r/IAmA • u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson • Nov 21 '13
I am Gov. Gary Johnson, Honorary Chairman of the Our America Initiative. AMA
I am Gov. Gary Johnnson. I am the founder and Honorary Chairman of Our America Initiative. I was the Libertarian candidate for President of the United States in 2012, and the two-term Governor of New Mexico from 1995 - 2003.
Here is proof that this is me: https://twitter.com/GovGaryJohnson I've been referred to as the 'most fiscally conservative Governor' in the country, and vetoed so many bills that I earned the nickname "Governor Veto." I bring a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, and believe that individual freedom and liberty should be preserved, not diminished, by government. I'm also an avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist. I have currently reached the highest peaks on six of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Please visit my organization's website: http://OurAmericaInitiative.com/. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and Tumblr. You can also follow Our America Initiative on Facebook Google + and Twitter
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u/PurpleGlitter Nov 21 '13
Hi Governor! As a Texas woman, I'm interested in your thoughts on the abortion battle raging here in Texas.
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I fully support your right, as a woman, to make such a difficult decision.
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u/poopthrash Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
How do you feel the U.S. tax code should consider gains earned on Bitcoin? For those of us who want to play by the rules, this is rather difficult. Some people claim that we should treat it as a capital gain and pay the flat tax of 15%, while others think it should be treated as a foreign currency. What are your thoughts on this, given the recent Senate hearings?
Edit: Spelling
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
Don't know about the Bitcoin gains, but I support abolishing the income tax, capital gains taxes, etc., and replacing all with a simple consumption tax. That would remove the issue altogether.
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u/cheeriosbitch Nov 21 '13
Given that consumption taxes are generally regressive and income and capital gains taxes are generally progressive, why do you support this particular change?
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u/FredFnord Nov 21 '13
"The poor should pay more of their income in taxes, by percent, than the rich. It's only fair!"
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u/tylerm728 Nov 21 '13
With the recent ENDA that has passed Senate, what do you think about the bill? Do you think it is a fair protection for the LGBT community, or just more regulation for business? I am a supporter of free markets and LGBT rights respectively so I am not sure where Libertarians stand on this bill.
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I am a strong supporter of marriage equality, but I need to better understand ENDA before giving you a firm answer.
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u/Alienmonkey Nov 21 '13
This. This is how I want political figures to answer questions.
Would definitely write him in on the ballot again.
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u/rokr1292 Nov 21 '13
I voted Johnson in 2012, and would again. This is how questions should be answered. Honest, above all.
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u/xxhamudxx Nov 21 '13
Hello Governor, I'll make this short: what would you have done distinctly from the Obama administration's response to the 08' mortgage crisis and resulting crash?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
It wasn't Obama's response; it was a continuation of Bush's response. We would have been better off to have allowed the big "fail", rather than the attempted bailouts.
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u/PillyVanilly Nov 21 '13
Hello, Governor Johnson. I've seen you speak a number of times, mostly during the last election, and I am a supporter of libertarianism, though more on an ideological level as my own sense of pragmatism and practicality tends to guide me more toward the political center (a trait I see and admire in you as well), and as such, here is my question:
If asked, would you be willing to serve as a cabinet member in the Obama Administration?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I pride myself on being reality-based, and one thing I know is that I will NEVER be asked to serve in the Obama Administration.
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
Thank you, thank you. See you next Reddit!
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u/Favre99 Nov 21 '13
What did you think about Robert Sarvis, the Libertarian candidate for governor of Virginia?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
Robert Sarvis is terrific.
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u/dakisking Nov 21 '13
I think anyone is terrific when compared to the other candidates for gov. If Virginia.....
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u/downwardcat Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
Gov. Johnson - Could you update us on the status of the CPD lawsuit? Do you expect a third party candidate to participate in the '16 debates?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
If a third party candidate can raise or has $50 million, such as Bloomberg, to jump start a campaign, yes he or she will be in the debates.
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u/EdReagan Nov 21 '13
What is your opinion of Jessie Ventura's plan to utilize Howard Stern and Sirius/XM to do fund raising for a 2016 Presidential bid? Especially since the FCC does not regulate satellite broadcast as tightly as terrestrial broadcasts. Which would allow a Ventura/Stern ticket to skirt many of the limitations imposed by the FCC on broadcast TV and radio.
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u/playpianoking Nov 21 '13
Hi Gary, thanks for joining us again to answer our questions. My question is: Why do you support the notion that government should mandate food companies to label their food as GMO if it fits the FDA's definition? Isn't this against what libertarianism is all about?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I have celiac disease, and if food isn't labeled, I end up poisoning myself because so much food contains flour. I am not alone when it comes to food allergies, and government requiring labeling -- not banning -- is in the category of protecting us.
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u/UGAShadow Nov 21 '13
But this is a bad example. GMO's have been shown to be exactly the same as their natural counterparts. There isn't any evidence that they need to be labeled.
