Jacqueline Smith for U.S. House of Representatives, UT
✓ Jacqueline’s website: JacquelineSmith2012.com
✓ Jacqueline’s Meetup page
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Jacqueline answers the Liberty Candidate questions below:
I) Re. the U.S. Financial System:
1. What is your view of the monetary system in the U.S. today?
The current monetary system is based on Keynesian style economics. This is a flawed view of economy and should be replaced with an Austrian or more classic view of economics. Fredrick Bastiat is one of my favorite philosophers in economics. We need sound money, and a stable currency that cannot be manipulated by bankers.
2. What corrective actions could we take right now to improve the economy?
There are many problems that need to be addressed. The biggest problem is bailouts and artificially holding up parts of the economy that are destined to fail. I have studied the Kondratiev wave and I understand that things need to be allowed to fail. Private enterprise will come in and grab hold of any assets left that are worth anything in the market and rebuild or re-tool. We must stop printing (digitizing) the money supply. This creates an influx of cash into the system, causing the dollar to buy less. In a free-market economy, buyers and sellers create the market on their own without market manipulation, which always ends poorly for the average American. We need to stop Federal spending, and slash the size of government, including entitlements so that Americans can sustain the government without more borrowing. Regulations and taxes currently drive a lot of capitol out of the country. Lowering taxes and de-regulating industries will create an environment for free-enterprise to flourish.
3. Do you agree with the actions the Federal Reserve has taken to solve the financial crisis? If not, what could the Fed have done differently?
I do not agree, and I believe I actually answered some of this in the last question. They must stop borrowing and printing money, and stop Quantitative easing. These things lead to artificial stimulus that will not last and cannot be sustained giving the appearance that all is well. This can actually create a harder, deeper crash.
4. Should the Federal Reserve be audited fully, no secrets, or does it need to keep some information under wraps?
Yes, thorough audit to it’s eventual end.
II) Re. Foreign Policy:
1. What is your opinion on current US foreign policy?
We have an interventionalist foreign policy. I agree with Thomas Jefferson, “Peace, commerce, and friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.” We must change our foreign policy to a non-interventionist foreign policy and end policing of other countries. Free-trade would be a better foreign policy.
2. How should we fight a “war on terror”?
There should be no such thing as a war on terror. You cannot go to war against a tactic. We should be sure that we have secured our own borders, and have good intelligence gathering in other countries, along with strong military defenses. We do not need 500 bases around the world draining our economy and building up others in this time of crisis. While a complicated issue, peaceful means first, along with free-trade. I think much of our problem exists because of our current foreign policy. Frederick Bastiat said, “When goods don’t cross borders, armies will.”
3. Should the U.S. occupy other countries? If not, would you push to close all bases? Are there any you would keep open?
No, the US should not occupy other countries. I don’t think closing ALL bases would be wise, immediately. But if you look at the number of bases we have, there are many that are no longer needed. If a government wants our base to stay, then they should have to pay for it, instead of the other way around. We can do this without affecting our national security. Eventually closing all bases may be in the best interest of the United States.
4. Should the U.S. maintain its standing army?
According to the Constitution Article 1, Section 8 it is proper for the government to maintain an army, but it has a two year window. States, having a national guard is more in line with the Constitution.
5. Is the Patriot Act necessary to protect America? If not, would you vote to repeal it?
It may have provided by appearance some protection, but I stand with Franklin who said, “When we trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety, we will have neither and deserve neither.” I would repeal it.
III) Re. Personal Liberty:
1. What information may the U.S. government legally gather about its citizens? When would it be necessary to overstep those boundaries?
They have the right to gather a census. (to count us only) They really don’t have the right to any other information unless a crime has been committed.
2. What limits, if any, should be placed on the U.S. government’s ability to search its citizens without a warrant?
The Constitution and Bill of Rights have already set these limits. The Fourth Amendment is very plain.
3. Ought the U.S. government be allowed to protect its citizens’ health by outlawing foods it considers unsafe, or to force medicate (i.e., fluoridation) or force vaccinate citizens?
The government should not be doing this at all. Outlawing foods is against natural law. Forcing anyone to take medications or receive vaccinations is against right reason. Having minimum requirements for food safety are good, but this could all be handled by the free-market.
4. What controls, if any, should be placed on the right to own a gun? Is there an effective way to keep guns out of the hands of madmen and criminals without encroaching on the rights of free, law-abiding citizens?
