Tuesday, 26 July 2016

Is Darrell Castle more libertarian than Gary Johnson?

In the 2008 presidential election, Ron Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party. In doing so, he effectively endorsed Baldwin's running mate, Darrell Castle, as the man to be President of the United States if something happened to Baldwin.

This year, the Constitution Party have nominated Castle as its presidential candidate, and Castle has claimed that he is more libertarian than Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party's candidate. Is he?
On the one hand, when asked in a YouTube video about books he would recommend, the suggestions that he comes out with are all quite acceptable by libertarian standards. The first three are Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson, G. Edward Griffin's The Creature from Jekyll Island, and The Thousand Year War by Richard J Maybury.  So that's Austrian economics, opposition to central banking, and a non-interventionist foreign policy.
On the other hand, Cody Quirk believes that Castle is definitely not more libertarian than Gary Johnson, and gives reasons.  I'm not convinced by Quirk's arguments. 

But, to be honest, the answer one gives is really going to be based on what exactly one means by "libertarian". Gary Johnson has his understanding of libertarianism, Darrell Castle has his, Cody Quirk has his, I have mine, and you probably have yours.
In an attempt to answer the question "Is Darrell Castle really more libertarian than Gary Johnson", I went to "I Side With", and looked at their answers to the policy questions that were asked, and tried to assess which of the two gave more libertarian answers.
Here are the answers they gave. Castle's answers are in blue, Johnson's are in red, and my comments are in green.
As for answering the question of which is more libertarian, where I feel that one candidate has given a considerably better answer from a libertarian point of view, I've awarded him three points, and where I feel that one candidate has given a slightly better answer, I've awarded him one point. And then I've added up the points in an effort to see which of the two is more libertarian.

Social Issues
Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?
No
Yes, but only after a psychological examination to show they fully understand this choice
I'm not convinced that either position is more libertarian than the other.

What is your stance on abortion?
Pro-life
pro-choice
Again, I am not convinced that either position is more libertarian than the other. I believe that it is important that abortion should be illegal in most circumstances - but I realise that libertarians are divided on abortion.

Do you support the legalization of same sex marriage?
Take the government out of marriage and instead make it a religious decision   3 points
Yes, but allow churches the right to refuse same-sex ceremonies
I can see no reason at all for government to be involved in marriage, and would have thought that this was the libertarian position.

Should health insurance providers be required to offer free birth control?
No                                                                                                               3
Yes
Johnson wants government to mandate something, Castle doesn't.

Do you support the death penalty?
Yes
No, too many people are innocently convicted                                                             1
In theory, libertarianism doesn't take a stance on capital punishment, but in practice, most libertarians are opposed to it.

Should the government support a separation of church and state by removing references to God on money, federal buildings, and national monuments? 
No
Yes, but do not waste money removing existing references
I'm not convinced that either position is significantly more libertarian than the other.

Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner’s religious beliefs?
Yes, any business should be able to deny service for any reason                               3
No, all customers deserve to be treated equally
Johnson supports the state making laws that curtail freedom of association.

Should states be allowed to display the Confederate flag on government property?
Yes, each state should have the right to display any flag they choose
Yes, each state should have the right to display any flag they choose

Should businesses be required to have women on their board of directors? 
No
No, board members should be the most qualified regardless of gender

Should the government continue to fund Planned Parenthood?
No                                                                                                             3
Yes
Johnson supports the state taking money from tax payers to give it to an organisation that many people do not support.

Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles? 
No
Yes, as long as they can pass the same physical tests as men
I'm not convinced that either position is significantly more libertarian than the other. A much more important issue is whether the government should force anyone into a combat role. In the event of a war, if women are permitted to be in combat roles, will they find themselves forced into combat roles against their will? Where conscription exists, it deprives people of freedom. In the past, that loss of freedom only affected males in America. If women are allowed to serve in combat roles, will women be conscripted, and thus deprived of a freedom they have previously enjoyed? I suspect that the answer to that question is probably "yes".

Should “gender identity” be added to anti-discrimination laws?
No                                                                                                                   3
Yes
Johnson supports the state making laws that curtain freedom of assocation.

Foreign Policy
Should the U.S. remain in the United Nations?
No, and remove the U.N. headquarters from the U.S.                       3
Yes.
I can see no reason, from a libertarian point of view, why the U.S. should be part of the U.N. At the very least, is giving millions of dollars of tax-payers money to a large international bureaucracy really a good thing?

