Christine Smith (Lib) - 2008 Election

Last updated on: 6/3/2009 9:56:00 AM PST

Christine Smith (Lib)

(Christine Smith no longer met ProCon.org's eligibility criteria for inclusion on this site on Mar. 21, 2008. ProCon.org stopped updating her profile as of that date.)

Christine Smith

Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Author and Activist

Statements on the Issues

Biography

All Candidate Summary Chart
(PDF version also available.)

Christine Smith's Statements on the Issues Positions are categorized as Pro, Con, Not Clearly Pro or Con, or None Found.

Abortion:	"Should abortion remain a legal option in America?"	Top

Pro: "Yes (if the people of a given state decide so). Abortion should be neither encouraged or discouraged in any manner by the federal government. It is not an issue for federal executive decision. (Roe vs. Wade was a judicial decision, not an executive.) Thus, neither 'pro life' nor 'pro choice' groups/initiatives should be funded or supported in any way by the federal government.Abortion matters must be rightly decided upon only by the people of a given state. My personal belief is that life begins at conception, but I would never let my personal feelings on any issue be imposed upon other Americans. Thus, I always as a citizen would vote pro-choice in my state, and as President, I will uphold the U.S. Constitution which does not authorize the federal government to be involved in the issue of abortion." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
Abortion:	"Should parental consent be required for pregnant minors to have abortions?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Character:	"Is competence more important than honesty in a President?"	Top

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Loaded question...An honest individual would not serve as President unless they were competent." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
China:	"Is China a threat to the U.S.?"	Top

Con: "The greatest threat to our liberty and security lies with our own federal government and its massive spending and empire building. Yes, China is a powerful economic and military force, but the anti-China rhetoric is being propagated by those with vested economic interests - it's not American security they're concerned about. I'm far less concerned about a threat from China, than I am the economy of the United States due to out of control spending, as well as our security because of our continued meddling in the affairs and conflicts of other nations thus making more and more enemies worldwide. Thus, I'll answer 'No' to your question because I think the fervor over China is being used to distract the American people from the most major threat - our own government." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
China:	"Should the U.S. impose economic sanctions on China as an incentive to improve its human rights policies?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Cuba:	"Should the U.S. continue to support an embargo against Cuba?"	Top

Con: "No. I will immediately lift all restrictions imposed upon Cuban-American relations and commerce/trade, and respect Cuban sovereignty. I will end all U.S. government sanctions and embargoes, and I will end all U.S. government intervention/intrusions in the governments and elections of foreign nations." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
Darfur:	"Should the U.S. send any American forces, with or without the U.N., to the Darfur region of Sudan to stop the genocide?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Death Penalty:	"Should the death penalty remain a legal option in America?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
Economy:	"Is outsourcing jobs to other countries good for America?"	Top

Pro: "In a true free market, such decisions would result in a much better economy. The problem is in America we do not have a free market. I am for true free trade. Trade free from all government intrusion and regulation. I oppose NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT, WTO, [North American Free Trade Agreement, Central America Free Trade Agreement, General Agreement on Tarrifs and Trade, World Trade Organization] etc. because American businesses should be free to do business with any nation in the world without restriction. I am for a free market where there is no interference whatsoever from the government - no subsidies, no bail-outs, no anti-trust laws, no price controls - a market that allows business to succeed (or fail) as it will without any artificial control from government. A free market will regulate itself in regards to prices, and all will benefit." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Economy:	"Should the U.S. include mandatory regulations for labor rights in free trade agreements?"	Top

Con: "I am for free trade, thus I am for the abolishment of all trade restrictions, and I oppose NAFTA, CAFTA, WTO, and all other trade regulations/treaties. The American people should be able to freely associate, visit, and do business with the people of any other nation in the world." "Free Trade," Christine Smith's official candidate website (accessed Feb. 28, 2008)
Economy:	"Has the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) had an overall benefit for the U.S.?"	Top

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Smith campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Mar. 21, 2008.
Education:	"Has the No Child Left Behind Act been effective at improving public education?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Education:	"Is the increasing cost of college and university tuition pricing America's middle class out of higher education?"	Top

