Missouri Press Assocation Gubernatorial Debate: Video
September 13, 2008 | Conversations, Press and Media
Courtesy of KSDK, the St. Louis NBC station, all four segments of video of the debate are available online:
and Part 4
Missouri Press Assocation Gubernatorial Debate: Closing Remarks
September 13, 2008 | Conversations, Press and Media
Closing Remarks
Thank you very much.
Thanks to our sponsors for inviting each of us to be here today. What a giant step forward it is to see more points of view. Debates should be about the issues, and should give every candidate for the office the opportunity to share their own viewpoints.
Just as a free market brings about a healthy competition in business, and so will the debates bring out a healthy competition in this November’s election. These debates will be the job interview, if you will, for the position of Governor; the interview with the people of Missouri where they will say “SHOW ME what you’ve got”.
And all of us will give it our best shot. It’s up to us to answer your questions. It’s up to you to take what we say, and vote accordingly.
As I opened with earlier, I am a computer programmer - a software engineer, and we build practical solutions, not just study them into oblivion.
Computers only do what they are told to do. If you want to change how the computer works, you have to replace the software with something else, and then reboot the computer. Well, it’s time to reboot the government. It’s time to get rid of the programs that don’t work, and put in workable solutions.
Don’t waste your vote. Don’t waste your vote. That’s what they told you four years ago: they said you shouldn’t vote for a third-party candidate, because it’ll be a wasted vote. They said that you needed to have the Republicans and the Democrats in charge to move the state forward. I say, “Don’t waste your vote”. I say, “There’s a better choice out there. A choice only you can make.” I say, “Only you can reclaim your independence, and reclaim the politics of this state.” I say, “And only you can do it. Don’t waste your vote.”
(adapted from a speech by Peter Hutchinson, MN Gubernatorial candidate, 2006)
The leaders you elect make decisions that affect YOUR job, YOUR health care, YOUR energy costs, YOUR security, and the legacy you leave to the future.
I promise that my government will stay out of your business, will leave your money and property alone, and will allow you to live peacefully as you choose. This November, please vote for me, Andy Finkenstadt, for Governor of the State of Missouri.
Missouri Press Assocation Gubernatorial Debate: Opening Remarks
September 13, 2008 | Conversations, Press and Media
Opening Remarks:
Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Thank you to the Missouri School of Journalism; to the Missouri Society of Newspaper Editors; to the Missouri Broadcasters Association. And, thank you to the Missouri Press Association for inviting me here today to speak about the Missouri Governor’s race.
My name is Andy Finkenstadt - and I’m the Missouri Libertarian Party candidate for Governor. I bring a unique perspective on how things will be improved in Jefferson City and in Missouri at large.
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.
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.
Earlier I said I was the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor. The word Libertarian comes from the word LIBERTY.
As Libertarians we seek a world of liberty:
a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives;
and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others.We believe that respect for individual rights is essential for a free and prosperous world,
that force, and fraud, must be banished from human relationships,
and that only through this freedom can peace and prosperity be realized.Consequently we defend each person’s right to engage in any activity that is peaceful and honest,
and we welcome the diversity that freedom brings.
The world we seek to build is one where individuals are free,
free to follow their own dreams in their own ways,
without interference from government or authoritarian power.I hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives,
they have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as
they do not forcibly interfere with the equal rights of OTHERS to live in whatever manner they choose.As they say, “The right to swing your fist stops at my nose.”
Governments throughout history have regularly operated on the opposite principle:
that the state has the right to dispose of the lives of individuals and the fruits of their labor.
Even within the State of Missouri, all political parties other than the Libertarians
grant to government the right to regulate the lives of individuals
and seize the fruits of their labor without consent.Libertarians, on the contrary, DENY the right of the government to do these things:
and hold that where governments exist, they must not violate the rights of any individual.What are those rights?
First, the right to life:
accordingly we support the prohibition of the initiation of physical force against others.Secondly, the right to liberty of speech and action:
we oppose all attempts by government to abridge the freedom of speech and press,
as well as government censorship in any form.And thirdly, the right to property:
we oppose all government interference with private property, such as
the taking of one person’s private property with eminent domain
for the benefit of private developers
all in the name of “economic development”;
we oppose bans against smoking in private venues,
and of course, we oppose robbery, trespass, fraud, and misrepresentation.Since governments must not violate individual rights,
we oppose all interference by government in the areas of voluntary and contractual relations among individuals.
People should not be forced to sacrifice their lives and property for the benefit of others.
They should be left free by government to deal with one another as free traders;
and the resultant economic system,
the only one compatible with the protection of individual rights, is the free market.
(adapted from Libertarian Party Principles, http://www.lp.org/platform)
I am not here to “tickle your ears” with so-called solutions to problems that call for bigger government regulation and interference in your life, or so-called solutions that result in larger government spending of yet more of your tax dollars, taken from YOUR paycheck each and every week.
I am here to tell you that 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 rulemakers who work in our state government?
You know the answer already. And that’s what Libertarians fight for every day: YOUR right to do as you please with your money, with your time, with your treasure, and with your talents.
I bring to the citizens of Missouri more than 20 years of experience in creating solutions that actually work, and that maximize your personal liberty. When I am elected Governor on November 4th, there will be a new way of doing business in Jefferson City.
And it will be truly revolutionary.
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.
Photography
July 11, 2008 | Press and Media
Both high-resolution and web-suitable images are available for the use of the press and other media. Credit to “Kim Ullrich for Ullrich Photography” should be given where appropriate.
Andrew Finkenstadt, Sitting: Web Print
Andrew Finkenstadt, Standing: Web Print
Andrew & Carol Finkenstadt, Black and White Wedding: Web Print
