U.S. Marine Corps General joins the Ron Paul Revolution!

Former U.S Marine Brigadier General Mark Bircher has joined The R3VOLution!

He is running for U.S Congress in Florida CD 13 in the Special Election Republican Primary, which will take place on January 14 2014.

District 13 is located in Pinellas County Florida, it includes an area from Dunedin to western and northern St. Petersburg.
Click these links to see if you are in the district:
http://house.gov/htbin/findrep?ZIP=33772
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida%27s_13th_congressional…

If he wins, he will be in the March 14 2014 Special Election.

http://www.bircherforcongress.com/

Thanks to the Republican Liberty Caucus of Tampa Bay for sending this survey to Mr. Bircher and the other candidates.

Economic Issues & Taxes

1. What can Congress do to help return manufacturing jobs to the United States?

Bircher: No US trade negotiator may sit on any foreign company board of directors or similar organization for ten years after leaving government service. Everything Congress does must either add to the security of the states or relate to enhancing US business interests, jobs, trade, economic growth, markets, etc. Everything else is purview of state legislator.

2. How should the federal government proceed in addressing the national debt?

Bircher: Require federal government to adhere to 10th Amendment and point to where in Art I, Sec 8, federal authority exists within enumerated powers. Also, please see answer #3 below, debt and taxes are related.

3. Do you support a reconsideration of the US tax code? If so, what changes do you propose or support?

Bircher: Return to Founder’s intent of politicians being directly accountable for spending (through the election process) every other November. Essentially, return to the “apportionment” system that existed prior to the 16th Amendment. Short term change = balanced budget. Long term change = repeal 16th Amendment, and end the IRS as being unnecessary.

4. Do you support a full and complete audit of the Federal Reserve?

Bircher: Please see Ron Paul’s comments for my position.

Foreign Policy

5. When is US military intervention in other nations justified?

Bircher: US Const Art I Sec 8, clauses 11, 12, 13, control. Depends upon the nature of the situation requiring intervention and the intervention forces anticipated. For example, military intervention to evacuate an embassy staff and American citizens during civil unrest in a foreign country, as opposed to major actions like Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. NO undeclared wars. Only US Marines allowed to intervene without war declaration, (clause 13 – congressional authority to maintain a Navy, Marines in Dept of Navy,). The President and Congress have the constitutional authority to deploy Marines, but Congressional approval by “up or down” vote of Congress is required to deploy US Army, (clause 12) . “Since only the People actually pay in ‘Blood and Treasure’ for war, only the People may properly decide upon war.” Thomas Jefferson. George Washington’s “Farewell Address”, probably the best source for cogent policy on this issue.

6. What are your thoughts on the current policy of targeted drone strikes in foreign countries?

Bircher: Drone attacks are a “bright line” violation of the US Constitution unless Congress declares a war.

7. Is foreign aid a worthwhile expenditure for our government? What changes, if any, would you propose to our current foreign aid program?

Bircher: For the immediate future, I favor a total suspension of foreign aid until the budget crisis is solved. If and when we are fiscally solvent, we then review our foreign aid expenditure within the scope of George Washington’s “Farewell Address” and the mindset of, “Policy follows interests.

Civil Liberties

8. Do you favor scaling back or ending the NSA’s domestic surveillance programs? If so, what changes do you propose or support?

Bircher: Domestic surveillance by warrants only.

9. Do you favor a repeal of the indefinite detention provisions in the NDAA of 2012? Why or why not?

Bircher: The ancient based writ of habeas corpus is arguably the most powerful tool of free men over injustice ever invented. Arbitrary imprisonment is the most pernicious indicator of government tyranny that exists. I favor repeal of all government actions that trample the US Constitution. If history is a teacher, the people of the US are closer than they can ever imagine to the abuse the government now projects on “enemy combatants.” Detained people are either prisoners of war, or suspected criminals. There are no other possibilities. In either case, the process of law controls. Inventing new classifications of detainees, e.g., “enemy combatant” and new processes “ad hoc” are Orwellian in there circumvention of law. “‘Necessity’, is the justification of tyrants and the creed of slaves.” William Pitt.

10. How can the War on Drugs be improved?

Bircher: Mostly by getting the federal government out of the process. This is a state issue.

The US Constitution

11. Do you support the Constitutional restrictions on federal government powers enumerated in Article I, Section 8 as an absolute limit on all government functions and programs?

Bircher: Yes. All civilian and military officers take a personal oath, on their honor, to the Constitution. I believe the voluntary decision to take the oath, answers the above question.

12. Do you support a state’s right to nullify federal law, as many have already done for example by legalizing medical marijuana, or blocking implementation of the Affordable Care Act?

Bircher: The federal government is an invention of the states to serve state interests. The “supremacy” clause, Art VI, Sec 2, only applies when there is a conflict of laws within the enumerated powers of the federal government and a state. In my view, states do not need a “right to nullify” federal law outside the enumerated powers because state law is already supreme in those instances; please see 9th and 10th Amendments.

13. Are there any departments of the federal government that you believe could be significantly scaled back, reallocated to the states, or ended completely? If so, which ones, and why?

