Rich McClain
Libertarian | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Rich McClain
Party
Libertarian
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 87
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Allstate Institute of Technology, Chicopee, Ma, Equivalency Degree - Electronics/Computer Technician, 1997
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, 2
AFFILIATIONS
Lighthouse Apostolic Church, Sunday School Teacher, Sound Technician
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS
OTHER (1)
Libertarian Party of Michigan
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
In the first 12-15 weeks only
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
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer 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.
Agree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
We need to lower minimum wage. Every time we raise minimum wage we increase the cost of living creating a feedback loop of needing to keep raising the minimum wage.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Yes
We need to examine them from the perspective of the program being successful, not on how many government jobs it provides. If it is not successful, end it. This also goes for government agencies.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
There are no circumstances to close churches.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Under no circumstances should anyone be forced to act against their conscience.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
I believe a fully private system is best, but probably not feasible. We need laws though that get the insurance company out of the medical decision making process.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
None. There is never a time when anyone should be forced to have medical care.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
The Chinese military threat is over-rated, cyber-security threat is under-rated, our response to intellectual property theft is a disgrace, and their threat to the global economy is our own fault.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Our relationship with Israel is more important for Israel than for us. Having said that, I fully believe in Israel's right to exist peacefully, so I support Israel due to so many (UN, Iran, Hamas etc.) standing against their existence. I am against peace for land deals because Hamas - PLA in the past - hold peace hostage and refuse to negotiate faithfully. This means they are just trying to peace negotiate Israel out of existence.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
I strongly agree with closing the border, but I disagree with deporting those who are vettable, haven't broken any laws, and are actively employed or seeking employment. Since President Biden opened the border, I disagree with the contention that they broke the law crossing the border. Of course, we need to deport those who have committed felonies.
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
Private education (including homeschooling) is the best education. Every effort should be made to move to a fully private education system.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
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
God ordained biblical marriage, but for those who don't believe in God or believe in other gods, legal marriage should be available regardless.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Apostolic. Usually apostolics are very conservative, and I agree with the idea that a person claiming to be apostolic should personally live conservative. However, I completely and utterly disagree with the idea that American government should make the general public live conservative.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Neutral
I believe Michigan is doing this right. Not that we are perfect, but people in Michigan really have no excuse to not vote.
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
The electoral college is extremely important to maintain each states standing as an independent state, and an integral part of this nation.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
There is only one race, it is called Human. Perhaps we should treat each with the same dignity and respect we expect from others, then this question would be moot.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Strongly Agree
The claim to be transgender is already being used to game the system. There are way more miscreants causing harm than there are true transgendered people, so I believe true transgenders need to take one for the team on this issue.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
A, C
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
We should never allow ourselves to become dependent on one energy source. I believe we should use wind and solar on homes and businesses, but use clean coal and natural gas for the electric grid.
ABOUT YOU
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
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is to uphold individual rights and judge between individuals when there is disagreement. Yes, that is it, the total purpose of our government. On the national level there is also maintaining an active defense.
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
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Neutral
I support our police in general, but I disagree with militarizing our local police. Any funding towards militarizing the police force should be redirected to tax cuts.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. The public is safer with guns than they are without.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
