Finkenstadt Outlines Plans for Change; Nixon, Hulshof Promises Same Old Bigger Government Story
September 14, 2008 | Announcements, Positions, Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Missouri Press Association Gubernatorial Debate
Finkenstadt Outlines Plans for Change; Nixon, Hulshof Promises Same Old Bigger Government Story
“We should not be burning our food! And taxpayers should not be paying for the privilege”
COLUMBIA, Mo. - September 14, 2008 — In the gubernatorial debate, hosted by the Missouri Press Association, Libertarian Andrew Finkenstadt outlined his plans to change the direction of the state, while Attorney General Jay Nixon and Congressman Kenny Hulshof continued to embrace the same failed policies from the Democratic and Republican parties that have resulted in bigger government budgets, bigger government taxation, and bigger government interference.
“I am a computer software engineer. Engineers do not create a blue-ribbon panel to study an issue. Engineers solve the problems put before them,” Finkenstadt said in opening remarks. “A lawyer looks at a problem and tends to say, ‘There ought to be a law.‘ I say in response, ‘We have too many laws already, we don’t need any more.‘ A politician looks at a problem and tends to say, ‘Hey, we should study that.‘ Computer programmers see a problem and address it in a more direct and methodical way, we actually solve it.”
Libertarian Andy Finkenstadt went on to say, “I will reduce taxes for everyone (not just the rich, not just the middle class), and I’ll do it by reducing the size of our government. Reducing taxes leaves more money in your pocket to spend as YOU see fit, without some government middleman getting in the way. After all, who knows best how to spend your hard-earned money: you, or the legion of legislators and rule makers who work in our state government?”
During the question and answer portion of the debate, both Nixon and Hulshof reiterated their campaign issues: bigger government spending on health care and insurance products, expanded government spending on educational programs, and more government control over alternative energy sources.
Libertarian Andy Finkenstadt advocated for the government to get out of the way of the free market solutions available for each of these issues:
1. Health care choices are, ultimately, the choice of each family. The choice of what kind of health insurance they want, what level of health care they want, the care providers they want, and the medicines and treatments they will use. For those families who are unable to pay for necessary health care, Finkenstadt holds that private organizations and charities whose mission it is to provide these services should be contacted for their assistance. (Finkenstadt’s family contributes a significant amount of its annual income to just such local charities.)
2. Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice. Schools should be managed locally to achieve greater accountability and parental involvement. Recognizing that the education of children is inextricably linked to moral values, we should return authority to parents to determine the education of their children, without interference from government. In particular, parents should have control of and responsibility for all funds expended for their children’s education.
Finkenstadt did not advocate vouchers that go to private institutions, despite Nixon’s misunderstanding during the debate. Perhaps it is just this common misunderstanding that prevents governmental leaders from coming up with the right solution: multiple school choices in an area, each supported exclusively by the publicly-funded dollars following the student.
3. Energy, especially clean energy, is the proper domain of the free market. The government should not be subsidizing any particular form of energy.
Ethanol: Both Nixon and Hulshof support taxpayer-funded subsidizing of ethanol producers. Replies Finkenstadt, “We should not be burning our food! And taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for the privilege; that just adds insult to injury.”
Working a regular “day job” to support his family, Finkenstadt, 42, is a full-time software engineer for Simutronics Corp., a St. Charles, Missouri-based online persistent-world computer game company. He is also a music minister for St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cottleville, Missouri. His wife, Carol, is an administrative assistant at First United Methodist Church in St. Charles. Finkenstadt attended Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio) 1983-1987, where he majored in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Andrew (Andy) Finkenstadt is the Missouri Libertarian Party Gubernatorial candidate in the general election on November 4th. He was unopposed in the primary election. More information can be found at http://andy4governor.com.
The Missouri Libertarian Party is one of three established political parties in Missouri. More information can be found at http://lpmo.org.
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Events for the week of September 7th, 2008
September 6, 2008 | Announcements, Voter Information
This week promises to be a busy one for Finkenstadt, with a busier one the following week.
