Brandon Michael Lape
Libertarian | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brandon Michael Lape
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 7
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Akron - Wayne College, Orreville, OH, 2001
University of Phoenix Online, Associate of Science in Computer Services/ Network
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Masonic Lodge - Ohio Lodge #199, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Libertarian Party of Ohio
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.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
No Answer
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I do not like this question as it is used to polarize people time and time again. Politically, I believe Government needs to stay out of this peoples’ bedrooms. Abortion is a choice not taken into lightly. Government should not be involved in a woman’s choice to acquire abortion services. Abortion services should NEVER be funded nor subsidized by Government. If there is a market and a clinic can stand on their own as a private business, they should be allowed to do so. I support and will protect a woman’s Right to abortion services up until the Second Trimester.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure 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
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
I would like to see an Opt-Out Option for Social Security. The Government should not be allowed to force us into buying an insurance product managed by said Government. You should have a Right to manage your money as you see fit. Social Security had its time and place in history. It is time we allow people to opt-out and use that money buy private retirement products. This would put control of your retirement back into your hands. No more need to wait on Government for a Cost of Living increase. Also, Titles IV and V of the Social Security Act have been used time and time again to fund Government Pet Projects. If you ask me, reappropriation of funds designated to earn interest is stealing. The SSA protects them from say so.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
As stated above, I would work to end the DEA by legalizing all recreational drugs. End the ATF by restoring the Second Amendment. A larger organization would be removed by repealing the Patriot Act. This would end the department of homeland security and lead to ending the NSA. These Orwellian organizations are used to track and spy on American citizens under the auspices of security. How much freedom do we have to give up under the guise of security? With these organizations in place, All of it.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
None. If anything, there needs to be a backlash in society against academia by paying more to those completing trade school programs. We need more makers: machine operators, assemblers, nurses, physical therapists, dental hygienists, horticulturalists, repair technicians, child care providers, etc. Academia can no longer promote being the more feesable option. I hope they haven't priced themselves out of existence. A person's individual finances are their own responsibility, not the collective.
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
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state means Government cannot infringe upon the Right of people to assemble and Worship as they see fit. Government cannot infringe means they cannot tax religious institutions. Transversely, religious institutions cannot pay to influence or lobby Government for their benefit or profit. We must protect citizens Right to religion.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I would end Government involvement in Healthcare. The reason Healthcare costs keep rising is because of add reporting and requirements from Government. This will allow for Health Care to do what they do best: care for their patients and their families. By removing the excess regulations and reporting requirements placed on Healthcare, the costs will come down. Also, opening the insurance markets to allow them to compete across state lines would increase competition which would also help drive costs down while driving consumer demand.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Disagree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
Leave them alone. Stop supplying weapons and munitions to the opposition. Announce that the United States will be withdrawing troops in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and any other occupied Middle Eastern Nation. Inform those Nations we will no longer supply military support. We will no longer police their lands, it will be up to them to promote peace. We will, instead, do what we can to promote open dialogue and trade. Empathy must be a first step to deescalating. Proof of empathy is to bring our troops home and withdraw. We can still have a strong military without the need to police the globe.
IMMIGRATION
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
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
We need to spend less on detaining and incarcerating illegal immigrants and focus more on streamlining and promoting the process of immigrating to the United States. We need to be more inclusive in immigrating people of all walks of life. Refugees from countries with Human Rights violations should get priority access to immigrate and integrate into the US. Opening our boarders and being more inviting will promote more growth and more talent than other nations with more closed off boarders and policies.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
No Answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was born into the Catholic Church. Upon my mother remarrying, I left before confirmations to their Presbyterian Church. Throughout High School, I searched for a church that answered my questions and fit me into adulthood. After attending a Baptist and Methodist church, I realized that I am an individual best suited to remain secular. I support a person’s Right to religion, to assemble in worship, and to create private support systems for their communities. I support separation of Church and State in that Government shall not infringe on the Right of an individual to worship.
ABOUT YOU
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.
Being Conservative, Liberal, or Moderate is dependent on the issue being discussed. When it comes to spending, I am Very Conservative. An example is that of our massive National Debt. Expanding Government will in no means help shrink the ever expanding Debt. Smaller Government will lead to less spending. Less spending will help us slowly begin paying down our debt. When it comes to the Rights of an individual, I can lean Moderate to somewhat Liberal. An example of this is my view on the 'War on Drugs'. I have never taken recreational drugs but believe it is not up to the Government to Police what a person does with their own body. Our Justice System is flooded due to treating this as a criminal issue as opposed to treating it as a Health issue.Legalizing all recreational drugs will end the War on Drugs and allow us to save billions every year in policing, arraigning, and incarcerating people. The 'War on Drugs is the longest prohibition in our Country's History.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I was born, raised, and reside in Ohio's 7th District. I am a product of the schools, communities, and employers of the 7th. I will promote local growth while minimizing the size an scope of Federal Government. The 7th has taken care of me, it's time I take care of the 7th for a while.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
No restrictions. The Second Amendment is clear. "Shall not infringe" is simple. I would work to repeal existing laws that have been used to infringe on this right. No other candidate in my race has the courage or principle to talk about or attempt what I am about to say. I would work to repeal the Gun Control Act of 1968, the National Firearms Act of 1938, and the Federal Firearms Act. This would restore the Second Amendment to its original intentions. This would restore our freedom and Right.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
No Answer
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Agree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
No Answer
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Neutral
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Social Justice Reform: End Qualified Immunity End Mandatory Minimum Sentencing End Civil Asset Forfeiture End No-Knock Warrants End the War on Drugs End US involvement in foreign conflicts I would request Congress declare War or withdraw US Troops from foreign conflicts. Opt-Out Social Security Give Americans the Freedom to buy retirement plans and insurance from the Private market as opposed to being forced to buy into a Government supplied program. Or... Allow Americans to keep more of what they earn.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
As I stated above, the criminal justice has not made it easy for a person of color. The playing field is in no way level. I hope restore equal rights and equal treatment by repealing parts of our broken system: End Qualified Immunity End Mandatory Minimum Sentencing End Civil Asset Forfeiture End No-Knock Warrants End the War on Drugs These are minor changes needed to start the process.