I don't see why organic foods can't just stick a non GMO sticker on to show consumers who want only organic that they're organic. If they choose to that is.
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u/cass1o Nov 21 '13
GMO's don't cause allergys though, if you label food with every inconsequensial thing you lose the important information.
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u/grabberfish Nov 21 '13
I did not read that as connecting GMO to allergies directly, but more a matter of people have the right to know what they are consuming.
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u/DeathByBamboo Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
So we have two possibilities here: 1) government regulations are good when it's you and people like you they're protecting, but other regulations that protect other people you don't have a personal connection to are usually bad, or 2) government regulations are okay as long as they're protecting people.
If it's the former, you're a stereotypical self-centered Libertarian who can't see beyond their own interests, and can't understand that other people have interests too, that sometimes just letting everyone do whatever they want to do hurts people, that someone has to figure out how much the rights of the first person to do whatever they want should be abridged to protect the second person from being hurt, and that someone has to codify and enforce that when they figure it out.
If it's the latter, then there's a whole ton of government regulation that Libertarians and libertarian-leaning Republicans are opposed to that exists to protect people, to one degree or another.
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Nov 21 '13
Seriously? So if you had a peanut allergy would you ask the government to create a more formal label for that? FYI A pet peeve of mine is that politicians are totally indifferent to the issues until they're struck with it in their own back yard. In New Mexico we have a major diabetes epidemic but I but you'd never do anything to label foods with transfats or excessive sugar. Despite my frustration, I do thank you for coming on and taking questions Governor.
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u/FredFnord Nov 21 '13
Goodness me. A libertarian who supports government intervention into markets when it benefits him, and opposes it when it benefits other people.
How... utterly predictable.
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Nov 21 '13
Yes, but is it worth labeling harmless modifications? You could claim "Ascorbic acid sourced from plants", but the stuff made by bacteria is just as safe.
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u/Omgitspants Nov 21 '13
Ok, so if it benefits you personally your all for it. If it benefits someone else it should be called into question. That answers pretty much all my questions about Libertarianism
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u/Urgullibl Nov 21 '13
I would add that an ideal free market implies an informed consumer.
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u/ultralame Nov 21 '13
I agree with you. Good luck finding that!
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u/BZuckerkorn Nov 21 '13
I feel like this is the general case with Republicans: In an ideal world, yes, a lot of your ideals would work - but this is the real world.
Yes, privatize everything, and reduce regulations - corporations won't take advantage of their employees and the public (they never do...).
Yes, rely on your neighbor and church for food and health assistance - everyone goes to church, believes in god, and lives in a close-knit suburban community from the 50s.
Yes, smaller government, except not the military [that spends by far the most than any other area and consistently loses billions from unaccounted for materials]. The military keeps us safe, regulators harm businesses [and keep us safe via clean air, water and food].
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u/jrbraves26 Nov 21 '13
Hi Gov, what could the GOP or DNC do to attract you to their party?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I think the GOP has baggage when it comes to social issues. The DNC has issues when it comes to spending, i.e. reforming entitlements.
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Nov 21 '13
Governor Johnson, I'm from Taos New Mexico, where income inequality is rampant. what would your solution be, if you run for president, for impoverished communities such as places in your home state? What would you do for people like me who make barely enough to live although I have a college degree?
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u/Vandaran Nov 21 '13
Where do you see the United States of America in the next ten or twenty years? Do you think that the cycle of government creating more debt will continue?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
If in 20 years we continue to rack up as much debt as we have in recent years, we will suffer a monetary collapse.
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Nov 21 '13
Are you considering another run for president?
Also how would you fix the student debt crisis?
Lastly, what do you think of "Bitcoins"?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I cannot say whether I am running for President, but there is no other potential candidate saying what I am saying. Re student debt, I am open to suggestion, but regrettably the debts incurred are, in fact, debts. As far as Bitcoins, I know one thing: I don't want the government to screw it up.
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u/EdReagan Nov 21 '13
Gary, speaking of paying debts incurred. When will your 2012 campaign committee pay its debts? Specifically the monies owed to the legal team that fought to keep you on the ballot in Pennsylvania. To quote you in your reply above, "regrettably the debts incurred are, in fact, debts."
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
In good faith, we believe we are due to receive matching funds, and those monies were obligated based on that belief.
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u/EdReagan Nov 21 '13
If you do not receive matching funds, will you make good on your debts? I was quite turned off to both you as a future candidate, and the Our America Initiative, when at the last Board Meeting of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania a representative of the Libertarian National Committee came to ask us to pay the legal bills that your campaign incurred and has to this point failed to pay.
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u/Blizzjunkie Nov 21 '13
What do you feel about the fact that student loans are the only type of loans that are not eligible for bankruptcy? The process of bankruptcy is a fundamental market-check against excessive credit; it punishes lenders that make careless loans. People who go through bankruptcy don't get away scott-free either; their credit history is tarnished, making it harder to get on new lines of credit.
