Vic Kaplan

Libertarian | New Jersey

Candidate Profile

Leans Liberal

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Vic Kaplan


Party

Libertarian


Election Year

2024


Election

General


Race

U.S. Rep., Dist. 12


Incumbent

No


Links

Vic Kaplan websites

EDUCATION

Candidate did not provide

WORK & MILITARY

Candidate did not provide

AFFILIATIONS

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Neutral

On a federal level, taxpayer funding of abortion is not authorized under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution. The 10th Amendment of the US Constitution states that the powers not granted to the federal government, should go to the states and the people.

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

The US Constitution does not mention abortion as one of Congress' powers (Article I, Section VIII). Therefore, the federal government should abstain from this topic.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

The US Constitution does not mention abortion as one of Congress' powers (Article I, Section VIII). Therefore, the federal government should abstain from this topic.

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?

No. The US Constitution does not mention abortion as one of Congress' powers (Article I, Section VIII). Therefore, the federal government should abstain from this topic.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

It means that the federal government should not set a State religion, like the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom, or prohibit any exercise of religions.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Neutral

There should be no federal discrimination under US Constitution. However, when it comes to such topics as "baking a cake", customers should be able to find providers, that would reflect their values. If a customer wanted to have a cake baked with the name "Adolph Hitler" on it, a baker should have a right to deny a service.


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.

D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely. We have seen 3,000 Americans lose their lives on 9/11. We have seen thousands more lose their lives since then in unconstitutional/illegal wars. It is time to end all taxpayer-funded weapons sales and aid to foreign governments, which are illegal under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution. It is time to close all overseas military bases and bring home the 170,000 US troops stationed in 178 countries.

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Disagree

The racist bashing from members of Congress and US Presidents warning of a "yellow peril" needs to stop! The Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as US Presidents scare the American people with an invasion of Taiwan, which only exists in their paranoid imagination, and is used to make the American people suffer via higher prices on American goods, supported by the Rs and Ds in Congress and the White House. The people are being fleeced to justify unconstitutional weapons spending.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

There are no treaties between the US and the Israeli governments. I support ending all taxpayer-funded weapons sales and aid to all foreign governments, which are illegal under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution. I support the repeal of the Logan Act. If people want to fund foreign governments, they should be able to do so out of their own pockets, without forcing everyone to fund their pet projects, whether it is a regime change in Israel, Cuba, or Iran.

What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?

The United States federal government has needlessly and illegally (without any Declaration of War by Congress) sent thousands of Americans to their deaths in the last generation. The risk of the nuclear annihilation of millions of Americans has been increased by the Republican and Democratic members of Congress through their opposition to peace and the fueling of conflicts around the World, without any regard to the American people's economic or physical well-being.


HEALTHCARE

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

The Constitution's 10th amendment states that powers not granted to federal government, should be granted to the states and the people. If they would like to require vaccinations, the Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution won't prohibit it.

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.

D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded. I support making healthcare affordable by removing cost-boosting federal insurance mandates. Let's make healthcare affordable for the American people! I support Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution, not prescription drug price increases and overall healthcare cost hikes!


ECONOMY

What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?

I support ending the Federal Reserve and introducing competing currencies. This would reduce income inequality and increase both income and savings.

Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.

Neutral

I support allowing Americans to file for financial bankruptcy due to student loan debt.

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

Article I, Section VIII lists the powers of the federal government. Therefore, Congress does not have the power to place subjective ESG goals on companies. Rather, there should be a freedom to set ESG goals on a case-by-case basis.


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Neutral

Federal immigration control does not fall under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution. I support removing federal limits on work visas to fill US jobs. No more turning of undocumented immigrants into political refugees! We must allow employers to be able to invite, fund travel, and train immigrants, not continue building walls (that are crossed with ladders) and have American jobs unfilled. Deporting millions of people will further increase costs on American consumers.

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

I support ending all federal immigration controls, in line with Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution.


EDUCATION

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Neutral

I am opposed to any tax credits, subsidies, or vouchers. The federal government does not have the power to pick winners and losers under the US Constitution. If people want to fund private schools, they should be able to do that. Parents should be able to send their kids to a school of their choice, if they can afford it.

