Your View: Libertarian agenda is to give you back control

Can we afford it? I suspect you’re way ahead of me here. I won’t try to discuss the national debt, beyond that it’s rising faster than I can write about it, much less get this into print. We are running this country as if we hold it on an interest-only mortgage, and we’ve been seeing how well those generally work out.

On any given issue, even if we can do it and we should do it, that doesn’t mean we can afford it right now. The idea that we can simply borrow or print more money won’t carry us forever. Better we end those practices while we still have hope of being in control of the situation rather than waiting for disaster to dictate to us.

This will be my last letter before the election, so let me urge you all to vote. If you want government to take care of you (and run your life, which ultimately must follow), either the Republicans or the Democrats are happy to accommodate — it just depends on whose format you prefer.

If you want to run your own life — and correspondingly, take care of yourself and your loved ones — then right now, the Libertarian Party is the only one seeking to give you the greatest possible opportunity. I won’t claim it will be quick or easy, but if you can imagine a future where the federal government doesn’t even try to control everything — vote Libertarian.

Dr. Richard J. Davis, Hurlock
Davis is a Libertarian candidate for Maryland’s 1st Congressional District. — Editor

Dr. Richard Davis' interview with the Daily Times

... In Their Own Words - Special Guest Dr. Richard Davis

Dr. Richard Davis is a dentist from Hurlock, Maryland.  He is the Libertarian Candidate for Congress in the First District of Maryland.

"...In Their Own Words" is designed to provide a format where news makers on the Lower Shore of Maryland can provide the public with answers about themselves or information on a variety of topics at a deeper level. There are no canned answers, time limits or talking points.

This video was produced by www.nowbeingserved.com

QUESTION 1: CAN WE DO IT?

30 August, 2010
Dear Editor:

Here begins a short series on what I think a Congressman should consider about every issue. Washington abounds with wonderful ideas of things the federal government could do to make life better for the people, the country, and the world.

QUESTION 1: CAN WE DO IT?

The quick response is the President’s glib “Yes, we can!” After all, this is the country that has repeatedly put men on the moon. Yes, if we have a well-defined goal we can usually work out the details. That if, however, can be a big one. Yes, we have sent men to the moon, and, more impressive, brought them back to earth alive. We have NOT explored the moon, or established commercial mining there, or established a base to try to control tides or weather; we have simply sent men there and back.

Our record is not so impressive on less well-defined goals. In 1917-18 we sent troops off to “the war to end all wars” to “make the world safe for democracy”. It looks to me like war is still going on, and currently we’re just trying to make Iraq and Afghanistan safe for democracy – 92 years later. We’ve had a “war” on poverty for 45 years now and one on drugs for about the same. When your goals are poorly defined or you keep changing them, it’s a lot harder to meet them.

NEXT MONTH: PART 2 – SHOULD WE DO IT?

Sincerely,

Richard J. Davis D.D.S.
Libertarian for Congress

The J. Millard Tawes 34th Annual Crab and Clam Bake

Mike Brewington (D) and Dr. Richard Davis (L).

Crisfield, MD: The J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam did not disappoint if you were in search of politicians. Candidates from the Democratic Party, Republican Party and Libertarian Party were present meeting voters and distributing campaign flyers.

Independent District 1 Congressional Candidate Jack Wilson had his people gathering signatures. Dr. Richard Davis signed the petition form to show his support for Wilson to be on the ballot, even though he would be an opponent. Wilson needs around 40,000 signatures according to the campaign worker.

Richard Davis(L) and Andy Harris(R).

                Read the rest at Examiner.com

The Vote Libertarian Buttons were very effective.  Governor O'Malley got the message when we shook his hand.

Dr. Richard Davis Campaign Updates

Annapolis, MD:  In an article that was published in the The Capitol, Dr. Richard Davis is mentioned in an article about the upcoming heated race in the First Congressional District.

Crisfield, MD:  On July 21, 2010 Dr. Richard Davis, Libertarian candidate for Maryland's First Congressional District, will be in attendance at the 34th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake.   The event is held the third Wednesday every July and usually attracts politicians by the dozens in an election year.

J. Millard Tawes was the 54th Governor of Maryland and a Crisfield native.  The event was named in his honor and is held at Somers Cove Marina.

Dr. Davis On The Issues - The Series

Term Limits is an off again on again issue. Do you believe that federal legislation should dictate congressional term limits or should the individual states make that decision?

