1a. What is your view of the monetary system in the US today?
The US monetary system is in shambles due to he + 95% devaluation of our purchasing power since the inception of the Fed. The devaluation of roughly 1% per year is a hidden tax on savers as it decreases the purchasing power of "money" saved. I'm not sure this is the proper forum to cover money vs. currency and the ease of trade with money (accepted unit of value ) among people. None of this is "new" and any student of Mises or Ron Paul knows the arguments supporting why the current monetary system is both unwise and morally wrong.
1b. What is primarily responsible for a large percentage of our nation's current economic, social and political problems?
Wow, this is a loaded question as it is very complex and depending on your worldview may lead to different answers. This being said, here goes. A large percentage of our nation's current economic, social and political problems (in my opinion) can be tracked back to a failure to uphold the law of the land, the US Constitution. The Constitution gives Congress the power over finances, a power abdicated to the Federal Reserve. The Constitution describes the process for declaring war yet we serve violence on other nations without a declaration of war. The Federal Department of Education mandates educational standards yet, according to the Constitution's 10th Amendment, as education is not enumerated it is to be left to the states. The lack of respect for the law, the lack of adherence to the law, and the selective prosecution of the law has lead to a general contempt for the law.
1c. What corrective actions would you work to implement?
First and foremost, a return to adherence to the established highest law of the land, the US Constitution. An important point not directly asked here, but one I would like to address is "how" to implement. At least in VA, we have some outstanding US Constitutional attorneys who have successfully fought in front of the US Supreme Court on US Constitutional Issues. The "how to implement" is for the federal office holders (US Congressmen, US Senators, and the POTUS) to only vote in accordance to the US Constitution. Also, each state legislature needs to pass 10th amendment resolutions reminding the Federal government of the limitation of its powers. Many states are in the process of doing this, VA is one of them.
1d. Do you agree or disagree with the actions of the Federal Reserve has taken to address the financial / economic crisis? and why?
I do not agree with the actions of the Federal Reserve as they are both unwise and legally questionable. Unwise as rewarding misbehavior (bailing out financial institutions who made bad business decisions) only gets more misbehavior, ask any parent of a puppy or small child. Legally questionable in that the Federal government does not have the right to "support" private businesses. No where in the US Constitution is the power enumerated or implied that the Federal government has the authority to support or take over failing businesses.
2a. What are your thoughts on American sovereignty in an age of globalism?
Globalism is nothing new, as technology has increased we have only shortened the time it takes someone to travel from nation to nation, but man has been traveling from nation to nation for all of recorded history. Thus, "globalism" has nothing to do with sovereignty and is a red herring. The founding fathers had to deal with international issues while fighting for independence from Britain and warned us in regards to foreign relations. The founders were concerned enough to write into the US Constitution that the Senate must ratify any treat by a 2/3 vote for it to be binding for the United States. The United States is a sovereign nation legally adhering to its highest law, the US Constitution, until such a time as the US Constitution is amended to refute such a claim or the United States ceases to exist thus rendering the US Constitution immaterial.
2b. What is the biggest source of influence and actions in the US government agencies and policies that has been damaging to American sovereignty?
The expansion of the US empire outside of our national boarders.
2c. What can be done to limit these influences?
Respect other nations as sovereign and stop mucking about in their affairs. One can only claim the moral high ground if one actually acts in a moral manner. I am personally appalled at many of the behaviors of certain portions of the US government and their overseas adventures which are dubious at best and some down right illegal. We need to cease and desist trying to play the role of world puppeteer and stop treating other nations as marionettes to be controlled for our benefit. We would be furious for them trying to do it here and they are justly furious for us doing it there.
3. What are your views on the necessity of the Patriot Act to protect America?
I do not think the Patriot Act protects America, the Patriot Act limits the rights of citizens.
4. What is your opinion of current US foreign policy?
In addition to the answer to 2c, the current US foreign policy is damaging to the citizens of the United States and should be altered. This is an enormous question but I would like to touch on one additional point. Taxing me to send my money overseas to prop up someone I do not agree with is disturbing enough, but I am greatly angered at the illegality of the actions as the US Constitution does not allow for such behavior. Redistribution of wealth at gunpoint is thuggery and theft, nothing more.
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In Liberty,
Doug "Hutch" Hutchison
Independent Liberty Candidate for VA-2
www.HutchForCongress.com
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