Topic: Election 2008
"Minor Party" Presidential interview Part 1 Gene Amondson - Prohibition Party nomineeby Darryl W. Perry
(Libertarian)
Saturday, August 2, 2008
This is the first in a series of interviews with Presidential Candidates from "minor parties", all candidates were given the same set of questions, so that you can compare their answers.
On July 31, 2008; I had the chance to interview Gene Amondson, the Prohibition Party candidate for President.
Q. What do you hope to accomplish with your Presidential Campaign?
G.A. - The Prohibition Party has the best economy, and always had a balance budget until Richard Nixon. When people can't buy drugs and alcohol (legally), they buy clothes, shoes, food and take care of their children. The 13 years of Prohibition were the best in US History, prisons & mental institutions were emptied.
Q. Do you support the right of self-determination?
G.A. - No, certain people can't be trusted; sometimes you must impose some thinking on people
Q. Do you support a Statehood/Independence vote for ALL US Territories?
G.A. - I could go for that
Q. If so, will you call for a vote that would insure a majority outcome? (i.e 2 rounds of voting - round 1 Change of Status? Yes or No; Round 2 Statehood or Independence?)
G.A. - I like it better when no one can win
Q. Do you support equal ballot access for ALL candidates?
G.A. - If this means that I can run in all States, instead of having a harder time in one State than another then, yes
Q. What are your views on taxation?
G.A. - I'd like less taxation, but if you don't pay any taxes you're in trouble too
Q. Do you support a repeal of the 12th Amendment?
G.A. - I could support some revisions on this
Q. Do you support the "Read the Bills Act"?
G.A. - That sounds like a good idea
Q. Do you support the "One Subject at a Time Act"?
G.A. - That sounds like a good idea
Q. Do you support retroceding parts of DC to Maryland so that the Disctrict fits within the Constitutional bounds of "not more than 10 miles square"?
G.A. - I don't have an opinion on this
Q. Do you believe that any elected official should be impeached if he/she violates the Oath of Office to "defend the Constitution"?
G.A. - Yes
Q. Do you support ratification of the "Congressional Apportionment Amendment"?
G.A. - If it means more representation, as long as Congress doesn't get too big
Q. Do you support the passage and ratification of the "Liberty Amendment"?
G.A. - I'd support this, even though I don't understand most of it.
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The views expressed in this
article are those of Darryl W. Perry only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Darryl W. Perry is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
I like the idea of your project, although it is unfortunate that your first subject was not very articulate (or, apparently, informed). Hope the other candidates prove more forthcoming, better informed and more interesting.
Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-08-04 10:08:10
"The 13 years of Prohibition were the best in US History, prisons & mental institutions were emptied."
That's an extraordinary statement and quite contrary to what history tells us about that era. I'm sure Al Capone and all other organized crime figures from that era would agree with Amondsen, but I doubt that their victims would agree. Nor does history support his claim from an economics viewpoint.
The period in question encompassed the so-called "Roaring 20s." This is significant because the 1920s "roared" due to Federal Reserve monetary expansion that made it appear that the economy was booming. As with all monetary expansions, the boom this one created was an illusion. When the inevitable bust came starting in 1929, it wasn't so good; in fact it was Depressing. By the time prohibition was repealed, the country was in the worst part of The Depression. It's no wonder people were sick and tired of not having something alcoholic to drink! Nor was alcohol unavailable during Prohibition. To the contrary, everyone knew where it was. It was merely expensive, just as illegal drugs are currently expensive and yet available everywhere.
I'm not suggesting that depression is best handled through drug and alcohol consumption. To the contrary, keeping alcohol in the closet as Prohibition did gave birth to an entire nation of alcoholics who didn't even begin to address their problem until after Prohibition had ended. It should surprise nobody that similar problems with illegal drugs continue to remain in the closet today. Notice that while Alcoholics Anonymous is easy to find, Hard Drugs Anonymous doesn't exist. That's because of drug prohibition. Many people don't dare admit they're drug addicted, unless they happen to have lots of money and can afford the Betty Ford clinic and a team of lawyers.
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