Greg Lauer
Libertarian | Colorado
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Greg Lauer
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 18
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Army, Specialist, 1990 - 1992
AFFILIATIONS
Restoration Church, Worship Ministry (musician, leader)
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
City Council for City of Fountain, CO, 2013 - 2021
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only in the case of rape, incest, or when the mother or baby's life is in imminent danger.
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only in the case of rape, incest, or when the mother or baby's life is in imminent danger.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Using taxpayer dollars inevitably forces people who do not support abortion to pay for it.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Using taxpayer dollars inevitably forces people who do not support abortion to pay for it.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
I believe people have a right to their own life decisions, including end of life decisions.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Agree
I believe people have a right to their own life decisions, including end of life decisions.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The first change that should be made is to repeal the current tax code in its entirety and institute a 4% tax on gross revenue or gross income for corporations and individuals, with no deductions, credits, or loopholes. After a 10-year period, the entire tax code should be abolished and replaced with a voluntary contribution system in which people voluntarily fund the public infrastructure and services that they choose to support.
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
The first change that should be made is to repeal the current tax code in its entirety and institute a 4% tax on gross revenue or gross income for corporations and individuals, with no deductions, credits, or loopholes. After a 10-year period, the entire tax code should be abolished and replaced with a voluntary contribution system in which people voluntarily fund the public infrastructure and services that they choose to support.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would immediately eliminate ALL foreign aid and ALL government subsidies of any kind. And I would work to enact a 10-year moratorium on the issuance of government debt in any form.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would immediately eliminate ALL foreign aid and ALL government subsidies of any kind. And I would work to enact a 10-year moratorium on the issuance of government debt in any form.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
I do not believe taxpayer funding should be used for education at any level. Instead, whatever taxes are being paid to support the local school district should be terminated immediately and made available to the parents under a school choice system.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
I do not believe taxpayer funding should be used for education at any level. Instead, whatever taxes are being paid to support the local school district should be terminated immediately and made available to the parents under a school choice system.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Infringing on someone's sincerely held religious beliefs should never be forced, especially when the market can solve this problem by other service providers serving those customers and profiting through the transaction.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Infringing on someone's sincerely held religious beliefs should never be forced, especially when the market can solve this problem by other service providers serving those customers and profiting through the transaction.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Government should never close churches. Church attendance should always be a voluntary choice made by the people who want to go or do not want to go.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Government should never close churches. Church attendance should always be a voluntary choice made by the people who want to go or do not want to go.
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 favor a phased approach that approximates option C (Medicaid/Medicare only) but with a firm sunset date for those programs as well. The sooner we can get taxpayer dollars out of the healthcare system, the sooner a free market solution (for example, healthcare cost sharing or co-ops) will work itself out to increase the quality of care and reduce the cost of care. One reason healthcare costs are so out of control is that the corporate interests involved know that the taxpayers will always foot the bill no matter how high the costs go, so the costs just continue to get higher.
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 favor a phased approach that approximates option C (Medicaid/Medicare only) but with a firm sunset date for those programs as well. The sooner we can get taxpayer dollars out of the healthcare system, the sooner a free market solution (for example, healthcare cost sharing or co-ops) will work itself out to increase the quality of care and reduce the cost of care. One reason healthcare costs are so out of control is that the corporate interests involved know that the taxpayers will always foot the bill no matter how high the costs go, so the costs just continue to get higher.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Personal health decisions, including vaccinations, should always be a private decision and should never be forced or coerced under any circumstances. If governments, schools, and employers want these, then they should learn to make a persuasive case that encourages vaccination. Otherwise, by implementing coercive tactics, they are simply proving they cannot be trusted.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Personal health decisions, including vaccinations, should always be a private decision and should never be forced or coerced under any circumstances. If governments, schools, and employers want these, then they should learn to make a persuasive case that encourages vaccination. Otherwise, by implementing coercive tactics, they are simply proving they cannot be trusted.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Immediately stop interfering with Islamic countries and governments and stop all military and para-military actions in Islamic countries. Ron Paul tried in 2008 and 2012 (as well as many years before these) to explain that we experience Islamic terrorism because we are constantly creating animosity among typical Muslims by indiscriminately bombing people and killing innocent civilians, which we call "unfortunate collateral damage." The blowback from such incidents is why we continue to experience terrorism, often with our own weapons used against us as we continue to support, fund, and arm a rotating group of terrorists in their fights against each other, which almost inevitably create situations where they turn against us.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Immediately stop interfering with Islamic countries and governments and stop all military and para-military actions in Islamic countries. Ron Paul tried in 2008 and 2012 (as well as many years before these) to explain that we experience Islamic terrorism because we are constantly creating animosity among typical Muslims by indiscriminately bombing people and killing innocent civilians, which we call "unfortunate collateral damage." The blowback from such incidents is why we continue to experience terrorism, often with our own weapons used against us as we continue to support, fund, and arm a rotating group of terrorists in their fights against each other, which almost inevitably create situations where they turn against us.
