Interview: Connie Gammon (IAP) for U.S. Senate for the State of Tennessee

By: Ky Starr 

1. What distinguishes you from your opponents?   

I am not a promising politician. I believe it is the duty of elected leaders to curb, not expand government.

2.   What is the greatest challenge of public service?

To make our citizens understand that it is their government and that they are responsible for it. The government is not responsible for them.

3. What is the most important issue facing the State of TN?

Liberty. Liberty is not just the most important issue facing Tennessee but it is America's most important issue. Bills like the Homeland Security Act will provide no security but will rip away liberty. Terrorists cannot destroy American liberty, but our government can. If we fear terrorism so much that we give away our liberty we will be fitting our children for chains.

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

Stand up for what you believe. Tell the voters what you will do if elected and then let the chips fall as they may.

5.   What is your favorite political book?

Those articles called "The Federalist Papers" are a magnificent explanation of the Constitution. Also Calhoun's "Discourse on the Constitution" is enlightening.

6.   What was your favorite political TV program?    

I don't watch much TV but I used to like to watch Bill Buckley's show "The Firing Line."
  
7.   How did you become involved in the (IAP) Party?    

The major parties have become mirror images of each other. I felt that I could not in good conscious support either of them. The IAP National Chair, Bruce Bangerter, contacted me - we shared a mutual acquaintance - and asked me to consider joining the party. I found the Independent American Party to be unabashedly pro-moral, pro-constitution and pro-liberty. It is the perfect fit for anyone opposed to the socialist drift of the major parties.  

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

I have a great deal of respect for Grover Cleveland. He forsook reelection to stand up for good government. Cleveland said "While it is the duty of the citizens to support the government, it is not the duty of the government to support the citizens." Along the same lines John Kennedy said, "Ask not your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." My favorite quote, however, comes from Tennessee's own Davy Crocket: "Make sure you are right, then go ahead."

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

An invasion is likely a foregone conclusion. If the US chooses to invade it should do so on its own after a formal declaration of war has been issued by Congress and totally without any UN mandate. Any other type of invasion is illegal and unconstitutional. I am not convinced that military action against Iraq will lead to anything positive.
   
10. If you were in Congress today, what would be your first bill to sponsor?

I would sponsor my tax plan that can be found at my campaign web site http://tennesseeindependent.tripod.com/gammonforsenate

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

Because I am the only candidate that offers anything but more of the same tax, spend, limit liberty philosophy of the Republican and Democrat Parties.  

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

I don't know of three bills pending that I support. Instead of a lot of new legislation, we should be repealing the hundreds of wasteful, useless and unconstitutional laws now cluttering the federal code.

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

Enron was an example of greed and theft. What Enron's managers did was already illegal. No new federal law was necessary.  

14. Do you support the current Tax cuts passed by the Senate?

Any tax cut is a good thing. But the tax system must be changed in a fundamental way. I again refer you to my tax plan at http://tennesseeindependent.tripod.com/gammonfor senate

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

Education should begin at home. The Federal Department of Education should be abolished and parents and local communities should again take responsibility for education.

16. What type of Health care reform will you be a proponent for in D.C.?

Health care is a personal responsibility and I will strongly oppose any national health care plan.

17. What is your favorite portion of the Constitution?

The Constitution was designed to limit the ability of government to do violence to liberty. The idea of a small government granted as Alexander Hamilton said "few and limited powers" has always appealed to lovers of liberty. The limiting of government is the genius of the US Constitution. It is our duty to re-institute the rule of Constitutional law in our troubled land.