Hello Gov.Johnson, I am a high school student living in Santa Fe. My end of the year assignment is a combined English/History Historical-Narrative style essay on something that pertains to New Mexico History. When confronted with this assignment I immediately decided to write my essay about you and the impact you had on New Mexico while you were the governor. I would really appreciate it if there would be any way for me to either sit down and talk with you or maybe even just send you some questions over email in order to get some more information. Thank you so much!

Thanks for the post. Send me an email at [email protected], and we will get you what you need!

If you were still Governor of New Mexico would you support a bill for the decriminalization of cannabis like in Colorado and Washington?

Also, being eighteen you were my first vote, and that makes me damn proud. A wasted vote is a vote for something you do not believe in.

Absolutely, as Governor, I called for the legalization of marijuana.

Do you think there is a way to reform education without dismantling the dept. of education?

(P.S. I voted for you in California)

No

What do you see as the future of the Libertarian Party in the United States?

The future is "up" because it reflects what I believe is the majority: fiscally conservative and socially accepting.

Too many questions and not enough time. Thanks for joining me, and good evening!

Is there any room for government in environmental regulations and/or accounting for negative externalities of industrial pollution and emissions?

Yes, it is fundamentally the role of government to protect citizens from harm inflicted by others, and when pollution inflicts that harm, there is a responsibility to protect us.

Gov. Johnson; I have a lot of gay friends who refuse to vote Libertarian because they think the only party that sticks up for them is the democratic party. I've tried to tell them that both democrats and republicans use them as a political pawn and that only libertarians want real equality. Do you care to comment on that? Any advice I can pass on?

If one looks at both parties, I think you will find that the Libertarian Party has been consistent in its support for the rights of gay Americans, perhaps more so than the Democrat Party.

Mr. Governor, pleasure to be able to talk to you. With the recent Boston bomber being in custody for 16 hours without being read his Miranda rights, how do you believe we should deal with terrorists that are citizens, as in whether their civil liberties should be ignored in the face of their terrorist acts?

It comes down to due process. We have had highlighted the effect of the Patriot Act, which allows due process to be ignored. Civil liberties cannot be ignored, especially for citizens.

What do you think of the recent "libertarian shift" in the GOP, like Rand Paul for example? Do you support them? Is this a good thing for libertarianism or will it just steer away people from it?

I fear that many, if not most, Republicans who are calling themselves libertarian will continue to push a social conservative agenda.

What can we do on an individual level to help move the libertarian party forward?

The best way to move the Liberty Movement forward is to, first, be aware and be involved. Taking part in this Reddit is a great start, and keep it up. We have the right message; we just need more messengers!

Mr. Johnson, I just want to thank you for fighting for the personal liberties of every American. You are truly an inspiration to me. I’m very proud to say that I was a part of the 1% last November! It did make me sad that the only sensible candidate didn't get near as much recognition as he should have. You have my vote if you decide to run in 2016!

Thank you!

Are you a dog or cat person? I named my dog after you http://imgur.com/7b2BvCv

I will assume that is a compliment. Thanks!

Mr Johnson, I am aware of, and agree with, your stance on reforming the current "war on drugs", my question is; why do you believe this reformation hasn't happened federally yet? Also, what would be the initial benefits and obstacles the nation would endure post-reform?

The lack of federal reform is due to individual politicians who believe they benefit from being drug warriors. The initial benefits will be an opportunity to see that legalizing marijuana is good policy in terms of law enforcement resources, public safety, and fairness.

I was wondering where you stand on gun control based on all of the current events and the media trying to push it?

Bonus Question: Do you believe that the world is slowly on a path toward world government?

P.S. I am 17 years old and I consider you and Ron Paul as great role models in such a politically corrupt system.

I don't believe the 2nd Amendment could be any more clear.

Governor Johnson, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this AMA! Since you've been in DC these past few days I only have one thing to ask. Has Mr. Sabot been an acceptable chauffeur, and tended to all your needs? Thanks!

Ryan has been and is wonderful!

