Johnson for America -- Gary Johnson on the Issues

GARY JOHNSON 2012

Meet Gary

Issues

Gary On The Issues

Limited Government
Gary is a staunch advocate of limited government and fiscal restraint. He believes that "every law passed is a little bite out of freedom," and that removing government regulation unleashes the forces of the free market that raise our living standards. As Governor of New Mexico, he balanced the budget deficit, shrunk the size of state government by 1200 employees, and vetoed 750 bills (more than all the other 49 Governors in the country at that time, combined) and over 1000 line items.

Lower Taxes
Gary supports much lower taxes, and fought relentlessly against a Democratic state legislature for all kinds of tax breaks, including significant income tax reductions. As President, Gary would be open to a non-income tax based system, and believes a flat tax may be a simpler and less expensive alternative to the current federal income tax. As Governor, he was able to achieve a reduction in taxes of $123 million annually, and gave New Mexico the longest period in its history without a tax hike (eight years).

Entitlements
Gary understands that the federal government's entitlement programs--Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid--are essentially bankrupt, and that immediate reforms and spending cuts must be made. As Gary has pointed out, forty three cents of every dollar that the government currently spends is borrowed money. He recognizes that this is fundamentally an unsustainable Ponzi scheme. Gary believes a mixture of cuts, privatization, and possibly raising the retirement benefits age, are necessary to return the system to viability.

National Defense
Gary believes in returning to a more responsible and prudent foreign policy, as advocated by our country's Founders. He endorses a strong and capable military that is not so thinly stretched across 700 bases around the world in 150 different countries. Gary understands the importance of protecting America from terrorists and believes that America's specific interests must be defended. He opposed the Iraq War from the start, recognizes that more troops in Afghanistan is not the answer, and believes that American men and women should only be sent into harm's way when our national security is truly threatened and military action is truly justified.

Sound Banks, Sound Money
Gary supports Congressman Ron Paul's efforts to open up transparency and accountability of the nation's central monetary planner, the Federal Reserve, which has devalued the Dollar by over 95% since its inception a century ago. He believes it is time to take an honest look at the Fed and see what changes need to be made. Gary has stated that if Congress decides the present central banking system needs to be replaced by a free market in banking, he would sign such a bill into law. Gary also understands the arguments for a commodity-based monetary standard, and would approve such legislation. He believes the government needs to pursue a strong Dollar policy. Gary also supports the idea of a free market in money, by legalizing competing currencies.

Health Care
Gary opposes any government attempt to take over the health care system. He believes that the costs of health care are out of control and that free market-based reform needs to be enacted to return health care to fiscal solvency. Gary supports a system in which each individual privately manages his or her own health care, free from government control and interference; he believes that by allowing more competition in the health care industry, supply can be increased and costs lowered.

Immigration
Gary believes it is time to implement an immigration policy that allows for better documentation and more easily obtainable permits for temporary guest workers to fill jobs that Americans refuse to take. He believes it is the job of United States authorities to know who is crossing our borders and to be able to prevent criminals from entering the country. However, Gary does not believe in closing the borders to those that are legally documented to enter the country.

Quality Education
Gary believes that quality education is the key to our children's future, and understands the need for a sleeker and more effective education system. As Governor of New Mexico, Gary cut back on government expenditures, but increased the percentage of the budget devoted to providing better education. Of all the U.S. Governors at the time, Gov. Johnson was by far the most vocal supporter of school vouchers. He fought hard, year after year, to bring a state-wide school voucher system to New Mexico, but while continually thwarted by his state's Democratic legislature, he did manage to attract many new parochial and private schools into the state. Gary understands that the forces of free competition are needed to help drive down education costs.

More Effective Drug Policy
Gary has been a leader of the movement toward a new, more effective drug policy that is more in line with conservative principles of fiscal discipline, limited government, and personal responsibility. Gary advocates an end to the failed prohibition of the past seventy years, and an honest discussion about the drug issue with America's youth. Specifically, he advocates the legalization of marijuana and the decriminalization of other drugs. While Gary himself abstains from all drugs, including nicotine and alcohol, he recognizes that the billions of dollars wasted on a big-government anti-drug policy have not been responsibly invested.

Protecting the Unborn
While Gary himself is personally pro-choice up until the point of fetal viability, he understands the proper role of government, and would return the abortion issue back to the 50 states to decide, as the US Constitution mandates. In order to put the abortion issue back under the proper jurisdiction, Gary would nominate judges who adhere to the original intent of the Constitution, so that Roe v. Wade could be overturned. As Governor of New Mexico, he received the endorsement of the Right To Life Committee for his work in reducing abortions through parental consent, informed consent, banning partial-birth abortion, and ending Medicaid funding for abortions. As Governor, he supported every piece of legislation offered by the Right To Life Committee.

LGBT Issues
Gary personally believes that marriage is between one man and one woman. He also understands that federalism is the most reasonable and Constitutional approach to the marriage issue, and that the 50 states should be free to define marriage for themselves. Gary recognizes that we are mature enough as a nation to accept people of all different backgrounds and persuasions, and believes that both heterosexuals and open homosexuals who wish to serve their country in the armed forces ought to be permitted to do so.

Free Trade
Gary wholeheartedly supports free trade, and understands that people free to make voluntary transactions will do so precisely because they are mutually beneficial. Gary understands that free trade benefits all countries involved and helps expand the division of labor. Gary also recognizes the need for American industry to become more open and competitive as the global economy emerges.

New Energy Sources
Gary believes that the government ought to allow new exploration and development of the full spectrum of promising energy resources. He also supports federal tax breaks for companies who want to develop new sources of energy, and believes that free market forces must come into play to reduce energy costs and increase the efficiency with which energy is delivered.

Freedom to Bear Arms
Gary believes in the individual right to bear arms and upholds the US Constitution and its Second Amendment which protect that right. Gary understands the clear crime prevention benefits of gun ownership and the freedom to carry a concealed firearm for self defense.

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