Questionnaire from the Alibi -- Mike Blessing Responds

Name:		Mike Blessing
Party:		Libertarian Party / Boston Tea Party
District:		16
Website:		http://mike4nmh16-2010.blogspot.com/

1. What qualifies you for this position?
   
   I am a sapient (self-aware) resident, registered voter and taxpayer of the District.
   
   What qualifies me over my opponent? What qualifies him over me? What qualifies either of us over any other resident of the District?
   
   Beware the person who tells you that they have all the answers to all of your problems, if only you surrender a bit of your liberty to them. To paraphrase what Lord Acton said, "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. All great men are bad men." And no, I don't see myself as being immune to this tendency.
   
   
2. What should be done to address ethics reform and transparency?
   
   Open up all closed-door conference committees in the Legislature.
   
   Require that all State spending over $1000.00 be posted to a publicly-viewable website within twenty-four hours. Considering that you can be tracked in real time when you use your credit card to pay for gas, fast food, etc., this is a very doable idea.
   
   Allow private citizens to make audio and video recordings of all Legislative and regulatory-agency proceedings.
   
   
3. How can we balance the state's budget?
   
   We can start by using a zero-services baseline, and put all of the State budget onto the table for discussion.
   
   As for cutting specific budget items, we can start with the Rail Runner and the Film Office.
   
   Refrain from expanding existing programs without cause, or from creating new programs or agencies that do the jobs of existing agencies or programs. Consolidate duplicative programs and agencies. Require every agency and program to justify its existence and budget on an annual basis.
   
   
4. Should New Mexico allow domestic partnerships for same-sex couples?
   
   Inasmuch as the State requires any form of permission slip for two consenting adults to engage in romantic or sexual relations, the State should NOT discriminate against anyone of the gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender / polyamorous / kinky persuasions, especially when it's often clear that such discrimination is done just because of this factor.
   
   Still, it should be remembered that marriage-licensing laws started out under "Jim Crow" in the post-Reconstruction South as a way to enforce segregation, by outlawing interracial marriages between whites and blacks.
   
   
5. Do you favor rehabilitation instead of jail time for nonviolent drug offenders?
   
   The current "rehabilitation" programs offered by the State as an alternative to jail or prison can often be more intrusive and onerous than incarceration.
   
   Instead, let's try repealing the stupidity, insanity and evil known as Drug Prohibition. Consider that all it really does is corrupt law enforcement. Until I hear otherwise, I will assume that anyone who supports Drug Prohibition also supports the 10,000 drug-related murders per year in America caused by Drug Prohibition. Drugs being illegal won't stop people from wanting them, and someone else will find ways to make money providing them.
   
   
6. What do you think of the state's film initiatives?
   
   The Film Office is just as much a corporate welfare handout program as was Isotopes Stadium when it was built, as is the Balloon Fiesta Park. Eliminate them from the public budgets, and then cut the gross receipts tax, cut the personal income tax, so that poor people can save some more money to support their kids. Let the Hollywood studios, all owned by multimillionaires, pay their own way. How many of the jobs created by the production companies still exist after the movie is completed?
   
   
7. How can we improve public education?
   
   APS is one of the State's biggest spenders and employers, yet apparently the following was written by someone in the eighth grade:
   
   ABOUT THE "All Work, No Play" article, I disagree with the run artical on how if the students do poorly on the standard based test then they cant have an elective. I feel bad that you feeled on the test.
   
   See http://tinyurl.com/2a7fmuf for more.
   
   And we should give APS MORE money?! When I was that age, I would have been ashamed to write that. Is APS even fixable?
   
   I'm more focused on charter schools, private schools, and homeschoolers.
   
   
8. Should New Mexico change its laws surrounding immigration?
   
   All of this hysteria about Mexicans coming north like Genghis Khan's Golden Horde is just that – hysteria. Joe Miller, the Alaska GOP's candidate for U.S. Senate, unwittingly reinforced my point when he said that East Germany was "effective" about enforcing its border around West Berlin – http://tinyurl.com/25mf2ml – nice guy, isn't he?
   
   Seriously, what kind of society do we want to end up with – one with fences, walls, scanners, regulations and subgun-toting guards all over the place, or one where people can interact with each other on a basis of voluntary consent?
   
   
9. What kind of infrastructure improvements does your district require?
   
   The usual kinds that just about every other district needs – the roads are the most visible ones. Driving around some parts of Albuquerque can be like four-wheeling, considering the potholes, cracks, bumps, etc. that I often see around town. This is what we spend millions on road bonds for every two years?! There has to be a better way to build roads.
   
   One thing that needs doing around here is speed-bump removal – people still routinely go over them at 40 MPH, and I wouldn't want to be a patient in an ambulence going over them.
   
   
10. What issues do your constituents care about most?
    
    I haven't had the cash to do any surveys or polling, but I'm guessing that they would want their individual rights to life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness to be respected by State government. I suspect that they want to provide for themselves and their families in a productive manner by interacting with others on a basis of mutual consent. State (and local, and federal) government should do what it can to defend that liberty, while not infringing that same liberty. Other than protecting those freedoms, government should leave people to their own devices.

