Interview: Ron Copier (L) for the 2nd District U.S. House for the State of Utah

By: Ky Starr 

1. What distinguishes you from your opponents?   I have tried to run a campaign that addressed a lot of the frustrations that the average voter has. I have run a campaign that refused any contributions. I am also the only one of the three major parties that oppose an attack on Iraq. 

 

2. How long have you been involved in politics? Do you remember the first time you voted?    I have always voted, but became a dues paying Libertarian and more politically active  a couple of years ago.  The first time I voted was for Reagan in 1980. 

 

3. What is the greatest challenge of public service?   Trying to convince the 60-70% who do not vote because the other two parties frustrated them, to get out and vote. They understand that I do not belong to the other two major parties, but since they don' t think I'll win, they won't vote.  Also the ones that do vote, say they hope I win, but that they won't vote for me because they dislike one of the other parties and do not want them to win, so they vote for the other major party. 

 

4. What is the most important issue facing the State of UT?  Currently it's an attack on Iraq because this effects the economy, and the lives and future of our young people. 

 

5. What advice would you give someone thinking of running for public office?    Go for it.  It's been a great experience talking to the average American. You begin to understand that the average American has better ideas than politicians. You also better understand why we are having  certain problems. 

 

 

6. What is your favorite political book?   Drug War Addiction.  This book is written by a Libertarian Sheriff who played the Drug war game for years. He brings out what a waste of time and money  the drug war is and how it takes away from away from more important priorities 

 

7. What was your favorite political TV program?  No real political program. I enjoy 20/20. They do a good job of reporting Government waste and had the courage to address for a full hour the Drug war. Almost all of  of the "give me a break" issues are Libertarian issues. 

 

8. How did you become involved in the (L) Party?  During the last Presidential Election, I, like most Americans, could not decide who to vote for. When I told a friend of my frustrations, he told me that I sounded like one of those Libertarians. After responding "what is that?" I did some homework on the internet, took their test and indeed I am a libertarian. I joined shortly after that. 

 

9. Who are your political mentors? What are some of your favorite political quotes?  Thomas Jefferson. Although the Libertarian party was not around then, he definitely was a Libertarian.  My favorite quote from him his on one of my flyers. "A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them  otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvements, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it (has) earned.  This is the sum of good Government" 

 

10. Will the U.S. invade Iraq by December 2002? Should they invade?  Knowing Bush, he will see how the November elections turn out.  If the Democrats hold one of the houses, he will probably invade before December during the lame duck session so they can't revoke the war act they just passed. If the Republicans hold both houses, he will probably wait for sometime after December.

   I strongly oppose an invasion on Iraq for many reason.

  

11. If you were in Congress today, what would be your first bill to sponsor?    Revoking the power they gave to Bush to declare War.  Legalize Hemp.Using Hemp for energy would be good for the environment, good for rural Utah, and would reduce dependency on foreign oil. 

 

12. Why should the citizens of the State of UT elect you on Nov. 5th, 2002?    Electing a third party candidate would send a huge message to the two major parties.  It would also give them more choices on issues. 

 

13. What are three legislative bills in the U.S. House that you support and why?    Having a full time job and running a campaign does not give me much time to watch the actions the Congress are taking. As a voter, I prefer my representative have an open mind on some issues, that way he would have to listen to both sides of the arguments.

 

14. What is your view on the recent Enron debacle? Will the new federal law be effective?   I believe this is a perfect example of what happens when the two parties accept and require bribe (Campaign) money.  My problem with the new laws is that is does not address the current laws on the books. We have over 5000 pages of confusing laws that the Companies, politicians and lawyers don't understand.  There is too much "gray" area which is the problem with too many laws. If Congress would have reduced the 5000 page to around 10-20 pages, the laws would be more clear. 

 

15. Do you support the current Tax cuts passed by the U.S. House?   I support tax cuts. The problem is that all the current parties are doing are buying votes with our own tax money without reducing Government.  In order to reduce taxes, we also need to reduce or eliminate Government programs. 

 

16. How do you improve education in UT and around the U.S.?   With private schools costing 1/2 less per student than public schools, yet private schools have SAT scores 1 1/2 times higher than public schools, I think the answer is obvious that the Government needs to get out of the education business. We should eliminate the DOE, and allow families freedom of choice in education. Giving people their tax money back and telling them to pick a private school that best fits their beliefs and standards is a lot more beneficial than arguing over education. The current system is "trickle down Education" No money ever gets to the Students and Teachers which is what the money was intended for. 

 

17. What type of Health care reform will you be a proponent for in D.C.?  I believe that routine health care should not be covered by health insurance. We are spending way too much money on administrative costs that have nothing to do with health (Doctors having to hire people to get money from insurance companies for every doctor visit) I would also move most prescription drugs to over the counter. like Canada and Mexico) This would promote competition among drug companies, but also give people the choice to visit or not visit their doctor (personal responsibility).  I would also legalize Medical Marijuana allowing patients to grow their own medicine. This should be up to the patient if this herb has a benefit. Not some President, supreme court judge, Attorney General or arrogant politician.