Gary Johnson announces 2012 Campaign

papajohn56

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Jun 16, 2008
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Gary Johnson 2012

Republican (strong libertarian leaning) former New Mexico governor.

* Left office with New Mexico as on of the only four states in the country with a balanced budget
* Left New Mexico with a budget surplus
* Used Line Item Veto thousands of times to trim the budget
* Vetoed 750 bills during his time in office; more than all other governors combined
* Cut over 1,200 government jobs without firing anyone
* Created more than 20,000 new jobs
* First New Mexico Governor to challenge education status quo and propose statewide voucher program
* Resorted State General Fund reserves to more than $222 million from a low of $28.1 million
* Limited annual state budget growth to 5.0% during eight years in office
* Cut taxes 14 times while never raising them—a first for New Mexico
* Vetoed 32% of the total number of bills submitted for his signature
* Wants to legalize Marijuana (openly)
* Against the foreign wars

Issues

His 8 years as Gov of NM back his statements up. He's a divorced parent, an athlete (frequently does triathlons, and climbed Mount buttfucking Everest even), and a Businessman:

While in college, Johnson earned money as a door-to-door handyman.[9] His success in that arena encouraged him to start his own business, Big J Enterprises, which was founded in 1976. When he started the business, Johnson was its only employee.[13] His major break with the firm was receiving a large contract from Intel's expansion in Rio Rancho, which increased Big J's revenue to $38million.[11] Over-stretched by his success, Johnson enrolled in a time management course at night school, which made him heavily goal-driven.[11] He eventually grew Big J into a multi-million dollar corporation with over 1000 employees.[14] By the time he sold the company, in 1999, it was one of New Mexico's leading construction companies

He has experience, is a strong Ron Paul supporter, 58 years old and doesn't have the "kook" label by the national GOP.

He was able to win two terms as governor of New Mexico (term limited) as a Republican...in a state that is 2/3 registered Democrat.

How about his "controversial" stances?

- Abortion: Pro choice, not a federal matter.
- Gay marriage: The government should not regulate marriage, only allow for civil union for contract purposes between anyone who wants to engage (straight couple, gay couple, whatever). Marriage should be left to the churches/temples/synagogues/mosques/whatever.
 


He's also not a religious nut, and isn't trying to cater just to them:

Q: You don’t attend church and you’ve said in the past that Jesus is a “historical figure.” How do you plan on appealing to social conservatives?

GJ: Well, actually, I believe in God… And at a minimum Jesus was a great historical figure – at minimum at great role model – at minimum. I don’t know that anybody who votes on social issues – that I got any of those votes in my primaries in New Mexico. I think I got them all in the general election. But I don’t think I got them in the primary. And so I’m not doing anything to alienate those social conservatives, but I probably won’t get their vote – not in the primary.

Q&A: Gary Johnson Embarks on “One of Humankind
 
He also doesn't think wikileaks should be prosecuted, but he does wish they wouldn't give out names of informants and such.

and regarding health care?

Identify and implement common-sense cost savings to place Medicare on a path toward long-term solvency.
Block grant Medicare and Medicaid funds to the states, allowing them to innovate, find efficiencies and provide better service at lower cost.
Repeal ObamaCare, as well as the failed Medicare prescription drug benefit.




"He's gonna take away our prescriptions, kill the babies, let the homos marry, legalize the dope, let Osama kill us, and he doesn't even go to church!"

Yeah, I don't think he's winning the Republican primary, but he'll make the debates interesting like Ron Paul did last time. If Paul runs again, the debates will be even more interesting as he won't be the lone dissident on certain issues.
 
Well, I don't want to live in a Third World country. Considering that about 90% of the planet wants to come here, we'll be a Third World country in no time. (We're already well on our way.) Germans create Germanys, Italians create Italys, Mexicans create Mexicos and Indians create Indias. Even bums here have a pretty decent standard of living compared to people in a lot of countries. Removing welfare would lessen the desire but it would still be there.
 
Well, I don't want to live in a Third World country. Considering that about 90% of the planet wants to come here, we'll be a Third World country in no time. (We're already well on our way.) Germans create Germanys, Italians create Italys, Mexicans create Mexicos and Indians create Indias. Even bums here have a pretty decent standard of living compared to people in a lot of countries. Removing welfare would lessen the desire but it would still be there.

Everyone already comes here anyway like it or not. Reagan granted amnesty to millions.
 
I am a huge fan of GJ and have been for a long time. But, do you guys think he has a chance to win in the primaries?