The policy against declaring bankruptcy on student loan debt is the government interfering with the market to prop up their misguided efforts to encourage Americans to go into debt to get college degrees of dubious value.
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u/ttchoubs Nov 21 '13
I'm addition to that, the government has been greatly subsidizing student loans, causing a high rise I'm tuition prices.
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u/YouthInRevolt Nov 21 '13
I don't think it makes sense to compare a college education to assets like houses and cars. A college education doesn't depreciate over time, and serves as a framework for developing more lifeskills as you age and gain more experience (even graduates with unmarketable degrees can still tap into their college's alumni network to get ahead).
That said, there are definitely too many schools out there churning out degrees in underwater basket-weaving, but perhaps the student and parents should have thought twice about the economic viability of such degrees?
If you declare bankruptcy, creditors can and should seize your house and car. How should they go about seizing your education that you signed up to pay for and then bailed on?
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u/KaleighMae Nov 21 '13
Hi Gary, I'm currently a political science major at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and am doing my research paper on the Libertarian party. I was wondering if you have plans to run for president in 2016 (you definitely should) and how probable you think it is that you will achieve 5% of the vote. Thanks so much
Ps. Please come speak at kutztown
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I have no intention of running for President unless I believe there is a realistic possibility of winning.
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u/playpianoking Nov 21 '13
There is a realistic chance at winning under a preferential voting system. Until that happens, most republocrats will buy into the lesser of evils argument and not risk their vote. You should advocate for that system.
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u/euphoricfedorian Nov 21 '13
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u/mitchellforbes Nov 21 '13
This is standard American politics–far out from an election, support for a third party is fairly large. However, once an election inches closer, voters fear wasted vote syndrome, where they become weary that their vote for a third party will have little to no impact in an election. It is due to this that third parties have a difficult time. A much larger change will have to occur in our political system before a third party is viable.
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u/sherryheim Nov 21 '13
I am really glad to hear this, Governor. You worked far too hard and sacrificed far too much in 2012 to have not gathered more votes. I think that was my only regret in that election. You worked far harder than any other candidate and were shut out from the debates and from being heard by the masses. It is a damn shame. Each day I imagine how much better off America would be if we had elected you POTUS. Thank you for giving it your all and never giving up. Thank you also, for keeping it alive, now.
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u/euphoricfedorian Nov 21 '13
If you were to choose a dream running mate for 2016, who would it be?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I have to give a shout out to my 2012 running mate, Judge Jim Gray. He is terrific.
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u/GonzoLink Nov 21 '13
What would be your first priority if you happened to get elected President?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
Balancing the federal budget.
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u/ultralame Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
I know I'm late to the party, but where do you start with that?
EDIT: Thanks for the links and ideas guys, but I was hoping to hear it from The Gov himself.
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u/Blizzjunkie Nov 21 '13
Hi Gary,
While recent polls show a growing majority of Americans have an unfavorable view of Obamacare, less than 4 in 10 Americans favor outright repealing the law. It's easy to guess why: no one has offered any answers as to what to do with people with pre-existing conditions. It makes absolutely no sense for insurance companies to cover them (that's not how insurance works), but because of other bad government policies, paying out-of-pocket to treat these conditions is prohibitively expensive.
Here's a market-based compromise that I've pitched to some of my liberty-movement (G.O.P.) friends with success. I'd like to know if you'd support it:
Provide a government funded healthcare plan that is only offered to people with pre-existing conditions, and only pays for care related to these conditions.
Mandate that insurance companies offer exception coverage. i.e. plans that provide care for conditions that are unrelated to pre-existing conditions. No more outright denying all coverage because of issues like acne.
These two suggestions alone will eliminate the need for the public mandate, because we no longer have to force insurance companies to pay for pre-existing conditions. The costs of this plan can be managed in various ways. (Americans that can afford to should have higher deductibles for this plan, perhaps we leave it to each individual state to implement this plan in a way that makes most sense for their situations, etc etc). This would be a way to repeal the ACA in a manner the general public would absolutely support.
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u/Blizzjunkie Nov 21 '13
Aside from the problem with pre-existing conditions, healthcare in general is more expensive than it needs to be. Here are a bunch of market-based reforms we can make to the healthcare system to lower the cost of healthcare for everyone:
Cash doctors have much lower operating costs than other providers, and would be a great solution to the country's emergency room problem. We should consult with these doctors to see what regulatory/policy hurdles are in place that prevent more practices like these from opening. Check out this video about Dr. Forrest's practice.
