Former New Mexico Governor supports fair tax
Managing Executive Editor
Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson visited the KSC campus to speak about his stances on defining issues in his political campaign. He met a small group of people, both students and faculty, in the Madison Street Lounge on Tuesday, where he began talking about his entrepreneurial experience in New Mexico.
“I think this separates me from the other candidates,” he explained. Johnson said he started a one-man handyman business in college, and a year later his company boasted a thousand employees. In 1999, he sold the business and it continues to flourish, according to Johnson.
“I’ve only ran for two political offices in my life,” he said. “One was for the governor of New Mexico, and a second for re-election.” Johnson said he thinks he has distinguished himself from other candidates because he vetoed 750 bills as governor of New Mexico.
[singlepic id=409 w=320 h=240 float=right]
“We don’t need more laws, we just need to enforce the ones we have,” he said.
Johnson began talking about some of the platforms he is supporting. “I’m known nationally for supporting the legalization of marijuana,” he said. “I think we should treat it like alcohol, and we should control it and tax it.”
The biggest aspect of his political campaign Johnson wanted to get across was his support of a fair tax, which would replace the federal income tax system. Fair tax, Johnson explained, is revenue neutral. “This is something we can do now, and it’s the reboot the American economy needs,” Johnson said. Also, Johnson said the fair tax would ensure no one avoids taxes, explaining some corporations manage to evade paying them. “The more money you make, the more fair tax you pay,” Johnson said.
On the issue of immigration, Johnson said building a fence or putting the National Guard near the border doesn’t solve any problems. Johnson suggested giving all illegal immigrants a grace period in which to get documented. “They should get a worker visa, and they would need a social security card. They would have to pay fair tax too,” he said. “This is a country based on immigration. We seem to forget we’re all immigrants.” Johnson emphasized the fact that the workers coming from Mexico are “the cream of the crop,” he said.
According to Johnson, the legalization of marijuana would stop 75 percent of the violence on the border, citing the alarmingly high statistic (around 35,000 to 45,000) of people who have died as a result of drug cartel violence in Mexico. Johnson said he believes if marijuana is legalized, some of these problems on the border would disappear.
Johnson also made some assurances as far as improving the economy. “If I were elected president, I’m promising to submit a balanced budget to Congress in 2013. I can’t imagine they’ll allow it,” he said. “But I’ll veto it, and they’ll have to override it.” What the economy is facing now, according to Johnson, is a “monetary collapse,” when the money a country has saved becomes worthless.
Speaking about the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, Johnson spoke about his opinions on each. “I was against Iraq from the very start. We have enough surveillance in other countries to know if they were actually rolling out weapons of mass destruction,” he said. His opinion about Afghanistan, however, was different, as he stated that the country deserved to be attacked because Al-Qaida attacked the U.S. Johnson also explained how we were dragged into Libya “just like we dragged France and Britain into Iraq,” he said. “I don’t think we should be involved in Libya.”
Johnson also said he distinguishes himself from other Republican candidates running for president. “I’m not a social conservative, and I think most of the other candidates are social conservatives,” he said. “I think Americans are overwhelmingly not socially conservative.” Johnson said there was no question that global warming is actually happening, and he supports gay marriage.
Additionally, Johnson spoke of his exclusion from the NH debate by CNN because he had one percent in the poll. Three weeks ago, however, he moved up to two percent in the polls. “That would’ve put me on the stage, beating two other candidates and tying another,” he said. To combat this setback, Johnson said he is actively trying to speak with the people of NH because historically, they have been very receptively to speaking and interacting with political candidates.
When asked what message Johnson would like to send to KSC students, Johnson said he hopes students think he’s an honest guy. “I also doggedly pursue the goals I set out for myself,” he said.
Micki Herrington, a worker at the library, enjoyed the opportunity to meet with the governor and presidential candidate. “As a Republican, it’s refreshing to see a candidate who isn’t socially conservative,” she said. “I think it’s important to research every candidate to see what you would want in office.”
Program Coordinator of Academic Affairs, Kim Schmidl-Gagne, works with the American Democracy program on campus, and she said she is working to get as many presidential candidates to the campus as possible. “We’re also working with student organizations to make this happen,” she said. Johnson was the first one of the year she said, and another, Buddy Romer will be coming to the campus next Thursday.
“It’s not about Democratic or Republican candidates,” she said, “It’s about getting engaged with the government.” Schmidl-Gagne said having candidates come to campus is a very unique opportunity. “Real change happens all around us.”
In addition, she said she was impressed with the informed questions both students and faculty were asking Johnson at the meet and greet. “Everyone was very informed, which is a great thing,” she said.
Schmidl-Gagne expressed the importance of students being able to connect with presidential candidates because it is an active way to be involved in the process of democracy and government. “You can make changes in public policy,” she said.
Whitney Cyr can be contacted wcyr@keene-equinox.com.
seo in kent
I went over this website and I conceive you have a lot of fantastic information, saved to favorites (:.
best slow cookers
I like what you guys are up to. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on with the excellent works guys. I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site. 🙂
watch easy a online for free
Excellent site. Lots of useful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your sweat!
watch i am number four online
Whats up very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also…I’m happy to find so many helpful info here within the post, we’d like work out extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing.
watch inception online
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It’s very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
watch hall pass online
I visited a lot of website but I believe this one has got something extra in it. “Of those who say nothing, few are silent.” by Thomas Neill.
Lila Javor
Between me and my husband we’ve owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.
Real Estate Lewes Delaware
I simply want to mention I am newbie to weblog and absolutely enjoyed you’re web page. Almost certainly I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You amazingly have fantastic articles. Bless you for sharing your blog.
Bognuda80@hotmail.com
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being stolen? I’d really appreciate it.
escort bulletin
Once I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any means you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!
porn tube
You may have not intended to do so, but I believe you have managed to express the state of mind that a lot of individuals are in. The sense of wanting to aid, but not knowing how or wherever, is some thing a lot of us are going through.
hooker pointofview
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
sex article directory
That is a intelligent blog page. I suggest it. You’ve got so much knowledge about this concern, and a lot passion. You also know how to create people rally behind it, of course from the responses. Youve got a design here thats not also flashy, but helps make a statement as big as what youre saying. Great job, certainly.
sex blog network
I admire the useful information you provide inside your articles. I will bookmark your blog and also have my young children verify up right here often. I’m really positive they’ll find out lots of new stuff right here than anyone else!
sex web profile
Hey, just looking around some blogs, seems a pretty good platform you are using. I’m currently using WordPress for a few of my sites but looking to change one particular of them over to a platform similar to yours as a trial run. Anything in particular you would recommend about it?
sex web article
I admire the valuable data you supply inside your articles. I will bookmark your blog page and also have my young children verify up here often. I’m really positive they’ll understand plenty of new stuff right here than anyone else!
ex-girlfriend ass
I found your blog on yahoo and can bookmark it now. carry on the great work.
Proper Shoes
It sounds like you happen to be making problems yourself by trying to solve this issue rather of looking at why their can be a difficulty in the first place
king web 20
Maintain ’em coming… you all do this kind of a fantastic job at such Concepts… can not tell you how significantly I, for one particular appreciate all you do!
king web article
Significantly, this post is really the sweetest on this notable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and can thirstily search ahead to your incoming updates. Saying thanks won’t just be enough, for that phenomenal clarity within your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Admirable function and considerably good results inside your enterprise dealings! Please excuse my poor English as it is not my very first tongue.
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالدمام
This post deserves all the praise in the world.