Kerry Morgan's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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Kerry Morgan refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2010 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.
Issue Positions
For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2010.
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "No one has the right to use force or violence against another human being except in self defense. An unborn child is a living human being and is entitled to be free from violence against his or her body while in the womb. A pregnant mother has no right, natural or constitutional, to use force or violence to destroy her own unborn child. The Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) to the contrary, has no constitutional basis. Congress may employ its power to impeach any Justice who knowingly elevates his or her legal opinion above the supreme law of the land. The pro-life movement's approach, however, to banning abortion--elect Republican Presidents who will appoint pro-life Justices--continues to be an unworkable and shameful failure. It shows contempt for the judicial selection process and the Constitution itself--which never elevated the power of judicial review to the level of judicial supremacy, either to ban abortion or pretend its legalization. Banning abortion is a matter of State, and not federal criminal law. The rule of law must first be revived before human life can be seriously protected." (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. The Banned Brief: The Pro-Life Brief The Conservatives Rejected. 21 October 2010. "The real power of this brief is that it illustrates a point that banning abortion in America cannot occur as long as our society does not first make a real commitment to the rule of law. Such a commitment will then allow us to clearly see its annihilation by the judiciary. We must be pro-law first, and then pro-life. At present, however, our commitment is not to the rule of law, but rather to the rule of an unrestrained judiciary." (revivetherepublic.com)
- Kerry Morgan. Issues. 20 October 2010. "I support repealing the cell phone and tobacco tax increases. I would repeal the Health Care Reform Act and its higher taxes. I believe we should extend the Bush tax cuts indefinitely. Doing so will help jump start the economy, create new businesses and jobs and encourage investment in existing businesses." (www.lpwm.org)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. Associated Press: Where Michigan Hopefuls Congress Stand on 4 Issues. Responded: "Federal funding of public or private roads, railways and airports has no constitutional basis. Funding for these internal improvements is the function of local and state governments or the private sector. Use of federal tax dollars is also unwise as the federal agencies overseeing these projects are unfamiliar with local needs and issues. Federal agencies are also generally incompetent to oversee massive transportation contracts. Finally, the practice of federal funding of internal improvements corrupts federal officials. Construction unions and special interest groups must contribute to congressional election campaigns to gain favor in order to steer these contracts to their members. The proposal also constitutes an effort to buy labor votes by the administration so that it can call in support at the next election. Why support $50 billion worth of unconstitutional, unwise corruption?" to the question "DO YOU SUPPORT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE $50 BILLION IN FUNDING FOR U.S. ROADS, RAILS AND AIRPORTS AS PART OF A SIX-YEAR PLAN FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS? WHY OR WHY NOT?" (articles.moneycentral.msn.com)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "Federal bailouts are bad for the taxpayer, for the economy, and for business. Why? Because rewarding the mismanagement of American corporations and banks with money pilfered from taxpayer's wallets does not encourage reform or fix the problems that pushed the companies and lenders to the failure. Bailouts do nothing but prolong the inevitable collapse of companies suffering from extreme mismanagement and poor investments. Why are taxpayers being used to reward this mismanagement? The solution is to get the government out of the lending business. Keep it from forcing banks to loan money to high risk and unqualified applicants, and to get the government out of the home mortgage business. Government bears the greatest responsibility for creating the housing bubble. Asking them to fix it is like asking the fat fox to guard the hen house even after all the hens are gone." to the question "Had you been in Congress, would you have voted for TARP, or commonly called the "federal bank bailout?" If not, is there another solution to the financial crisis you would have proposed?" (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "The $17.5 billion expenditure comes from tax cuts, business credits and subsidies for state and local construction bonds, and moves $20 billion into the highway trust fund for spending on highway and transit programs. In other words, Congress believes that the construction industry should live off of the economic productivity of everyone else. This jobs bill is nothing less than encouraging covetousness on a federal scale followed by $17.5 billion worth of actual theft in broad daylight. It takes from American workers and throws it at the construction industry. This is not the right thing to do. It is the wrong thing. The politics of plunder destroys both morality and the division of labor. What needs to occur at the federal level? Stop the thieving." to the question "Michigan continues to have the highest unemployment in the nation. President Obama recently signed into law a $17.5 billion jobs bill. What more needs to occur at the federal level to aid the economic recovery?" (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. Issues. 20 October 2010. "We need to make it much easier for those people with capital to invest to create jobs. We can do this by eliminating the government regulations that specify in excruciating detail the precise manner in which an entrepreneur must employ workers, manufacture a product and provide a service. One reason new businesses aren't created is because entrepreneurs can't afford the cost to research and comply with the law. Another reason is that the laws and regulations are so ambiguous and contradictory that business people are at the mercy of any bureaucrat or established competitor who wants to exploit the law to drive them out of business. Our federal government has no business meddling in the economy. Government agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac fueled the real estate bubble and resulting crash by funding hundreds of thousands of no money down, little or no documentation mortgage loans to borrowers who couldn't afford them. And responsible Americans who refused to participate in the idiocy are now forced to pay to bail out borrowers and mortgage lenders hurt by these government policies. Government programs don't work. And more government programs won't work any better." (www.lpwm.org)
- Kerry Morgan. Philosophy. 20 October 2010. "Government bailouts of a selected few 'too big to fail' companies and preferential treatment of certain industries and politically-powerful groups violate every principle the Founding Fathers stood for. I, and the other candidates running on the Libertarian Party ticket, are determined to reverse these trends. Our government should NOT be picking winners and losers in our economy and American life. It SHOULD guarantee equal opportunities for all people, groups and businesses to grow and prosper, and then get out of the way. To do this we must work together to change the face of American politics. The bailouts and handouts to favored groups started under George W. Bush have continued with the Obama administration. Democrat and Republican "stimulus" packages have pushed our nation further into debt than ever before." (www.lpwm.org)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. Associated Press: Where Michigan Hopefuls Congress Stand on 4 Issues. Responded: "While some people suppose that their FICA payroll taxes entitle them to a benefit, the truth is that benefits which are granted at one time can be withdrawn. No sane person would rely on the promise of a bankrupt company to pay his pension in the future, but this is exactly what the American people are forced by Republicans and Democrats to take on faith. Every American has the right to do what they want with their income. Forcing them and their employers to fund the Social Security fraud must stop. People have a right to invest any amount of their income in a private account of their own choosing. We should be freed of the coveting hand of the federal robber barons who reach into our wallets and rob us of our money at will." to the question "SHOULD WORKERS BE ALLOWED TO INVEST A PORTION OF THEIR PAYROLL TAX IN PRIVATE ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY PRIVATE FIRMS CONTRACTED BY THE GOVERNMENT, OR SHOULD SOCIAL SECURITY BE LEFT THE WAY IT IS? WHY OR WHY NOT?" (articles.moneycentral.msn.com)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "Entitlement programs are built on a philosophy committed to expand and increase federal power over our lives. Such programs are inherently contrary to freedom because they distort free markets, inflate the dollar, and redistribute income. Reformation is not possible. Elimination is the only solution, morally and legally. In laymen terms, the Republican and Democratic party are committed to increasing the federal stranglehold on Americans. In every election they persuade enough voters to allow them to covet their neighbors' property through federal laws and regulations, and offer a small part of it to them in exchange for their vote. Calls to reform this system of theft by reducing the amount of stolen property is only desired by those who are blind to the nature of the theft in the first place, or those who are its recipients. Means testing is nothing other than narrowing the class of those who may receive our stolen property." to the question "Do you think entitlement spending needs to be reformed? Would you favor, for instance, means testing Medicare or Social Security? Would you reduce services now supplied by Medicaid?" (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. Real Retirement funds, not Social (In)Security. 