Charles A. Temm Jr.
Libertarian | Alabama
Candidate Profile*
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Charles A. Temm Jr.
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Representative, Dist. 38
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Auburn Univ at Montgomery, Montgomery, Masters in Secondary Ed, 2010
Auburn Univ at Montgomery, Montgomery, Bachelors in History, 2008
WORK & MILITARY
US Army (Infantry, Airborne/Light), retired as Sergeant First Class (E7), 21 year 9 months
AFFILIATIONS
Rescue K911, volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Lee Co Sheriff, 2004?
ENDORSEMENTS*
LIBERAL (1)
*Alabama AFL-CIO
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Alabama AFL-CIO
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Limited to first trimester for cases involving rape, incest, threat to mother's life-minors must have parental permission.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
None that I can foresee at this time.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Its an impossible task. What the US can do is watch and deal w/actual identified threats but eradicating such a fuzzy concept is impossible by force or otherwise.
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.
Strongly Disagree
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.
I reluctantly support C only as a safety net b/c at this point the fiscal disaster that is government healthcare is cemented into the economy. I don't like the government system w/all of it's costs/inefficiencies but until the US actually starts supporting a free enterprise system in reality rather than lip service we are stuck w/it.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Military members should get those required to maintain availability for deployment ie life threatening or disabling diseases. Playing political games like the last 2 years of covid mandates which created artificial shortages in many industries inc ironically the health care industry are self defeating and contrary to a free people's interests. Communicable diseases that are a direct threat to children can be mandated for vaccinations as traditionally done but as for ANY other mandates, religious exemptions should be given.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
SIMPLIFY!!!!!! That and minimize taxes period. The tax code sadly is used too often to subsidize favored industries/businesses/activities. Taxation in of itself is hardest on the poor as they cannot afford the accountants/lawyers that help others navigate the taxation system.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Across the board cuts as needed. It's hard to specify a single or small number of areas to cut as this allows more politically popular programs the ability to avoid becoming efficient by shifting cuts to other areas. Universal cuts force efficiency to at least some extent
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
Government schooling across the country and including here in Alabama has been given huge increases in funding for decades w/minimal if any improvement. The funding as the state/counties/municipalities provide should follow the child, not the school district. Schools MUST compete!
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
We have a de facto open border and the Administration is actively shipping border crossers out across the country for some reason.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those who follow the process. The US can and should normally have large immigration quotas though we now need some time to deal w/the Biden flood of illegals first before instituting normal quotas. I would end the family reunification process as it gives a leg up on entrance simply by having family members here. The whole system should basically be first come, first served though those fleeing political/religious repression in their home should get some form of priority. Those trying for asylum based solely on economic grounds should get NO priority in the process.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
Competition!
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Disagree
Qualified immunity too often has become a shield for incompetency or worse. Blanket immunity is not good policy.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Minimal. Convicted violent felons, non citizens, and those found mentally incompetent by at 2 different reviewers. I say at least two b/c I'm uncomfortable, given the history of abuse by government in adjudicating competence.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Suing the manufacturers of a tool that worked violates the historical common law concept and is based solely on political motives.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To protect our God given natural rights (life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) and to govern with the consent 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?
Moderate
I choose moderate b/c the spectrum here ignores the reality of politics in the US. I am a Libertarian and as such I do not support the State itself much beyond those powers (federally) that are enumerated in the Constitution. I almost totally disagree w/the politics of the Democrats and while seeing much that is good in the STATED principles of the Republicans, often find them almost as bad as the Democrats in their actual abuse of power.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
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 came to Alabama after looking at several other states for my post Army life. Alabama has been good to me overall, it's a place that while government is often corrupt and intrusive-it's also a place where the scale of that is far lower than other parts of the country. Given that, my priorities would be fiscal discipline, lowering the impact of the state (rules/regs), and trying to help make Alabama a preferred destination for refugees/fleeing businesses from other states while keeping our overall quality of life. I choose Alabama to live in out of numerous other choices. I want to ensure Alabama avoids the government self created problems plaguing too many other states!
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Agree
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Neutral
Government should not be involved in defining marriage period.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
A practicing Roman Catholic.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Greater access for all parties, requiring a numbers floor for the election access reduces competition for the the present duopoly which in turn reduces voter participation or fresh ideas. Basically allow any party that wants to run candidates do so.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. Racism as an institution is highly overblown and chiefly so as a political tactic or publicity aid for the media. It does exist through individuals but this is not a threat to the nation EXCEPT as a tool for politicians who try to use it to divide the nation into tribal/social groups.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Taking from some to give to others based on past wrongs, real or perceived neither gives justice or eases the injustice of the takings for reparation.
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.
Easily A. Environmental regs have for far too many years have simply been a tool to penalize some and excuse others. Think how the wind turbine industry is allowed to kill raptors and other large birds that any other individual/industry would be penalized for...
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
