Interview: Steve Gothard (L) for U.S. House for the 1st District for the State of Idaho

By: Russell Dalba

1. What distinguishes you from your opponent?   

I am a Libertarian candidate and I believe in unconditional individual freedom for all people as outlined in the Bill of Rights, my Republican opponent believes in the warfare state and my democratic opponent believes in the welfare state.

2.   How long have you been involved in politics? Do you remember the first time you voted?

This is the first time I have run for any public office.  I first voted by absentee ballot in 1972 at age 18.

3.   What is the greatest challenge of public service?

Working in Washington, D.C., the murder capital of the U.S. where all the citizens are disarmed by their own government.

4.   What is the most important issue facing the State of Idaho?

Federal ownership of most of the land in Idaho prevents businesses from growing in rural areas.

 5.   What advice would you give someone thinking of running for public office?

Read articles on mises.org and lewrockwell.com every day.

 6.   What is your favorite political book?

The Joy of Freedom by David R. Henderson

7.   What was your favorite political TV program?   

I only watch the History channel and the Boise State University channel.  I don't like any political TV programs.

 8.   How did you become involved in the (L) Party?  

I became involved with the Libertarian Party a few years ago when I found out that they believed exactly as I did. I have believed in the Libertarian philosophy all of my life.

 9.   Who are your political mentors?  What are some of your favorite political quotes?

I have no political mentor but my political role model is Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

10.  Will the U.S. invade Iraq by December 2002?     Should they invade?

No one knows the future except those who plan it.  I believe that invading Iraq would be stupid.  The U.S. can hardly afford to spend another $200 Billion of taxpayers money during a recession to fight a war that we have no business getting involved in.  

11.  If you were in Congress today, what would be your first bill to sponsor?

A nation-wide concealed weapons reciprocity bill.

12. Why should the citizens of the State of Idaho elect you on Nov. 5th, 2002?    

I will protect and defend the personal individual freedom of every citizen.  I will sponsor a bill to change our current Marxist tax system to a flat tax. I will sponsor a bill to stop all business subsidies and all foreign aid.  I will sponsor a bill to allow nation-wide concealed weapon reciprocity.

13. What are three legislative bills in the U.S. House that you support and why?

HR4642, a law repealing the ban on firearms in the District of Columbia co-sponsored by my Republican opponent, Butch Otter.  I believe that people living in the District of Columbia have a fundamental right to be be armed.

HR2525 and HR2717, Repealing the income tax, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states.  I like everything about this bill, no IRS and a flat tax to boot.  

HR437, Repealing the alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax is completely unfair and has ruined many peoples lives simply because they exercised their stock options and the price of their stocks plummeted before they sold.

13. What is your view on the recent Enron debacle? Will the new federal law be effective?

Anyone at Enron who committed fraud should go to prison.  I believe that the new federal law will have no effect whatsoever.

14. Do you support the current Tax cuts passed by the U.S. House?

The current tax cuts passed by the U.S. House don't go far enough, we need a flat tax and we need the overall tax burden to be drastically reduced.

15. How do you improve education in Idaho and around the U.S.?

The first step to improving the education system is the get the federal government completely out of it. The next step would be to lower taxes enough so that
people could afford to send their children to private schools or afford for one parent to stay home and teach their children according to their own values at home.
  
16. What type of Health care reform will you be a proponent for in D.C.?

I will work for de-regulation of the health care industry.  I will oppose any socialized medicine scheme.  I would like to see Dr. Mary Ruwart become the director of the FDA.
 

17. With the recent sniper shootings in D.C., do you think the gun control movement will gain momentum?

I certainly hope not, the last thing we need is to do is to disarm even more potential victims.