No limits on owning weapons unless you have been convicted of a crime using a deadly weapon. Domestic violence issues overreach this fundamental right as well. Many people convicted of domestic violence have never touched their spouse, but have destroyed their own personal property in anger, and then are denied their rights to own a gun. We cannot begin to judge people based on a crimes they might commit. Who would determine someone’s mental health? Government is there to protect our liberty, and in a free society where liberty reigns supreme, there are times when people will be hurt by mad men. Unfortunate, but reality. When a free citizenry has knowledge and availability of guns, the less likelihood of man men encroaching on the liberty of others. Crime would actually drop.
IV) Re. U.S. Sovereignty:
1. Is our involvement in and subjugation to global organizations, such as WHO, NATO, the UN, etc., a benefit to U.S. citizens?
NO. We need to be a sovereign nation without entangling alliances in global governance. We should never have to get permission to act.
2. Would you work to repeal international agreements that purport to hold U.S. citizens and/or property under its jurisdiction, or do you think there might be times when benefits outweigh concessions?
YES, I would repeal. Never a benefit.
3. Are trade agreements with other nations, i.e., NAFTA, CAFTA, good for U.S. citizens?
NO. These trade agreements are meant to look like free-trade, but they are manipulating the free-market system. Comparative advantage would be established without these trade agreements, if proper principles of economics were understood.
4. Should the U.S. give foreign aid to other countries? If yes, for what purposes would it be justified? If not all countries, which would you continue to support?
In our current financial climate, I don’t think this should continue. Much of our foreign aid tends to prop up dictators. It is not in our Constitution to allow for foreign aid to other countries. We would do more for them by allowing honest, free-trade, than by propping up their economy artificially. Aid should flow from private citizens or private organizations and not government.
V) Re. State Sovereignty:
1. When does state law take precedent over federal law?
Any time a state creates a law that does not violate the rights of an individual according to the Bill of Rights, or overreach into duties granted to the Federal Government by the Constitution, state law should have precedence. States created the Federal Government, and so the creator is higher than the creature.
2. Would you stand up to the federal government and demand that it stay within the bounds of its enumerated powers and out of state business?
YES!
3. Do federal officers have the right to arrest non-military citizens within the individual states for any crimes?
No. Sheriffs actually hold the highest position in government regarding law enforcement in their counties.
VI) Illegal Immigration:
1. What do you see as the #1 problem with illegal immigration?
A secure border, which could be done by closing overseas bases and bringing troops home could help secure the borders. We need to know who is coming into our country, and enforce the laws on the books. Ending entitlements would be a huge step in eliminating the enticements. When illegal aliens are caught committing crimes, they should be deported. We must also, make legal immigration easier and faster.
2. What actions could we take to stop illegal immigrants from taking advantage of social services?
Proof of citizenship should be required for any social services. This must be more than just a Social Security number since identity theft is rampant in our society. But I would want to rid our Federal government of these social services, and if they are necessary, put them into the hands of the states, and private charity. General welfare never meant entitlements. It meant the peace and overall happiness and security of the nation.
VII) Misc. Questions:
1. If you could make one amendment to the U.S. Constitution, what would it be?
My amendment would be to would repeal the 17th amendment. States need to have a voice at the table again, and not having state legislators choose our senators has created no state seat at the Federal table. The original intent of our founders was to have the people have a voice in the House, and the States in the Senate. Now the senate vote is just a popular vote, so the people control both houses and the states have no say.
2. Would you vote to end government subsidies to private industry?
YES!
3. What should our government’s action be against Julian Assange, if any?
I believe he was trying to open the door to a more honest transparent government. Publishing documents from the government is not a crime, but if he hacked into a computer to obtain the information, that is theft, he should be charged with that crime. We need to follow the rule of law.
4. Do you know what Agenda 21/Sustainable Development and the Communitarian agenda is? Do you support it? Why or why not?
Both of these ideas are communistic / Marxist in nature. The Communitarian agenda is designed to create an artificial social order and destroy individualism. Agenda 21 is a direct threat to our food supply, and comes from the belief that we live in a finite world where there is not enough. I believe that when we are responsible, the earth has more than enough and to spare. We must never turn our communities over to this type of thinking. I do not support it at all.
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Name: Jacqueline Smith
Office: U.S. House of Representatives
State: Utah
District: 1
Primary Date: – Convention Date is April 21 — Primary will only follow if I receive at least 40% plus 1 vote
Email Address: jacqueline@allwest.net
Website: www.JacquelineSmith2012.com