Should the U.S. continue NSA surveillance of its allies?
No
No, and abolish the NSA

Should the government increase or decrease foreign aid spending?
Decrease, and we should not give foreign aid to any countries                 3
Decrease, until we drastically reduce our national budget deficit
Johnson apparently supports the state taking tax-payers money and giving it to foreign governments.

Should the U.S. prevent Russia from conducting airstrikes in Syria?
No, we should not get involved
No, we should not get involved

Should the government send in ground troops to fight ISIS?
No                                                                                                           1
No, not until they attack us on U.S. soil
Johnson seems to be leaving the door open to the possibility sending ground troops abroad in the event of some form of terrorist attack.

Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?
No
No, service should be a choice instead of an obligation

Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?
Yes within the confines of the Constitution
Yes, but respect Israel’s sovereignty and do not dictate how it should interact with its neighbors

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?
Yes, inside the United States but not abroad
No, they should be tried in military tribunals but not subject to torture

Should the government decrease military spending?
Yes, much waste and unnecessary spending on unnecessary programs and weapons systems could be eliminated
Yes

Should the military fly drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?
No, unless the suspected terrorists are strategic threats to the United States because I would not tie the hands of the President if he sees a serious threat to the United States
No, the military has no right to do so without a Congressional declaration of war
Both candidates seem to leave the door open to using drones to kill suspected terrorists under certain circumstances.

Should the U.S. formally declare war on ISIS?
No, and we should stay out of all foreign conflicts unless the U.S. is strategically threatened
No, we should stay out of Middle Eastern conflicts

Do you support President Obama’s move to lift the trade and travel embargo on Cuba?
Yes, because the embargo helps no one and only hurts the Cuban people
Yes

Should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria?
No, the U.S. should not accept any more refugees from any country until our borders are secured and we can properly vet those who apply to enter
Yes, but only after extensive background checks and continuous monitoring to ensure they have no terrorist connections
I'm not sure that there is any real difference between the position of the two candidates.

Should the U.S. overthrow President Assad of Syria?
No, who ever leads Syria is none of our business                                             1
No, this would allow ISIS to control Syria
Castle's justification for his answer is the principle of non-intervention; Johnson's justification is merely pragmatic.

Should the government conduct military strikes against North Korea in order to destroy their long-range missile and nuclear weapons capabilities?
No, unless North Korea becomes an immediate threat to the United States
No, and I am not convinced that North Korea has or is capable of developing a long-range nuclear missile

Should the U.S. close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba?
No because it is now too late as the prisoners have been there so long that they are now too dangerous to release into the world
Yes                                                                                                           3
Castle's position seems to be to be very strange, and rather unprincipled.

Should the military be allowed to use enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, to gain information from suspected terrorists?
No, I am opposed to torture
No, torture is an ineffective form of interrogation

The Economy
Should the government subsidize farmers?
No, end all government subsidies and let the free market run its course
No, end all government subsidies and let the free market run its course

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?
No
No, and eliminate all federal wage standards                                                 1
Castle's answer is fine, but Johnson gives a good libertarian rationale for his answer.

Should physically and mentally capable adults on welfare be required to work?
Yes
Yes

Should the U.S. reduce corporate income tax rates?
Yes, but I would prefer to abolish corporate income taxes
Yes, but I would prefer to abolish corporate income taxes

Should the government make cuts to public spending in order to reduce the national debt?
Yes
Yes, and eliminate federal agencies that are unconstitutional

Should employers be required to pay men and women the same salary for the same job?
No, the government should never determine what a private business should pay employees                                                                                                                 1
No, there are too many other variables such as education, experience, and tenure that determine a fair salary
Castle's rationale is principled and libertarian.

Should the government increase the tax rate on profits earned from the sale of stocks, bonds, and real estate?
No
No, increasing the capital gains tax will limit investment in our economy

Should businesses be required to provide paid leave for full-time employees during the birth of a child or sick family member?
No, private businesses should decide the amount of competitive incentives they offer to employees instead of a government mandate
No, private businesses should decide the amount of competitive incentives they offer to employees instead of a government mandate

Should the Federal Reserve Bank be audited by Congress?
Yes, but I would prefer to abolish it and return to the gold standard
Yes, but I would prefer to abolish it and return to the gold standard

Should the U.S. government bailout Puerto Rico?
No
No

Should pension plans for federal, state, and local government workers be transitioned into privately managed accounts?
Yes tax payers have carried the burden long enough and it is time to let the market run pensions and relieve the taxpayers' responsibility 1
Yes, but only for future workers
Johnson's answer is fine, but Castle gives a libertarian justification for his answer.