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.
Disagree
I do not support the BDS movement however I believe the current apartheid state that exists in Israel is a travesty and I fully understand the BDS movement's intention. Unfortunately, the BDS movement only hurts the "average Israeli" and does not result in any meaningful change in the Israeli government's policy. Instead, we can find other ways to work with the Israeli government to eliminate their apartheid policies.
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.
Disagree
I do not support the BDS movement however I believe the current apartheid state that exists in Israel is a travesty and I fully understand the BDS movement's intention. Unfortunately, the BDS movement only hurts the "average Israeli" and does not result in any meaningful change in the Israeli government's policy. Instead, we can find other ways to work with the Israeli government to eliminate their apartheid policies.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
Physically securing the southern border only solves 25% of the immigration problem, given the northern border and the two ocean borders. Instead, we should be implementing more free trade with other countries to raise their living standards and reduce the number of people coming to the US out of sheer desperation.
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Neutral
Physically securing the southern border only solves 25% of the immigration problem, given the northern border and the two ocean borders. Instead, we should be implementing more free trade with other countries to raise their living standards and reduce the number of people coming to the US out of sheer desperation.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who is not a criminal, who is seeking honest work, and seeking to contribute to the economy should be allowed to immigrate to the US.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone who is not a criminal, who is seeking honest work, and seeking to contribute to the economy should be allowed to immigrate to the US.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
Enlightenment values informed by Judeo-Christian values provided a moral framework and intended for a limited government. But Judeo-Christian values have also been twisted beyond recognition to support everything from slavery to homophobic murders. And somewhere along the way, the limits on government have been completely ignored without consequence, which is completely antithetical to the Judeo-Christian value system.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
Enlightenment values informed by Judeo-Christian values provided a moral framework and intended for a limited government. But Judeo-Christian values have also been twisted beyond recognition to support everything from slavery to homophobic murders. And somewhere along the way, the limits on government have been completely ignored without consequence, which is completely antithetical to the Judeo-Christian value system.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Non-discrimination laws are simply another form of government compulsion and I do not support government compulsion in any form. On the other hand, I also believe that discriminating against other people for any type of "class" reason is idiotic. People should be treated as individuals and dealt with as individuals. Period.
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Disagree
Non-discrimination laws are simply another form of government compulsion and I do not support government compulsion in any form. On the other hand, I also believe that discriminating against other people for any type of "class" reason is idiotic. People should be treated as individuals and dealt with as individuals. Period.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Disagree
I agree that marriage as defined by God is a union between one man and one woman, but I do not believe there is any logical or moral reason for the government to be involved at any level in a marital relationship. If marriage is a God-ordained union, then why are so many people working so hard to render unto Caesar something that is not Caesar's?
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Disagree
I agree that marriage as defined by God is a union between one man and one woman, but I do not believe there is any logical or moral reason for the government to be involved at any level in a marital relationship. If marriage is a God-ordained union, then why are so many people working so hard to render unto Caesar something that is not Caesar's?
