Mike Koffenberger: Liberty Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania

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Mike answers the Liberty Candidate questions below:

I) Re. the U.S. Financial System:
1. What is your view of the monetary system in the U.S. Today?

It is a mess. Since the inception of the Federal Reserve Bank in 1913, the value of the dollar has diminished by over 90%. It is also no longer backed by gold or any other meaningful commodity. We are trading worthless pieces of paper that only become more worthless with each passing year.

2. What corrective actions could we take right now to improve the economy?

Audit the Federal Reserve Bank so that everyone can see and debate the dangers of having such a central bank. Then end the Federal Reserve Bank. Other items to pursue would be returning to a gold standard to back the money supply (silver, platinum and other precious metals could also be used).

3. Do you agree with the actions the Federal Reserve has taken to solve the financial crisis? If not, what could the Fed have done differently?

I believe that the Federal Reserve Bank has only made the financial crisis worse. The Fed’s charter could be ended, which is a good first step to ending this and future financial crises.

4. Should the Federal Reserve be audited fully, no secrets, or does it need to keep some information under wraps?

Audited to find who to prosecute and then ended.

II) Re. Foreign Policy:

1. What is your opinion on current US foreign policy?

We have an empire. There is no denying that. Our foreign policy must return to a humble one of good trade relations, and being non-interventionist. We must close our overseas bases and end the unconstitutional wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc.

2. How should we fight a “war on terror”?

With criminal investigations as we did prior to 9/11/01. Any imminent threats should be dealt with using our military, however, that does not mean invading or occupying any country without a declaration of war. We must remember that terrorism is a tactic and that we cannot wage a “war” against a tactic.

3. Should the U.S. occupy other countries? If not, would you push to close all bases? Are there any you would keep open?

We should never occupy another country unless it is an immediate after effect from a constitutionally declared war. I would push to close all bases overseas.

4. Should the U.S. maintain its standing army?

If all overseas bases are closed, it must be re-evaluated after that takes place to see if a standing army is really necessary. Either way, the military must remain voluntary.

5. Is the Patriot Act necessary to protect America? If not, would you vote to repeal it?

No it violates our 4th Amendment rights and I would submit legislation to repeal it.

III) Re. Personal Liberty:
1. What information may the U.S. government legally gather about its citizens? When would it be necessary to overstep those boundaries?

No information unless being investigated for a crime. Then there must be probable cause to justify the actions.

2. What limits, if any, should be placed on the U.S. government’s ability to search its citizens without a warrant?

We must follow the 4th Amendment. As a law enforcement officer who has been involved with hundreds of search warrants, I see absolutely no reason for not writing a warrant, having it approved by a supervisor, and then signed by a judge. This is the correct way, and constitutional way to do so. The extra time it takes allows for mistakes to be caught.

3. Ought the U.S. government be allowed to protect its citizens’ health by outlawing foods it considers unsafe, or to force medicate (i.e., fluoridation) or force vaccinate citizens?

Absolutely not.

4. What controls, if any, should be placed on the right to own a gun? Is there an effective way to keep guns out of the hands of madmen and criminals without encroaching on the rights of free, law-abiding citizens?

No federal restrictions should be mandated other than those convicted of felonious behavior and the clinically diagnosed insane. Outside of those few, there should be no restrictions at all.

IV) Re. U.S. Sovereignty:
1. Is our involvement in and subjugation to global organizations, such as WHO, NATO, the UN, etc., a benefit to U.S. citizens?

No. This creates entangling alliances and allows for nation building and other nonsense that we have been illegally involved in for years.

2. Would you work to repeal international agreements that purport to hold U.S. citizens and/or property under its jurisdiction, or do you think there might be times when benefits outweigh concessions?

Absolutely no foreign government or organization should have any jurisdiction over any United States citizen or territory ever.

3. Are trade agreements with other nations, i.e., NAFTA, CAFTA, good for U.S. citizens?

Trade with any nation is a good thing. Trade leads to peaceful relations. As long as we do not compromise our security or sovereignty, trade is good.

4. Should the U.S. give foreign aid to other countries? If yes, for what purposes would it be justified? If not all countries, which would you continue to support?

I am for ending all foreign aid to all countries.

V) Re. State Sovereignty:
1. When does state law take precedent over federal law?

When there is no U.S. Constitutional authority for a federal law or regulation, the state law takes precedence and 10th Amendment protections should apply in all cases.

2. Would you stand up to the federal government and demand that it stay within the bounds of its enumerated powers and out of state business?

Absolutely. The 10th Amendment was placed in the Constitution for a reason. The founders of our country realized the dangers of, and lived in the times of, an overreaching tyrannical central government. I would never vote for legislation that diminishes state sovereignty and authority. I would work tirelessly to eliminate past laws and regulations that overstep the powers of the federal government.

3. Do federal officers have the right to arrest non-military citizens within the individual states for any crimes?

If done properly, it should be with the authority and permission of the state/local jurisdiction. For many legislated crimes, the federal government has duplicate laws that are already laws within the states. One federal crime enumerated in the U.S. Constitution is counterfeiting. If prosecuted properly, federal agents would have already arrested members of the Federal Reserve Bank!

VI) Illegal Immigration:
1. What do you see as the #1 problem with illegal immigration?

A horrible, time-consuming, bureaucratic current policy leads to illegal immigration.

2. What actions could we take to stop illegal immigrants from taking advantage of social services?

Social services should be state based in the first place. It is up to the states to enforce how their social services should/should not work. If I were running for a state legislature that had a state based social service program, no one that was not a citizen of that state would be allowed to benefit from it.

VII) Misc. Questions:
1. If you could make one amendment to the U.S. Constitution, what would it be?

A budget amendment that requires a balanced budget and absolutely no earmarks in any legislative bills. If I could repeal one it would be the 16th Amendment.

2. Would you vote to end government subsidies to private industry?

Yes. All subsidies across the board should be eliminated.

3. What should our government’s action be against Julian Assange, if any?

Julian Assange is not an American citizen. No action should be taken, and we should end the rhetoric that he is guilty of treason. He is not guilty of anything in this country.

4. Do you know what Agenda 21/Sustainable Development and the Communitarian agenda is? Do you support it? Why or why not?

I had to Google it! I am not for anything that may take away from our country’s sovereignty and I would rather withdraw our nation from the United Nations, then follow any policy it comes up with that would subject us to the nonsense listed in the program description.

Your Name: Michael “Mike” Koffenberger
Office you seek: U.S. House of Representatives
State: PA
District: 4
PRIMARY DATE: Tentative date is April 24, 2012 however I am running as a Libertarian and the primary election in PA is only for Republicans and Democrats.
Email Address: mike@mikeforpa.com
Website: http://mikeforpa.com