Russell Brooksbank
Libertarian | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Russell Brooksbank
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2016
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 9
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Withrow High School, Cincinnati, Diploma, 1989
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army Reserve, Specialist, 6.5
Advance Ready Mix, Diesel Mechanic, 12
Chaz Concrete LLC, Dispatcher, 3
Atlas Ready Mix, Driver, 4
AFFILIATIONS
Libertarian Party of Clark County, Vice Chairman, Teamster Local 89
Chief Steward, Northside Christian Church, Member, Usher
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Clarksville Town Council, 2015
In State Representative, 2014
Race
Previous Races
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
Strongly Agree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
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.
Strongly Disagree
The U.S. military should wait for militant Islamic groups to directly threaten our national security on our shores, rather than eradicate them now wherever they may be worldwide.
Agree
The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries.
Agree
I support legislation such as the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) that would prohibit discrimination against individuals, organizations and small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Neutral
The federal government should establish Common Core as a nationwide academic standard for high school graduation.
Strongly Disagree
I oppose the resettlement of Syrian refugees into the U.S. without proper vetting.
Agree
Current regulations on domestic oil exploration and drilling are more restrictive than are necessary.
Strongly Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Agree
More restrictive gun control laws are needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
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 enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self-interest into the most productive economic system there is.
Strongly Agree
Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions until they are economically feasible.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
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
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Disagree
Planned Parenthood should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Marijuana should be legalized and regulated like tobacco and alcohol.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) does not pose a threat to the United States and its Constitution.
Disagree
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, Voters, Constitution, Congress & Supreme Court
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
First, I believe that this is an issue that should be determined by each individual state. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives I would support any legislation that would allow each state to decide for themselves how best to address the issue. That said, I believe the mother has the inherent and inalienable right to self defense. I would allow abortion if the mother's life were in danger or if she was made pregnant involuntarily through rape. I would add the following caveats though. I believe that in the case of the life of the mother then the abortion should be performed as soon as possible and the child should be anesthetized in order to ensure the child does not suffer needlessly. In the case of rape, I would allow abortion up to the point of detectable brain activity. Beyond that, the possibility of sentience exists in my opinion and to end their life would be cruel at that point.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Man's natural desire to be free is what caused America's Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit the powers of our government with the restraining document known as the Constitution.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian. Have been my entire life. I was baptized Roman Catholic, confirmed Lutheran, and I currently attend a non-denominational Christian church. I believe that God gave us freewill for a reason and that if He will not violate it then what do we think gives us the right to violate it? I believe that it is my job as a Christian to show God's love, mercy, and grace. It is not my job to keep people from sinning. Conviction of the spirit is the job of the Holy Spirit. It is not my job to judge anyone. That is God's job. Jesus said that we should render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's. I would govern with that in mind by keeping the government out of matters of religion and keeping religion out of matters of government. I believe doing that protects our freewill.
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.
I have no publicly available track record other than my publicly available comments and opinions on my personal and campaign Facebook pages. I refused to answer the question because, like a lot of the questions in this questionnaire, the correct answer isn't an option. As a Libertarian, I am financially responsible (some would say "Conservative") and socially tolerant (some would say "Liberal"). I'm not going to bore you with definitions of things like "Classical Liberal". I leave you to do that research on your own. It's an interesting study to see how the terms "conservative" and "liberal" have meant different things throughout the years. I think the best answer I can give to this question is this: I believe that we should all be free to do whatever we wish provided we don't violate the rights of others in the process. We don't need our pocketbooks governed. We don't need our bedrooms governed. We don't need our lives governed. We need our government governed. I aim to do just thate
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.
rpbrooksbank@aol.com and 502-494-9943
Additional comment from candidate:
I want to thank the ivoter guide for doing what they are doing to educate the public about their candidates. An informed voter is a very effective weapon against tyranny. I will leave you with this. I want to be your representative because I want to leave my grandchildren a government of the people, by the people, and for the people instead of a government of the special interest, by the special interest, and for the special interest. I envision an America where all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others. I believe we all want the same things. We want a safe place to raise our children and grandchildren in, a government that works for us instead of against us, and a community we can call home. I believe we can have all those things if we just return to our roots and give liberty a chance.
