Steven Nielson
Libertarian | Washington
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steven Nielson
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2016
Election
Primary
Race
Comm. of Public Lands
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Washington, Seattle, BS, 2004
Green River Community College, Auburn, N/A, 2000
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Libertarian Party of WA, Chairman, 2015-2016, Libertarian Party of WA
Secretary, 2014-2015, Audubon Society of Denver, Volunteer, 2008
Douglas County GOP, Secretary, 2006-2008, AVID of California
Volunteer, 2004-2006
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Parks Commissioner, Orting, 2014-2015
Civil Service Commissioner, Orting, 2014-2015
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative, 2014
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
John McAfee, Fmr. Presidential Candidate
Steve Kerbel, Fmr. Presidential Candidate
Libertarian Party of Washington State
Don Secena, Chair, Chehalis Tribe
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Strongly Agree
Election of judges by the people for a definite term of office is the best way to select judges.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control laws are needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Government should enforce laws designed to protect the border and to prevent illegal entry into the country.
Neutral
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
Disagree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self-interest into the most productive economic system there is.
Strongly Agree
There should be a strict constitutional spending limit for state and local governments that would tie the rate of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Agree
Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like tobacco and alcohol.
Neutral
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Agree
The founders established pure democracy in the Constitution because they believed that it is the best form of government to ensure the safety and equitable treatment of all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
Free-market competition for education dollars, rather than a government monopoly, would create a better education for all students.
Strongly Agree
Where minor children are involved, divorce laws should be reformed to include mutual consent of both parents and an increased waiting period, unless there is fault or abuse.
Strongly Agree
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings.
Disagree
Business owners should be required by law to bake cakes, provide flower arrangements, etc., for same-sex weddings, even when these activities would infringe on their sincerely-held religious beliefs.
Disagree
Our state should participate in the nationwide Common Core standards for high-school graduation.
Strongly Disagree
Physician-assisted suicide should be legal.
Neutral
The more people live by Judeo-Christian values, the less government is needed.
Neutral
Islamic law (Sharia) does not pose a threat to the United States and its Constitution.
Neutral
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with public funds.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Planned Parenthood should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The founders built the nation on the growing understanding of Natural Law, expanding on the Magna Carta and John Locke's political philosophy of inalienable natural rights being endowed by God, not the crown. The formation of a limited government in the Articles of Confederation were reactionary to the King's authority and exteremely limited centralized government. In re-drafting the Constitution the intent was to further balance power between the People and the Central Govt.
Based on the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, please arrange the following entities, starting with the highest source of authority, and continue the list in descending order of authority, skipping any that do not apply: Academia, Congress, Constitution, God, Industry, Media, Professional Sports, Supreme Court, Voters.
(God) endows inalienable rights to (Voters) who have the authority to establish laws amongst themselves in a (Constitution) establishing a government of equal branches, amongst them are (Congress) and the (Supreme Court)
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe we are governed by natural laws, endowed by our Creator, that chiefly amongst these are Life, Liberty, and Property. Our founders were so inspired by the understanding of Natural Law, the non-denominational resolution that regardless of belief there exist certain inalienable truths and therefore natural rights. Locke, and appropriately our founders after him, rightfully identified Life as the chief natural right under natural law. If one is relinquished of the right to life, no other rights exist. As such, I personally oppose the practice of abortion as a means of birth control.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Universalist. To me this means committing my life to understanding the universal Truth of man's connection to God, free from presupposed religious expectations. God granted man free will with the instruction of 'thou mayest rule over sin'. I take this to believe that God wishes me to learn, wishes me to challenge, wishes me to investigate and communicate in my own ability (interpret) the connecting power of Love that drives the spiritual energy of the universe. I have been endowed with a spiritual gift, and I understand that gift to be unbound Love. Inasmuch I have adopted the Libertarian principle of non-aggression, that I may better the world through peace but also strengthen myself in the need for defense of Life, Liberty, and Property.
Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?
No Answer
Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
The above question fails to include 'Classically Liberal', which is an important distinction in today's political theatre. The spectrum provided concerns only matters to the "Left v. Right", where classic liberalism concerns the understanding of government authority v. personal liberty. So, while I may vary my personal opinion from matter to matter, my application of authority to force others to hold or comply to my same beliefs is strictly held in the classic liberal philosophy of personal liberty in lieu of being subject to authoritarianism.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.
steven@electnielson.com 360-662-6362
Additional comment from candidate:
I was raised in a town owing its origins to the timber industry, Enumclaw. My father instilled in me a love of the outdoors for sport and recreation and my mother raised me with a strong love for the spiritual aspect of our natural places. Our family moved from Enumclaw to Estacada, Oregon, where our family tree farming began allowing us an inside understanding into the lifecycle of forestry. I am the father of three daughters and the husband to my best friend. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington. I worked with Lockheed Martin on satellites, human spaceflight, and nuclear missiles. I now work producing advanced aerospace composites. I am an active member of my community, a children's book author, an artist, and an inspiring agent for positive change in the world. Thank you for your support.