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NOTES

1. Original article – alibi.com page
   
   
2. Reposted –
   
   
   1. Personal blogs – Wordpress / Xanga
   2. KCUF Media – New Mexico's Consumer Advocate / The Weekly Sedition
   3. New Mexico Liberty / The BTPNM Blog / The LPNM Blog

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Questionnaire from the Alibi -- Mark Curtis Responds

Name:		Mark Curtis
Party:		Libertarian Party
District:		19
Website:		none. not a netizen

1. What qualifies you for this position?
   
   not a professional politician. not the incumbent. have some appreciation of the limits of government.
   
   
2. What should be done to address ethics reform and transparency?
   
   would support strengthening of limits on gifts and favors. mostly, voters need to choose candidates who have higher standards. we can't really legislate ethical behavior.
   
   
3. How can we balance the state's budget?
   
   limit growth in expenditures. reduce employee numbers by 15-20 %. pay state employees no better than private sector. tighter controls on state benefits.
   
   
4. Should New Mexico allow domestic partnerships for same-sex couples?
   
   what over-riding interest does the state have in limiting them? civil law is quite capable of handling questions of joint property and child custody. once an "M" corporation license is issued, the partnered persons are espoused. "marriage" ceremonies can be performed at the discretion of the various institutions.
   
   
5. Do you favor rehabilitation instead of jail time for nonviolent drug offenders?
   
   nonviolent drug offenders: what is the states interest in choice of recreational activities? most of the social problems associated with recreational drug use derive from its illegality. we have public and private programs for problem drinkers and gamblers. why criminal penalties for drug users?
   
   
6. What do you think of the state's film initiatives?
   
   I like to have films produced here and am not, for now, opposed to temporary tax rebates. I would much prefer that we create a more business friendly regulatory and tax structure for all businesses.
   
   
7. How can we improve public education?
   
   the states virtual monopoly on primary and secondary education is at the root of our education problems. initially, a program of "backpack" vouchers that would follow the student to whatever institution their parents choose would provide funding for the most capable instructors to establish their own schools. eventually, most students would attend private schools.
   
   
8. Should New Mexico change its laws surrounding immigration?
   
   I do not approve of issuing state drivers licenses to undocumented aliens. there is an international drivers license for temporary visitors. at the national level, immigration quotas should be increased substantially. movement across the borders for temporary employment purposes should be easy to reduce the incentive to bring family to the relatively high cost of living states.
   
   
9. What kind of infrastructure improvements does your district require?
   
   do you mean "what kind of pork will you bring to your district"? None. the city or county could spend quite a bit on old water and sewer lines and some of the streets and curbs are in need of repair or replacement but, I don't see these as legitimate state issues.
   
   
10. What issues do your constituents care about most?
    
    beyond education, I have no idea. most of our discussions have been about runaway state and federal spending and the growing federal interference in matters rightfully left to the states, like education.

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NOTES

1. alibi.com page
   
   
2. Reposted –
   1. KCUF Media
   2. New Mexico Liberty

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LPNM Going Into "Hibernation" Until Further Notice

Friends of Liberty:

Due to an ongoing legal situation, the Libertarian Party of New Mexico has been forced to suspend all of its current business except for handling that same legal situation, including regular meetings, Central Committee meetings, etc.

Due to this, we have also placed our long-running email discussion list into "hibernation" by means of requiring moderator approval for any and all postings.

How long will this situation last? I honestly don't know.

On a good note, I have received confirmation from the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office, Election Bureau, that Mark Curtis, nominated for State Representative in District 19, has been officially placed on the ballot for the general election coming up this November.

For more information, contact State Chairman Jay Vandersloot at 505-362-1733.

________________________________________________________________________

Mike Blessing / Phone – 505-515-7015 / Yahoo IM – mikewb1971 / PGP Public Key

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NOTES

1. Reposted –
   
   1. New Mexico Liberty /
      Mike Blessing for State Representative /
      The LPNM Blog
   2. Facebook Groups – New Mexico Libertarians
   3. Myspace Groups – /
   4. Yahoo! Groups – Personal email archive / Albuquerque Campaign for Liberty / FYI-NM-Politics

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LP Monday Message: High Unemployment on Labor Day

September 6, 2010

Dear Friend of Liberty,

It's hard to celebrate Labor Day when unemployment is 9.6 percent.

Government interference is the single biggest cause of unemployment. Minimum wage laws, OSHA, ADA, etc., etc., make it difficult both to hire and to fire workers. (And when it's difficult to fire workers, it's much less likely that they will be hired in the first place.) To reduce unemployment, we need to start repealing laws!

Section 2.7 of the Libertarian Party platform states: "We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment. We oppose government-fostered forced retirement. We support the right of free persons to associate or not associate in labor unions, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to recognize a union. We oppose government interference in bargaining, such as compulsory arbitration or imposing an obligation to bargain."

