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| Jonathan V. Wright, Libertarian |
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| Candidate: U.S. Representative, District 9 |
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| Jonathan V. Wright |
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| Age: 55 |
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| Residence: Auburn |
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| Occupation: |
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Physician |
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| Education: |
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A.B. in cultural anthropology, Harvard University; M.D., University of Michigan |
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| Political history: |
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Libertarian Party member since 1972 |
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| Endorsements: No group endorsements |
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| Campaign Web site: www.drwright.org |
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| Campaign theme: |
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A gradual return to individual responsibility and freedom. |
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| 1. |
Should Congress act to lower the cost of prescription drugs? If so, should Congress create a Medicare drug benefit? |
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Congress should make drugs, nutritional and herbal supplements more accessible to everyone, including seniors, by making them purchasable with pre-tax dollars. Congress should authorize tax-deductible contributions from individuals and corporations to pay for these items for those who can't afford them. |
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| 2. |
Should the Snake River dams be torn down and timber harvests limited to protect endangered species? |
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The Snake River dams should only be breached if the families and businesses presently dependent on them for power and water can be provided with these resources by other means. The subject of timber harvests is too complex to address briefly. |
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| 3. |
Should new laws be enacted to prevent businesses from sharing consumers' personal information? |
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Private contract law should be developed and/or applied to enable individuals to sue and collect damages for unauthorized use of personal information. |
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| 4. |
Are the nation's gun laws too restrictive, too lenient or appropriate as they are? |
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Australia's restriction of gun rights was followed by a significant increase in armed robbery and violent crime. Every Swiss home must have a gun; Swiss gun-related crime is low. Professor John Lott's book "More Guns, Less Crime" (University of Chicago Press) emphatically documents its title. |
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| 5. |
Should America be trading with China and/or Cuba? Why? |
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Individual Americans and American corporations should be trading with anyone, anywhere. The only exceptions should be instances proven (by strict criteria) to adversely affect national security. |
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| 6. |
Do you favor or oppose access to abortion? Should the president appoint justices who oppose abortion rights? |
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According to the 10th Amendment, abortion is an individual and state issue. The president should appoint judges with a demonstrated capacity to understand and apply the plain language of the Constitution, who would return this issue to the individual states. |
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Should the government pay to give school vouchers to parents who choose to send their children to private schools? |
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According to the 10th Amendment, education is an individual and state responsibility. As a "gradual step" in this direction, Congress should authorize the use of pre-tax dollars to pay for education. Congress should authorize tax-deductible contributions to pay for the education of those who cannot afford it. |
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| 8. |
Is there any project in Washington that deserves more federal support? How would you secure that funding? |
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Washington residents should support projects in Washington. Congress should cut taxes and minimize regulations to make more money and energy available for state projects. For an example, see my Web site about a congressionally-authorized "Free Port of Tacoma." |
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| 9. |
What should Congress do to shore up Social Security? |
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How can we "save" Social Security? By remaining faithful to its goal -- a comfortable retirement plan -- which can only be done by maintaining current seniors benefits, while gradually converting it to a privately funded, privately controlled system for future generations. |
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| 10. |
How would you extend healthcare coverage to more Americans? |
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All individuals and families should be empowered to pay for health insurance with pre-tax dollars, as corporations have done for decades. Congress should vastly expand tax-deductible contributions to pay for health coverage for those who cannot afford it. |
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