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I believe there are racists at all levels in various US institutions, but CRT includes a number of other fundamentally stupid assumptions and assertions. And worse, CRT forces people back into Marxist class structures and I believe ALL people should be understood and interacted with on an individual basis.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
I believe there are racists at all levels in various US institutions, but CRT includes a number of other fundamentally stupid assumptions and assertions. And worse, CRT forces people back into Marxist class structures and I believe ALL people should be understood and interacted with on an individual basis.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am what I describe as a gently Pentecostal Christian, which means I believe the Holy Spirit is alive and well and active in today's world. And apply my Christian ethics in the practices of loving all people, as individuals, and gently trying to reason with people about the truth of the Gospel. I believe in voluntary actions and voluntary transactions and I absolutely reject the use of force, fraud, or coercion to achieve my own goals. Applying this same idea to the society writ large, I reject and will continually work to eliminate the use of force, fraud, or coercion in any way. I value liberty and will work to expand liberty in any way I can do that, but mostly by persuading people about the superior ability of liberty to bring about the society we all tend to agree we want: one in which people are free to achieve whatever they wish, as long as they do so through voluntary transactions of mutual benefit.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am what I describe as a gently Pentecostal Christian, which means I believe the Holy Spirit is alive and well and active in today's world. And apply my Christian ethics in the practices of loving all people, as individuals, and gently trying to reason with people about the truth of the Gospel. I believe in voluntary actions and voluntary transactions and I absolutely reject the use of force, fraud, or coercion to achieve my own goals. Applying this same idea to the society writ large, I reject and will continually work to eliminate the use of force, fraud, or coercion in any way. I value liberty and will work to expand liberty in any way I can do that, but mostly by persuading people about the superior ability of liberty to bring about the society we all tend to agree we want: one in which people are free to achieve whatever they wish, as long as they do so through voluntary transactions of mutual benefit.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo ID's are very easy to acquire and this should be one step we take to increase the integrity of our elections. In fact, if a grocery store is compelled to require a photo ID for a customer to buy tobacco products or alcohol without various "civil rights" organizations protesting, then it seems requiring a photo ID to vote should be a no-brainer. Unless the people who protest this idea are saying that voting is less valuable than a beer or a pack of cigarettes.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo ID's are very easy to acquire and this should be one step we take to increase the integrity of our elections. In fact, if a grocery store is compelled to require a photo ID for a customer to buy tobacco products or alcohol without various "civil rights" organizations protesting, then it seems requiring a photo ID to vote should be a no-brainer. Unless the people who protest this idea are saying that voting is less valuable than a beer or a pack of cigarettes.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would eliminate mail-in voting and return to a single-day, in-person, paper ballot voting situation in which there is a "voting holiday" to allow all eligible voters to participate. And I would eliminate all cases of same-day registration and voting.
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I would eliminate mail-in voting and return to a single-day, in-person, paper ballot voting situation in which there is a "voting holiday" to allow all eligible voters to participate. And I would eliminate all cases of same-day registration and voting.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is idiotic, even moronic, but I'm not sure I would say it rises to the level of domestic security threat. I will grant, however, that racism is often used as a cover story to "explain" situations in which domestic security is threatened for a variety of other ideological reasons. Or in other cases in which government "false flag" operations are being conducted to inflame the public about something and blamed on "racist extremism."
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is idiotic, even moronic, but I'm not sure I would say it rises to the level of domestic security threat. I will grant, however, that racism is often used as a cover story to "explain" situations in which domestic security is threatened for a variety of other ideological reasons. Or in other cases in which government "false flag" operations are being conducted to inflame the public about something and blamed on "racist extremism."
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
It is nearly impossible to enact a reparations system that is actually just and fair. That said, I am strongly in favor of eliminating any sort of race-based barrier to people succeeding in pursuing economic opportunities through honest, voluntary transactions.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
It is nearly impossible to enact a reparations system that is actually just and fair. That said, I am strongly in favor of eliminating any sort of race-based barrier to people succeeding in pursuing economic opportunities through honest, voluntary transactions.
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.
Option A comes closest to my views.
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.
Option A comes closest to my views.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
There are some secondary consequences to fracking that I don't believe are understood well enough and I believe there are probably other oil and natural gas deposits that are easier to access and less likely to create negative consequences in the long run.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
There are some secondary consequences to fracking that I don't believe are understood well enough and I believe there are probably other oil and natural gas deposits that are easier to access and less likely to create negative consequences in the long run.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government should only exist as a means to protect the rights of individuals from being infringed by others and to provide a defense against aggression from outside entities.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Government should only exist as a means to protect the rights of individuals from being infringed by others and to provide a defense against aggression from outside entities.
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?
Lean Conservative
I am first and foremost a "small L" libertarian and also a member of the Libertarian party. However I tend to lean a little to the right in most cases, as long as doing so can preserve logical consistency in my positions.