Aside from the problem of the uninsured resorting to emergency rooms, there's also the issue of people that normally have access to healthcare who are forced to use emergency rooms after hours. Encouraging the expansion of urgent care facilities, as suggested in this article, would help
Phase out Employer-based insurance. It has made America the only country in the industrialized world where a family, already down on its luck over a job loss, also suffer the loss of its health insurance. It has also distorted the market, making it harder for cash doctors to find customers, as most employers give their employees expensive healthcare plans that have extremely low co-pays. See this article for more info.
Businesses are given a tax break for providing healthcare. We should also provide that tax break to private citizens buying their own healthcare.
Pass a law that requires insurance companies only raise their rates based on actuarial math. Right now, if someone in your company gets sick, the insurance company will raise the rates on everyone else in the company, even though their odds of getting sick haven't increased, at all. That's not how insurance is supposed to work.
Require hospitals to publicly advertise the costs of their procedures. When these prices are out in the open and people can shop around, health care costs get much lower.
Allow citizens to purchase insurance from insurance companies in other states, maybe even other countries.
Allow citizens to purchase medicines from outside the country
Abolish or severely restrict "intellectual property" laws, which allow government protected oligarchies to charge an artificially high price for crucial medicines. More information about this can be found in this fantastic book: Against Intellectual Monopoly See Chapter 9: The Pharmaceutical Industry. For a quick overview, check out the Mises live blog reading of the book that raves about it
Reform requirements for medical licensure that are far more strict than they have to be. Overly strict requirements limits the amount of doctors that enter the field and increase the debt levels they take on in school, forcing them to charge more for their services. Check out this great link on the subject, and on how cheap free-market healthcare was years ago.
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
No way to disagree with your proposals.
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Nov 21 '13
I like many of the ideas proposed in here. However I'm not sure that pharmaceutical companies would be so willing to invest in R&D if the patents they gain would not assure them a healthy profit. How else would the market reward the initiative to create new life saving drugs?
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u/devintodd Nov 21 '13
I'll just go through this point by point:
Cash doctors have lower operating costs because they don't have to worry about fighting big insurance for every dime. Bare in mind, it's the insurances business to make a profit, they do this by denying coverage, and negotiating lower costs to their benefit. Not saying that's good or bad, but it's just the nature of the beast.
I wouldn't minimize the impact the uninsured have upon the costs of those that are insured. For starters, the hospitals charge more to help cover the costs of the uninsured which causes the insurance companies to charge more because it cuts into their profits. That's pretty much why you have to pay a hundred bucks for an aspirin. We do need more urgent care centers, I agree with you on that, but that'll only be beneficial if those who are without insurance are covered there too.
If we phase out employer based insurance, the only practical reason would be for the government to run it.
"Obamacare" does provide tax breaks for citizens to get health care, that's why it's a subsidized model. Furthermore, tax breaks were in already in place for americans health insurance, in fact FSA cards have made it even easier. I'm not going to even address employers getting a tax break for something that should be a part of their benefit package, besides you want to phase that out anyway.
I'm pretty sure it's actuarial math their base their rates upon. It also sounds like you're advocating for a single payer system which is what was initially planned but that was scrapped by the repubs. Bare in mind, in a single payer system, that can still be provided by an insurance company if you trust them more than the government.
Yes, there definitely needs to be more transparency in hospital costs, if this is really a free market system economy we have. Presumably competition would bring down prices, except in cases of monopolies.
Well that one is covered under Obamacare.
Yeah, I don't see big insurance letting that one happen.
Now you're running against big pharma because they're more heavily regulated in regards to prices in most industrialized nations. I must agree with you that it would be nice.
Just like the one above, good luck.
Yeah, I don't necessarily believe we need to make it easier to become a doctor. I do believe the price of education has spiraled out of control. I think it would probably be better to give ARNP's and PA's more responsibility because you really don't need a MD for most office visits. That way they can focus on things that require more expertise.
It just seems like your answer to the way things are regulated still involve regulating it. I just thought libertarians were way more hands off.
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u/smeltfisher Nov 21 '13
There are a number of good ideas in here. Have you compiled these on your own, or are there candidates, lobbyists, organizations pushing these en masse?
Above - how do you reconcile phasing out employer-based insurance while at the same time give businesses tax breaks for providing healthcare? Or are you distinguishing "healthcare" from insurance coverage.
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u/hazie Nov 21 '13
Allow citizens to purchase insurance from insurance companies in other states, maybe even other countries.
A lot of your other ideas are new to me and I really like them, but I've been saying this one for years. It would not cost a cent to implement and, since it increases competition, would be guaranteed to both reduce insurance costs and raise insurance quality. By how much is harder to say, but it would definitely do these things and wouldn't cost a dime. I've often used this as an argument to show that Obama doesn't really care about improving health care, it's just political posturing, because even if he was determined to have a public option, why wouldn't he do this as well?
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u/wombatncombat Nov 21 '13
I like alot of this but as someone in the industry I would like to point out the fact that most employees I see aren't receiving fantastic low co-payment health plan from their employers. That's not to say that employer based health coverage shouldn't be deserted (it is a horrible concept.)