Bircher: All departments, agencies, bureaus, etc., in the Executive Branch that are outside of the enumerated powers, e.g., Dept of Educ, HUD, H&S, etc., should be eliminated in their entirety. We are actually losing our liberty faster on the “regulatory” side of the federal government, e.g., TSA, than the statutory. All other organizations with federal and state shared responsibilities should be eliminated or “right sized” in accordance with what the states say is required to support state interests.

14. Do you support a repeal of the Affordable Care Act?

Bircher: Yes, outside enumerated powers

15. What reforms do you propose to make healthcare more affordable and accessible?

Bircher: Any regulation of healthcare should be decided by the state legislatures, and not by the federal government. There is no reason central government is involved in healthcare. The word “affordable” is actually meaningless in the context of health care, except for its populist appeal. No has ever actually defined what “affordable” means in the ACA context; affordable to whom? Concerning healthcare, I am aligned with the ideas of Dr. Benjamin Carson.

Social Issues

16. In what way(s) should government be involved with marriage?

Bircher: None at the federal level. Whatever the states decide through their legislatures at the state level.

17. What involvement should the federal government have in regard to abortion?

Bircher: The Framers had abortion and covered the issue completely in the 9th Amendment. Again, a state issue. SCOTUS should never have granted certiorari to hear Roe v. Wade, or Doe v. Bolton because there is no valid federal question (privacy basis was specious at best, frivolous at worst) to provide jurisdiction.

Government Transparency

18. Currently, one US Congressman utilizes social networking to promote government transparency by sharing every single vote he casts in Congress, and providing an explanation for that vote. Will you promise to provide a similar level of openness and accessibility to the votes you cast?

Bircher: Yes. As a public servant, bright lights and transparency must be a component to enable the people’s scrutiny and review of their Rep’s voting record.

Additional comments or thoughts:

Bircher: “A Republic deserves the government it elects or tolerates.” Thomas Jefferson

https://rlctb.org/florida-cd-13-candidate-questionnaire-resp…

Remember to vote on January 14th in the Republican primary, and March 11th for the general election!

If you found this questionnaire useful, please consider offering a small contribution, so that we may continue our work and reach new people with the message of sensible limited government, free markets, and individual Liberty. https://rlctb.org/

 

Thanks to the Daily Paul for this!  Here is a link, apparently this guy is responding to the emails that the Ron Paul folks are sending him.  They discuss it in their threads.

639 thoughts on “U.S. Marine Corps General joins the Ron Paul Revolution!

  1. 962146 188009Id need to verify with you here. Which is not one thing I generally do! I take pleasure in reading a submit that will make individuals think. Moreover, thanks for permitting me to remark! 850611

  2. I beloved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nevertheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be turning in the following. sick definitely come further before once more since exactly the same just about very often within case you protect this hike.

  3. 451352 656562Hello! Ive been reading your internet site for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the very good work! 605706

  4. 7932 38439Official NFL jerseys, NHL jerseys, Pro and replica jerseys customized with Any Name / Number in Pro-Stitched Tackle Twill. All NHL teams, full range of styles and apparel. Signed NFL NHL player jerseys and custom team hockey and football uniforms 604236

  5. 778614 867864Spot on with this write-up, I ought to say i believe this exceptional web site needs significantly a lot more consideration. Ill probably be once again to learn a terrific deal more, numerous thanks that info. 490600

  6. 202185 933520Exceptional post nevertheless , I was wanting to know in the event you could write a litte far more on this subject? Id be quite thankful should you could elaborate a little bit a lot more. Thanks! 109351

  7. 372603 607322Hi, you used to write superb articles, but the last several posts have been kinda boring I miss your super writing. Past several posts are just just a little out of track! 205899

  8. I¦ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i¦m satisfied to express that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most indisputably will make sure to do not omit this website and provides it a look regularly.

  9. 622335 785593You created some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the difficulty and discovered most individuals will go coupled with along with your internet site. 605557

  10. 679520 183112An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you ought to write much more on this subject, it may possibly not be a taboo topic but normally folks are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers 210724

  11. Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  12. 373634 718277Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. Im gonna watch out for brussels. Ill be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of folks will probably be benefited from your writing. Cheers! 680886

  13. certainly like your web site however you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to tell the reality however I¦ll certainly come again again.

  14. Very good written article. It will be beneficial to anybody who usess it, including yours truly :). Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.

  15. There are definitely plenty of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great level to carry up. I provide the thoughts above as basic inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up where crucial thing will probably be working in trustworthy good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around issues like that, however I am positive that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each boys and girls feel the impact of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  16. Hello, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!

  17. I have not checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend :)

  18. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.

  19. Hi there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

  20. Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.

  21. After exploring a number of the blog articles on your web site, I truly like your way of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site as well and let me know how you feel.

  22. Hello! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  23. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  24. geodon cataflam pra que serve Verlander wasnГў t at Fenway to see his team let Game 2 slip away, having flown back to Detroit earlier in the day to allow him to get a good nightГў s sleep rather than get home in the wee hours of the morning cialis pills Phillips JS, Prinsley PR

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *