Candidate: Michael J. Matthews, Jr.
United States House of Representatives
2^nd Congressional District of New Jersey

Message from Mike:

The founders of our nation knew of the dangers of big government. After Sept. 11th, legislators in their frustration or desperation decided that new broad powers would be given to the government including to spy on or confiscate property of Americans without first being issued the warrant. They decided to seriously compromise our 4th Amendment protection. I think that is unconstitutional.

On Sept. 11th we found that our world's largest and most powerful government did not protect us. This really should be of no surprise. The representatives of our government should just admit it and hopefully do better... but not at the cost of our nation's founding beliefs: Not at the cost of liberty. Not at the loss of reasonable privacy. Not at our expense.

Every time someone votes for typical Democrats or Republicans (they have a monopoly on the 2-party ballot position) they vote for the status quo. Are you one who voted 2-party? Do you know someone who did?

If we want a change we must show it.

-MM

Recent News:

In other news..

Hi, I'm Mike Matthews. I've decided to run for office for several reasons. Primarily it is my belief in the principles and positions of the Libertarian Party and the spirit of the founders of this great country which influenced my decision to run.

I was born in the 2^nd Congressional District and have resided here most of my life.

Here are some specific areas of interest which I would support:

Tax Reform

I will support a national "sales tax" to replace the current income tax system.

With no IRS cloud hanging over our heads, those who consume more will pay more tax, those who consume less will pay less tax. Illegal immigrants and others unlawfully employed who now avoid taxes will share the tax burden bringing additional tax revenue. No tax on internet, mail order or international purchases.

Health Care

Offer the patient the OPTION to sign a simple contract/waiver not to sue medical care providers when the patient requests and receives a specific treatment. If healthcare providers' and insurance companies' claims about malpractice insurance costs are truthful, this optional waiver should reduce malpractice insurance costs for physicians and eliminate that expense being passed on to the patient.

We should guarantee citizens the right to recourse when the government in any way causes pain or suffering due to unnecessary government regulation or intimidation regarding medical practice or medication access and prescription.

We need to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering due to "undertreatment" that is primarily caused by "War on Drug" type of legislation or related intimidation of care providers.

Ultimately we should guarantee citizens full personal responsibility and permit access to any medical treatment.

Imported medications from Canada are less expensive than what the U.S. companies have been charging their fellow Americans. When it became popular to save on expensive medication by purchasing that medication from a Canadian supplier the government and pharmaceutical companies scrambled to make it illegal or not possible for US citizens to buy from Canadian suppliers. The government and drug companies basically expressed that they couldn't be sure that the imported drugs were safe for us and that we the people should not be allowed to make that personal health and financial decision for ourselves. That's outrageous.

We should guarantee personal sovereignty over one's own body, mind and spirit.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) function should be changed to that of being primarily an information provider. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration could merge and be more helpful by changing their current primary role of regulation and law enforcement to a primary role of testing quality of foods, drugs and supplements and providing useful information to the people.

One of my priorities will be healthcare reform. Medical and prescription costs are way too high. With the sky-high prices we pay we still don't get the quality of care we should get in this country. To address the core of the problem we must address the actual cost of medical care. Reforming existing government regulation will be my primary focus to find solutions to the problems of our healthcare system. It is my belief that the primary reason for the outrageous costs and quality concerns is the lack of competition and government-controlled markets in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Current government regulation has created an artificial doctor and pharmaceutical shortage which directly causes the lack of competition, a constrained market and high prices. If elected I will use the power of my office to address this concern by promoting a freer market for healthcare.

Energy

Promote development of "alternative" renewable safer less-expensive energy.

Strive to attain energy independence without necessity for fossil fuel import or nuclear fuel plants.

Ultimately develop and share alternative energy technology so that all people may be energy independent.

Benefits: safer environment, smaller government, less war/terrorism, independence.

Mass Transportation

Promote efficient rail and right-of-way transportation infrastructure.

Reduce the need for roadway expenses and reliance on inefficient fossil-fuel consuming vehicles. Improve traffic flow by phasing out inefficient and cumbersome bus type routes. Those who cannot afford or are unable or unwilling to drive a vehicle should be able to make a living without the need for a personal vehicle or associated costs and regulation.

Domestic and Foreign Aid

All aid to impoverished or overpopulated areas should have birth control as a priority.

Science

Encourage space exploration.

Constitution

Support the Libertarian Party position.

Support the entire Bill of Rights.

Support the 2^nd Amendment.

Support Repeal of 16^th Amendment (repeal of the income tax amendment).

Constitutional "contractual" Liability

The people should be provided free, easily-accessible legal research access on all governmental levels of law they are subject to.

Education

Support separation of Education and State. Privatize, terminate or transfer to states all Department of Education programs ($47.5 BILLION outlay in fiscal year 2002).

 

Summary Statement

In our world today we have access and capabilities unprecedented in recorded history and perhaps unpredictable in scope by the Founders; but perhaps not.

For example, the individuals' right to choice in their own personal lives remains paramount. Few individuals fundamentally disagree with that fact. Many of those in office today obviously disregard that fact.

If I'm elected I will use the power of my office and my influence to continuously remind them of that fact by taking action to guarantee our fundamental rights!

As your Libertarian House candidate, I am committed to America's heritage of freedom:

• individual liberty and personal responsibility

• a free-market economy of abundance and prosperity

• a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade.

A vote for me is a vote for lower taxes, smaller government, energy independence, better medical care, individual liberty and personal responsibility.

Please vote Libertarian in November!

Thank you,

Michael J. Matthews, Jr.

2002, 2004 Libertarian candidate for United States House of Representatives, 2^nd District, New Jersey

"The choice to have a choice."

Libertarian Party

New Jersey Libertarian Party

What is the Libertarian Party?

Project Vote Smart

PUREPOLITICS.COM (interview)

The Drug Reform Coordination Network

Flex Your Rights

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

email: mm@itgrid.com

 

 

 

 

© 2004 - Michael J. Matthews, Jr.