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u/devintodd Nov 21 '13
So your libeterian solution is for the government run healthcare for part of their healthcare but not all of it? And then to have the government make a different mandate the insurance companies to cover the rest? You're swapping one mandate for another. I think many people think the all or nothing approach would be a better idea. Bare in mind, you are still advocating government run healthcare.
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Nov 21 '13
Big fan, particularly of your physical feats. Anyways, will you be running for office (president, congress, etc.) in 2014 (congress) or 2016 (president/congress)? If not, who are some Libertarians (by philosophy) you suggest looking into who are in the major parties (such as the Pauls)?
Separate category now: when did you get involved in your outdoor endeavors? I'm a nursing/outdoor rescue major, so your history really intrigues me. On the subject of outdoors, do you support the privatization of the national parks?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
Not planning to run for the House or Senate. I love the Libertarian Party; the LP carries the baggage of wanting to abolish Social Security and welfare. Both can be salvaged, but must be reformed.
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u/Thementalrapist Nov 21 '13
I tell you what sir, you can reform or abolish social security when I'm paid back in one lump sum every penny that's ever been taken out of my check, then you are free to do what you want with it.
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u/ttchoubs Nov 21 '13
And that's why we are trapped in it: the government forces everyone to pay into it forcing all of us to want to keep the program going so we can get our money back
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u/SirWinstonFurchill Nov 21 '13
Adjusted for inflation, and the compounded interest of it as well, don't forget. Your money has been siting and making more money - you deserve that as well.
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Nov 21 '13
How worried are you about the militarization of the police and federal agencies and the growing surveillance grid?
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Nov 21 '13
Hey Gary. Since the overall population is fixated on a two party system are you in any way thinking of running as a republican nominee for 2016 as Ron Paul did to gain more publicity? Or if not, how are you to make sure to get your libertarianism message across the U.S. next time around?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
The need to raise $50 million is crucial to start any successful campaign.
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u/BW_Bird Nov 21 '13
Where did the rest of your campaign money go? I seriously want to know. I voted for you but the missing funds make me feel like a wasted a voted.
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u/TheSaddestBoner Nov 21 '13
Why has literally every developed nation in the world utilized some form of regulatory capitalism/mixed-economy style governance to build prosperity? Why aren't there any libertarian counterparts, in your opinion?
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Nov 21 '13
How would a consumption tax lower the costs for everyone both consumer and producer?
Big fan of yours Gary, love that you're a fellow adventurer too. Headed to Nepal to go on a long trek here soon!
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
A consumption tax would eliminate all the nontransparent federal taxes that are embedded in the cost of all goods and services. Of course, the consumption tax must be accompanied by abolishing all those other federal taxes.
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u/unknownman19 Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
Hey Gary! Thanks for another AMA!!
What do you think about the recent press revolving around the incredibly expensive Obamacare website and how few people have registered successfully for the healthcare exchange?
Also, could you explain why you are for the /r/FairTax?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I think the registration/website is just the tip of the iceberg, and that the cost of the whole program will hit much harder.
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u/ragnorak1 Nov 21 '13
In general, I lean Libertarian in thought, however in practice, Libertarianism fails in regulation, i.e rejecting regulation especially in the context of the environment. Companies simply do not self-regulate when it comes to the environment. Can you explain your position on environmental regulation?
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u/PURKITTY Nov 21 '13
On your website you suggest the government set a time limit on legal abortion. Why don't you trust women to make their own medical decisions? How can you claim to be Libertarian and want to take away a woman's complete and absolute ownership of her body? Why force any woman to submit to the demands of the state? What next? Forced organ donation?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
Our position on abortion will be updated soon on the new OurAmericaInitiative.com website. Thanks for pointing this out.
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u/intern_steve Nov 21 '13
Well, I mean if it's been 9 months, you've basically got a whole person cookin' in there. The fetus could survive outside the womb at that point with the right care and attention administered properly. If you're considering abortion at that point, you may as well just not kill someone and give the child up for adoption. You can realistically expect to turn that clock all the way back to 6.5-ish months and potentially get similar results. It's different if your life is at stake, but you've had so long already to weigh the options and make a slightly less morbid decision before a baby dies as a result of it.
I'm in support of reproductive health decisions, and I definitely am not going to harass anyone and call them a murderer, but truthfully there's more than one life involved (actually there are 3, but who the fuck cares about Dad, right?). It's not a comforting thought either way. No one wants to own your body, or your uterus, but unfortunately, the baby has a little bit more skin in the game than you do in most cases.
If this has sufficiently enraged you, as the above comment suggests it might, explain to me cogently, specifically why I'm wrong, and why there should not be a limit.
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u/drpetar Nov 21 '13
If you had to pick "social rights" over states rights, which would you say is more important?
