LibertarianViewpoint.com

October 15, 2009; In keeping with our goals of trying to get interviews with all the Libertarian candidates running for office April continues to track them down and ask them pertinent questions. She caught up with Karl Dickey, candidate for County Commissioner in Palm Beach. Her interview is posted here in its entirety. Enjoy!

Q: It’s a conundrum to some people. The wealthy are objects of envy, but heavy progressive taxes only create a class of dependents that are resentful of the hand that feeds them. Meanwhile, as can be evidenced from activities like the Robin Hood Foundation’s, not only are the wealthy indoctrinated to feel guilty about their property holdings, they’re still extraordinarily generous givers. Is Palm Beach getting wise to the indoctrination?

A: Firstly, although I realize many have envy for the wealthy, I do not subscribe to that notion. But more to the question, it would be difficult to know the thoughts of Palm Beachers and their reasons for giving to their favorite charities – whether out of guilt, altruism, or for the potential tax benefits. I do fully support the use of more private charities over the inefficient and often corrupt government-run and government-funded charities.

Q: Palm Beach residents are prime targets for wealth transfer taxation. What can the County Commission do to help protest the wealth that is earned here?

A: Thank you for asking and excellent question April. Many here in Palm Beach do not realize how much of their tax money goes toward inefficient government programs that are supposed to help the less fortunate among us. Even fewer understand how inefficient those programs actually are. Before the financial crisis for the county budget began, the county commission should have been slowly divesting itself of sending out bloated checks to local organizations and should not have involved itself with interrupting the “free market” system in the county. (I put quotes on the words ‘free market’ to represent we actually have a managed market and not a truly free market)

Q: What makes up the primary role of the County Commissioner?

A: The primary work of the county commissioner is to locally govern the county by voting for or against proposals that come before the Board of Commissioners. These proposals can come from individuals, small businesses, municipalities, and from commission staff. It is nearly a full-time job being a county commissioner which is why the pay is so high, though I think we can easily reduce the pay of the commissioners by at least 20%.

Q: Libertarians had a win in Winter Haven with the super-majority election of Jamie Becket. Is this a sign that Floridians have had enough of government force and fraud?

A: Most definitely. We have a web commercial coming out soon that will be viewable on our campaign website that will visualize the dissatisfaction the general public has had with politicians from the two old parties. More and more Libertarians and small government candidates are being elected to public office as the public has come to realize the error of their ways when voting for more government intrusion into their lives, bedrooms, and wallets. The government continually fails in what are often “feel good” programs and it is clear we are seeing a shift by voters not to accept the status quo anymore.

Q: You personally have heard disturbing trends in education that our youth is being taught the Constitution is not the supreme law of the land, but a theory, and an obsolete theory at that. What do you have to say in response?

A: It is a travesty to suggest to young minds our Constitution is nothing but a theory when it is literally supposed to be the supreme law of the land. It is more than simple disrespect to the forming of our Union, it shows today’s society doesn’t care about the Constitution or their freedoms. Our Founding Fathers would not recognize the government we have today which I find to be a travesty. We often don’t even consider the alternative. For example, have you ever wondered why we need to ask the government permission to marry the one we love? Why do we constantly as the government’s permission to work? There are many activities we do, nearly everyday, that involves asking the government’s permission or paying the government to participate in those activities. This is what our founding fathers were trying to get away from when separating from the British by forging the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. These documents we suppose to protect us from the situation we find ourselves in today, but little by little, politicians have nickel and dime our wallets and our freedoms. I, for one, have had enough which is why I will be elected to district four of the Palm Beach County Commission.

Q: What keeps you true to the Libertarian philosophies and principles?

A: It is simple and difficult at the same time. It is simple because we are very principled. It is difficult due to the large numbers of people, especially in politics, willing to compromise their principles simply in order to gain financially, status, or votes.

