulate it nor should it offer gambling in the form of a lottery (or any other form).Term Limits.
All elected offices should have term limits. We must put government into the hands of the citizens, not elitist politicians. I would even propose a total overall limit of time that any single person could serve in all elected offices.Public Finance of Political Campaigns.
The public (government) should never finance political campaigns. I think the financing of political campaigns should be an individual matter. However, only individuals (people with a heartbeat) should be able to contribute. There should be a restriction on unions, churches, professional associations and other organizations, from contributing or providing "in kind" services.Financing the Arts.
Government should encourage the arts but never finance the arts. All artists should earn recognition and receive financing from private sources.Privatizing Government "Services."
Every possibility of privatizing government "services" must be explored on a constant basis. Government agencies should have to "bid" against private businesses every year.The Tobacco Settlement.
The tobacco settlement is a blight upon Montana's record. The motivation for this action was government greed. It is an example of the mis-use of government force in a free society. The sale of tobacco is legal. Warnings are placed on every pack. Anyone who can read knows the risk of smoking. A free people must have the right to make good and bad choices. Smoking does not increase government´s expense of providing health care (it actually decreases it because smokers die much earlier). Over 90% of the money is being spent by the states on programs unrelated to smoking.Long Term Care for Seniors
The Montana constitution provides that "[A]ll government . . . is instituted solely for the good of the whole." It also provides that "[A]ll persons . . . have certain . . . rights. They include . . . the rights of pursuing life's basic necessities . . . In enjoying these rights, all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities."If I take an oath to support, protect and defend the constitution of Montana, I will be responsible for complying with this limitation on government. I am prohibited from supporting legislation that is solely for the good of older Montanans (not for the whole). I cannot disregard that our constitution places the responsibility for pursuing life's basic necessities on the individual. It doesn't matter how compassionate the cause -- the force of government must not be used to benefit older Montanans at the expense of the whole (all tax payers). Government cannot take a role in providing long term care.
Deregulation of Electric Utilities.
Deregulation of other industries has proven to be a great advantage, as deregulation of electricity in other states has proven to be an advantage to the customers for electricity. I think that the less the government is involved in the industry the better the customer will be served. I propose that government get completely out of the way of the electrical power industry. It will result in the lowest cost for the most people.