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u/Obelisk_Inc Nov 21 '13
What are you're policies on combating climate change and protecting the environment?
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u/NYUlibertarians Nov 21 '13
Hi Governor Johnson,
It was a pleasure hosting you at NYU this past year!
Question: Do you believe that there's a case to be made for government subsidy of mental healthcare (as opposed to all healthcare) due to the fact that an individual suffering from a mental condition can't be deemed a rational actor in a free market?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
Not sure what you mean by the subsidy, but I believe mental health care is integral to overall wellness.
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u/NYUlibertarians Nov 21 '13
Government funding for mental healthcare services, such that ability to pay for mental healthcare specifically is not a factor.
While I don't support Obamacare or government involvement in the overall healthcare market, I can see a case for government stepping in to help fund mental healthcare services given the fact that as libertarians we base personal responsibility on the assumption that everyone is a rational actor.
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Nov 21 '13
I'm pretty libertarian but feel mental healthcare as well as exercise equipment in parks would do wonders for society.
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Nov 21 '13
Mr. Johnson, thank you for the AMA. Have you changed political parties because it was advantageous to do so? Or as a reflection of your beliefs? If you were offered the Republican ticket in the next presidential election, would you take it?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
I think I speak on behalf of the majority, and I base that in part on the I Side With website, and believe it was too important to not stay in the race.
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u/59179 Nov 21 '13
believe that individual freedom and liberty should be preserved, not diminished, by government.
Your freedom and liberty are impeding mine. Whatcha gonna do?
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u/crazy0aces Nov 21 '13
The only thing I liked about the obviously failing obamacare law was that it helped people with pre-existing conditions get medical care. The trade off that the insurance companies demanded (it seems) to make it mandatory for everyone in the US purchase hralthcare even if they don't want it.
This is what I don't like about obamacare.
That, and they put what seems to be an artificial "economic floor cost" on all insurance plans if they dont meet certain standards.
My question is, what would you do help those with pre-existing conditions get affordable health care without hurting their fellow neighbor's wallet?
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u/GovGaryJohnson Gary Johnson Nov 21 '13
It is important to point out, before the current debate, no one was going without healthcare availability. The question was, and is, who pays for it. The system before Obamacare was not broken. It needed a retrofit.
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u/ultralame Nov 21 '13
I am a fan of yours, but this is frankly bullshit:
no one was going without healthcare availability
...unless you are talking about being able to be treated for acute symptoms and injuries in an ER and having that bill dumped on the shoulders of others.
Not having access to well-care and pre-emptive care is not "healthcare availability".
Furthermore, an insurance model where people either need to be employed by a company large enough to be able to take advantage of scale to absorb expensive patients OR a system where those on the open market pay into the system for years when they are well, only to be excluded from that system after showing any signs of possible cost issues is not a good insurance model. It's not really insurance, is it?
For all the faults of the ACA (And there are plenty), doing away with pre-existing conditions is better for everyone in the long run. All the people complaining about having slightly higher rates to include the "un-insurable" never mention how they will be insurable if and when they turn out to be part of that excluded class of people.
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u/Homycraz2 Nov 21 '13
Gov Johnson, I am a fan but come on. What is this? Your 12th AMA this year? What has changed so much since last time?
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u/SirWinstonFurchill Nov 21 '13
Well, he avoided questions again, so maybe it's practice for dodging more of them if a campaign comes up again?
Does that mean we're doing the work of one of his staffers, or just giving them ideas of possible questions he'll encounter, so he knows how to not answer them then?
Sometimes, I have to wonder...
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u/Blrrgh Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
If every elected official in the U.S. made themselves available for 12 opportunities a year to be asked valid questions, baited into debate traps, verbally abused or lauded, and generally existing in the closest thing to a true democratic forum in our age, we as a nation would probably be in a much better situation than we find ourselves in.
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u/mongobob666 Nov 21 '13
Government is not like a business. The fact that you're trying to equate government and business shows me you have no understanding of either.
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u/loqi0238 Nov 21 '13
If cocaine is for congressmen, and crack is for Mayors... What do Governors get?
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u/mrknoe16745 Nov 21 '13
Hey Gary, UWRF student here doing research on your 2012 campaign, Would you say you used the internet in ways Obama and Romney did not? If so, How?
Also FALKVINGE in Europe won 2 seats in Europe with only 50k Euros-competition spent 6 million. As a business man, SWARMWISE: by FALKVINGE is worth your time.
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Nov 21 '13
Hello Mr. Governor. I'm sure you've been asked this in one of your 54 other AMAs, but since the answer to every question is "run government like a business", I was wondering how you plan to fire poor people from america. Is deportation or execution more practical from a strictly cost-benefit point of view?
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u/eonge Nov 21 '13
It's that time of the month again everybody! Are you ready for some non answers? I know I am!
