Mike Ryan
Libertarian | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mike Ryan
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2018
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist.10
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Kettering University, Flint, BSEE, 1983
Notre Dame, Notre Dame, MGMT, 2011
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
St. Bartholomew, parishoner, NRA
member, Bayou Rifles, member
Katy Cruizers, member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Extremely rarely - only if and when the death of the mother is imminent and there is no other way... 99.9% of the time this is not the case... Mental issues such as stress should not be considered legitimate reasons. I also believe along with these laws we need to make ADOPTION an easier, more cost effective option. I know several couples who have spent tens of thousands of dollars on this cumbersome process.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
The federal government has far overreached its role. Over half of what they do is NOT in the Constitution. The best they SHOULD do is to set policies and get out of the way. Addressing China and trade issues is within their roles, but not healthcare and education - these issues should be delegated to the states. They should abide by the Constitution as it is written. I am a strict Constitutionalist. I write about this a great deal on my blog - the federal government does NOT create jobs, they only create the environment for individual freedom to prosper and create jobs.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
On several occasions I have spoken with younger folks from the party and had many discussions about the income tax. Everyone loves to hate it, fair enough. BUT - I get blank stares when I ask what I thought was a simple question - How did the USA get along and pay our bills, fund a military, etc BEFORE the income tax was created - by the 16th Amendment around 1902. Easy - Tariffs were the answer. I was recently interviewed by a conservative group for a possible endorsement - and this question came up. Our founding fathers were big supporters of tariffs, but I didn't know how much until I read this article from Pat Buchanan. From CNS news.com dated 7/23/18. "Patrick Buchanan: Did tariffs make America Great?" I believe we should quickly enact a FLAT tax - everyone pays the exact same rate, zero exceptions. We must also CUT spending drastically! I propose a Presidential Line Item VETO - it is the only way to make great changes. Eventually maybe eliminate the IRS and use tariffs instead.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
We must mandate e-verify and background checks - my family members have been identity theft victims. Employers must be fined for immigration violations and policy must change to favor citizens over global corporations and H1b visas. Then we CUT federal spending - every business person knows that less money available to the government means more in circulation for private businesses to use for growth. Studies prove the government is not a positive economic value multiplier. Trade issues must be addressed when other nations cheat and steal our intellectual property. I believe in reciprocal trade and support TRUMP. The federal government works best when it sets equal application of laws and policies, but leaves the administration and oversight to the states and their people.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
My signature policy on this is a Presidential Line Item VETO. Please don’t let the D and R parties divide us on social issues. While they distract us, they pass increased spending budgets beyond belief. I propose a Presidential Line Item VETO to cut spending. Congress will add spending increases and we can hold the President accountable for cutting them out. This will end cronyism and special interest lobbying. Taxpayers do not stand a chance against lobbyists in DC. The R party will use budget control as an excuse to cut Social Security – I say no! I will cut every other budget first before touching SS! I also propose 100% defunding of the Department of Education. Someone must be the adult in the room and say, "we do not have the money and this is NOT in the CONSTITUTION." Education is best addressed at the State level.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
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.
Strongly 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 Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
The federal government should set policies and get out of the way. The Tenth Amendment allows the States to take power and ownership of this issue. The older system to health insurance prior to 1976 and HMOs worked well – third party payers must be eliminated. We should be able to buy health insurance much like car and home insurance – clear descriptions of covered items and costs. Cross state purchasing, etc. are great ideas, but the States should take the lead on managing these issues. The federal government is too prone to crony lobbying and special interest groups working against patients’ interests.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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 Agree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
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.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
I am an experienced international traveler. I do not like the TSA system, I believe the patriot act violates our 4th Amendment rights. We need to use the PROVEN system that the Israeli government employs - profiling through software and personal agents in airports. The "no-fly list" is a poor mechanism and there are no options for redress. Profiling involves data collection, online background checks, flight history patterns, etc, prior to airport arrival. All airport agents are trained to ask certain questions and report any issues. If a problem arises, the traveler is not allowed to board the flight. The screening is much more security and cost effective and efficient.
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
All our founders had Christian backgrounds. Their belief was clear - that man is flawed and in general, the larger the government grows, the more oppressive it becomes. Governments are just large organizations of people. The entire Constitution is based on limiting the power and scope of the government and giving a preference to individual liberty.My writings are on my blog - ConservativeCultureClub.blogspot.com
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a practicing Catholic, married 26 years, 4 children. I believe we are all God's children; we must treat each other as equals. The larger the government grows , the more it interferes with this relationship. CHARITY should be a personal choice, not forced upon anyone by the government per 10th Amendment. Davy Crockett met a farmer named Horatio Bunce, a man of highest integrity, intelligence and a stickler for the Constitution. He told Crockett coldly that: “If you have the right to give to one, you have the right to give to all; and, as the Constitution neither defines charity nor stipulates the amount, you are at liberty to give to any and everything which you may believe, or profess to believe, is a charity, and to any amount you may think proper… this would open for fraud and corruption and favoritism, on the one hand, and for robbing the people on the other. Bunce said that the taxpayers' money was “not yours to give.”Governments are always generous with other people’s money.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2012 General Election, 2014 General Election, 2016 General Election
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I write a blog - ConservativeCultureClub.blogspot.com and MikeRyanTexas.blogspot.com I have been doing this for many years! Also see my posts on facebook for my platform - @MikeRyanForCongress My Platform is listed on my campaign website - www.mikeryanforcongress.com
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have over 30 years of international and domestic business experience. I have managed small companies, startups and publicly listed firms. I have experience in the energy industry, finance, manufacturing, automotive, and healthcare systems. I have managed teams from many parts of the world and been held accountable for P&L issues as well as financial audit responsibilities. I am an active member in my community, having coached several little league teams, served several board level positions for local 501C3 organizations. I also am a member of the NRA, Bayou Rifles, Katy Cruizers clubs and volunteer for local charities. I have a BSEE degree from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and post grad executive education from Notre Dame. I formerly held NASD securities license 6 and 63 as well as a life insurance license. I currently hold a TWIC clearance and a Texas LTC (formerly CHL) license.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
mikeryantexas@gmail.com
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am the only candidate that is mentioning the Presidential Line Item VETO as a method to address runaway spending -all the other parties are silent. This is a critical issue which can change the course of our country for the better. We need to elect principled leaders who follow through on their commitments. With this veto, we can cut spending on many departments like Education and programs like Planned Parenthood, and preserve Social Security and our own monetary system for generations. My three commitments are: 1. Build the Wall 2. Presidential Line Item veto - allows defunding of many programs 3. Defund 100% Department of Education . This is a proof point that we can actually eliminate a government agency which is NOT specified in the Tenth Amendment. This program should be managed at the State level. Please go to www.mikeryantexas.com and VOTE to MAGA!
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
