Christopher Schmidt, Libertarian for Congress

1996 Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula Chapter of NOW Voter Guide Questionnaire

1.) Do you support a woman's right to reproductive freedom?
Yes.
2.) Do you support Proposition 209, California Civil Rights Initiative?
Yes.
3.) Do you support legalization of same-sex marriages?
Yes. I support the overturn of any law regarding the establishment of religion. Furthermore, I support overturn of any laws that violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution; e.g. those that grant special tax exemptions to married people and parents.
4.) Do you support affirmative action?
Yes, but only by private entities.
5.) Do you support limiting the time a person may receive welfare or Medicaid?
Yes, but I believe that the Congress has no right to dictate the terms of state-funded programs. Note: I oppose all 'block grant' programs for constitutional reasons.
6.) Would you appoint a qualified openly lesbian, gay or bisexual person to your staff?
Yes.
7.) Do you support denying welfare benefits to legal immigrants?
Yes, but only when they have not paid into a given program. But note that as with question #5, I believe that the Congress has no right to dictate the terms of state-funded programs.
8.) Do you support the Equal Rights Amendment?
No. the Courts have generally interpreted the 'equal protection clause' of the 14th Amendment broadly enough as to make the ERA unnecessary. Were judicial history otherwise, I would support the ERA.
9.) Do you support a minor's right to confidential access to birth control and abortion?
Yes.
10.) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage?
No. I do not support cutting the bottom rung off the jobs ladder. What do you think would happen if the minimum wage were raised to $20/hr? -More automation and job restructuring would do all work with fewer, more capable workers (i.e. the people whose skills are worth $20/hr or more). The same thing happens with any minimum wage hike, except that the effect is more subtle. I would rather see the burden of government (currently 48-61%, depending on economic model) mostly eliminated, so that all wages would go twice as far as today.