Office Sought: Representative – District 41
Age: 57
Occupation: Consulting Engineer
Education: PhD in Engineering
Family: Partner
Hometown: Portland
Political experience
I’ve been working to promote individual freedom in America for many years, mostly through Campaign for Liberty, an organizational outgrowth of the Ron Paul presidential campaigns. Locally, I support the Portland GOP, the recent marijuana initiative and other pro-freedom grassroots projects.
In 2014, I ran for the same legislative seat in Portland’s District 41, learning much about the needs of those citizens in the district.
Why are you running for office?
Because I believe Maine is heading down the wrong path of putting its trust in a government/corporate led future, rather than a citizen-centered approach, and because I have what I believe to be unique proposals to solve its many problems.
First and foremost, relying on tax incentives, subsidies, loans, giveaways and favored contract status ostensibly to attract large employers to the state is a misguided policy, better described as corporate welfare. Already the results of these programs are manifest – empty business parks and taxpayers stuck paying the bills. We must end these programs and return capital back to ordinary Mainers (those without paid lobbyists in Augusta) so they can spend and invest on their own to better grow our economy organically.
Secondarily, we need to promote a more competitive and productive business environment through lower taxes, fewer regulations and more choice for educational and healthcare options.
Third, we need to adopt legalized cannabis and a Maine State Bank, a unique idea to foster a sound, inflation proof currency backed by silver and gold. This is a more traditional type of money designed to provide competition to the dollar, similar to Bitcoin or PayPal, but with both digital and corporeal options, together with an ironclad government guaranteed precious metal backing. This bank has 100% collateral backing and makes no loans, and will never experience a run or bankruptcy. Currently, with the world flooded in central bank induced debt and zero interest rates, traditional banks and investments are experiencing elevated risk profiles. With a Maine State Bank, investment money seeking safety from around the world will pour into this state. Through the start of a new, lucrative industry, Maine has the potential to become the Switzerland of North America.
Both of these measures will promote healthier business growth, which is what this state desperately needs.
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Income Tax: Gov. LePage would like to lower Maine’s income tax rate and eventually eliminate it, by increasing the state’s sales tax and expanding it across a broader range of goods and services. Do you support this proposal?
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Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
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Minimum Wage: In light of the ballot question facing voters this fall, do you support raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.50 to $12 an hour by 2020?
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Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
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Addiction/Overdoses: Do you believe the state is doing enough in response to the rise in heroin/opiate addiction and overdoses? If not, what else should be done?
Send questions/comments to the editors.