John Kittleson
Libertarian | Colorado
Candidate Profile*
Insufficient Information
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
John Kittleson
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
US Marine Corps, Sargent, 5
AFFILIATIONS
Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Denver Chapter, Board of directors
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
Previous Races
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I think the government should not be subsidizing any particular organization. Charitable donations are sufficient, people are contributing their own funds to the causes they believe in.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Agree
If an individual has reached a point in life where it seems it is no longer possible to live in a dignified way, they should have the option to opt out.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
People should be able to decide what is right for them in accordance with their own life and situation.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
On the surface this might sound like a nice equitable idea. But in practice it wouldn't work, the unintended consequences would be vast. For example, why work countless hours; pour your life into starting an innovating company if the fruits of your labor will taken from you and redistributed? That is starting a business, you would face failure, or mediocre success, or confiscation of your wealth. I'm not sure who those prospects would motivate. We can raise people up with education not theft.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
The national debt is over $30,000,000,000,000 and going up at an astounding rate. It is not difficult to understand this is very bad for the country. It's estimated we'll pay $399,000,000,000 in net interest for the year of 2022. Think of it like a house hold spending more money than is coming in; racking up credit card debt. To say the least it is not responsible.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Abolish income tax, you should have the right to keep the money you earn. In Colorado, including federal, the average overall tax rate is 36%, is that fair?
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Disagree
I don't think religious liberty is at risk, it is already ingrained in the constitution - the highest law of the land.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
As long as people aren't discriminating against a protected class, people should be able to run their business as they see fit. Of course constitutional rights would still supersede any legislation. I believe no business should be allowed to discriminate against any person based on their race, sexual preference, or identity. As long as the 1st amendment rights of the business are still protected. E.g. an artist should have the right to express their artistic freedom as they see fit.
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
They should stay separate.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
The government, and public schools should not force a person to do anything with their body. You own yourself.
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 have publicly funded health care through the VA, speaking from experience it is truly abhorrent. If we want to solve the heath care issue we need to create as many options as possible fostering competition in the market.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C. We need to re-focus on our own communities if we want to remain strong. We spent $2.313 trillion in Afghanistan where an estimates 243,000 people have died as a result. Foreign war seems to be a poor investment, doesn't it?
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.
Choose not to answer
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
As long as we continue to outsource manufacturing of our products and other services to China, our reliance on them will only grow. They will continue to use it as leverage against us to censor our opinions and interests that goes against their agenda. In addition, they will use what they can to negotiate for policies that further favor their own interests.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Terrorism is an idea; you can't kill an idea. Truly it is a war for hearts and minds. If we kill a father in the middle east do you think his sons will do nothing? Will they be indifferent or pick up arms? If we create the next generation of terrorists as an effect of our efforts what are we accomplishing? We need a new approach.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Disagree
If that's what the people of the community want they should be free to live as they please.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who is not a threat to the community should have the opportunity to immigrate. They should have to prove they will be a productive member of society.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
No one should be discriminated against. Everyone should be judged as an individual.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
CRT is founded in Marxism, a system of the oppressor vs the oppressed. Because of the 100,000,000 or so innocent people who have died as a result of Marx's ideas that were put into practice, I think it's trivial to say it is a bad system.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
You do you.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
If you were pulled over on the way to vote and the police officer asked you for your drivers license and insurance. Do you think he would accept you not having ID if you were on your way to vote? If someone can't afford an ID, then the government should subsidize it for them.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Anyone, especially security researchers should be able to audit the voting software. Then security vulnerabilities could be identified and fixed before they could be exploited.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Assuming the reparations are for slavery, how would giving them out based on race work exactly? Should a first generation Jamaican immigrant receive reparations? How would you responsibly collect the funds to be paid out. For example should Mexican Americans have to pay? Should only white people be responsible for paying? If so, what about first generation white immigrants, or those with family heritage that had no slave ownership?
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Absolutely not. Western culture has done an admirable job in dealing with its past transgressions more specifically slavery and racism. If you look across the world, at other countries like India or China, look at the governments and see how much diversity you see inside of them. Chances are the people in power are the same color as the native people, that's not the case here. You can immigrate to this country and still be elected into a position of power, just look at Ilhan Omar as an example. The same is not true for most of the places around the world. The truth is there is much greater threat to our community and racism things like poor education. Education is the best determining factor when predicting the future success of a child. If we are to lift up impoverished communities there's no better way than through education.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Agree
At this time we are not ready to live off green energy. We should invest in green technology but we should not cut the head off our economy and say the issue of carbon emissions has been solved. From an individual standpoint, how high do prices at the pump need to be or the price truckers who deliver your goods pay, how high do the prices need to get before it's too much? I think it's too much now. People are stretched thin as it is.
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.
ABOUT YOU
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
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.
I have not.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I believe that you own yourself. That's how I will vote.
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
Everyone should be accountable for their actions. Government officials and law enforcement who hold us accountable for ours should be no exception.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
The current mental health programs often prescribe pills with the intent of "fixing" people. We are not going to medicate our way out of a mental health crisis. My stance on mental health is the same as police. A system of accountability should be in place.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Our rights are not up for discussion.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Should the morbidly obese be able to sue McDonald's or Little Debbie? Should their families be able to sue if they die from complications related to being overweight?