Pro: "Yes, and the reason the costs are always rising is due to the ever increasing amount of public/taxpayer/government money provided as subsidies. A truly competitive marketplace would keep costs low and increase productivity as it does in all other free market enterprises. Subsidies do not help - they hurt. I favor ending government involvement in education." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Education:	"Should the federal government fund school voucher programs?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Election Reform:	"Should voter verified paper audit trails (VVPAT) be mandatory in elections?"	Top

Pro: "Yes. I will work to ensure free and fair elections through verifiable paper voting - which may include use of technological advances such as computer screens in voting booths but always with a paper printout of the selected choices which is then signed and provided for actual voting." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Election Reform:	"Should there be restrictions on campaign contributions?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Election Reform:	"Should the election campaigns of candidates for public office be publicly financed?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Energy:	"Should drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) be allowed?"	Top

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "It should be left to the people of that area to determine. The federal government should be taken out of the equation because the government is the worst polluter of our environment. The federal government pollutes without accountability, gives subsidies to pay for more environmental destruction, provides sovereign immunity to polluters, and leaves victims with nothing. I will take the care of our land, water, and animal inhabitants out of the hands of federal bureaucrats who have no vested interest in its preservation.I will eliminate the federal special interest lobbying & federal intrusion into environmental matters nationwide, and will respect state and local control regarding environmental protection, conservation, land use, ecosystem management, public health, private and trust ownership of land, etc. Thus, it should not be the federal government who decides pro/con on oil extraction or any other use of the land--it should be citizens with a vested interest in the land who make those decisions." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 6, 2007
Energy:	"Should the U.S. tap into its emergency oil reserves to help bring down the price of gasoline?"	Top

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Smith campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Mar. 21, 2008.
Environment:	"Should the U.S. ratify an international environmental agreement (such as the Kyoto Protocol) that mandates reductions in carbon emissions?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
Environment:	"Should the federal government mandate an increase in fuel efficiency standards for automobiles?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Environment:	"Are humans substantially responsible for global climate change today?"	Top

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Smith campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Mar. 21, 2008.
Gun Control:	"Are more federal regulations on guns and ammunition needed?"	Top

Con: "No. I oppose gun control laws. I will restore your right to self-defense. Your right to bear arms is not negotiable.'Gun control' laws only restrict law-abiding people, they do not make people safer. Criminals can always obtain their guns and they will ignore gun bans.Federal gun regulations simply result in victim disarmament. We must have strong laws and enforce them against the perpetrators of violent crime, not the tool they use. Fundamentally and most important, private firearm ownership is the our ultimate insurance against tyranny. The biggest threat to our freedom lies with the federal government abrogating liberties--with the most critical being our right to firearm ownership. As Noah Webster stated: 'Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States.'" Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007 [Note: Emphasis added by Christine Smith and not by ProCon.org]
Health Care:	"Should all Americans have a right to government or employer subsidized basic health care?"	Top

Con: "No. It has been government's intrusion into healthcare (mandates, regulation, Medicare/Medicaid, etc.) that has resulted in the enormous costs our nation experiences now. The Constitution protects our rights - period. It limits the power of government. It does not grant government the authority to provide healthcare. That, like so many other parts of lives is left in the hands of the people of a free society where liberty was cherished. Forcing one citizen (taxation) to provide services for other citizens is the opposite of liberty. People have a right to freedom - a free market in healthcare would mean incredibly lower prices and good care - not government-provided (taxpayer funded) 'healthcare.' The only solution to America's health-care crisis is to end all governmental intervention into an area where a true free market of supply and demand would result in again top care and low costs (like we once had)." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Health Care:	"Should Americans be allowed to purchase their prescription drugs from other countries?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Immigration:	"Are illegal immigrants a net gain to the U.S. economy?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Immigration:	"Should illegal aliens receive any of the rights or benefits that lawful permanent residents enjoy?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Immigration:	"Should the U.S. build a physical barrier, such as a fence, along the U.S.-Mexico border?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Iran:	"Should the U.S. use military force against Iran if Iran does not dismantle its nuclear program?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
Iraq:	"Was it a mistake to attack Iraq in 2003?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Iraq:	"Has the war in Iraq made America safer?"	Top

