Interview with Alex Snitker
On Sept 26th, 2009, our popular author April recently did another interview. This interview was with Alex Snitker – Libertarian Candidate for Senator of Florida in 2010
Q: What, in your opinion, are the most important roles that U.S. Senators fulfill in the cause of freedom?
A: Ensure that any laws that are passed follow the Constitution and the Enumerated powers of the Federal Government.
Q: What is your stance on mandatory vaccinations, particularly the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination?
A: I am against any mandatory vaccinations.
Q: FORTUNE Magazine ran an in-depth cover story about legalizing medical marijuana. Denver, Colo. recently made recreational usage fines a nominal $1, signifying that marijuana smokers are a low priority for Denver law enforcement. Is there any likelihood that Florida would follow suit?
A: I do not know if Florida will follow suit
Q: What would be your position?
A: The federal government should not make laws banning drugs like marijuana. I think that the states should make the legal determination on the rules concerning marijuana.
Q: The American people are deeply divided over nationalizing health care insurance. Premiums are high, but what are the dangers of giving government more control over pricing and delivery?
A: If we allow this further encroachment into our civil liberties there is no stopping the federal government to control lifestyle choices under the guise of lowering costs. Health insurance reform is needed. The reforms I would like to see is a move toward health savings accounts, Catastrophic coverage only insurance plans, 20 year health insurance programs similar to the way we buy life insurance and increased competition across state lines. We need to get away from employer controlled health insurance plans.
Q: Independent farmers stand to lose a great deal of autonomy and face higher costs while industrial farms would get significant leniency with the NAIS (National Animal Identification System). HR 2749 passed the House and is moving into the Senate. Where do you stand on chipping livestock?
A: I believe if the farmers want to chip the livestock they can choose to do so. I would be against any forced chipping of livestock.
Q: Your website shows that you support the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution, even though it deprives States of valuable representation. Do you not find that the amendment is now largely irrelevant and at best dysfunctional?
A: I understand that the states do need to have representation through the senate. I have spoken to several individuals regarding this subject and have decided to change my position on it. I have not posted that yet.
Q: Many teachers work hard, but not all teachers are above average educators. Why do you support a socialist program to return tax money to teachers? They do not work a full year yet collect salary and benefits. This is particularly confusing as part of your platform since you also mention the merits of competition using a voucher system, as well as a desire to shrink the nanny state.
A: I can understand how the wording may sound like I am not making them pay taxes. They will pay the same amount of taxes everyone will pay. The teachers would not get any benefit that every other American would receive. I believe that competition is the only way to fix the school system.
Q: Gay marriage is a contentious topic. I find the principle to be quite clear though. For a government to decide what constitutes a marriage and therefore a family, the government would have to be empowered to decide what constitutes a human being. No legitimate government since the beginning of history has ever claimed such a power. Human beings are created by God. It seems to be clearly reserved to religious organizations and individual choice. From strictly a public governance point of view, which side are you on?
A: I believe that the only way to fix the confusion of this topic is for the Government not to recognize marriage at all. If 2 people want to form a union they should apply for a civil union. If churches will not allow gays to hold a ceremony in their church that is their right.
Q: What are the most important characteristics you possess that people should consider in order to vote for you to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate?
A: Honor, Integrity, a sense of duty and the fact that I am just a citizen not a career politician
Q: Your website reveals that you’re reading Ron Paul’s book “End the Fed”. Are you supportive of HR1207 to audit the federal reserve? Any ideas on why Congress has gone so many decades without knowing what the federal reserve is sitting on?
A: I am supportive of HR1207. I do not know why the federal Government has not addressed this issue sooner. I believe that the current financial mess and the actions of the federal reserve are the reason the bill has gotten the attention it has.
Q: Your plan for reducing federal spending with a case worker assigned to a family doesn’t sound particularly libertarian. Please explain how you arrived at a social worker solution.
A: We have a real problem in this country. We have too many people on government assistance and our unfunded liabilities are too great to ignore. This case worker program will be accomplished with the private sector as well as the public sector. The entitlement programs that this country has provided to the American people has destroyed work ethic and drive of some. I want to get these people off of the rolls and back to becoming contributing members of society. I believe that only when the people no longer need the federal government can we reduce spending.
Q: Mr. Snitker, would you mind giving Florida’s citizens a quick overview on the difference between the Flat Tax and Fair Tax? Most Libertarians are against virtually all taxation as it is a form of theft (Person A [government with threat of force or incarceration] forcing money out of Person B’s wallet to pay for Person C). Why do you favor the Fair Tax?
A: The flat tax is based on income. The Fair Tax is based on consumption. I do not like taxes but we need to first block the federal government into a percentage that everyone pays. After that is accomplished we can start reducing the percentage of taxes Americans will pay. The fair tax will also stimulate the economy and bring manufacturing jobs back to this country right away. The Fair Tax will give the power back to the people.
Q: It seems like teachers’ unions fear school vouchers even though they would give better recognition and compensation to teachers of exceptional quality. Teachers would merely compete just as most other workers do. Would you explain how the voucher system would better serve parents and students who want to choose the best school?
A: A Voucher system will give each parent a choice on where to send their child for education. Each parent will feel more in control of the quality of education his or her child will receive. It will also open up a market for alternative private schools to compete with public schools. That will raise the quality of both public and private schools.
Thank you so much for your time and answering questions of importance to our great state of Florida.
