Rick Williams for U.S. Senate, CA

Rick lost his primary. Thank you for running, Rick. See you next time — we’ll be here!!!

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Rick 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?

Our Federal Reserve System is the most despicable financial/monetary organization in all recorded history. It needs to be ended; and replaced with a structure of free market/sound money.

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

Two main steps: (1) Cut $1 trillion from the federal budget (in my first year); (2) End the Federal Reserve System. Once these two steps are taken, we will have a major renewal of entrepreneurial activity which will bring economic recovery.

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?

No, the Fed is simply a counterfeiter which has been making the economic decline much, much worse through its actions. The Fed should not be bailing out banks and political cronies, and should not be engaging in “quantitative easing” which only makes matters worse. You can’t solve a problem of excessive debt with more debt.

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

Yes– full audit.

Meet Rick Williams:

Our interventionist foreign policy has been disastrous for the United States and its allies.

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

“Terror” is a tactic, not an “enemy” of the United States. Problems with “terror” are properly matter for the police power of law enforcement agencies

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

The U.S. should not occupy foreign countries or maintain military bases in foreign countries.

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

A modest standing army is appropriate; but oriented to national defense rather than interventionism.

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

The Patriot Act is an unconstitutional intrusion on liberty, and I would vote 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?

The U.S. government is no different from any other policing agency. Any information gathering about citizens is subject to the full protection of our Bill of Rights (i.e., no searches or seizures without a valid warrant). Nor should the U.S. government involve itself in public information searches and the like about targeted individuals without probable cause.

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

We already have such limits in the Bill of Rights. There is no federal “right” to search an individual without a warrant.

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?

No and no.

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?

The 2nd amendment provides strong constitutional protection for the right to keep and bear arms. People with felony convictions or certified mental health deficiencies may be subject to reasonable state regulation re their right to keep and bear arms; but these are narrow exceptions to a broadly defined constitutional right.

IV) Re. U.S. Sovereignty:
1. 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.

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?

U.S. citizens are not properly subject to the police power or regulatory jurisdiction of international organizations. I would work to repeal any such grants of jurisdiction.

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

In general, free trade between and among nations is a positive thing that should be supported by proponents of liberty. But most trade agreements we see in place today are not “free trade” at all; rather they are special interest driven, and should be repealed.

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 would end all foreign aid.

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

In all instances where explicit constitutional power is not specifically allocated to the federal government.

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.

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

In general the police power lies with the states, but I can see some narrowly defined circumstances where federal criminal statutes that are within the bounds of the constitution might give rise to arrest rights.

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

Failure to protect our borders; failure to send illegal immigrants home.

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

Illegal immigrants have no legal right to social services in this country. Any time an illegal immigrant applies for social services, that person is violating our nation’s sovereignty and law. If we sent such violators home, other illegal immigrants would quickly get the appropriate message.

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

Eliminate the income tax amendment.

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

Yes.

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

I see no basis for U.S. prosecution of Julian Assange.

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

These sorts of global “environmental” plans are highly detrimental to the cause of liberty and national sovereignty. I do not support them.

Rick Williams, Candidate for United States Senate From California
Your Name: Rick Williams
Office you seek: (Please do not write “Congress” — be specific:) United States Senate
U.S. Senate | U.S. House of Representatives | State Senate | State House of Representatives | Other:
State: California
District: (statewide)
PRIMARY DATE: June 5, 2012
Email Address: rickwilliamsforsenate@aol.com
Website: RickWilliamsForSenate.com