Ricardo Perkins
Libertarian | Texas
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Ricardo Perkins
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2016
Election
General
Race
State Bd. of Educ., Dist. 5
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Texas, Austin, BS ChE, 1983
Arizona State University, Phoenix, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
The High Road on Dawson, Vice President, Clean Air Force of Central Texas
Vice President, Society Advancement of Materials & Processes Eng, Treasurer
Oak Hill Association of Neighborhoods, Vice President, Granada HOA
President, Oak Hill NPCT, Board
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Judge, Travis County Comm Court, 2014
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Strongly Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure children are properly educated.
Strongly Disagree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Strongly Agree
Biology textbooks which do not teach both the scientific strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution should be rejected.
Strongly Agree
The more people live by Judeo-Christian values, the less government is needed.
Neutral
Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self-interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity.
Strongly Agree
The Ten Commandments should not be displayed in public school buildings.
Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) does not pose a threat to the United States and its Constitution.
Disagree
More restrictive gun control laws are needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Students should not be taught about intelligent design.
Disagree
Free-market competition for education dollars, rather than a government monopoly, would create a better education for all students.
Strongly Agree
Our state should participate in the nationwide Common Core standards for high-school graduation.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
Neutral
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
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.
Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Starting from the position that we find ourselves currently, where abortion is allowed through the second term of the pregnancy, "if I were King", I would prefer that abortion not be allowed past the first trimester, under any circumstances, except for the severe risk of life to the Mother. I believe that an unborn human has limited personal rights and freedoms guaranteed under our Constitution, including the Right to Life. However, I do not believe that the definition of when the fetus becomes an unborn human is at conception. Because of where our law stands today, we can say this to the women and men who create human fetus / unborn humans: If you think you are pregnant, you must not wait to take action to terminate the potential pregnancy; it must be done immediately. I would expect this to occur within the first 8 weeks of the zygote formation. This, of course, is only my opinion.
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.
Voters Constitution Supreme Court Congress
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Man's inherent desire to conquer and control other people is why the Constitution limits and separates powers. If we did not have a Bill of Rights, like other countries do not, you would see leaders come to power based on their personal goals and ego, rather than based on doing what is good for their country or humanity.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was born and raised a Catholic by my Mother. I attended Catechism classes and learned about the teachings of Jesus and about God and many of the stories in the Bible until I was Confirmed at the age of thirteen. When I went to college I no longer attended church and I do not attend church today. I do not follow organized religion. I find spirituality and a connection with an omnipresent natural energy that I envision as God. My personal morality is based on a philosophy of pragmatic Utilitarianism. I believe that honesty and hard work should be rewarded throughout life. Taking emotional or financial advantage of others is wrong. I do not believe that all of societies problems are to be solved by our generation and that we should be focused on those immediate problems that we can effect a change in during our life time.
Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?
Somewhat Conservative
Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.
Libertarians are considered somewhat Conservative because we believe in the personal liberty and freedoms guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We do not believe that the Government should have unchecked power or authority over the personal life of the individual. We believe that big government programs, ever increasing taxes and budget deficits, are completely at odds with the freedom of the individual on which our country was founded. I believe it is the responsibility of private individuals, not big government, to provide assistance to those less advantaged. I support many nonprofit groups in this regard. I donate money to organizations to help with the less fortunate people who may not have enough food, medical care, or education. I donate money and time to organizations that support those who have found themselves disadvantaged. I support the Second Amendment and the Right of all individuals to own guns of many types.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.
stem@ricardoperkins.info 512-426-5728
Additional comment from candidate:
I have been a member of the Libertarian Party for 5 years and I continue to realize and understand more each year about how important it is for U.S. citizens to expand upon our two-party system. The addition of a third party to any debate, always expands the options available as solutions. It eliminates the "right versus wrong" stances that come up when we only has Right vs Left or Conservative vs Liberal ideologies. For this reason, it is important for citizens to embrace a third party so that we can get better solutions. Please consider doing so. If you don't like the Republicans and you don't like the Democrats, you are more than likely a Libertarian. Go to www.lp.org to find out.