Would you favor an increased sales tax in order to reduce property taxes?
No, I oppose all tax increases
No

Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?
I support the right of workers to collectively bargain but I oppose public service unions
Hurt

Should all welfare recipients be tested for drugs?
No, it is a privacy violation and a violation of human dignity                                   1
No, this is a waste of time and money
Johnson's answer is fine, but Castle gives a principled reason for his answer.

Do you support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
No, it surrenders U.S. sovereignty to international bureaucrats, corporations, and foreign governments none of which are accountable to U.S. citizens
No

Should the government classify Bitcoin as a legal currency?
Yes, all currencies should compete fairly including bitcoin
Yes, but it should not replace our national treasury-backed currency

Should citizens be allowed to save or invest their money in offshore bank accounts?
Yes, where U.S. citizens invest their money is none of the government's business
Yes

Should the government require businesses to pay salaried employees, making up to $46k/year, time-and-a-half for overtime hours?
No, what private business pays to its employees is none of the government's business
No, and the government is currently over-regulating private businesses

Should an in-state sales tax apply to online purchases of in-state buyers from out-of-state sellers?
Darrell Castle has not answered this question yet
No, the federal government does not have the authority to impose state and local taxes

Immigration
Should local law enforcement be allowed to detain illegal immigrants for minor crimes and transfer them to federal immigration authorities?
Yes
No, only if they are convicted of a violent crime

Should the U.S. increase restrictions on its current border security policy?
Yes
No, make it easier for immigrants to access temporary work visas        3
Johnson supports free movement of labor, Castle doesn't.

Should immigrants be required to learn English
Darrell Castle has not answered this question yet
No

Should the government increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers? 
Decrease
Increase, our economy relies on businesses hiring the highest skilled workers at the lowest cost                                                                                                                    3
Johnson supports free movement of labor, Castle doesn't.

Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?
Yes
No, banning immigrants based on their religion is unconstitutional        3
Castle's position seems to me, as a libertarian, to be just plain wrong.

Domestic Policy
Do you support the Patriot Act?
No
No, and pass strict laws prohibiting any government surveillance

Do you support affirmative action programs?
No
No, and minority groups should not receive any favorable treatment

Should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun?
No
No, only for criminals and the mentally ill

Should the U.S. government grant immunity to Edward Snowden? 
Yes
Yes, he should be protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act

Should the NSA (National Security Agency) be allowed to collect basic metadata of citizen’s phone calls such as numbers, timestamps, and call durations?
No, only with a warrant showing probable cause of criminal activity
No, only with a warrant showing probable cause of criminal activity

Should people on the “no-fly list” be banned from purchasing guns and ammunition?
No, it is unconstitutional to deny someone’s rights without due process
No, it is unconstitutional to deny someone’s rights without due process

Should Apple unlock the iPhones of suspected terrorists for the FBI?
No
No

Should local police increase surveillance and patrol of Muslim neighborhoods?
No, this decision should be based on crime rates instead of race or religion 1
No, targeting Muslims is unconstitutional, racist, and incendiary
Johnson used the "R word", so a point to Castle!

Should children of illegal immigrants be granted legal citizenship?
No                                                                                                                3
Yes, if they were born here
I cannot see anything liberarian (or sensible) about granting citizenship to someone simply because of the location of their birth.

Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
No
No, and the government should never subsidize healthcare                 1
Castle's answer is fine, but Johnson gives a solid libertarian justification for that answer.

Should working illegal immigrants be given temporary amnesty?
No                                                                                                                3
Yes, create a simple path to citizenship for immigrants with no criminal record
I cannot see anything libertarian (or sensible) about granting citizenship to someone simply because they have managed to get into a country and get a job.

Should illegal immigrants be offered in-state tuition rates at public colleges within their residing state?
No
No, they should pay the same rate as out-of-state students

Are you in favor of decriminalizing drug use?
Yes, it is a liberty issue and a moral issue
Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time

Should corporations and unions (Super PACs) be allowed to donate to political candidates?
No, as a matter of public policy it is very detrimental to the nation to allow large corporations to buy candidates and elections
Yes, any restriction on campaign spending violates the first amendment           3
Castle believes the government should ban people from using their money as they choose.