I have come to believe that a system of term limits should be established at the Constitutional level (i.e. amendment) for federal office. My proposed plan is, again, outlined already on my website, though I could be open to modifications to the lengths of those limits. States should retain control of such things for state level offices.

Dr. Richard Davis

2010 District 1 Congressional Candidate for The Maryland Libertarian Party

Dr. Davis On The Issues - The Series

The Constitution is under attack from beginning to end. What steps when crafting or opposing legislation would you take when executing your oath to protect it?

Any legislation proposed should be reviewed alongside the Constitution and dealt with accordingly. I would not craft any legislation in opposition to or outside the limits of the Constitution. I would strive to word any potential legislation as simply and as clearly as possible, limiting any bill to a single issue and making every effort to be AT LEAST as clear and concise as the Constitution, if not even more so.

In reviewing other potential legislation, I would again read it in parallel reference to any relevant section(s) of the Constitution. If it is not covered within the limits of the Constitution, or if it appears to me in any way opposed to the relevant section of the Constitution, I would vote against it. The only way I see around such issues are the prescribed procedures to amend the Constitution itself, which are long and complex. In sum, just because Congress CAN vote in favor of something does not mean it SHOULD.

Dr. Richard Davis

2010 District 1 Congressional Candidate for The Maryland Libertarian Party

Dr. Davis On The Issues - The Series

The size and scope of government is absolutely gigantic and needs to be reduced. What programs, departments, and process would you look to begin eliminating by reducing the funding or just cutting the program all together?

I would begin by seeking Constitutional justification for any and all programs, looking to phase out those not included in the authorization of the Constitution. While the ideal would be immediate termination, I believe that many of these programs have grown so large and intertwined that a phase out over four to six years would be more practical, so as to reduce the economic and social disruption resulting from the sudden withdrawal of employment and funding that has entered into so many individuals’ planning as an accommodation to the way the system works now.

I feel it is unfair, however theoretically justified, to make a sudden dramatic change in the rules without adequate warning, even if it is to make a return to the original rules. As a general guideline, I would advocate for any given program a 10% reduction in budget and staff the first year, 20% (of the original base) the second year, 30% the third, and the final 40% the fourth year. I would personally recommend beginning with the Department of Education and the Department of Energy, as I do not feel these belong at the federal level.

My recommendations for phasing out Social Security are already covered on my website. I would advocate elimination of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and reduction of the Department of Health and Human Services to a Public Health Service dedicated to the tracking of (and prevention of spread) of communicable diseases. I am sure others can identify preferred candidates for reduction or elimination, but I believe my examples provide an obvious place to start and plenty of work to begin on.

Dr. Richard Davis

2010 District 1 Congressional Candidate for The Maryland Libertarian Party

Dr. Davis On The Issues - The Series

The United States has one of the highest tax rates on her workforce in the world, especially on businesses and business owners. Abolishing the Internal Revenue Service and the complicated Tax Code has been offered as a solution and to be replaced with a “Fair Tax” system. What do you feel is the best solution for the mess that the tax system has become and what avenue do you believe the government should use to raise revenue?

"I believe the primary issue is to reduce the size and scope (and thus cost) of the federal government to its constitutional limits. We can then establish what revenue is actually needed for the federal government to exercise its constitutional duties and powers. I believe it should be provided by a system of excise taxes and user fees replacing the income tax (and the IRS), supplemented if necessary by a system of consumption tax on all consumption beyond basic needs at established and defined levels for food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and health care. (Meanwhile we need aggressive action to reduce and ultimately pay off the national debt, with strict limits on any new borrowing for long term capital projects in the absence of emergencies like war.)"

Dr. Richard Davis

2010 District 1 Congressional Candidate for The Maryland Libertarian Party

Dr. Davis On The Issues - The Series

In a series of questions we have sent to Dr. Richard Davis, the Libertarian Party's Congressional Candidate for the First District, he responds with candor and honesty. Here is the first series, focusing on the reason for running, Congressional work habits, and ethics.


1. To be elected by the citizens of your district is a great honor. What is the reason that caused you to decide to run for Congress?