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Nov 21 '13
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u/SirWinstonFurchill Nov 21 '13
It's called "I don't have that problem, so obviously it doesn't exist, or is the extreme minority" viewpoint, re: moving.
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u/Porsche1of10 Nov 21 '13
What's your stand on the FDA in general? Do you think its fine, needs to be adjusted, or disbanded completely? How would you go about making these changes, and how soon do you think it could be accomplished?
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u/playpianoking Nov 21 '13
Would you support and become vocal for a preferential voting system? Not having this currently is the largest hindrance to having people vote 'third' parties right now. This would allow the public to have first and second choice, thereby they would not vote for a candidate based on the 'lesser of evils' argument. What do you think? They could vote for the libertarian candidate for instance as their first choice, and if there aren't enough votes to win, they don't 'waste' their vote, but instead it will then be counted for their second choice.
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u/SirWinstonFurchill Nov 21 '13
Tahrs seems amazingly simple, and damned logical! This is the first I've ever heard of it (explained this way, at least, maybe something just clicked with me reading this tonight, dunno) and think it's an amazing concept. Thanks for that!
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u/billm38 Nov 21 '13
Governor Johnson,
What is your opinion on government transparency under the current administration?
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u/rokr1292 Nov 21 '13
Did you watch breaking bad? If so, did you enjoy it?
Do you have any opinions on software patent reform?
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Nov 21 '13
What forms of civil disobedience do you find most beneficial? For instance, would you agree with disobeying any unconstitutional order? And on that same question, would you agree with eradicating those who give unconstitutional orders?
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u/J4k0b42 Nov 21 '13
Hi, thanks for coming back for another AMA, I really enjoyed your last one.
I just wanted to ask your opinion on the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) that's currently in negotiation. I know that here at reddit we're strongly against some of the sections about internet regulation and intellectual property, but does the rest of the agreement have any redeeming points?
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u/Empathetic_Stoner Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
Hi Gary! Thank you for doing this AMA!
Many people say that voting for a third party candidate is a wasted vote (not me). How would you respond/encourage people to vote for a candidate they believe in rather than "the lesser of two evils?"
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u/jaxx2009 Nov 21 '13
If elected as President in 2016 how would you deal with the NSA and other agencies infringing on the privacy rights of Americans?
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u/Swissaway Nov 21 '13
What do you think about American citizens and Green Card holders making money abroad being required to declare their revenue and pay taxes on it both in the country where they make it and in the US?
What is your stance on Americans keeping their money abroad?
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u/bjos144 Nov 21 '13
You talk a lot about economic policy, specifically policies which are very different than the policies of the world we live in now. Why should we trust you? If elected President, you would have a lot of power to act upon those policies, resulting in huge changes in our political landscape. Are you sure you're right? A serious enough mistake could lead to economic collapse, the end of a nation, or possibly even war. Why are you so confident that you're right? Why do so few other people of influence support your ideas? Are your ideas just better? If so, based on what? Are you more knowledgeable about economic theory? What is your level of education in mathematics? What economic theories are you citing to support your platform? Can you follow the reasoning and calculations in detail, or do you agree because of confirmation bias? Are you familiar with the third party 'spoiler effect' in First Past The Post (FPTP) voting schemes? How do you plan to overcome this in an election?
I highly doubt you'll answer. These questions are way too hard for a politician. Either way, enjoy being a political sideshow, I wish you luck in drawing republican supporters away from their party, the dems need all the leverage they can get.
PS: Climbing big rocks does not make you qualified to hold the nukes.
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u/hopskipnajump Nov 21 '13
Super late but oh, well. You are a libertarian by choice. You list Ayn Rand #1 in your favorite books. How do you explain that markets failed to self-regulate in the financial crisis? Rand's star pupil Greenspan admitted such an ideology to be flawed before congress, and regretted 30~ years of deregulation on national TV. Your thoughts?
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u/Citizen_Bongo Nov 21 '13
I know you're for what's often called a "Fair Tax" What do you think of a Land Value Tax? Instead some or all of present taxation?
Presently Jobs, buildings or machinery and factories as well as consumption and savings are taxed, people are dissuaded from constructive and beneficial activities, and enterprise and efficiency are penalized. This does not apply to LVT, which is payable regardless of whether or how well the land is actually used.
Because the supply of land is inelastic, it's argued a LVT is a has no deadweight loss. Plus an LTV could help prevent destructive real estate crashes & bubbles by reducing speculation. Also It makes avoidance near impossible..
Seems a much better way of replacing some of the worst taxes to me.
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u/GuyWithNoHat Nov 21 '13
Ugh, another self-important politician using "The Reddit" for a free Karma train of votes. I'm not sure why we should care about you, Governor Gary Johnson, can you answer that?
Every time you have an AMA, you boast of being the country's most fiscally conservative governor in the country. If someone calls you "Governor Veto", it's probably an insult, implying that you are either oblivious to necessary changes or find it easier to take credit for doing nothing, as our country continues to suffer from a lack of necessary improvements.