September 7th: Finkenstadt will be at the SEMO District Fair, Libertarian Party booth with Branden McCullough, the US Representative (District 
candidate, from 4pm through 10pm.
September 11th: Finkenstadt has been invited to participate in the Candidates Forum sponsored by the Missouri Press Association, the Missouri Broadcasters Association, the Missouri School of Journalism, and the Missouri Society of Newspaper Editors. 3:15pm through 4:30pm, in the Fisher Auditorium, 87 Gannet Hall at Mizzou.
Also on September 11th: Finkenstadt will be participating in a live and in-person, on-air interview with The Drive with Gary Nolan. The show is on from 4pm to 6pm, listen in from outside the area on The Eagle 93.9.
September 13th: St. Louis County Libertarian Central Committee picnic, an informal event held at Castlepoint Park in Jennings (2465 Baroness Drive), from 12pm through 4pm.
UPDATED: to add The Drive event on September 11th.
Meet Libertarian Presidential Nominee Bob Barr This Sunday in St. Louis
August 11, 2008 | Announcements, Press and Media
Come meet LIBERTARIAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE BOB BARR this Sunday in St. Louis!
“Make plans to join us at Syberg’s (http://www.sybergsdorsett.com) at 2430 Old Dorsett Road, Maryland Heights, MO 63043, just off I-270 Sunday August 17th at 6:00 P.M.
Get a first-hand update on the campaign and our nominee’s effort to bring “Liberty to America” with this campaign.Bob Barr is leading the most exiting Presidential ticket in LP history! Come meet the candidate who continues to earn unprecedented news media coverage for a third party candidate.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet former Congressman Bob Barr. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring undecided voters!
Be a part of the Libertarian Presidential campaign that is making history in 2008! Please RSVP by E-Mail to info@lpmo.org today!
Mike Ferguson
Bob Barr for President 2008
National Field Director
http://bobbarr2008.com”
Andy and Carol will be there to meet Bob Barr, also. We’re looking forward to it.
Talk with Andy on 93.9 The Eagle: Tuesday August 12th 5:15pm
August 11, 2008 | Announcements, Voter Information
Tune in this Tuesday to The Eagle 93.9, The News and Talk of Columbia, MO between 4pm and 6pm to the “The Drive with Gary Nolan.” Andy will be available for questions and responses between 5:15pm and 5:30pm. If you are not able to pick up the radio broadcast, listening in via the Internet is also supported — just “LISTEN LIVE” from The Eagle’s home page.
Meet Andy at the Missouri State Fair on Saturday 16-August
August 10, 2008 | Announcements, Voter Information
The Missouri State Fair is happening right now, and both Andy and his wife Carol will be manning the Libertarian Party information booth in the vendor tent on Saturday, August 16th 2008 from 3pm until 9pm. If you are in the Sedalia Missouri area, we’d love the chance to meet you, talk, and discuss why Andy is the Excellent Choice for Missourians interested in a fresh start on Government.
Fireworks will follow.
Private: Primary Election Results are in!
August 6, 2008 | Announcements, Positions, Voter Information
The Secretary of State’s very cool election results web site shows that nearly every vote in the August 5th 2008 Primary Election has been reported, and counted.
Personal notes:
To the 1,718 persons who selected a Libertarian Party ballot and indicated their trust in my run for Governor, THANK YOU. I’ve had several people contact me via facebook to tell me of their decision.
To the 53,600+ people who voted in the Democratic Party Primary, and the nearly 200,000 people who voted in the Republican Party Primary for candidates — whose candidate did not win, I encourage you to vote for me this November. It is my promise to do what is right, and best, for the State and all of you, its citizens.
Instead of choosing between the lesser of two evils, Go for Excellence! Vote for Andy in ‘08.
Welcome!
April 2, 2008 | Announcements
Welcome to the official site of Andy Finkenstadt’s candidacy for Governor of the State of Missouri in the General Election to be held on November 4, 2008.
