K Richard Fitzlaff
Libertarian | Indiana
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
K Richard Fitzlaff
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Mt. Carmel High School, Chicago, 2004
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Army, E4, 4
AFFILIATIONS
Libertarian Party of Indiana, Lifetime Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I do not believe that the government should be involved in the business of funding healthcare or healthcare providers.
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.
Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe that the majority of Hoosier women questioned in studies say that they believe that abortion should generally be limited to special circumstances such as rape or incest, when the life of the mother is at stake, and a handful of other situations that they may deem necessary between themselves and their doctor.
Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?
I do not believe that this is a federal issue.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying that "Erecting the 'wall of separation between church and state'... is absolutely essential in a free society." All peoples are free to practice a religion of their choosing but that religion may not be used as the basis for creating laws or restrictions on others. It was further defined by James Madison "The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil with blood for centuries."
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
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.
The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Our relationship with Israel is no more or less important than our relationship with any other country or people. We can and should support the ability of all countries to defend themselves against force, while at the same time calling for restraint and a peaceful settlement of disputes.
What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?
Did not answer
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Private enterprises from schools to businesses should be allowed to write their own healthcare requirements. Government should grant broad leeway in allowing individuals to choose their own healthcare needs for personal, medical or religious reasons.
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.
Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. Furthermore, we must work to strengthen these programs for those who truly need them but also institute clear and strong procedures for ensuring that these programs are not taken advantage of.
ECONOMY
What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?
The current federal income tax system is clearly broken — unfair, overly complex, and almost impossible for most Americans to understand. As such I endorse the FairTax and CATO 6.2 Plans currently before congress.
Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.
Strongly Agree
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Choose not to answer
Public funds entrusted to the government should go where the voters want those funds used. If voters of a particular district feel strongly about ESG criteria being used to disburse their funds then their elected officials should use that criteria. Conversely, if a district does not feel strongly about ESG and has other priorities for the use of their funds then their elected official should focus on bills that would align with the will of their constituents
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Freedom of international movement and trade allows peaceful persons and goods to cross borders. National immigration quotas, limits on temporary work visas and other measures are not necessary for national security, produce negative economic benefits, and are harmful to human liberty. I believe strongly in returning to a pre Ellis Island approach that focuses on background checks, and restricts "handouts" but supports in all ways those who seek the American dream.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
This is a decision that should be made at the local level based on the needs of the community in partnership with the population of that community.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
"Shall not be infringed..." is a very clear statement. While no one wants dangerous people to have access to guns, far worse would be allowing the government to decide who is and who is not dangerous.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Lean Conservative
Americans generally agree that we want fewer economic restrictions from government. We want a government that stays out of the way and allows us to define our own success while protecting our rights. We want a government that allows individuals to seek their own social and community needs. We want a government that defends all peoples right to seek religious liberty in a way they define that is free from force, fraud or coercion.
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The government exists to protect the rights of its citizens. It also exists to prioritize the individual over society and measures the success of government by how free the individual is from government, rather than how well society is regulated. Furthermore, it may also be explained that the purpose of government is to maintain order and stability so that people can live safely, productively, and happily.
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
VALUES
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 an institution that the government has no authority to interfere with or regulate. Marriage is defined by the 2 consenting adults who between themselves and their creator deem it so.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Disagree
I disagree with the use of taxpayer-funded healthcare except in the cases of Medicaid or Medicare.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I've been a lifelong Christian. The words of Jesus have taught me to love my neighbor, not to judge others, to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. I believe that just like all individuals I am imperfect, I make mistakes. I hope that the humbleness and love that my Creator has instilled in me will allow me to continue to serve my community in a way that carries through that perfect and forgiving love that my God gives me.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Disagree
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Neutral
I believe that certain aspects of institutions are racist in their origin. I do not believe that the vast majority of institutions continue to operate in a racist way. If racism is found to exist then it should be stamped out. America is a country for all people.
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.
Agree
Exceptions should be made for when or where all parties agree to a gender-neutral standard.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Neutral
I don't argue against the science of man-made climate change. What I argue in favor of is the ability of the free market and local communities to make the decisions best for their community without the threat of force or coercion from the government.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe the free market should not be restricted in it's goals of finding alternative energy sources. As such Nuclear, Fusion, wave energy and other advanced energy storage solutions should be at the forefront of technological innovation.