I decided to run for Congress when the chairman of the Maryland Libertarian Party called me in January, 2008 and asked me to run. I had no thoughts in that direction prior to his request, but I felt it was a civic duty to run when asked. I much appreciated the opportunity to publicly express my concerns with the way the political process has currently been operating in this country. Apparently the party was pleased with my performance and asked me to run again, and I felt that doing so would reinforce the sincerity of my concerns with the process and my commitment to pushing for change.

2. The work habits and rare appearances of congressmen and congresswomen in their districts seem to peak near election but the rest of the time you rarely hear a peep. What type of session schedule for Congress would you like to see? How would you schedule your appearances in your district and what would you focus on?

I would like to see Congress in session for the two months prior to passage of the budget to focus on budget issues. For the rest of the year my ideal would be to have Congress normally in session two weeks out of each month and the rest devoted to time in individual districts, with sessions in Washington extended only for national emergencies. Ultimately I would like to see Congress reduced to a part time system like many state legislatures, with congressmen returning to their districts even more of the time and even to part of the time to “real world” jobs to keep them more in touch with the lives of their constituents. I do not believe service in Congress should be a career, and if the federal government were to be eventually reduced to the limits prescribed by the Constitution I do not believe service in Congress would normally need to be a full time job.

While at home in my district, I would anticipate dividing my time between several (probably three or four) offices widely separated due to the geographic size of the first district. I would, time allowing; prefer to have at least one “town meeting” type of forum quarterly. If Congress and the federal government were to ultimately be reduced to their Constitutional limits, I would hope to maintain part-time practice in my current profession. (In such a situation I would also advocate a corresponding reduction in Congressional pay and benefits.)

3. Becoming a congressman is a position where great trust is placed in you. What changes in ethics rules that govern Congress would you work to change?

I believe any conviction for any breach in ethics should result in automatic expulsion and replacement, whether the breach is directly related to work in Congress or not. In such cases Congressional pension benefits should also be forfeit. (Actually, I would advocate the phasing out of Congressional pensions altogether, as I do not believe career positions in Congress are in the best interests of the nation.

Dr. Davis' December Letter to Editor

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. For many, possibly for most, my hope is that they will be merrier and happier than the last two.

I’d like to challenge everyone who reads this to think about what they might do to make the holidays, both religious and secular, happier for all Americans and for people everywhere.

I believe that this country remains the best hope for much of the world. Founders from Washington and Jefferson to Franklin and Adams felt that the only hope for the republic they created lay in a citizenry well educated and informed, virtuous and fair-minded. As our democracy has been extended to more and more of the population, this does not change.

For more than a hundred years we Americans have, in varying degrees, tried to push our ideas of government on much of the rest of the world. In doing so, we have begun to lose much of what our form of government has to offer both ourselves and the rest of the world.

At this time when people seek peace and make New-Year’s resolutions, I challenge you to do all you can to make yourself that educated, informed, fair-minded and virtuous citizen and voter. None of us are perfect, but as we enter another election year, let us try again to become an example of freedom and justice for the world, not a world-policeman or an empire.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Davis, D.D.S.

Libertarian candidate for Congress

www.davis4congress.com

Libertarian Quote of the Day

"Both major parties are currently controlled by leaders who work for ever-expanding government programs with massive federal spending and continued meddling in the affairs of countries around the world, whatever rhetoric they may employ to the contrary."

Dr. Richard Davis
2010 Libertarian Congressional Candidate in Maryland's 1st District

Andy Harris Graces Us Lowly Eastern Shore Folks With His Ability to Gas Us

Dr. Andrew Harris, the world's greatest Anesthesiologist, is coming to learn more about the way of life down on the Shore, part time. This was in the Daily Times a few days ago and I have pondered on this ridiculous attempt at using his job to campaign. We backwards folks, are smarter than that Dr. Harris.

Dr. Harris lost every county on the Eastern Shore because people saw him for what he was. The other thing that will make this upcoming election very interesting is the quiet positioning of Dr. Richard Davis, the 2008 spoiler for Dr. Harris. With the faltering of Frank Kratovil's votes and decision making, the fact that people do not like Dr. Andy Harris, will open more minds and votes to Dr. Richard Davis.

Frank Kratovil had his opportunity and has squandered it by not standing up and representing his people on the Shore. It is time we had someone who can truly represent us and it is not Dr. Andy Harris. Dr. Richard Davis represents Eastern Shore values. He understands the Eastern Shore and her people. Of the three, Dr. Davis is the best suited to represent us in Washington.