I read today that President Obama wants another $50 billion in Keynesian stimulus spending. Stimulus supporters think that government spending creates jobs. What they don't seem to understand is that the money is taken out of the private sector, which decreases private sector spending and investment, and that destroys jobs. I believe that stimulus spending destroys more jobs than it creates. We'd be much better off with the laissez-faire policies advocated by Austrian economic theory.

It makes me mad to think of all the ways the Republican and Democratic congresses, and presidents Bush and Obama, have hurt the private sector with all their stimulus and bailout programs. (Remember George W. Bush's 2008 "Economic Stimulus Act" with all the $600 "rebate" checks?)

If you'd like to help fight them, please participate in Quiz Across America.

Sincerely,

Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party dedicated to free markets and civil liberties. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can make a contribution separate from membership.

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NOTES

1. Reposted —
   
   1. KCUF Media
   2. New Mexico Liberty / Mike Blessing for State Representative
   3. Yahoo! Groups — [LPNM-discuss] / Personal email archive

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How to handle Ronald Reagan? [LP Monday Message]

August 23, 2010

Dear Friend of Liberty,

As the 2010 election approaches, a lot of Republican politicians are trying to posture as government-cutters, and they often hold up Ronald Reagan as an example.

But although Reagan often talked about supporting smaller government, most Libertarians know that in practice he did exactly the opposite. For example:

• Reagan boosted import tariffs and trade restrictions.
• Reagan cut marginal income tax rates, but he also raised Social Security taxes.
• Reagan increased farm subsidies.
• Reagan sent the federal debt through the roof.
• Federal spending under Reagan grew from $678 billion to $1.14 trillion.
• Reagan set the record for the highest average spending as a percent of GDP over his administration. (Obama may beat him.)

Many people are complaining right now about unemployment under Barack Obama. In the first 18 months of Obama's presidency, unemployment has increased from 7.7 percent to 9.5 percent.

Did you know that during the first 18 months of Reagan's presidency, unemployment increased from 7.5 percent to 9.8 percent? That's even worse, but I don't hear a lot of Republicans mentioning it.

Many Republican politicians, operatives and talk show hosts like to talk positively about Reagan and try to portray him as delivering smaller government. They don't say that about George W. Bush. I presume that's to try and convince voters that Bush was bad in some ways, and we should all try to be more like Reagan.

Some polls show Reagan is reasonably well-respected these days. I think the positive reactions are often based on misconceptions, and that brings up an interesting point: how should Libertarians deal with the Ronald Reagan myth?

To address that question, we put up a new poll today. Please share your opinion.

Sincerely,

Wes Benedict
Executive Director
Libertarian National Committee

P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party dedicated to free markets and civil liberties. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can make a contribution separate from membership.

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NOTES

1. Original article
2. Reposted —
   
   1. KCUF Media — Blogspot / Xanga
   2. New Mexico Liberty / Mike Blessing for State Representative / The LPNM Blog

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Comic-Con vs. Fred Phelps

Current mood: amused, annoyed cranky

I found this on Facebook —

Nerds vs. the Westboro Baptist Church, Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church

Doesn't Fred Phelps have anything better to do with his time than this inanity? Really.

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NOTES

1. Reposted —
   
   1. New Mexico Liberty / Mike Blessing for State Representative

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The Weekly Sedition Returns to ABQ Ch.27

Starting Thursday, July 1st, at 8PM, The Weekly Sedition returns to Albuquerque Comcast Channel 27.

Your cordial host will be myself, Mike Blessing, with Bill Koehler behind the camera running the technical side of things.

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NOTES

1. Reposted —
   
   1. KCUF Media — Blogspot / Myspace / Xanga
   2. New Mexico Liberty / Mike Blessing for State Representative

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The 100-Word Challenge

Current mood: amused

New Mexico Turn Around posts a challenge for the rest of us —

CHALLENGE: In 100 words suggest a solution for the economic mess toward which we head.

Oh, really?

Here's my response — let's see if I actually need the full 100 words . . .

1. Cut spending across the board — no special handouts for anyone.
2. Cut taxes across the board — no special breaks for anyone.
3. Repeal regulations across the board — no special breaks for anyone.
4. Repeal bad, wasteful laws across the board — no special breaks for anyone.
5. Bring the troops home from Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere else.
6. Return to a sound money system (gold? silver?) for government transactions.
7. Repeal legal tender laws.
8. Repeal any law repugnant to the written U.S. Constitution or Bill of Rights.

I count 80 words.

And I dared to use That Word Which Shall Not Be Uttered In Contemporary Politics — "repeal" — not just once, but four times! Shame on me!

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NOTES

1. Reposted — Mike Blessing for State Representative / New Mexico Liberty

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The 2010 Candidates

The Libertarian Party of New Mexico's candidates for the 2010 general election are as follows:

State Representative, District 11 — Eric Pino

State Representative, District 16 — Mike Blessing

State Representative, District 19 — Mark Curtis

State Representative, District 22 — Elisheva Levin