Daniel Jerome McCarthy
Libertarian | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Daniel Jerome McCarthy
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 48
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Texas State University, San Marcos, BA - PoliSci, 2010
Dripping Springs High School, Dripping Springs, Yes, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Libertarian Party of Travis County, Chair, HOA
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Mayor of San Marcos, 2008
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate Pledges to Support Congressional Term Limits. U.S. Term Limits. 15 Jul 2024.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I'll answer this question with a question: At what point should the government be allowed into the doctor's office? Should there be a government agent at every appointment for women of childbearing age to make sure that they don't do something the religious right doesn't like?
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Neutral
Sounds like a questions for a doctor, not a politician
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I don't want the state involved in any way at all. It's a private matter.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Agree
Again, a matter for patient and doctor, not the government.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
The market will decide the minimum wage. I know in Austin it's at least $15 per hour, no government mandate needed.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
Discretionary public spending is a problem in itself. Monies that the state doesn't need for the barest essential functions should be returned to the taxpayers.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never, assuming it's not an immediate threat to life, liberty or property, à la Jim Jones's cult
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
The market will decide. By all means I wish more of the bigoted business owners would out themselves so we'd all know who to boycott.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
If Medicaid and Medicare weren't totally bankrupt I'd pick option D, with the stipulation that the money paid in should be returned to the taxpayers. Since that's not feasible then C is probably the best answer, but it needs to be phased out and people should be allowed medical savings accounts that are untaxable.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Private employers can do what they want. Any other situation is between a patient and doctor, not the business of government.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Neutral
Meh, they'll never have what we have. Especially if we'd quit taxing and spending so much. We'd be living in the year 2100 already and they'd be stuck 20+ years in the past trying to play catch-up as always.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
"Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none." -Thomas Jefferson
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Disagree
The billions of taxpayer dollars spent on the border are going to be every bit as ineffective as the billions spent on the drug war. A better solution is to make legal immigration far easier, as it was when my ancestors came. That way we can focus (a far smaller amount) on stopping the 0.01% of people who would do us harm instead of the 99.9% who just want to participate in the American economy.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
An educated population is going to ensure that we remain prosperous. I do not think that the public school system is the only way to go about it. Presently public schools enjoy a defacto monopoly on education. Only the very wealthy have the luxury of choosing another path. Uncapped, untaxable education savings accounts that can transfer generationally should be the norm. Government also needs to get out of the student loan business. Unlimited borrowing has led to runaway tuition inflation.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Neutral
I'll defer to the patients, parents and doctors before I'll ever ask the government to step in.
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Agree
So, the status quo then?
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Do what you want, don't make me pay for it.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is whatever the adult parties joined in union agree that it is. Government is not part of the equation
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
"Epicurus's old questions are yet unanswered. Is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?" I believe in the power of the human spirit and in the Golden Rule - treat others the way you wish to be treated.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
Seemed to work just fine for a couple centuries, not sure anything has really changed.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Disagree
The US must expand the size of the House of Representatives so that the Electoral College better reflects the will of the people. The paucity of present representation as compared to the outset, or even just 100 years ago would make the Founders furious.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is irrational, repugnant and a form of collectivism and has no place in government.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Choose not to answer
Racism is irrational, repugnant and a form of collectivism and has no place in government.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Choose not to answer
Government need not weigh in here, the "problem", if there is one, is so infinitesimal as to be irrelevant. Many other things to accomplish.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
Environmental concerns are one area where it's not feasible to 100% rely on private party contracts and torts. That said, the government should not cap torts on corporations like BP that poison our waters and kill entire swaths of the economy.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect the life, liberty and property of the people.
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
Economically I'm more conservative than the most conservative republican. Socially I'm more liberal than the most liberal Democrats.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
Doesn't need to be a top-down issue, should be up to the community based on their needs.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Violent felons are the only ones that should have their rights restricted.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
Absolutely, I believe the knowledge that teachers are armed would be enough of a deterrence factor to stop most school shootings.
