Topher Kersting

Independent | Tennessee

Candidate Profile

Leans Liberal

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Topher Kersting


Party

Independent


Election Year

2016


Election

General


Race

U.S. Rep., Dist. 3


Incumbent

No


Links

Topher Kersting websites FacebookX

EDUCATION

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, B.A. International Relations, 1992

WORK & MILITARY

eCommerce Consultant, Consultant, 2012-present

First Art Source, Product Development Manager, 2003-2012

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Merchandise Coordinator/Trainer, 2000-2003

Accurate Automation Corporation, Project Manager, 1996-2000

AFFILIATIONS

(Candidate did not provide)

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

(Candidate did not provide)

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

Race

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Disagree

Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Strongly Disagree

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.

Disagree

The United States must maintain a nuclear arsenal that is safe, reliable, modern and numerically superior to those of potential adversaries.

Disagree

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.

Strongly Disagree

The federal government should establish Common Core as a nationwide academic standard for high school graduation.

Neutral

I oppose the resettlement of Syrian refugees into the U.S. without proper vetting.

Disagree

Current regulations on domestic oil exploration and drilling are more restrictive than are necessary.

Disagree

It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.

Agree

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Strongly Disagree

More restrictive gun control laws are needed to protect public safety.

Neutral

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.

Neutral

Governments should pay to develop wind and solar energy solutions until they are economically feasible.

Agree

Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.

Strongly Disagree

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.

Neutral

The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.

Strongly Agree

Planned Parenthood should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.

Strongly Disagree

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.

Agree

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.

1. Constitution 2. Supreme Court 3. Voters 4. Congress --------------- Those below the line don't have authority, but do have responsibility. 5. Media 6. Industry 7. Academia 8. Professional Sports I'm an atheist, so God has no authority.

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

I believe both the pro-life and pro-choice sides are too extreme. I learned a few years ago that one Christian belief was that the soul entered the body at the quickening--the time when the mother first feels the baby move. The idea that life begins at conception is heartbreaking, given the number of eggs that fail to implant and the number of miscarriages, so I think a later time is warranted. Currently, the world record for premature survival is just over twenty-one weeks, so I think abortion should be unrestricted until the 20th week, then it should be allowed in cases where the mother's life is in danger or if the baby has no chance of any quality of life once born.

What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?

People who get power want to get more power, so the Founding Fathers did their best to keep people from becoming too powerful.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I'm an atheist. I believe in treating people fairly and with respect. As such, I try to call people by the names they wish to be called, as I think insults only breed contempt. For the most part, I think the Gospel of Bill and Ted is a good guideline: "Be Excellent To Each Other."

Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which of these best describes you?

Moderate

Please defend your answer to the previous question by referencing your publicly available track record.

I tend to be a social liberal and a fiscal conservative, but even within those I tend to be more moderate than most. I believe that politicians taking extreme positions and refusing to budge or negotiate is holding our country back.

E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you.

topher@kersting.com 423.933.4855

Additional comment from candidate:

I don't expect to have any real chance of winning this election, given that Chuck Fleischmann is an established mainstream Republican incumbent in a district that votes about 70% Republican. The Democrats put up a sacrificial candidate in Melody Shekari, who, like Fleischmann, is about as strongly a mainstream establishment candidate. Of the two other independents, Rick Tyler is a Biblical literalist, white supremacist, Confederate worshiping conservative, while Cassandra Mitchell is a nice, well-meaning Green Party supporter. I am the only moderate in the race, I will listen to the voters--my personal email address and phone number are available--and I will do my best to make the 3rd District, Tennessee, the USA, and the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.

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