Tom Ferkinhoff
Libertarian | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Tom Ferkinhoff
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2018
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 6
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Batesville High School, Batesville, IN, 1980
Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN, BS, 1984
WORK & MILITARY
Thomas Ferkinhoff Prof Corp, Owner, 22
AFFILIATIONS
Son Serfer youth ministries, Director, 1st Wesleyan Church Richmond
Trustee, Fountain City Wesleyan Church, Treasurer/lay leader
Habitat for Humanity, construction volunteer, Randolph County EDC
board member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
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.
Agree
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.
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 Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Disagree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Agree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Neutral
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Neutral
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The United States should protect its sovereignty from the United Nations.
Strongly Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2012 General Election, 2014 General Election, 2016 General Election
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives I would not have any input into the legality of abortion since the courts have declared that this is their issue. I also would not serve a role of appointing or confirming judges. I do believe that we should support any programs that have been successful in reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
The U.S. needs to stop meddling in other countries and focus on defending its own borders.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised in a Christian home and have lived by very conservative principles throughout my life. I believe that I personally have an obligation to help others who have not been blessed the way I have been in my life.
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?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have always leaned Libertarian which includes very conservative economic beliefs while allowing people to live however they choose in their personal lives as long as they are not harming anyone. If the way they choose to live results in consequences then they should not expect the government to bail them out. I don't believe that the government should approve or disapprove of any certain lifestyle but stay out of people's lives.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I believe that this is best left to the free market and to local communities.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Reduce regulations and taxes. The government should stop picking winners and losers by incentivizing and subsidizing one industry over others.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
It should be truly simplified and streamlined by moving to a system that is much closer to a flat tax. We need to do away with many of the credits and subsidies that are administered through the tax system that serve as a disincentive to people improving themselves financially.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Reduce government regulation and interference in businesses (see answer to question #31). Also, stop extending unemployment benefits and go back to requiring people to actively look for work to draw benefits. One of the #1 complaints I hear from business clients is they cannot find employees and when they offer a job to someone who applies they are told they will only accept the job if they pay them 'cash under the table' so they don't lose their unemployment benefits.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
Tie the increase in benefits for delaying receiving SS benefits to the U.S. Treasury rate. Stop giving SS benefits to kids whose parents are receiving benefits because they are old enough to draw. The child of a 70 year old millionaire who has a child with a much younger woman should not draw benefits from the taxpayers.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have been a CPA in public practice for over 30 years and have seen firsthand how the tax laws affect people. I have successfully managed people to get them to come together to work toward a common goal. I have had a great deal of success helping struggling businesses to turn themselves around. This involves evaluating a large amount of data and working with the boards of these companies to come up with the key things that need to happen to improve results. I have also worked with young people helping them to learn job skills and life skills and have seen firsthand how lifetime government welfare benefits trap them in a cycle of poverty.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
Tom@Ferkinhoff2018.com
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I believe that the #1 problem that we have in Washington is that Congress has become more and more ineffective due to constant partisanship. People who go to Washington are under tremendous pressure to follow the party line. As a Libertarian representative I will not have the pressure to work for the good of a party but will work exclusively for the good of the people.