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?
Lean Conservative
I am first and foremost a "small L" libertarian and also a member of the Libertarian party. However I tend to lean a little to the right in most cases, as long as doing so can preserve logical consistency in my positions.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I am afraid I don't know of any, other than various candidate surveys I did in 2013 for the Fountain Valley News and the Colorado Springs Independent and the Colorado Springs Gazette when I was first running for city council in Fountain, CO.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I am afraid I don't know of any, other than various candidate surveys I did in 2013 for the Fountain Valley News and the Colorado Springs Independent and the Colorado Springs Gazette when I was first running for city council in Fountain, CO.
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?
If elected, I will immediately introduce "Defend the Guard" legislation to protect our Colorado National Guard and military reservists from being nationalized and then deployed by the DOD in support of unconstitutional (i.e. illegal) wars in this or other countries. I will also strongly oppose ANY increases in taxes or fees, while working to eliminate or reduce existing taxes and fees. I will also STRONGLY oppose any government mandates regarding personal health choices. I will actively work to restore our Colorado elections to a single-day, in-person, paper ballot-based voting situation. I will work tirelessly to roll back infringements on our First and Second Amendment rights and work to strengthen our protections under the remaining amendments in the Bill of Rights.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
If elected, I will immediately introduce "Defend the Guard" legislation to protect our Colorado National Guard and military reservists from being nationalized and then deployed by the DOD in support of unconstitutional (i.e. illegal) wars in this or other countries. I will also strongly oppose ANY increases in taxes or fees, while working to eliminate or reduce existing taxes and fees. I will also STRONGLY oppose any government mandates regarding personal health choices. I will actively work to restore our Colorado elections to a single-day, in-person, paper ballot-based voting situation. I will work tirelessly to roll back infringements on our First and Second Amendment rights and work to strengthen our protections under the remaining amendments in the Bill of Rights.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Disagree
I do not believe police officers should be shielded by arbitrary departmental policies if they violate a person's human rights or civil rights. Law enforcement can be done without unnecessary violence to people who are supposedly presumed innocent until they are proven otherwise. And when violence is done unnecessarily, the perpetrator should be held accountable, whether they wear a badge or not.
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Disagree
I do not believe police officers should be shielded by arbitrary departmental policies if they violate a person's human rights or civil rights. Law enforcement can be done without unnecessary violence to people who are supposedly presumed innocent until they are proven otherwise. And when violence is done unnecessarily, the perpetrator should be held accountable, whether they wear a badge or not.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
I support redirecting a variety of other funds into mental health programs and especially the Behavorial Health intervention teams that are proving to be very effective in reducing violent interactions with law enforcement in both El Paso County, Colorado and the City of Fountain, Colorado.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Neutral
I support redirecting a variety of other funds into mental health programs and especially the Behavorial Health intervention teams that are proving to be very effective in reducing violent interactions with law enforcement in both El Paso County, Colorado and the City of Fountain, Colorado.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The 2nd Amendment says "shall not be infringed" and I believe if we stopped restricting legal gun ownership and instead facilitated more and better training in safe use and storage, that properly trained private gun owners could provide a significant deterrent to potential criminals. And if a criminal insisted on enacting violence, a properly trained private gun owner could likely be the best person to respond immediately. After all, if a person intends to do violence toward another person, they will find a way to do so, with or without a gun.
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
The 2nd Amendment says "shall not be infringed" and I believe if we stopped restricting legal gun ownership and instead facilitated more and better training in safe use and storage, that properly trained private gun owners could provide a significant deterrent to potential criminals. And if a criminal insisted on enacting violence, a properly trained private gun owner could likely be the best person to respond immediately. After all, if a person intends to do violence toward another person, they will find a way to do so, with or without a gun.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Gun violence is enacted by individuals acting on their own accord without the permission or consent of the dealers or manufacturers. I do not believe it is right to sue the dealers unless they were negligent at some point when selling the firearm. And I do not believe it is right to sue the manufacturer unless they illegally provided the weapon to the offender.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
Gun violence is enacted by individuals acting on their own accord without the permission or consent of the dealers or manufacturers. I do not believe it is right to sue the dealers unless they were negligent at some point when selling the firearm. And I do not believe it is right to sue the manufacturer unless they illegally provided the weapon to the offender.