Should there be term limits set for members of Congress?
No, we already have term limits - it's called an election               1
Yes, term limits will increase performance and prevent corruption
I can see arguments in favour of term limits, but it still seems to me that to set term limits is to introduce an unnecessary law.

Should the redrawing of Congressional districts be controlled by an independent, non-partisan commission? 
No
Yes, gerrymandering gives an unfair advantage to the party in power during redistricting                                                                                                                                                3
I agree with Johnson's reasoning.

Should internet service providers be allowed to speed up access to popular websites (that pay higher rates) at the expense of slowing down access to less popular websites (that pay lower rates)?
No, treat all traffic equally and continue the openness of the internet
No, this would allow them to remove competition, create artificial scarcity, and increase prices

Should the government raise the retirement age for Social Security?
No
Yes, but I would prefer to privatize it instead                                                           1
From a libertarian point of view, it doesn't matter much whether the government raises it or not, but from a libertarian point of view, Johnson is right in saying that government should get out of it.
Should victims of gun violence be allowed to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers?
Yes, no corporation should be immune from the possibility that their product after being introduced into public commerce was defective, etc. and caused harm
No, manufacturers and dealers should only be held liable for negligence       1
It seems to me that Castle has not understood the question, and I suspect that if he had understood it, he would have given the same answer as Johnson.

Should the government be allowed to seize private property, with reasonable compensation, for public or civic use?
Yes, as permitted by the Constitution when the seizure is necessary for public use and when fair market value is paid to the property owner
No, and the government should never be allowed to seize private property      3
Johnson states the libertarian position.

Should the Senate hold hearings and a vote on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee?
No, Senate rules permit holding the vote until after the election so that is what I favor doing
Gary Johnson has not given a stance on this issue

Healthcare
Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
No, government should not be involved in healthcare
No, government should not be involved in healthcare

Should the federal government increase funding of health care for low income individuals (Medicaid)?
No
No, and each state should decide their own level of coverage

Do you support the legalization of Marijuana?
i support decriminalization not legalization
Yes, and legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana instead of criminalizing it
Johnson's enthusiasm for regulation is unlibertarian, and I am not sure that legalization is more libertarian than simple decriminalization.

Elections
Should a photo ID be required to vote?
Yes, this will prevent voter fraud
No

The Environment
Should the U.S. expand offshore oil drilling?
Yes
Yes, and deregulate the energy sector to let the free market determine the best energy sources                                     1
Both give the right answer, but Johnson gives the right justification.

Should the government give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?
No, end all tax credits and subsidies to the energy industry 1
No
Both give the right answer, but Castle adds a good point.

Should the government increase environmental regulations to prevent climate change?
No
No

Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?
Yes, energy independence is absolutely critical to the United States
Yes, but increase oversight                                          3
Both give the right answer, but I find Castle's reason for it to be flawed, as I do not believe that energy independence is a libertarian ideal.

Education
Do you support Common Core national standards?
No, education should be handled at the state and local level instead of the national level
No, education should be handled at the state and local level instead of the national level

Do you support increasing taxes for the rich in order to reduce interest rates for student loans?
No
No

Crime
Should prisons ban the use of solitary confinement for juveniles?
No, it is necessary for violent criminals who are a danger to themselves and other inmates
No, it is necessary for violent criminals who are a danger to themselves and other inmates

Should convicted felons have the right to vote?
Yes, but only after completing their sentences and parole/probation
Yes

Should police officers be required to wear body cameras?
No but it should be a decision made at the state and local level
Gary Johnson has not given a stance on this issue

Science
Should the government fund space travel? 
 Yes 
 Yes

Should the federal government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?
Darrell Castle has not answered this question yet
No

Should producers be required to label genetically engineered foods (GMOs)?
Darrell Castle has not answered this question yet
Gary Johnson has not given a stance on this issue

Total Points:
Darrell Castle 35
Gary Johnson 30

Conclusion
Both candidates are basically libertarian in outlook, though both, on some issues, are less libertarian than they might be.  However, it seems to me that while there isn't much in it, Darrell Castle is probably more libertarian than Gary Johnson.  

At least that's the way it is according to my understanding of libertarianism!