Phil Kurtz
Libertarian | Texas
Candidate Profile
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Bauer Business School University of Houston, HOUSTON, MBA, 2009
Cullen College of Engineering, Univ. of Houston, HOUSTON, MIE, Master Industrial Engineering, 2009
Cullen College of Engineering, Univ. of Houston, HOUSTON, BSIE, Bachelor of Science Indust. Engineering, 2003
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
ACTS, Catholic Evangelical Apostolate, Board of Directors (2 years), ACTS, Catholic Evangelical Apostolate
Core Team, Music CoOrdinator (3 Years), Virtus Trained Catechist, Confirmation Catechist (6 years)
Libertarian Party of Texas, Delegate to County , District and State Convention, St. Justin Martyr Parish
Music ministry., Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honor Society
Alpha Pi Mu, Industrial Engineering Honor Society, AOPA- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Texas State Senate D17, 2006, 2010,
Texas House D132, 2008, 2012, 2016
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
iVoteAmerica™ and iVoteTexas™
Americans for Legal Immigration PAC
Certified Constitutional Candidates, C3
Constitutional Grassroots Movement
The Libertarian Party Mises Caucus
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
None. Abortion violates the GOD given and unalienable Right to Life, the first recognized right in our Declaration of Independence. I Pledge that I will Introduce and Support Federal legislation that protects and defends LIFE.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Deregulate as much as possible. Streamline the bureaucracy where ever they can. Stop subsidizing companies based on social engineering and market manipulation. Protect American businesses from predatory foreign companies who do not adhere to the same standards as the American companies.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
The graduated income tax needs to be removed. I would be supportive of a flat tax. Also, transparency in taxation would go a long way toward raising the awareness of the public on where their money is going. Too many taxes are hidden. The real problem is spending. Until a balanced budget and spending limitations are passed, congress will continue to out spend revenues, thereby necessitating raising taxes. I pledge to vote against any increases in taxation or spending, support the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment and promote free market solutions that require little or no government intervention.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Give tax breaks for vocational education. Let the private sector train people to do their jobs. It is not the government's responsibility to create jobs. Eliminate Guest Worker Visas and promote employment education for citizens. Fill the jobs with Americans. Also reduce corporate taxes so that companies can expand and hire.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
Take the Social Security fund out of the General Fund and allow individual investing much like a 401K or IRA. This will enable people to be engaged in their own financial future. The whole program could be modeled like mutual fund allowing people to make selections and changes to their investments.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Deregulate the Healthcare Insurance Industry to allow innovation and offer an expanded portfolio of options to the market. This will encourage competition and reduce costs by increasing supply. The first step is to repeal the PPACA, Obamacare. It has a stranglehold on the industry and has driven premiums up and coverage down. On the actual medical side there needs to be a streamlining of the bureaucratic hoops and regulations that overwhelm medical operations. Government overreach in the name of safety has stifled growth in research and development of new procedures and pharmaceuticals. This is also manifest in skyrocketing costs. Remove the restrictions, and let the free market work.
NATIONAL SECURITY
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Neutral
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
The United States should protect its sovereignty from the United Nations.
Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Institute a Constitutional amendment and enforcement banning Sharia law, following the lead of these 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, who have already amended their constitutions. Impose deportation by enforcing Section 8 U.S. Code § 1481 - Loss of nationality by native-born or naturalized citizen; voluntary action; burden of proof; presumptions. Enforce border security.
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The insatiable desire for power and its corrupting influence. This is why our government operates on a multilevel foundation with checks and balances, when properly followed. I intend to return Constitutional values and standards to the House.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Catholic, Christian and Conservative. This defines me. My values are prioritized by GOD being the top followed by Family, then others. I believe in GOD given free will and accepting the consequences of one's actions. I believe in the forgiveness that comes with true repentance and restitution. I think Charity should be voluntary and not government mandated. I value loyalty and honesty over influence and symbolism. I prefer clarity to agreement. And I know that I will be judged for all of this, at the end of time.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2012 General Election, 2014 General Election, 2016 General Election
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
My position, endorsement, pledges and ratings are available on my website at: https://philkurtzforcongress.nationbuilder.com/my_positions Examples: iVoteAmerica™ and iVoteTexas™ the next generation of conservatives™ "To date you're the first Libertarian, we have endorsed, and it's because of your strong pro-life position, commitment to constitutional principles, free markets and limited government." - Donald Teel, CEO, iVoteAmerica https://ivotetexas.com https://ivotetexas.com/phil-kurtz-liberty-in-the-9th-district Producer Ken Webster. Jr. , Radio Personality and Host of the Pursuit of Happiness Radio Show on KPRC “If you live in Texas 9th district, @PhilKurtz3 is a conservative-libertarian challenging Al Green for his seat in the House. Phil is the only reasonable choice & I endorse him 100%.” http://www.kenwebsterjr.com Pledges: The Human Coalition, Pro-Life Organization, https://www.humancoalition.org The Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Americans for Tax Reform, www.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have 30+ Years in Sales and Business Development.Two Master degrees. I have owned small businesses and created net worth through saving and investing. As a business consultant, I have re-engineered and streamlined business operations. The most important thing however is that I am like my constituents. I have been downsized in a corporate restructuring, I have had my job sacrificed by a Union to maintain their image. I have lost homes. I have raised two children and put them through college.I've loaded boxes in a warehouse and swept floors in a factory to make a living. I came to Houston in 1981 with a suitcase, a cooler and my newlywed wife. I still have the wife who has stood beside me every step of the way. I have reinvented myself several times over. I raised my kids in TEXAS Congressional District 9, they went to school there, we attend church there. I can be a voice for the district in the US House, I can represent it because I am the product of Texas Congressional District 9.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
PhilKurtz4Congress2018@gmail.com 281-574-4652
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I Pledge that I will: Introduce and Support Federal legislation that protects and defends LIFE; the first and most important of our GOD given unalienable rights; Seek out and work to Repeal Federal Laws and Regulations that take away personal Freedoms and Liberty, both for individuals and businesses; Work to Repeal Federal Laws and Regulations on Guns, returning the Constitutional Standard mandated by the Second Amendment; Support legislation that defends Religious Freedom and restores the Constitutional standard defined by the First amendment; Support Legal Immigration Reform and endeavor to defund the support of illegal immigration. I do not support amnesty, visa expansions, guest worker programs, or any rewards for those who voluntarily remain in the US illegally. I do support citizenship for voluntary military service upon an honorable discharge;PRO-TAX REFORM: Vote against any increases in taxation or spending, support the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment and promote free market
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
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