Erwin Haas says being a Libertarian allows him to "say the truth, and sort of save my soul."
The Kentwood City Commissioner says he actually lives about eight miles outside the Sixth Congressional District, but he will move if elected. He is one of three candidates challenging Republican Representative Fred Upton. Haas says he's generally for the Libertarian ideals of limited government and lower taxes. Haas sat down with WMUK's Gordon Evans. Some highlights:
Taxpayers Defense Corporation
Haas says currently corporations lobby for programs to help them make money. He says that doesn't always lead to good public policy. Haas wants to create a program where corporations would be rewarded for getting rid of wasteful government programs. His idea is that the corporation would get a share of that money, perhaps 10% of the savings for five years. Haas says his idea would likely require a Constitutional amendment. He says the idea is to create awareness on both sides of the issue.
War on Drugs
Like many Libertarians, Haas calls the "war on drugs" a failure. He says the government has made little progress in reducing the number of people addicted to drugs. Haas says there is a cost of a large number of black Americans in prison. He says "medical marijuana" is the first step toward legalization of drugs. Haas says he would favor also legalizing cocaine and heroin. He says that would drop the price and reduce the profit motive for large networks of drug dealing. Haas says there would likely be a short-term increase in deaths if cocaine and heroin were legalized. But he says it would eventually level off.
Ebola
Haas, who is a medical doctor, says he would support a travel ban from West African nations where Ebola has been widespread. But he says it would be "totally ineffective." Haas says people are now panicking over Ebola. But he says the disease may be "more contagious than we've been lead to believe."
Defense
Asked under what conditions he would approve authorizing the deployment of U.S. troops, Haas says "hardly any." He says the U.S. has no business in the Middle East. Haas says the loss of oil exports is not a threat, and he says "exporting democracy" has not worked for the United States. Haas, who is a Vietnam veteran, says the United States has been involved in many wars over his lifetime, and he hasn't seen any profit yet. Haas says the American journalists who were beheaded by ISIS "had no business" being there.
Discussion of other issues can be heard in the web version of the interview.
IRS
Haas says conservative groups were targeted by President Obama and the IRS. He says that has also happened under previous Presidents. Haas says the agency should be dismantled, and the government should collect revenue through a "fair tax." That amounts to a 23% sales tax on everything sold in the U.S. He says everyone would get a rebate check up front for the average amount that a U.S. citizen would pay. Haas says that would eliminate all other federal taxes.
Immigration
Asked about the debate over immigration, Haas many people come to the United States looking to make money, but not necessarily for citizenship. But he says once people get across the border, they find it's tough to go back. Haas says the U.S. should issue more work visas which would allow people to be employed and still go back to their home country. He says it would also allow them to get things like a driver's license, but not necessarily citizenship.
Why Vote Libertarian?
Haas says another point of view is needed to "cut through the baloney that's out there." He describes having an an animus against social sciences. Haas says economists especially have proven themselves wrong time and time again. He says the federal reserve, for example has been ineffective, and should be closed down.
