Brett Borden
Libertarian | Washington
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Brett Borden
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 9 - Pos. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, 2004
West Valley High School, Spokane Valley, WA, Diploma, 2001
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Libertarian National Committee, Member, Libertarian Party of Washington
Treasurer, American Civil Liberties Union, 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 Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
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.
Neutral
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I support the option of abortion being legal early in pregnancy on personal choice grounds. I understand the sensitive nature of the issue and respect that good people differ in their opinions. Fundamentally, however, I find the idea of the government restricting personal medical decisions to that extent and criminalizing the practice to be a greater assault on liberty than more vague and non-demonstrable concepts like the question of when a fetus gains personhood.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Most. In the short term an overhaul of government bureaucracy is unattainable but a start would be to reduce spending virtually across the board and to begin freeing different parts of society from government control and returning it to our people and our communities.
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 Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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?
It means that the State has no place mandating policy through the guise of religion. It does not infringe on the right of individuals to practice their religion freely, but rather keeps one from being favored and imposed by majority.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Getting State mandates out of the picture and allowing people free choice of affordable health options on a genuinely free market would go a long way towards bringing adequate healthcare to more people and for less money. Having the State and the insurance lobby working in tandem removes all incentive to provide affordable options.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Disagree
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
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.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I support the right of free movement for free human beings. Full stop.
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.
Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was raised in a non-denominational Christian household and having an interest in philosophy have studied the Bible and other religious texts and histories. I see a lot to respect in Jesus Christ's message of love, peace, and being slow to judgment. This said, I do not subscribe to any particular church or religion and continue to research differing philosophies. My value is Liberty, plain and simple. I believe all people on this Earth have a fundamental right to live their lives as they see fit without restriction from the State or any other powerful interest. As a Libertarian, I do not pick who should or should not have this right, I fight for everyone's right.
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?
Somewhat Liberal
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Although not subscribing to the false liberal-conservative dichotomy, being for free expression could be termed liberal, as could my belief in non-interventionism. My support for a fiscally-responsible and ethical government could be termed conservative. I prefer the accurate description of Libertarian.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have experience as a business owner, bookkeeper, and blue collar worker, on top of a lifelong interest in policy and philosophy. I am running for a seat in our citizen legislature to provide a voice for individual liberty that is currently missing from our elected representatives.
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 respect free exchange of ideas and naturally seek to find common ground with those whom I may disagree. I realize my answers supporting radical individualism may differ at times with yours but am happy to respectfully discuss policy with people of any ideology, whether I'm running for office or not. Thank you for your consideration.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Few to none. I find gun control measures generally ineffective in increasing safety while surely infringing on the key right of self-defense.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Agree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Criminal justice reform measures to make our justice system more fair and just, 2. Election reform to make our elected officials more representative to the citizenry, 3. Occupational regulation and licensing reform to allow more people the right to better themselves without government interference.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes. Institutional, unequal treatment of free individuals undermines security in creating a culture of division in our society. One that is all too often exploited by unscrupulous politicians to further baseless culture wars.
