Joe Roberts
Libertarian | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe Roberts
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 100
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, B.A. Spanish, 1993
University of North Texas, Denton, M.A. Spanish, 2002
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Libertarian Party of Dallas County, Vice Chair, Libertarian Party of Texas
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
We need to be having a completely different conversation on the topic of abortion. One side typically dismisses out-of-hand any rights the mother has to her own autonomy, and the other performs unscientific mental gymnastics to dehumanize what is objectively a distinct, unique, developing human organism at a stage of life that all of us have passed through. I have serious reservations about the legislation proposed by both camps, but I cannot in good conscience support "elective abortion at any stage of pregnancy for any reason" any more than I support laws that make it possible for private citizens to turn in other citizens to the government for prosecution over it.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
We need to be having a completely different conversation on the topic of abortion. One side typically dismisses out-of-hand any rights the mother has to her own autonomy, and the other performs unscientific mental gymnastics to dehumanize what is objectively a distinct, unique, developing human organism at a stage of life that all of us have passed through. I have serious reservations about the legislation proposed by both camps, but I cannot in good conscience support "elective abortion at any stage of pregnancy for any reason" any more than I support laws that make it possible for private citizens to turn in other citizens to the government for prosecution over it.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer dollars should not support private organizations, period.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer dollars should not support private organizations, period.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I support an amendment to the Texas Constitution that eliminates property taxes in the state.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
I support an amendment to the Texas Constitution that eliminates property taxes in the state.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Most of it. If it is not an essential function of government (directly protecting life, liberty, and property), it should go.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Most of it. If it is not an essential function of government (directly protecting life, liberty, and property), it should go.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
School choice should be as common as consumer choices at the supermarket. That includes low-cost private schools and homeschooling options as well.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
School choice should be as common as consumer choices at the supermarket. That includes low-cost private schools and homeschooling options as well.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Freedom of association is a fundamental right. We outlawed involuntary servitude in the 13th Amendment, and those who find service providers to be narrow-minded or bigoted should "vote with their dollars" and refuse to do business with them.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Freedom of association is a fundamental right. We outlawed involuntary servitude in the 13th Amendment, and those who find service providers to be narrow-minded or bigoted should "vote with their dollars" and refuse to do business with them.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None whatsoever.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None whatsoever.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
D. The government, working alongside the insurance industry, has completely wrecked the healthcare industry, making it inefficient and expensive. Free-market solutions and the return of mutual-aid societies will remedy what has been ruined.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
D. The government, working alongside the insurance industry, has completely wrecked the healthcare industry, making it inefficient and expensive. Free-market solutions and the return of mutual-aid societies will remedy what has been ruined.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None at all. I am the "anti-mandate candidate" in my race.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None at all. I am the "anti-mandate candidate" in my race.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Stop intervention in the Middle East, financing the terror groups with whom the U.S. government shares a common interest (at least for now), and bring the troops home.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Stop intervention in the Middle East, financing the terror groups with whom the U.S. government shares a common interest (at least for now), and bring the troops home.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Neutral
While I oppose Israeli policies toward Palestine, what private institutions and individuals support on their own is no one else's business, but the position of the United States government should be not to intervene at all.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Neutral
While I oppose Israeli policies toward Palestine, what private institutions and individuals support on their own is no one else's business, but the position of the United States government should be not to intervene at all.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
Prohibition NEVER works, and that includes prohibition on migration, freedom of association, and freedom of commerce. Border walls will never work, and only create more of the problems that advocates claim that the walls will solve.
