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Saturday, June 25, 2016

Libertarians positioned as moderates for choice

Libertarians Gary Johnson, William Weld endorse choice in CNN town hall - UPI.com - Eric DuVall:

June 22, 2016 - "Participating in a CNN Town Hall event, the Libertarian Party presidential ticket of former Republican Govs. Gary Johnson and William Weld addressed a range of issues, promising, as Johnson said, to 'always come down on the side of choice'....

"Both men described themselves as fiscally conservative but accepting of social differences. They are pro-gay marriage and support protecting a woman's right to abortion, but have proposed across-the-board spending cuts of 10 to 20 percent in the federal government....

 "On gun control: Johnson said he is opposed to banning individuals on the no-fly list and the terror watch list from buying guns outright because some of the names on there are in error. He is in favor of prohibiting individuals with diagnosed mental illnesses from buying them, but expressed skepticism about increasing government involvement in determining who is and is not mentally fit to own firearms. He opposed a ban on semi-automatic assault rifles....

"On immigration: Both men oppose Trump's proposal to deport an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants and build a wall on the Mexican border.... Johnson said 'We should make it as easy as possible for somebody who wants to come into this country to work to get a work visa. They are not taking jobs U.S. citizens want'...  Weld went further, repeating his statement likening Trump's immigration policy to those of the Nazis, particularly for the 'fear' that would be created as federal agents attempted to round up millions of undocumented people for deportation.

"On legalizing drugs: Johnson supports legalizing marijuana completely, but said he opposes legalizing narcotics like heroin. He did express support for some foreign programs where heroin addicts can have their drugs tested for potentially lethal additives, and ingest the drugs under observation to prevent overdosing.... Weld said ...  'Society is coming to view people who have serious issues with either narcotics or alcohol, that that is a public health emergency and that is not a status crime'....

"On the use of military force: Johnson said he opposes 'interventionism' in U.S. foreign policy, but agrees the military needs to be funded to deter attacks and respond to them.... He called for a return to congressional authority over military action....

"On free trade: Both men support free trade agreements, saying they will help create jobs in America. 'I think, unfairly, free trade has come under criticism as crony capitalism,' Johnson said. 'Government can level the playing field for everyone. That level playing field really is free trade.' Weld agreed. 'In the purest sense, free trade is always going to benefit the United States because we have the highest rate of productivity and we are the most technologically advanced country in the world'...

"On taxes: Both men touted their records of cutting taxes as governors. Johnson said that, ideally, ... 'I would eliminate income tax, I would eliminate corporate tax, I would abolish the IRS and I would replace it all with one federal consumption tax'.... Weld did not go as far as saying he would abolish the IRS, but did call for across-the-board spending cuts of 10 percent to 20 percent, which he said would force federal agencies to eliminate wasteful spending."

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2016/06/22/Libertarian-candidates-Gary-Johnson-William-Weld-Its-all-about-choice/7621466642743/
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