8/7/12 Unfortunately, Don lost his primary challenge.
Thank you for running! We’ll look for you next time. You make all the difference to the Liberty Movement. Never give up — we clearly need to work harder on our end!
Please keep us posted on what you will do next and how the liberty movement can capitalize on what you’ve started in Florida!!!
✓ Don’s website: www.Stephenson4Pasco.com
✓ Don’s Meetup page
✓ Facebook.com/Stephenson4PascoSchools
Don answers the Liberty Candidate questions below:
I) Re. the U.S. Financial System:
- What is your view of the monetary system in the U.S. today?
An unsound, fiat currency. I believe we getting dangerously close to a large-scale economic collapse.
- What corrective actions could we take right now to improve the economy?
Return to the gold standard. Drastically reduce spending. Stop borrowing.
- 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?
Allowed the free market to correct itself.
- Should the Federal Reserve be audited fully, no secrets, or does it need to keep some information under wraps?
Full transparency, audit the fed immediately, phase it out over time.
II) Re. Foreign Policy:
- What is your opinion on current US foreign policy?
I agree with a non-interventionist strategy, as long it we continue to support Israel as much as she requires.
- How should we fight a “war on terror”?
Get our troops back home and focus on our own borders.
- Should the U.S. occupy other countries? If not, would you push to close all bases? Are there any you would keep open?
I would not close all bases. Gitmo would remain open indefinitely.
- Should the U.S. maintain its standing army?
Of course. But the question is, at what levels? If we weren’t busy policing the rest of the world, we wouldn’t have a need for such a massive force standing at the ready.
- Is the Patriot Act necessary to protect America? If not, would you vote to repeal it?
I don’t claim to know enough about the patriot act to know if there’s anything in there that is essential to tracking down terrorists. But based on what I do know about it, there are serious privacy concerns that it raises. I would certainly not keep it in it’s current form.
III) Re. Personal Liberty:
- What information may the U.S. government legally gather about its citizens? When would it be necessary to overstep those boundaries?
Never. I have serious concerns about the information that the US Dept of Education is quietly gathering on every student in America, as well as those students’ parents. This directly relates to the office I’m seeking (School Board).
- What limits, if any, should be placed on the U.S. government’s ability to search its citizens without a warrant?
A warrant should be required in every case, unless there is an imminent threat to the public.
- 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?
NO to all of the above. As the parent of a child with Autism, I learned first-hand how dangerous the early-age vaccines can be. Parents should always have the right to decide what goes into their children’s bodies.
- 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?
Focus efforts on curbing the black-market gun trades. Law-abiding citizens should always have unfettered access to purchasing firearms of their choice.
IV) Re. U.S. Sovereignty:
- Is our involvement in and subjugation to global organizations, such as WHO (World Health Organization), NATO, the UN, etc., a benefit to U.S. citizens?
No benefit whatsoever. Agenda 21 is a nefarious effort to undermine our national sovereignty and it must be stopped. I also oppose the International Baccalaureate in our public schools, as this globalist curriculum works to support the ideals of the UN and Agenda 21.
- 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?
I do not believe there is ever justification for surrendering our sovereignty to a foreign or global interest.
- Are trade agreements with other nations, i.e., NAFTA, CAFTA, good for U.S. citizens?
No. These agreements favor the other nations involved, at our expense.
- 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?
First, I do not support giving aid to countries that are not our friends. This includes nations like Pakistan. Second, I oppose giving aid to anyone who doesn’t need it. That’s buying favor. Third, I am opposed to giving aid to ANYONE when we’re flat broke. Fourthly, I oppose giving American taxpayer dollars to any other country when our own citizens have not approved the giving away of billions of their own money. If it has merit, let the people vote on it. Otherwise, the federal government has no business being in the foreign aid business.
V) Re. State Sovereignty:
- When does state law take precedent over federal law?
In all cases, states take precedent over federal law, except where the federal government has been given specific authority by our constitution.
- 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.
- Do federal officers have the right to arrest non-military citizens within the individual states for any crimes?
I’m not an attorney, so I can’t answer this. Are you asking if the FBI has the authority to arrest citizens? I would assume so, but I’m not sure I understand the context of the question.
VI) Illegal Immigration:
- What do you see as the #1 problem with illegal immigration?
Lack of enforcement of existing laws. Second would be the magnet that exists by employers who knowingly hire illegals immigrants. Third would be the anchor baby loophole.
- What actions could we take to stop illegal immigrants from taking advantage of social services?
Require provable citizenship in order to enroll in school. Require E-verify to be used by employers.
VII) Misc. Questions:
- If you could make one amendment to the U.S. Constitution, what would it be?
I would add an amendment that required the constitution to be followed under penalty of law. We should have greater enforcement of constitutional boundaries.
- Would you vote to end government subsidies to private industry?
In all cases, absolutely. Let the free market create it’s own winners and losers.
- What should our government’s action be against Julian Assange, if any?
Governments obviously have the need for greater transparency. But there is a need for some secrecy, especially with regard to intelligence and military issues. If it was found that he disclosed information that was illegal for him to do so with, or that put lives in jeopardy, he should be held accountable.
- Do you know what Agenda 21/Sustainable Development and the Communitarian agenda is? Do you support it? Why or why not?
I am well aware of agenda 21 and I absolutely oppose it in all instances.
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Don Stephenson
Candidate for School Board
www.stephenson4pasco.com
I am constitutional conservative running for the Pasco County School Board, district 2, here in Land O Lakes, Florida.
PRIMARY DATE: August 14th, 2012
Website: www.Stephenson4Pasco.com
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