John Hicks
Libertarian | Kentucky
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Hicks
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2019
Election
General
Race
Governor
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, B.A., 1968
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army, SP4, 1969-70
AFFILIATIONS
Project Lake Worth, Board member, Fern Creek Community Association
President, Brick House Community Center, Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
LVL1, Member, volunteer, Portland Now, Inc.
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Kentucky House District 43, 2018
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
No Answer
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I believe in the primacy of our "right to life" as our first inalienable right) and am opposed to abortion. As a Libertarian I believe in minimal government and maximum personal freedom, but that freedom doesn't extend to the taking of another's life. Note that, as a person who has never had a uterus and never ovulated, I'd be presumptuous to pronounce on when a woman's pregnancy should come under the scrutiny of government's prying eye. I've promised my running mate, Ann Cormican, that I'll consult with her if I'm ever called on to make such a pronouncement as Governor.
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
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Neutral
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Neutral
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Encouraging people to find good, gratifying work that they can take pride in performing. Minimizing governmental regulations (such as minimum wage) that discourage the employment of inexperienced and unskilled workers. Encouraging innovative apprentice-like programs.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
Mainly staying out of the way.
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.
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
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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?
Good health, not "healthcare coverage" (which implies that insurance is central), is the goal. I favor Health Savings Accounts and accurate public pricing of healthcare services. Health "insurance" has been mired in state and federal overregulation ever since World War II.
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.
No Answer
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.
Neutral
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Neutral
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Disagree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Neutral
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The fear of tyranny of the majority in a new country that had no monarch. (Also, a good knowledge of Montesquieu.)
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I consider myself to be a religious person, but I do not wish my religious beliefs to be a factor in this election.
ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
No Answer
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?
No Answer
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
These days the terms "liberal" and "conservative" are vague and arbitrary. Modern-day liberals have little to do with the original meaning of that term (derived from Latin liber, mean free). This "classical liberalism" is what inspired our founding documents. Modern-day conservatives have drifted from the principles of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, who favored minimal government and maximum personal liberty. I favor limiting the federal government's powers to those enumerated in the Constitution. (I was a Goldwater supporter in 1964, as a senior in high school and freshman in college. I attended the 1964 Republican Convention that summer where he was nominated.)
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have a B.A. in political science with concentrations in history and economics from Stetson university. I taught in Jefferson County Public Schools for two years after college. I published a community newspaper in Fern Creek, Kentucky, fo ten years. I've spent the last 30 years as an IT consultant, working on projects that took me to a variety of companies, industries, and locations.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
john@hicksforkentucky.com 502-213-0428
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am running on three themes: -- Liberty - Limited government under the U.S. Constitution. Civil liberties under the Bill of Rights. Opposition to crony capitalism. -- Civility - Encouraging discussion and debate with mutual respect. Advocating the radical reinvention of education, including strengthened civics education. -- Election reform - To overcome today's voter polarization and alienation, I advocate "Ranked choice Voting" (RCV) to implement (1) "Instant Runoff Elections" (IRV) and (2) proportional representation using "Single Transferable Voting" (STV).
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Disagree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