Con: "No. On the contrary, I believe we have increased our risks by enraging millions more against us. I will end U.S. government meddling in the affairs and conflicts of foreign nations...only that foreign policy will make us safer." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Iraq:	"Should the U.S. set a timetable for troop withdrawal in Iraq?"	Top

Pro: "Yes. And it should be immediate. My first act as President would be to order the immediate withdrawal of every single U.S. troop and all U.S. government personnel from Iraq. As fast as they can be safely loaded onto helicopters and other transport, I will have them withdrawn. Peace delayed is peace denied. I will stop the deaths and maiming of our men and women in Iraq, and end the continued deaths and maiming of Iraqi civilians resulting from our occupation. As for the equipment and munitions, I would have as much as can be safely be taken with our troops during their withdrawal retrieved, and the rest can be left as well as destroyed. I am for the safe and immediate withdrawal of all our troops, and will not allow more of their lives to be risked for the sake of equipment." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Israel:	"Should Israel continue to receive the current level of military and economic aid from the U.S.?"	Top

Con: "I will end U.S. government meddling in the affairs and conflicts of foreign nations. I oppose all foreign aid. It is disgusting that the U.S. government is the biggest arms dealer in the world. I am for ending U.S. aid and ending delivery of U.S. taxpayer-financed military weaponry to other nations." "Foreign Policy & National Securty," Christine Smith's official candidate website (accessed Feb. 28, 2008)
Israel-Palestinian Conflict:	"Should the U.S. allow Hamas to join future Israeli-Palestinian negotiations?"	Top

Pro: "Yes. It's none of our business--we should stay out of it." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Israel-Palestinian Conflict:	"Should there be an independent Palestinian state?"	Top

Pro: "Yes...I am for the U.S. government ceasing all interference in the conflict. Our nation's resources should be used for neither side of the conflict." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Kosovo:	"Should the U.S. have supported Kosovo’s independence?"	Top

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Smith campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Mar. 21, 2008.
Marriage:	"Should there be a Constitutional amendment or federal law defining marriage as only between a man and a woman?"	Top

Con: "No. I am for marriage equality. As long as the government continues to grant marriage licenses to heterosexual couples, licenses should be granted to gay couples as well. Although I do not believe it is the business of government to be involved in granting marriage licenses, as long as the government issues marriage licenses and grants special privileges and benefits based on marital status, the same advantages must be granted equally to all married couples." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Marriage:	"Should an affair outside of marriage disqualify a candidate for public office?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Medical Marijuana:	"Should marijuana be a medical option?"	Top

Pro: "Yes. In my opinion government agencies such as the FDA, [Food & Drug Administration], and DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] stand in the way to American's health with all their regulations. Regulations delay and prohibit pain-relieving drugs and potentially helpful pharmaceuticals/treatments from being available to the American people. The federal government has no constitutional authority to be involved in healthcare, I believe allowing the government to control our access to health treatments and research is one of the biggest barriers to our health. We need health freedom, which means an end to all government involvement in this area. Specifically, in answer to your question, marijuana should be legal for any purpose. I will end the 'War on Drugs.' I will end the suffering, deaths, and injustice imposed upon Americans by this insane policy. By executive order I intend to pardon people who have harmed no other person and are now incarcerated due to non-violent drug offenses." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Medical Marijuana:	"Should the federal government stop raids against people for using medical marijuana in states where medical marijuana use is legal?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
National Service:	"Should the U.S. institute a military draft?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
National Service:	"Should openly gay people be allowed to serve in the U.S. military?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Presidential Power:	"Should the U.S. President’s powers be expanded to include a line item veto?"	Top

Con: "No." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Religion:	"Should federal funds be given to faith-based (religious) organizations and initiatives?"	Top