21 October 2010. "Should the right of workers to invest their payroll tax in private accounts managed by private firms instead of being forced into social security finally be recognized? While some people suppose that their FICA payroll taxes entitle them to a benefit, the truth is that benefits which are granted at one time can be withdrawn. No sane person would rely on the promise of a bankrupt company to pay his pension in the future, but this is exactly what the American people are forced by Republicans and Democrats to take on faith. Every American has the right to do what they want with their income. Forcing them and their employers to fund the social security fraud must stop. People have a right to invest any amount of their income in a private account of their own choosing. We should be freed of the coveting hand of the federal robber barons who reach into our wallets and rob us of our money at will." (www.lpwm.org)
- Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "Education is the key, but parents alone must control that key--not teachers, not unions, not government. Parental control of education is the missing element. The unalienable right of parents to direct the education and upgringing of their own children can only be protected by setting them free from governmental interference, control and regulation of education. Thus, our goal should be to disestablish governmental control of education. A people cannot be or remain free when the government controls the education of our children. The elements of control are: 1) compulsory exposure to government approved ideas; i.e., the state mandated curriculum; 2) compulsory licencing of teachers; 3) compulsory attendance at a government approved institutions for 12 years; and 4) compulsory taxation to support opinions and ideas which many reject and which deprive us all of the comfortable liberty of freely giving our money to teachers whose views we would desire our children to learn. The federal government enjoys no Constitutional basis to educate the people of the states. That power was denied to it at the Convention in 1787." to the question "Education is said to be the key to the economy. What would you propose/support be changed, improved or abolished in our nation's public school policy?" (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. Real Choice, Real Freedom in American Education. 21 October 2010. "To bring such healthy freedom into the modern discussion, Thomas Jefferson's legal analysis and condemnation of state established churches is brought to life. His analysis and approach is then vigorously applied to the modern context of state established schools. The state established school, like the state established church is shown to be nothing less than the systematic use of governmental force and coercion in the realm of ideas. The use of force and coercion to compel attendance, certify or license teachers, mandate curriculum, and enforce financial subsidization of education, are all rejected as inconsistent with the very purpose of civil government. . . . The favorite judicial argument for control--that governmental oversight of education is compelling as a means to sustain the Republic--is simply delusional. The civil government has failed miserably to carry its burden of proof documenting that its system of governmental education--established, operated and financed on the palladium of force and coercion--can produce a citizen whose mind is free, whose choice of labor is his own, and whose acts of genuine citizenship spring from true volition. The Republic itself cannot maintain real freedom when the civil government controls the education of its youngest citizens. Moreover, the federal government's claimed jurisdiction over education is shown for what it is--contempt for the Constitution, usurpation of parental rights and suppression of intellectual freedom. The fraudulent legal basis of the federal Bureau of Education, which later became the Department of Education, is also dissected, its belligerent nationalism identified and petty altruism revealed. . . .Third, the federal government must disentangle itself from education altogether. The exercise of federal jurisdiction over education is contrary to the Constitution, the opinion of numerous Presidential Administrations and Congresses, and is contrary to the rights of parents." (revivetherepublic.com)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "But if you want freedom, then the federal government should eliminate mandatory federal emission controls and fuel standards. Fuel efficiency is a matter of consumer preference. In the present economy, most consumers will demand fuel efficient vehicles in order to save money. They will buy what they can afford and what suits them. If they desire a vehicle that is less efficient then that is their business. Federal control of emissions and fuel efficiency is how the government deceitfully describes its control of private manufacturing of automobiles and trucks. In communist and socialist countries this control is described as 'nationalizing industry.' Same result here. Of all stakeholders, the federal government and the EPA are the least competent and trustworthy to make business decisions about what vehicles consumers should be able to purchase. Leave the market to consumers, not Congress." to the question "Should the federal government provide incentives and mandates for cleaner energy - CAFE standards, or mandates on renewable energy, for instance - or should the development of cleaner energy be left entirely to the marketplace?" (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "Law-abiding, responsible citizens do not and should not need to ask anyone's permission or approval to engage in a peaceful activity. The mere possession of a firearm, by itself, harms no person and cannot morally justify criminal penalties. The private possession of ammunition, sound suppressors or machine guns does harm to no one. But those who do not possess them, are at the mercy of the criminal, the police, and federal troops who possess every kind of automatic weapon and destructive devices in abundance. The federal ban on post 1986 manufacturing of transferrable machine guns must, therefore, be the first law repealed. Repeal of the National Firearms Act of 1934 must follow. The police do not provide security in your home, your business or the street. They show up after the crime to take reports and do detective work. Only an armed citizenry can be present in sufficient numbers to prevent or deter violent crime before it starts, or to reduce its spread. Thus, widespread gun ownership has made neighborhoods safer." to the question "Do you think current gun laws are too restrictive, about right, or not restrictive enough? Which current gun laws would you change?" (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. Issues. 20 October 2010. "Congress has passed what some have hailed as a 'landmark' Health Care Reform Bill. In fact, it is a major blow to our medical freedom. It will force the healthy to buy insurance at an exorbitant cost, in order to subsidize the medical costs of the unhealthy. It will further restrict our freedom to choose our medical providers and treatments. Instead, federal employees with no medical training will decide who may treat our ailments and what treatments they may use. It will cut payments to and increase regulation of doctors, driving thousands of experienced, caring and competent medical professionals out of the field. I support the immediate repeal of the health care reform bill. I also support immediate action to control spiraling health care costs. We should extend the income tax deduction for health insurance premiums paid by businesses so that individuals purchasing their own insurance enjoy the same deduction. We should limit the regulation of health insurers by the States, so insurers may offer coverage nationally, across state lines and at lower prices, with the scope of coverage people want to purchase and in spirited competition with one another. We should cut the bloated Federal Drug Administration bureaucracy and regulations in order to speed the production of new life-saving medicines." (www.lpwm.org)
- Kerry Morgan. 2010. MLive: 2010 Michigan Voter Guide. Responded: "We must change our immigration law to more closely conform to how millions of normal people actually live. Crossing an international border to support your family and pursue dreams of a better life is not an inherently criminal act like rape, robbery or federal spending without any Constitutional basis. As the people of Texas know well, the large majority of illegal immigrants are not bad people. They are people who value family, faith and hard work trying to live within a bad system. When large numbers of otherwise decent people routinely violate a law, the law itself is probably the problem. To argue that illegal immigration is bad merely because it is illegal avoids the threshold question of whether we should prohibit this kind of immigration in the first place. We must avoid the extremes of building more fences on the one hand and wholesale legalization on the other." to the question "Should there be a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants currently in the country, or should the nation's policy be to secure borders only and to rigorously enforce current immigration laws?" (thevoterguide.mlive.com)
- Kerry Morgan. Issues. 20 October 2010. "One of our government's primary functions is to protect the American people from imminent threats here in the United States. Waging wars in far away nations that never attacked the United States at the cost of billions of taxpayer dollars does not fulfill that function. Protection is one thing, oppressing entire nations is quite another. President Obama recently called the war in Afghanistan 'absolutely essential.' Nothing could be further from the truth. The U.S. armed forces are being used for nation-building. Congress has the power to end this war by refusing to fund it, and it should do so immediately. . . . Even worse, the American effort in Afghanistan is propping up a hopelessly corrupt government. This is alienating the Afghan people and causing them to blame the United States for their problems." (www.lpwm.org)
- Kerry Morgan. Philosophy. 20 October 2010. "The Republican wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been embraced and continued by the Democrats, contrary to the promises made by President Obama in his election campaign. Our nation has squandered more than a trillion dollars in Iraq, money that in the hands of taxpayers at home would have created jobs and quite possibly avoided recession." Morgan/philosophy.php. (www.lpwm.org)
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