On our One On One Series, we have another distinguished guest in American Politics especially Hoosier [Indiana] Politics. His name is Andy Horning and he is running for Governor of Indiana under the Libertarian Party. For me, it is a pleasure that he has been able to take the time to discuss what are the core problems facing America [especially Indiana]. Now we will continue with One On One with Andy Horning.

1. Why were true Republicans such as Taft and Paul been marginalized by Ford, Nixon, and Bush?

Andy: Hmmm. Honesty time. Ford, Nixon and Bush didn’t themselves marginalize anyone. I’m afraid I’ve been forced to conclude that even “deciders” like Bush do not lead; they only reflect. As much as some of us would like to think that the masses prefer Ron Pauls or Robert Tafts over the likes of Nixon and Bush, our votes loudly claim otherwise.

The GOP never was what many Republicans would like to say that it once was. There was never a time when the majority wanted what was just, proper and sane. To say otherwise would deny the historical facts of Jim Crow, slavery, and Colts Fever.

The good news is that a majority is not necessary to push us in the right direction. The passionate few have always determined the course of history. Ron Paul fans are certainly a passionate few, and they have produced what I think will be real, positive changes if we keep up the momentum. While history books haven’t been kind to defenders of liberty, now would most definitely not be the time to quit trying!

2. What can Andy Horning offer to the State of Indiana that the Republicans and Democrats cannot offer?

Andy: Governed government! I’m the only one even running for the constitutional office of Indiana Governor. Others try to prove that they know best what to do with your money, your rights, and your property. I say keep what belongs to you; I’m going to take the leash off of citizens and put it where it belongs…on politicians.

3. What is your position with regard to Health Care in Indiana?

Andy: I’ve worked in healthcare all my adult life. First in electrophysiologic research, then in clinical cardiology, and now in the medical imaging industry. I know what healthcare should cost and how it should work. It grieves me that we’ve screwed up so badly with something so important. Now it seems we must decide whether we want health insurance or health care; since obviously you can’t have both.

Why can’t we see the truth from other industries? Why can’t we see how, in every non-political endeavor, technology has increased availability, quality and functionality while decreasing costs?

Look at the doctor-to-office staff ratios now compared to 20 years ago and you’ll see what we’re paying for. We’re paying for taxation, regulation and litigation, not for healthcare.

By doing the constitution, we’d take healthcare out of the hands of politicians and their campaign contributors, and put it back into the hands of patients.

4. What is your position with regard to Crime and the Death Penalty?

Andy: Crime has exploded since just the 1970s. A hundred years ago, when most people had several guns, and machine guns were completely unregulated, all per-capita crime rates were a tiny fraction of what they are now. Even in cities that were, by the way, more densely populated a hundred years ago, per-capital crime was statistically insignificant compared to today. Yet we have a vastly, incomparably larger “justice” system, and the world’s highest percentage of citizens in prison.

Clearly, we’ve gone in absolutely the wrong direction from the days when Barney Fife carried only one bullet…and kept it in his pocket.

I’ve heard people claim that people were nicer and life was simpler then. Hogwash. You can’t tell me that there was ever a time when human nature was different, and you certainly can’t claim that even the early days of Jim Crow, when the Civil War was still in memories and there were no indoor toilets or electronic time saving gadgets, were kind and simple.

The solution is of course the constitution. I’ll detail this more as the campaign goes on.

The Death Penalty is difficult for me. I believe that a just government could execute the death penalty justly. But our government is so ungoverned and corrupt that I could not in good conscience support the death penalty – particularly when the death penalty, with its endless appeals and astronomical costs, is more expensive to taxpayers than is a life sentence without parole!

Besides, I greatly prefer to err on the side of life.

5. Why have people left the Republicans and Democrats to go to the Libertarian Party?

Andy: I’ve heard many different reasons. I’m sorry to say that disgust is far more prevalent than hope in that initial decision. I’m not a fan of political parties, and wish we could do without them entirely. But that won’t happen. Party loyalties and team/tribe identities run deep into our DNA. I’ll say that the numbers flocking into the LP haven’t been so great as they ought to be. I can’t imagine we need more evidence that the entrenched parties have betrayed us…for a hundred years!

6. What is wrong with the Public School System in Indiana and what could be done to resolve the education issue in your state?

Andy: Sigh. What’s right with it? First of all, it’s not a “public” system at all; it’s all politics. It’s time we get it straight that real public schools would not involve coercion, a lack of choices, unreal costs and third-world results.

What’s endlessly shocking to me is that with all the “do it for the children” hand-wringing and manipulation, we tolerate the egregious harm being done to our children.

I’m sorry. It’s a little hard for me to curb my anger when it comes to this criminal shame.

My wife and I chose homeschooling for my three youngest. But I know that’s not an option for everybody. So, once again, the solution is in the constitution and its requirements for identical, focused Common Schools (as in Horace Mann’s “ladder of opportunity” Common Schools) – not disparate, exotically expensive and corrupt “public” schools.

I’ll not lay it all out here, now, but I will detail this on both my website, my campaign newspaper, and throughout the campaign.

7. Why is there a mentality of the «state will resolve everything» and how could it be changed?

Andy: With the head-slapping truth that the state has resolved nothing! We really do need to wake up and learn from even our recent history. We’ve not had a year’s peace since the “War to End All Wars.” The “War on Poverty” has widened the gap between rich and poor; and we have more poor people than ever. And while the “War on Drugs” has been enormously profitable to politicians, judges, cops and criminals (even funding entire governments overseas), it most certainly has not solved what was once only a nuisance drug-use problem.

Ask anyone to give you an example of a problem that politicians have fixed. Email or call me at once if you hear of even one.

8. Has the Libertarian Party of Indiana and Andy Horning experienced any difficulties in ballot and media access?

Andy: Of course! Who makes the laws now, after all? For me personally, however, it’s not been bad at all. I’ve been heir to the work of Libertarians before me who worked for many hard years to gain ballot access for the Libertarian Party of Indiana. Sure, the party has to fight to keep it every four years, and that’s no easy thing. But I can’t claim any of those battle scars.

9. What will Andy Horning do when he is elected Governor of Indiana?

Andy: I would immediately (as soon as I can grab a microphone and a camera) put all politicians on notice: The People Have Spoken.

Let’s be clear about this politicians versus citizen thing; citizens own all the cards. If I were to win it would be the manifestation of a public epiphany. It would reflect the disgust, and also the hope, of enough Hoosiers, for me to assert that citizens want to govern their government at last. Citizens would have said they want their rights, their property, their lives and their state back.

So, as their chosen servant, I would inform all politicians, not just in Indiana, but I suspect all over the nation, that we now operate under the Rule of Law, not the Rule of Tyrants.

10. What types of property tax mismanagements have existed in the State of Indiana and how can they be resolved?

Andy: I hardly know where or how to begin. For years I’ve protested, written about and campaigned against many specific evils. But let’s concentrate on the fix now. Let’s do the constitution, as written, for a start. Doing that alone will be the best that’s ever been done. Perfection isn’t an option. But USA’s constitutional government is proven to be the best-ever, which is good enough for me.

11. Why have the politicians in Indiana ignored the Constitution of the State of Indiana?

Andy: Well, why in the world would a politician want constitutional restraints? Would a hardened criminal bang on the prison door and ask to be let in? Would a vicious dog beg for the leash? When does the fire say “enough!” and push away from its fuel?

We can’t blame our employees for doing what comes natural when the boss is away for too long. Citizens are responsible for their own lives, liberties and property. Liberty and Justice are too precious to delegate.

If we want liberty and justice, we must demand it. Now, and without ceasing, for as long as we want it.

12. Indiana [like my native Ohio] were breadbaskets and powerhouses for the world, why did we arrive at such a sorry state of affairs?

Andy: We could be breadbaskets and powerhouses (and workshops and laboratories and studios and whatever) again. We must merely remove the impediments. And what, but our own politics, could impede our success?

Let’s not look for foreign enemies here. Politicians cannot create anything but limitations. They choose favorites with their prohibitions just as much as with their subsidies. But robbing an American Peter to pay an American Paul is a losing game when the world is just a mouse-click or a phone call away. It’s amazing how fast you can move whole sectors of industry away from greedy, shortsighted politicians.

13. What is meant by Governed Government?

Andy: For the purposes of understanding this I divide “politics” from “government.” Politics, in the common and admittedly negative sense, is the pursuit of power. The word “govern” however, means to restrain or guide. What we think of as “politics” is a lawless mess. It is unrestrained power and corruption; the very definition of anarchy.

Real government, however, must itself be governed. It’s about the restraint of power and violence. The “Rule of Law” does not mean simply that citizens must obey laws. What’s more important to the concept is that politicians must obey laws.

After all, what’s more dangerous; an evil, violent citizen, or an evil, violent dictator?

We must put our attack dogs on a leash!

14. What is the significance of Taxation VS Plunder?

Andy: Taxation is involuntary, eminent domain taking at best. But taxation, as opposed to plunder, is at least legal taking. It may be just as dependent upon force/violence, but it is done under constitutional restraint. That means that the money is taken by constitutionally allowed means, and, significantly, for constitutionally authorized purposes. You can’t divide the taxing from the spending in the constitution.

Plunder is just plain old theft. No legal or moral justification required. Sadly, this is mostly what we’ve voted for, and we’ve gotten it good and hard.

Thank You Andy Horning for being kind enough to take time off from your heavy schedule to be interviewed by the Alvarez Galloso News Hour. Again, we endorse you for Governor of Indiana and our doors are open for you.