Brian Holk - Libertarian Candidate for Texas State Representative, District 53

Issues

Taxes. It’s your money. Re-privatize government services to improve quality and reduce costs. Drastically reduce taxes. Is it greedier to want to keep your own money, or to want to take someone else's?

International Free Trade. Almost all economists agree international trade benefits all parties involved. Tariffs and trade barriers are favorites of large corporations and unions who want you to pay for their over-priced products. Eliminate all barriers to trade.

Social Security. Our country must meet its promise to retired or nearly retired persons who are counting on social security. For all younger people and older people who choose it, the system should be privatized similarly to the successful privatization in Chile.

Welfare. Both corporate and personal welfare corrupts people’s motivation. A strong economy is the best welfare. Private organizations and individuals are best at determining who truly needs help, and they encourage behavior that leads towards self-sufficiency.

Unions. Any group has the right to assemble and take peaceful action. Employers have the right to hire or fire or expel from private property whomever they please. Initiation of violence by either group is wrong.

Guns. Hunting is not the issue. The “right to bear arms” was intended to provide people the capacity to protect themselves from criminals and a government that attacks its citizens. Contrary to what you hear, crime actually drops where gun ownership increases. Libertarians respect the rights of citizens to hunt on private property where owners allow it.

Drugs and Crime. Drugs are a problem, but the “War on Drugs” makes things worse. It is difficult for some to accept, but ending drug prohibition would make our citizens safer, especially minorities and children. Private entities like schools, businesses, and individuals should set their own policies for drug use and/or drug testing instead of leaving this matter up to the government.

Military. Our soldiers should be well equipped to protect Americans in America. We have soldiers in over 100 foreign countries. What if 100 countries had soldiers in America? Our excessive intervention in foreign countries’ affairs creates resentment and attracts terrorism.

Education. Government schools are monopolies that cost double what private schools cost, often teach viewpoints that parents don’t like, and generally provide an inferior education. Some libertarians suggest that we start with tax credits and/or vouchers for private schools, but the ideal is “total separation of school and state.” Let parents choose which schools are best for their children based on the curriculum and other programs offered.

Free Speech. Absolutely! Prohibit any speech you want on YOUR private property, but leave others alone. Sticks and stones break bones, words don’t.

Environment. Most Americans care about the environment. Did you ever notice how it’s the government-owned property that is the most polluted? Who owns the lakes, rivers, roadsides, and most air emission rights? Eliminate the EPA and treat pollution like a trespass. Market-oriented reforms will provide a cleaner environment at lower costs.

Healthcare. Everyone wants good, affordable healthcare. If HMOs scare you, a national healthcare system will be like one big bureaucratic HMO that you absolutely will not be able to sue. Eliminate government regulation and allow private regulation and competition.

Monopolies. Only the government has sponsored successful monopolies that have harmed consumers, like the Post Office, utilities, and schools. The 19th century “robber barons” are a myth. They actually reduced prices drastically and expanded services rapidly. They only hurt consumers when they enlisted the government to prevent competition. Repeal antitrust laws, licensing, and trade barriers that protect special interests.

Regulations. Regulations help order the economy and protect consumers from dangerous products. Much existing regulation is private and enforced by associations and third parties, such as Underwriters Laboratories, kosher foods, Consumer Reports, Standard & Poors, and seals of approval. More regulatory functions should be re-privatized to promote innovation, reduce costs, and allow individuals to choose not to follow regulations they deem harmful to themselves.