Barry Hess

Barry Hess

Hess, Barry (Libertarian)

Phone: (602) 843-3827
Email: hess4governor@gmail.com
Website: www.HessForGovernor.com
4934 W. Waltann Lane, Glendale, AZ 85306.
(Mail: PO Box 6011, Glendale, AZ 85312 )

Age: 53 (1/29/57, Garden City, MI).

Arizona since: 1980.

Occupation: Currently concentrating on my campaign, a full-time endeavor, but dabble in trading currencies and have owned and operated a wide variety of small businesses.

Marital: Married (Gina, MBA).

Children: 1.

Religious preference: Christian.

Education: Fordham University, Bronx NYC, B.A., 1978.

Political experience: I may still be correct in stating that I have more presidential experience than the current one. It just depends on how far back we can go — high school, college? I believe it is my lack of blame that supports my candidacy. The last thing I would want on my resume in this day and age is “successful” political experience. To say that I could thrive in a corrupt organization could only draw questions as to my own, personal character. My greatest political strength is in the message I carry, and my commitment to following through once in office. I am proudly serving my third term as vice-chair of the Arizona Libertarian Party, and a precinct committeeman.

Memberships have included: My charitable participation is private. Interests: Reading, wood working, scuba diving, inventing/building stuff, helping others however I can.

Issues:

Political influence: Probably former Governor Reagan. I appreciated his ability to simplify complex issues, his passion for “America,” his demeanor and his political openness. After patiently wading through the views of a simple campaign volunteer, on an issue, he told me I wasn’t a Republican. It really hurt my feelings — he never said anything bad about anybody. Then he said I was a “libertarian.” Then I did think he was calling me names, but he explained, because I “don’t back up on principles, and hold government to the same standard of moral accountability as an individual.” I later learned that it was the “highest” compliment he had ever paid anyone in politics. He fancied himself a philosophical libertarian, but also introduced me to the R/D concept of “political expediency.”

Budget: Cutting expenditures: conclude the work of all agencies of government that are not constitutionally provided for. Should we make this adjustment, we will likely find a surplus can exist without further taxation. Stop wasting huge chunks of the budget on the care, incarceration, health services, clothing, feeding and prosecuting victimless crimes, and immediately release these people. Increasing revenues: Immediately eliminate the personal income tax. The extra money in the pockets of citizens will stimulate the economy in sectors government couldn’t hope to reach. The people themselves will make the decisions as to which businesses will survive this depression.

Other concerns: My priorities start with jobs and employment opportunities right here in Arizona. Without jobs, money doesn’t circulate in the economy, so I am forced to put jobs before my personal passion, the Arizona government education system and the level of competency of its graduates.

Fiscal philosophy: My fiscal philosophy is a very “conservative” one when it comes to government. I believe in a fiscal responsibility when it comes to taxpayer (forcibly) contributed money, and that all funded programs should include a 5-year (maximum) automatic ‘sunset’ provision. I do not believe in obligating Arizona to future debt beyond five years.

Background & experience: I have to say that I feel I have been blessed by having had a lot of extra ordinary experiences as a multiple small-business owner, and completely self-sufficient since I was 14, by choice. I’ve met a lot of people and seen a lot of things along the way, but really, I think those things served mostly to give me the strength to do “the right thing.” I have to say that from my perspective, the experiences that have best prepared me to be the next Governor of Arizona is my being a father. I believe that it is my responsibility to leave the next generation the only legacy of any real value, their birthright of individual liberty and freedom. This is what steels my resolve to reign in our grossly overblown servant government. All of the Governors with whom I’ve spoken have clearly enunciated that being Governor was unlike anything else, it’s all on the job training, so it will be a “learn as you go” experience for any of us.

Voter Protection Act: With some reservations, I have to say that I would likely support the repeal of the Voter Protection Act. I support its barring of legislative tinkering with initiatives, but have to concede a firm belief that citizen initiatives should never be allowed to direct spending taxpayer money. That is solely the responsibility of the Legislature alone. Citizen initiatives were intended to stop bad legislators, laws and politicians, not add to the problem by becoming a tool used to forward the projects of special interests.

Underfunded agency: I don’t know of any government agency or program that is underfunded. The objectives many long-established agencies and programs remain almost completely un-defined. I submit that that fact alone is why they are said to be under-funded. If we had a clearly defined objective for them, in most cases, I’m sure they would be ‘over-funded’, and not the reverse. If my administration has a constitutional mandate to perform a service for the citizens of Arizona, I will make sure it is adequately funded to accomplish the task, regardless of whether or not that means more, or less money.

Prop. 100 sales tax: Arizonans are in an economic depression. It is obvious that the problem isn’t, “not enough money,” it’s “too many government workers.” It doesn’t make any sense at all to force the citizens into paying for a jobs preservation program. Is it just “me” who questions the “temporary” nature of the tax? Keep in mind that all Americans who pay a telephone bill are paying a 3 percent war tax that was supposed to end at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. What’s so special that’s going to happen after three years? Why does Jan (Brewer) believe something will? One assumes there will be some mysterious money stream flooding into education, but where will it come from? It’s just a blatant joke on the people of Arizona.

Campaign finance: private.