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Subject: Mommy or
Daddy?
Issue: General
Date: October 16, 2004
Author: Ken Larsen
___A citizen wrote:
A few years ago, when we
spoke at some length, your idea of a Personal Choice party didn't seem much
more than an idea. This year, Utah voters will have a chance to vote, not
just for a Personal Choice candidate, but to cast a straight party vote for
your party. Someone (I suppose you as much as anyone) should be commended
for caring enough to develop your party (a real alternative to the business
as usual parties) to its present status.
Without mentioning your
party in particular, one of the questions I have been asking of as many
people as I can is whether they know of a political party which leans to the
left on the first amendment and to the right on the second amendment. I
know, I know, most people (even most voters, I fear) don't know enough about
the Constitution to even understand my question, but my calling is to
encourage people to think.
Several years ago when
our district was represented by a Democrat in Congress, I went to one of his
meetings. He went on and on about the many things he had done for the state
of Utah.
When it was time for the
question period, I told him that I didn't have a question, just a
suggestion. I told him that it would be in the form of a paraphrase of
another well-known Democrat. Ask not what your country can do for Utah, ask
what Utah can do for the Country.
***
The platform of the
Personal Choice Party
is just the two words, "personal choice." Each member is then free to make a
personal choice about the meaning of personal choice. The party cannot make
group choices about specific issues.
I believe, however, that I, personally, am left of the First
Amendment and right of the Second. I would amend the First to say that
anything any consenting adult chooses to do in his or her personal pursuit
of happiness that does not violate the equal rights of others, i.e., does
not harm or endanger an unwilling victim, must not be regulated. That's why,
to dramatize our inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness, I formed
several churches including the Churches of the Hemp Goddess, the Tobacco
God, the Goddess of chance, the Sex Goddess, the Beer God, and the Church of
the Wholly Nudity. Yes, I am left of the First. There have been two citizen
initiatives in Utah to legalize medical marijuana. I was the chairman of
both. I have organized several tolerance rallies for polygamists, gays,
Muslims and everyone else who needs tolerating. I sued the State of Utah for
refusing to grant me a marriage license with another man. I am currently
suing for the First Amendment right to desecrate my own flag. I would order
the removal of God from all government structures and activities. I would
take the Pledge out of public school. Shucks, I would take the "public" out
of school. I would forbid all government-sponsored prayers, including
moments of silence at Senior Centers.
Regarding the Second, I would respect your right, as an individual, to own
an F-16, or any other military jet, complete with missiles and nuclear
warheads. I would only require that you not unreasonably endanger others,
just as I would require reasonable safety measures if you wanted to own
rattlesnakes or smallpox serum as potential weapons. Yes, I am right of the
Second. I'm for total freedom to do as you please as long as your activities
do not violate the equal rights of others. I did sue the State of Utah in
Federal Court for violating my Second Amendment right by requiring a
background check before buying a gun.
I don't want government to be your mommy or your daddy. I want government to
stand aside and let sentient adults (1) take care of themselves, (2) decide
their own morals, and (3) accept the responsibility for their personal
choices. When you choose to harm another person, I want government to be
there to stop you. Otherwise, government should be just about invisible.
I oppose government subsidy of education, retirement (yes, I would phase out
Social Security), transportation (no more Trax), housing, food, health care,
entertainment and wilderness areas. I oppose drug control, marriage control
(no
on 3), gun control, entertainment control (no more pastie laws), sex
control (I would legalize prostitution), business control, charity control,
and land use control.
If we disagree, I prefer you know where I am, so you can vote for the mommy
or daddy candidate and be taken care of or told what to do.
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what your country should stop
doing to you.
I invite my fellow candidates to express their views clearly, so there is no
misunderstanding.
Ken Larsen, Candidate for
Governor
Personal Choice Party
801-533-8658
856 East 100 South #2
Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
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