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
Prohibition NEVER works, and that includes prohibition on migration, freedom of association, and freedom of commerce. Border walls will never work, and only create more of the problems that advocates claim that the walls will solve.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who can pass a basic criminal background check and who does not carry any dangerous, communicable disease should be allowed to enter and work legally in the United States.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who can pass a basic criminal background check and who does not carry any dangerous, communicable disease should be allowed to enter and work legally in the United States.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Choose not to answer
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
As long as we have any "protected classes," then gender identity should be among them when it comes to interacting with the government. Private individuals and organizations should be allowed to be as open or as discriminatory as they wish, and others can respond to them accordingly.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Choose not to answer
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Racism is but one of several influences throughout our history. To reject CRT is not to deny that racism has existed and does exist in some institutions, but rather to recognize that everything cannot be explained solely through the lens of systemic racism.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
As long as we have any "protected classes," then gender identity should be among them when it comes to interacting with the government. Private individuals and organizations should be allowed to be as open or as discriminatory as they wish, and others can respond to them accordingly.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Racism is but one of several influences throughout our history. To reject CRT is not to deny that racism has existed and does exist in some institutions, but rather to recognize that everything cannot be explained solely through the lens of systemic racism.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
See the Apostle's Creed.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
See the Apostle's Creed.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
Photo ID for voting purposes should be easy to obtain and free of charge, but that is a very low bar to clear to prevent voter fraud.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
Photo ID for voting purposes should be easy to obtain and free of charge, but that is a very low bar to clear to prevent voter fraud.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
i support looking into public, distributed blockchain-based voting mechanisms to allow for publicly-auditable transparency in elections.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
i support looking into public, distributed blockchain-based voting mechanisms to allow for publicly-auditable transparency in elections.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is irrational and repugnant, but our security is threatened more by those in the ruling class than by our neighbor with different levels of melanin.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is irrational and repugnant, but our security is threatened more by those in the ruling class than by our neighbor with different levels of melanin.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
If someone can make a clear, evidence-backed claim to something that was stolen from particular ancestors by another specific individual or entity, they can take that up in court. To say that the government should redistribute wealth from one ethnic group to another is painting with too broad of a brush. Serious wrongs (including financial ones) were committed against people of color in our history, but holding people responsible who were in no way connected to those offenses is not the solution
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
If someone can make a clear, evidence-backed claim to something that was stolen from particular ancestors by another specific individual or entity, they can take that up in court. To say that the government should redistribute wealth from one ethnic group to another is painting with too broad of a brush. Serious wrongs (including financial ones) were committed against people of color in our history, but holding people responsible who were in no way connected to those offenses is not the solution
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A) Stricter environmental laws also do not solve the problems that they aim to correct, in addition to hurting the economy and putting the lives of poorer people around the world at risk.
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A) Stricter environmental laws also do not solve the problems that they aim to correct, in addition to hurting the economy and putting the lives of poorer people around the world at risk.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
If corporations are held responsible for clenaing up their messes instead of the government, there should be no ban on fracking.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
If corporations are held responsible for clenaing up their messes instead of the government, there should be no ban on fracking.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government exists to secure the individual rights of life, liberty, and property. Anything more is intrusion into our lives.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government exists to secure the individual rights of life, liberty, and property. Anything more is intrusion into our lives.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
I do not operate on a "left-right" scale. There is liberty, and there is authoritarianism and tyranny. Tyranny comes in liberal and conservative forms, and I support the rights of the individual to be free of such control, as long as their actions do not directly harm others who are living their own lives as they wish.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
I do not operate on a "left-right" scale. There is liberty, and there is authoritarianism and tyranny. Tyranny comes in liberal and conservative forms, and I support the rights of the individual to be free of such control, as long as their actions do not directly harm others who are living their own lives as they wish.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
The media largely ignores third-party candidates. Vote for me to teach them a lesson!
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
The media largely ignores third-party candidates. Vote for me to teach them a lesson!
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I strongly support those who invest themselves in their communities, whether they be entrepreneurs or charitable organizations, who are creating wealth among their neighbors and giving them a hand-up, rather than expecting the government to come in and everything for them. If elected, I will support those types of initiatives and make sure that government does not meddle in the good, transformative work that they are doing.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I strongly support those who invest themselves in their communities, whether they be entrepreneurs or charitable organizations, who are creating wealth among their neighbors and giving them a hand-up, rather than expecting the government to come in and everything for them. If elected, I will support those types of initiatives and make sure that government does not meddle in the good, transformative work that they are doing.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Disagree
I support ending qualified immunity completely. A badge does not make someone part of a protected class who is above the law.
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Disagree
I support ending qualified immunity completely. A badge does not make someone part of a protected class who is above the law.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments back into the pockets of taxpayers. I am an advocate for mental health and community programs, but the government has an incredibly poor track record of managing both. Let private organizations meet those needs.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
I support redirecting funds from police departments back into the pockets of taxpayers. I am an advocate for mental health and community programs, but the government has an incredibly poor track record of managing both. Let private organizations meet those needs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The right to bear arms shall not be infringed.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support suing fast food chains for heart attacks or auto manufacturers for vehicular homicides. Those responsible for committing the acts of gun violence are the ones who should be accountable to their victims, not those who make a product for legitimate purposes.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The right to bear arms shall not be infringed.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
I do not support suing fast food chains for heart attacks or auto manufacturers for vehicular homicides. Those responsible for committing the acts of gun violence are the ones who should be accountable to their victims, not those who make a product for legitimate purposes.