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

The U.S. Department of Education began operating in 1980. The US Constitution does not list it as one of federal powers under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution. Therefore, under the 10th Amendment, that power is to be given to the states and the people.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Neutral

The federal government under US Constitution has not power to redirect state and local funds from state and local police departments to community programs. I am opposed to President Trump supporting full immunity to police officers, which would increase the likelihood of violations of Americans' civil rights. I do support eliminating victimless crimes from the jurisdiction of the federal law enforcement.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

People have a right to defend themselves and their loved ones under the US Constitution. The elimination of that right increases violent crime, as it did in Australia. Armed guards, automatically locked outside doors, etc. can be used to increase school safety. The mental health aspect of mass shootings should be examined to reduce the incidence psychotropic drug use and mass shootings link. The end to the violent crime-causing and unconstitutional Drug War would reduce gun violence.


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.

Strongly Disagree

The Supreme Court has been politicized from its inception, by having its members selected by the same people, whose laws are to be judged by the Supreme Court. It is not surprising that in most cases, the Supreme Court rubberstamps federal laws. The Supreme Court is already politicized as it is. Let's not make it worse.


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?

Choose not to answer

My political philosophy of individual liberty is not represented by the left-right spectrum.

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

The purpose of government is to protect individuals from force and fraud. I do not know how to run your life. Only you do.

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.

Neutral

Marriage is not and shouldn't be one of the powers of the federal government under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution.

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Neutral

There are different state statues and codes pertaining to tattoos, piercings, etc. When it comes to the federal government and crime, treason, piracy, and counterfeiting are listed as crimes under the US Constitution. Grooming would not fall under Congress' jurisdiction, but of course, should be viewed as criminal behavior, because children cannot give conscious consent to sexual activities with adults.

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

These services do not represent one of the powers of the federal government under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution, so federal tax dollars should not be used. The hot current debate between the two groups is on whether the children can give informed and conscious consent to life-altering procedures. The future inability to have children, growing out of the "phase", the desire to get attention, a fad, etc., are factors to consider.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe that when it comes to law, people should be free to live their lives as they see fit, as long as they don't use force or fraud against others. With freedom comes personal responsibility, which means that other people should not be forced to pay for others' personal choices. Many problems in our society are caused by public officials using coercion to force their morals and values against everyone, which turns regular people against each other, when it comes to politics. Rather than speaking out against those who impoverish them, they support those who make their lives worse, fruitlessly hoping that their lives would become better. They do not realize that the people that they are voting for, are a part of the problem.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Agree

If you are a US citizen, are at least 18-years of age, and is a US resident, you should be able to vote.

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree

The Electoral College provides for a more even distribution of the national candidate's support, which reduces the likelihood that the winning candidate would only represent one of the four regions of the country. A sectional candidate who won the national popular vote would not truly have a national mandate, under a democratic theory.


EQUALITY

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Neutral

The federal policies of "redlining" during the Great Depression led to the reduction of the accumulation of wealth in the African American communities, which is still evident today. The mass incarceration of African-Americans and Latinos for illicit drug use (even though they are not more likely to use them, compared to whites) is an example of racism. However, given the federal anti-discrimination laws, I cannot agree with the statement that US institutions are fundamentally racist.

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.

Neutral

The federal government does not have the power to make sports or sorority house decisions under Article I, Section VIII of the US Constitution. The US Constitution lists only a few federal crimes, so federal prisons should not accept most of its prisoners (nonviolent offenders should be released from federal prisons). As far as biological males are concerned, a male should not be able to call himself a female (without hormone injections, a surgery, etc.) and enter a female prison or vice-versa.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Strongly Disagree

We have heard predictions of a global calamity for generations. The problem isn't that these predictions were completely wrong, but that if "urgent political actions" had been taken, the lives of the American people would have been turned upside down with enormous costs to consumers. It would be much better to have a calm and careful debate, not call for urgent actions that would wreck the lives of the American people (as if they haven't been suffering enough).

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

It is not up to me, but up to providers and consumers to make that decision.

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