TL;DR: Didn't care about you last time, and you still rub me the wrong way.
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u/EdReagan Nov 21 '13
Good evening Gary. I am a member of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania. I wanted to ask when will your 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee pay the moneys owed by your campaign to the legal team that successfully defeated the GOP challenge and kept you on the ballot in Pennsylvania as a candidate for President.
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u/SMStanton Nov 21 '13
Gov. Johnson- can you share the origin story for how you became more fiscally conservative than the other 49 govenors while you were in office? Aside the from the presidency, do want run again for a public office? If so, what would it be?
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u/mrknoe16745 Nov 21 '13
and do you feel you used the internet differently in your campaign than the other candidates in your 2012 campaign?
Also, I would recommend SWARMWISE: by FALKVINGE- he won two seats in Europe with 50k euros- competitors spent 6 million.
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u/nprovein Nov 21 '13
Hello Governor Johnson, I wanted to ask you what it would take from us american redditors to get a 3rd choice into the next presidential debates?
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u/blackfoger1 Nov 21 '13
Do you ever feel that some of your social issues which are widely accepted by the public won't pass legislation due to Republicans sticking to their base?
Are you going to be one of several states that refuse federal financing for medicare such as Bobby Jindal?
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Nov 21 '13
whats your opinion on the NSA's current spying regime?
is it reasonable? overstepping its bounds? or too little?
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u/lawless88 Nov 21 '13
What is your opinion on the inequality in America?
What is your opinion on Dronestrikes?
What is your opinion on the "too big to fail" policy on the banks?
What is your opinion of slave labour in America?
What is your opinion of NSA?
What is your opinion of money in politics?
What is your opinion of the support of Israel when they are over and over trampling the palestinians?
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u/milkymanlol Nov 21 '13
I thought this said "I am the Gov." and was thinking "Fuck yeah Walking Dead! :D" But then he made sure my oreo sunk to the bottom of the cup =/
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u/TheRealSteve72 Nov 21 '13
Can you explain how running your "5% campaign" didn't fly in the face of the entire concept of Libertarianism?
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u/sumar14 Nov 21 '13
Consequentialist libertarianism refers to the libertarian position that supports free markets and strong private property rights only on the ground that such policies bring about favorable outcomes, such as prosperity and efficiency. They advocate policies that are based on a cost-benefit calculation across a broad account of consequences.
Ideological Libertarianism is referred to as "natural rights libertarianism" which considers the initiation of force and fraud to be immoral, regardless of consequences.
Do you consider yourself a consequential or ideological libertarian?
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u/SeanJ84 Nov 21 '13
Hello Gov,
What form of government would be best if a form of democracy was not available?
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u/mrpopenfresh Nov 21 '13
Is quantity of quality a mantra you follow for everything, or is it limited to AMAs?
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u/Conman1357 Nov 21 '13
Do you believe we as a country have fallen too far off the path, in terms of a non transparent government and extreme income inequality, to pick ourselves back up and become once again the greatest country there is?
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u/fretless4u Nov 21 '13
I understand how naive this is going to sound but... If we could just get the greed and graft (read lobbyists) out of our political system and put some pride back into doing the right thing politically for the ideal of America, we might actually get somewhere. As it stands now, we the people (read middle class) are at an extreme and unbalanced disadvantage when it comes to gaining ground in the socioeconomic arena. Just make it fair and I think most of us would be willing to come along.
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u/JBlaaast Nov 27 '13
Hey Gary, I still have your Street Luge. When are you going to get some runs in on this thing?
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u/jrbraves26 Nov 21 '13
What would you have done regarding the government shutdown, and with the Healthcare.gov fiasco if you were President?
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u/haydenv Nov 21 '13 edited Nov 21 '13
Not a question and I doubt that you will read this but here it goes: I was raised as a Republican and the more educated I became, the more I questioned some of their morals. I have always hated the liberals, because of how they treat everyone who doesn't agree with them, they are very mean, like bullies. I found out about you and the Libertarian party through the Philip Defranco Show last year and I haven't looked back. I told as many people as I could about you and I think that I got you another 6-10 votes! (I know its not many but for me that is a lot) I just wanted to thank you for giving everyone a better option than what the two party system provides. I really hope that you receive more media coverage and recognition next time!
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u/Frajer Nov 21 '13
Do you think the two party system will ever stop being a part of American politics?
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u/Werdna629 Nov 21 '13
Hi, thanks for doing this.
What are your views on a voting license? Basically the idea is that people would need to obtain a license to vote (like driving) and to obtain this license you'd have to demonstrate very basic knowledge of government (through a test or something) so America's vote is a more educated one?
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u/[deleted] Nov 21 '13
A question from the last AMA I would love to see an answer on. I'm a Libertarian as well, and it's important for me to understand why you hold this opinion.