Reddit with Gov. Gary Johnson

What are your thoughts on the recent Edward Snowden ordeal and do you think he should be granted political asylum?

Thanks for doing another AMA; it's very cool that you came back.

It is truly a mixed bag. On one hand, he is a hero for letting us know what the NSA is doing in terms of surveillance on us. But, he did sign confidentiality agreements, and violated those agreements.

Governor Johnson,

Are there any issues you have changed your stance on since starting your career in public service?

The death penalty. I have come to realize that innocent people have been put to death, and that government makes mistakes.

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I support any initiative that takes us away from criminalizing personal choices.

Thank you all for joining me. See you next time!

If there was one law that you could change what would it be and why?

If I may categorize all of our drug laws as "one law", I believe decriminalizing would have tremendous benefits in terms of saved resources, less harm and positives across society.

What is the most important thing you learned from your campaigns?

A reiteration of always showing up on time -- and always telling the truth.

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I am going to continue to provide a voice that no one else is. Maybe that will involve lining up again in 2016.

When are you going to hold an AMA in /r/GaryJohnson? It's a group of supporters that want to help you with your AMA's.

We are also super organized supporters. We have lots of ideas/feedback and we use reddit to organize our thoughts and vote up the ideas we all think are good.

Think about it, we'll be here! /r/GaryJohnson

Appreciate it, and I will definitely follow up with you.

How did you get into politics?

I agree with your business way of doing things.

Thanks for doing this AMA!

I cold turkey ran for governor of New Mexico, believing there was a better way to do things.

How do you think a Libertarian govt should deal with BIG problems that result from free markets, like pollution/global warming?

Government's primary responsibility is to protect us from individuals, groups and foreign threats that would do us harm, and I believe pollution falls in the category of doing us harm.

Hello Governor!

The New Mexico Legislative Lottery scholarship is the reason that me and many of my fellow students are able to financially make their way through college.

That being said, do you think that something like the New Mexico's Legislative Lottery Scholarship would be able to work on a national level?

EDIT:Formatting

I signed the lottery scholarship legislation, and believe it is something other states can adopt. However, I would not want the federal govt to get in that business.

Thanks for doing this AMA. I am a big fan, and appreciate what you have done for the libertarian party. My question has been asked before, but I think a lot of us are unhappy that you haven’t given a satisfactory answer. Global warming may be a serious threat, but many fear that little can be done without heavy government intervention, something Libertarians are not a fan of. In addition, any changes we make will have little-no effect if not matched on a global scale, and run the risk of heavily damaging our economy. What specifically (if anything) do you think should be done to combat this problem?

Specifically, you and I as consumers are demanding less carbon emission, and we are getting that reduction, and will get more of it.

What new adventures are you planning on going on? My friend Indiana would like to meet you.

One month ago, I did the 24 hour national mountain bike championships, and in September, I am leaving to climb Carstensz Pyramid in New Guinea.

Are Russia's new anti-gay laws sufficient reason to boycott Sochi 2014? Why or why not?

The best response is for the U.S. to adopt laws insuring equality for gays, and go to the Olympics and kick ass, proving that equality is the right policy for any nation.

Do you think that, due to his relative influence, Rand Paul is doing a good job of garnering exposure for the Libertarian movement? Do you think that he is misrepresenting the Libertarian ideals? Many Paul supporters, who now support you, have said that Rand is too conservative to be a Libertarian voice in Congress.

Generally speaking, Libertarians are socially liberal. Sen. Paul is a social conservative.

Do you think that the rise of the religious right has been a good or bad thing for small government conservatism?

I think when you lead with social conservatism, it turns people off to your next priority: small government.

What are your thoughts on changes regulating Influence & Lobbying government officials and Congress by corporate and special interest groups such as greater transparency and more restrictions.

I advocate eliminating the IRS, income tax and corporate taxes, and replacing them with a single consumption tax. That will issue pink slips to the vast majority of lobbyists in Washington.

What do you believe is the greatest and most important issue in America that needs to be dealt with within the next 3 years?

The budget must be balanced. We can not sustain deficit spending and the massive debt we have created.

I am fiscally conservative and socially tolerant.

So by fiscally conservative do you mean you prefer to cut spending across the board or would you be an advocate for smarter more efficient spending? I can't find any sources right now but from what I understand some welfare spending has a disproportionately larger impact on the economy vs other types of spending(just using welfare as an example- I don't necessarily support all welfare spending).

Also how do you feel about military spending? My only frustration with most fiscal "conservatives" is their desire to raise the military budget over and over again and as far as I can see that's our biggest opportunity to get this budget under control. That being said I understand it's a complicated issue since it provides so many jobs domestically.

edit: as an aside I think a great method for phrasing the social tolerance part to appeal to those who call themselves conservative but vote republican would be to push the idea that the government needs to stop regulating our personal lives. for instance I'm trying to figure out why the government even has regulations on who can get married or what I can put my dick in(consensually of course) in the bedroom.

edit: also thanks for taking your time to come and spread the good word about fiscal conservatism to reddit!!

I am an advocate for smarter, more efficient spending. I advocate for a balanced budget, and the necessary 30% reduction in federal spending required to achieve it.

How do you feel Obama has handled immigration reform/policy?

Horribly. He has had the political capital to address it, and has not used it effectively.

Hi I'm from the Nation and would just like to thank you for doing that interview with Phil. You are a true people person that cares about the average Joe ;) Never change

Thanks - it is always a pleasure.

Through your career I'm sure that you have met many interesting and fascinating people. Is there anyone that stuck out in particular?

Victor Niederhoffer.

Gov. Johnson, what advice would you give to a young business professional? I possess a Bachelor's in Marketing and I will soon be attending grad school for an MBA. Any advice is appreciated! Live free!

Apply what you learn as an entrepreneur. Go into business for yourself.

How are you going to take on the corporatocracy that currently resides in our political system?

I will be speaking out against it, as I am currently doing every day.

Any moments of your life you would like to share with Reddit that the public doesn't know of?

I have Celiac disease, which is being allergic to wheat, rye and barley. I was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago, and don't have gas anymore:)

What is your biggest regret of your political career? What about your business career?

No biggest regret. A lot of small ones.

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Best marathon time: 2:48, and yes, I have considered the Appalachian Trail, and would love to do it.

Please come to Murfreesboro, Tennessee (home of MTSU). I'm 16 years old and I'd love to attend a rally of yours or something.

I will try, and look forward to seeing you.

Where is your favorite place to ski?

Taos, New Mexico, which is why I live here. Skiing is one of my passions.

Why have your AMAs been getting formatted worse each time you do them?

One of your earlier AMAs (good formatting and answers)

Also, why have the quality of your answers decreased so much? You used to answer with more than one or two sentences and answer more hardball questions.

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Edit: On a side note, I support you and voted for you in 2012. I also mod /r/GaryJohnson, /r/OurAmerica, and /r/FairTax!

Actually, we are always trying to get better. Your comments are taken to heart.