I have spoken to people who endorsed or voted for someone completely opposite their own value system. To me, this is not someone strongly committed to their principles. All too often we find people and organizations, knowingly and unknowingly, abiding by the “Party line” whether they agree with it or not. This is a selling out of one’s own value system and is something that is troubling. This is one of the things that keeps registered Libertarians in relatively small numbers. Either you are a principled person or you are not. This is the core of what is wrong with politics today. We have politicians consistently saying one thing before the elections in order to win votes, then when in office doing the complete opposite. If a politician does that to someone, then they should abandon that elected official in the next election. But all too often, we elect the same person because they spread out the sugar again and the public soaks it up. But Libertarianism goes way beyond politics; it is truly a way of life. It is saying that I own my life – not my neighbor, not the government. I should be free to do as I please so long as I am not violating the rights of another. I should be free to give to whomever I choose. I should be free to earn a living as I choose. Nothing could be more American than being a Libertarian.

Q: Why should that matter enough to Palm Beach to go out to the polls and cast enthusiastic votes for Karl Dickey?

A: We have seen how detrimental our county commission has been to the voters here whether we’re talking Democrats or Republicans. If we had seven “Karl Dickeys” on the dais the county would be an amazing place to live and far more prosperous. We would have far less onerous ordinances allowing people to earn a far more profitable living. We would have more money available for the arts, charities, churches, etc. We would have free exchange of money and ideas. Our taxes would be substantially less than they are today…substantially! We may even have developed a system not to even impose taxes in the county. A vote for Karl Dickey is a step in this direction.

Q: Are there any ordinances that restrict normal exercise of freedom that you’ll seek to repeal?

A: I would repeal many! From the minor such a business occupational licensing which is completely useless to the more destructive inclusionary-zoning ordinances which we see now has been made the housing situation in our county far worse than it had to be. Generally, people have many misconceptions about government programs, licensing, etc. Just take the simple business occupational license I just mentioned. The average person on the street may react, “well we need to know the business has a license to do business”. If that makes that person feel better, then that is fine, however the fact is to get an occupational license one only needs to pay a fee. There is no exam, no proof insurance, and no proof competency. To suggest a business occupational license somehow protects the public is simply not factual and I would govern on facts, not based on who much income a particular program can bring into the government coffers. I feel those dollars would be best in the hands of the small business owner. Speaking with a multitude of city and county officials over the years, not one has given a good answer for imposing a business occupational license. The general public should begin to look at ordinances and licensing exactly for what they are – restrictions of individuals and business to do a particular activity. Now of course, not all ordinances are bad and we do need to have certain rules in place. However a look at the ever-lengthening ordinances in our county, one will find many things that unfairly restrict individuals from carrying out their normal activities of the day. One ordinance I spearheaded the removal of was the Sunday morning alcohol ban in unincorporated Palm Beach County.

Q: I’m currently reading Skousen’s “The 5000 Year Leap: A Miracle that Changed the World”, and Rand’s “We, the Living.” Personally, I think “The 5000 Year Leap” should be part of every American high school curriculum, and any curious as to why socialism is so morally bankrupt should read Rand. What books would you recommend to people if they want to know how Libertarianism works in the real world?

A: Funny you should ask as I have a list of books I recommend all children should read on my campaign website [ http://www.karldickey.org/kids.htm ]. I am a strong believer however that parents should have a strong involvement with their children’s education and their children are raised by the parents value system and not that of our government. That said, I think everyone should read Rand whether you agree or disagree with her philosophy. I have read many books that I may not be congruent with, however it does help me understand how others think which I find important in interacting with others. To answer your question directly, it would be my suggestion for people to read the following: “How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World” and “Why Government Doesn’t Work” both by Harry Browne. Other books are “A Theory of Socialism and Capitalism” by Hans-Hermann Hoppe, “The Law” by Frederic Bastiat, and Milton Friedman’s “Capital and Freedom”. There are many, many others however these are a few that come to mind.

Q: Do any our nation’s founding fathers guide your actions and decision making? Which ones and where can people find out more?

A: There are many quotes of our founding fathers that I find inspiring and of course I agree with, however the one I have most respect for is John Hanson – I’ll leave that up for everyone to Google.

Q: Is there any particular about your vision for Palm Beach that you’d like Palm Beach County District 4 to know?

A: Yes. No matter what proposal comes before me, know this: I will always vote on the side of freedom. And please do not misunderstand what this means. With freedom comes responsibility. With freedom comes prosperity. We need to untangle the tentacles government has had on this county for far too long and allow individuals and businesses to flourish naturally.

Karl, Thank you so much for your time and answering these questions of importance to our residents of Palm Beach.