Con: "No. Charity is only charity if it is freely given. Americans' money should not be taken from them to give to any cause. The American people should keep their money so they can decide how to spend or give it. That's freedom." Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
Religion:	"Should a candidate's religion matter to voters?"	Top

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Qualification to your question: This is not a policy question you are asking, but a personal opinion question: Thus, whether other voters should care or not is not something I can comment on - that is up them as to what they consider a priority when choosing who to vote for, and I cannot at all presume to say whether or not other voters should consider a candidate's religion. I can only answer as to whether it matters to me. I answer 'No' only for myself, because when I consider candidates I do not care about their religion, I care about their ability to uphold the U.S. Constitution, to be a leader who has integrity. Other citizens may find one's religion of significance, but I do not." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 6, 2007
Social Security:	"Should Social Security be privatized?"	Top

Pro: "Yes." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
Stem Cells:	"Should the federal government fund stem embryonic cell research?"	Top

Con: "No. I oppose all federal government funding, regulation, or prohibition of stem cell research be it embryonic or adult stem cell research. There should be no prohibition on private funding/investment, private research, or private use of stem cells in treatments (since research will be private, progress may increase for researchers since funding will come with no strings attached whatsoever-no regulations). The American taxpayers should not be forced to fund research they may disagree with, but those who favor such research should be able to freely support it." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
Taxes:	"Should the Bush tax cuts be made permanent?"	Top

Pro: "Yes. This question assumes we really received tax cuts instead of just a tax shift. I am for a significant decrease in spending. Let's cut the spending then we get real tax cuts. The key is ending federal government overspending, best accomplished by ending the warfare and welfare state." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008
Turkey:	"Should Turkey be able to enter Iraq or other countries unilaterally in search of its enemies?"	Top

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Smith campaign on Mar. 11, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Mar. 21, 2008.
U.S. Constitution:	"Should the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights be altered or updated in any way?"	Top

Con: "No. My focus is first restoring the rights the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights were meant to protect. Let's restore them first before we discuss 'updating.'" Email to ProCon.org, Nov. 12, 2007
War on Terror:	"Should interrogation techniques that some consider torture, such as waterboarding, be a legal option?"	Top

Con: "No. Absolutely not." Email to ProCon.org, Dec. 5, 2007
War on Terror:	"Should the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba be closed?"	Top

Pro: "Yes. The fundamental rights and civil liberties of all must always be ensured with all guaranteed due process of law. American citizens must never be subjected to military (Pentagon) trials/tribunals but always protected with due process of law and prosecution only in federal courts. Foreigners, too, must never be subject to torture and rights such as habeas corpus respected. Neither national crisis or heinous criminal acts justify the use of torture or indefinite imprisonment of any human being." Email to ProCon.org, Feb. 27, 2008

TOP

Christine Smith's Biography

Title(s):

Author and Activist

Personal Information:

Full Name: Christine Smith		Marital Status: Single
Birthdate: Jan. 16, 1967		Children: None
Birthplace: Houston, TX		Religion: None

Involvement:

Member, Libertarian Party

Founder and Former President, Dreams of Freedom, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) agency dedicated to assisting prisoners and their children, 1998-2005

Longtime political/social justice activist

Public speaker

Has written numerous articles for state, national and international newspapers, magazines, and online publications

Founder/Manager and hostess for the annual John Denver Celebration

Appeared on numerous radio shows nationwide

Education:

College courses, no degree

Affiliations and Memberships:

Recipient, Outstanding American Award, 2002

Recipient, International Amigas Peace Power Prize, 2000

Other:

Select Publications:

A Mountain In The Wind - An Exploration of the Spirituality of John Denver, 2001

Contact Information:

Campaign:: Phone: 303-217-8848; Fax: None listed; E-Mail: None Found; Web Site:http://www.christinesmith.us

Personal Contact Information:: Phone: None listed; Fax: None listed; E-Mail: None listed; Web Site: www.christinesmith.us

DONATE - Donate to ProCon.org - DONATE

Visit the ProCon.org community on: