Jasmin Talbert, Libertarian candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, will take your questions live on LJWorld.com Thursday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Moderator

Welcome to our live chat with Jasmin Talbert, Libertarian candidate in the 3rd Congressional District. We’re ready to start taking questions, so feel free to submit one below. Welcome, Jasmin!

Jasmin Talbert

Thanks for having me, happy to be here.

Moderator

Some people may not be as familiar with the basic issues important to the Libertarian party. Can you give us a short explanation on the issues important to the party and your stance on some major issues like healthcare, the economy and illegal immigration?

Jasmin Talbert

The Libertarian Party is kinda a hybrid between the Democrat and Republican Parties. We tend to align with the Democrats on social issues and Republican on financial issues.

We believe that healthcare should be in the hands of the individuals and their doctors and not in the hands of the government. There is a lot of disagreement within the party on illegal immigration. In terms of economics we believe in free market Austrian economics.

jkealing

What made you decide that this was the appropriate time for you to run for office?

Jasmin Talbert

I have witnessed politics devolve into a red vs. blue. I am as fed up as most of you with having politicians not answering questions and just slinging mud. Right now more then ever we need conversation and not accusation. I was hoping to bring that into this race.

Jasmin Talbert

Sorry…bring in conversation into the race.

wmathews

Tell us what makes you different from your opponents, Republican Kevin Yoder and Democrat Stephene Moore? Why should people vote for the Libertarian party?

Jasmin Talbert

I won’t tell people why they should vote for the Libertarian Party I would like people to research it come to the conclusion on their own. As for how I am different, I have stated my opinions plainly. I am the most transparent candidate in the race most of the questionaires I have filled out are posted on my blog www.talbertforcongress.org/blog2. I am the only candidate that accepted money from individuals and not any PAC or lobbyists. I would ask that anyone who is going to vote this November 2nd to research all the candidates and choose the one that they believe will serve them the best in Washington.

misesfan

Hi,

Just wondering where you stand on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Jasmin Talbert

I think we need to pull out of both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Moderator

In the Oct. 13 entry on your blog, you criticized Kevin Yoder for raising $730,000 in the third quarter and $1.5 million overall, saying “This candidate has identified as a fiscal conservative. I don’t know of many fiscal conservatives who would think that you need that kind of money to run this race.”

Can you share your thoughts on why you feel this is an extravagant amount of money for a political campaign?

How much money have you raised to date?

Jasmin Talbert

I can’t imagine why anyone would need that amount of money to run a race in a district that is very compact. As someone who is for lack of a better term, pretty common, it seems to put running for political office out of reach for anyone other then the extremely rich or the extremely well connected. I have raised roughly $3,000.

AreUNorml

would you support legislation that would end the broken war on drugs?

Jasmin Talbert

Yes, prohibition did not work with alcohol back in the 30’s it is not working today. We need to spend the money on educating about the dangers. As we have seen smoking education has caused the rate to decline in the last decade or so.

campbellinsurance

What is your position on extending the Bush Tax Cuts?

Jasmin Talbert

I am for the tax cuts. These tax cuts also extended to the middle class and are not just for the rich. I think we need to cut government spending along with tax cuts.

rdeyoung

You mentioned that Libertarians take social positions that are similar to those of Democrats. Can you touch on some issues (such as abortion, homosexual marriage, and medical marijuana) that elaborate this distinction? How does your fiscal conservatism affect your positions on social liberalism, if at all?

Jasmin Talbert

I have touched on the marijuana issue above, as for homosexual marriage I don’t think the government should be in the business of marriage, abortion has been decided by the Supreme Court but as a Libertarian that issue is between you, your partner and your particular faith and should also not be in the realm of government. My fiscal conservatism doesn’t really have a bearing unless someone is asking me to fund something in support of one issue over another. I won’t fund it either way. I think that type of funding should be left locally.

avoice

If elected, would you caucus with Republicans? Democrats? Generally, how does the Libertarian party view the caucuses?

Jasmin Talbert

I have been asked that question a few time, and to be honest I am not sure who I would caucuses with. I asked someone what would happen if I just refused to caucuses with anyone and could not get a straight answer. I would need to caucuses to vote on the speaker of the house. So again I am not sure, I am sorry wish I could give you a straight answer.

salami_sang

Would you introduce legislation to abolish the federal minimum wage once and for all?

Jasmin Talbert

I am torn on that one as well. The conservative side says yes, however I worry about people not receiving a livable wage. I would need to do some more research and try to track down an unbiased opinions about it.

misesfan

What is your position on energy/alternate sources/electricity?

Jasmin Talbert

I am all for it. But the elephant in the room is that our grid system that was built 40 years ago is failing. Our demand for power has been increasing rapidly. We need to address asap. It doesn’t matter how clean the energy is if we can’t get it from point A to point B.

Oracle_of_Rhode

Some Libertarians, Rand Paul for example, would repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1965 because it forces private business owners who provide “public accommodations” not to discriminate on the basis of race — making it illegal, for instance, to refuse to serve African Americans.

Lawrence had segregated restaurants until the Civil Rights Act passed.

What are your feelings about the constitutionality of the 1965 Civil Rights Act.

Moderator

The Oracle_of_Rhode wants me to correct the date on his question. He means the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Not 1965.

Jasmin Talbert

I think that the Civil Rights Act of 1965 came about because of the times that it was created in. It was addressing a real problem. I can’t comment on the constitutionality of the act because I am not well versed in that type of law and I hate to give an opinion on something as weighty as that off the cuff.

wmathews

Do you support the federal stimulus bill? Do we need more stimulus spending right now?

Jasmin Talbert

No I do not support that bill. It assumes that government can create wealth and all it does is move it around. We have had two thus far and our economy is not doing any better. I think we need to step back and let the market correct itself. We also need those in Washington to stop bickering and come together. This mess was the only bipartisan thing that was done in Washington, we bipartisan work to get us out.

Moderator

Many have been asking our candidates about the “Complete Streets” project, which aims at making roadways safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. What is your position on this project?

You can read more about the initiative at http://www.completestreets.org

Jasmin Talbert

I think it is a great idea and should be held at the local level. I encourage those who want to have streets that are bike and pedestrian friendly to make their opinions known at planning meetings and at the city councils.

Moderator

Tell us about your views on America’s education system. What are its weak points? What are its strong points? What legislation would you introduce aimed at education?

garyr

With all the school closings in KC, and the decline in the Education budget, what would be your solution to the school budget problem? Close schools? Lay off teachers? What would be your approach to save America’s children?

Moderator

(I went ahead and posted garyr’s question along with mine, since they’re on the same topic.)

Jasmin Talbert

I wouldn’t introduce any legislation, but I push to get rid of no child left behind. I don’t have a solution to the schools budget problem. I think that is a local issue and needs to be handled on the local level. I have a 13 year old daughter who currently attends public school in Overland Park. I wouldn’t want school issues handled in Washington, I like them local where I am more confidant that my voice is heard. We need to take a good hard look on how our schools are financed. Right now they are tied in with property taxes and as we have seen if tax incomes go down so do our schools budget.

wmathews

Do you support the temporary reinstatement of “don’t ask, don’t tell?”

Jasmin Talbert

No, your color, religion or sexual orientation has nothing to do with your patriotism.

Jasmin Talbert

Please feel free to comment on my chat. I am very open to differing opinions.

Moderator

Wow – we made it through a lot of questions! I’d like to thank Jasmin for coming in and chatting with us today. Thank you especially to our users for submitting questions for Jasmin to answer. Jasmin said she would like you to leave any follow-up questions in the comments and she’ll come back later and respond.

Jasmin Talbert

I would like to thank everyone for their questions. Again, I have more detailed answers on my blog..www.talbertforcongress.org/blog2 I would like to ask people to please check out all the candidates and make sure to hold which ever one gets into office accountable. Thanks again.

Jazz