Well, hello there! Good to see you here. : D
I've been watching your past AMAs but never managed to get a question done since it was going to be drowned in the millions of replies in here.
So, now that I caught this at 3seconds, I'll try to be quick.
Background: I'm from Mexico and I've been following you ever since the 2012 campaign.
The question: Obviously the first one will be "How to heal the Mexico-United States relationships?" and I'm not only talking about the whole immigration thing (Which has roots in both sides, I will admit), but in regards of the image and politics placed upon each other. It seems that you guys in the north get all the benefits from treaties like NAFTA, while it seems [we steal your jobs]™ due to outsourcing. How can we (we in the sense of your government and ours...though you might have to drag them) balance two countries that are so different yet united in such a unique way?

Thanks for listening to quirky me ^ ^;

Great questions. Most of the damage that has been done is the result of U.S. drug policy and prohibition. Bringing about reform of U.S. drug policy will go a long way toward improving U.S.-Mexico relations.

What religion do you follow?.Also would take away "corporate welfare"?

I advocate eliminating income tax, corporate tax and payroll taxes, and replacing them with a consumption tax. That alone eliminates almost all significant corporate welfare.

Hi Gary, Thank you for being here and spending your time talking with us. You were absolutely the most qualified, hardest working and best choice for POTUS, I am humbled to have been able to vote for you. My question disappeared so I will try again. There seems to be a lack of strong female voices in the Liberty Movement. Do you have any idea why this is and what we can do to attract more women to the movement? Good group here, tonight, lots of meaty questions.

Perhaps it is because, in the past, the perceived spokespersons for the Liberty movement have been high-profile Republicans who label themselves libertarian, but who are often social conservatives on issues such as a woman's right to choose.

Hi Mr. Johnson, I would like to know your views on U.S. Foreign Policy, such as the rising nuclear threat from Middle-Eastern countries and North Korea; What actions should the U.S. take?

GaryJohnson2016 #TwerkForGary

Should we have militarily engaged China, India or Pakistan because they developed nuclear weapons. Countries arming themselves is not a cause for aggression on our part.

I voted for you. I know your stance politically and although everything is ever changing, you are the one I most agree with.

You mention you are a bicyclist. I'd like to know more about the person than throw you a political question. As an avid cyclist myself, what are your thoughts on Lance Armstrong? What kind of bike do you ride?

I am an avid bicyclist, and Lance was one of my genuine heroes. It is a true human tragedy.

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Standing on top of the planet was truly fantastic. Glad we met earlier.

Big fan of yours Gary and i voted for you here in Texas. Will gladly do it again if you run for president again. I'll keep my question simple if you get to it, what kind of beer you drink? :)

Actually, I don't drink alcohol, but thanks for the question.

Gary, you claim to be fiscally conservative so I'm wondering what your stance is on lowering health costs and/or Universal Care. How would you go about these matters as President?

I would get the federal government out of the health care delivery business, turn Medicare and Medicaid to the states with block grants at a fixed level, and allow innovation to occur. The free market would return to health care, with lower costs and a better product.

At the ballot box last year, I was absolutely torn between voting for you and voting for Barack Obama. I agonizingly decided to cast a ballot for President Obama even though I'd told myself I was not voting for Barack Obama again due to what I perceived were serious inconsistencies with his platform and his performance.

What would you say to mostly liberal voters like myself to win us over to your libertarian cause?

Libertarians care just as much about your liberal issues as do the Democrats, but also care about balancing the checkbook. And, I believe there is a majority who share those views.

Would you say the push for a Libertarian-minded President is more important than pushing for more Libertarian-minded individuals in the House and Senate? In other words do you feel like we can enact more change on an Executive or Legislative level?

Thanks for all you do!

I firmly believe electing a libertarian-minded President would be a silver bullet.

Hey Gary! So I wanted to know what your thoughts were on the way things were handled here in boston. Do you think they went to far or not far enough? Thanks!

I think law enforcement did a great job. However, it highlighted the need to repeal the Patriot Act. Due process does not have to slow things down, and if it does in some circumstance, so be it.

Governor Johnson, under a libertarian ideology how can I expect to be protected from established businesses that control the market seeking to extort me the consumer? I agree that as an ideal it promotes small businesses but big businesses that can dominate a market don't feel threatened enough by potential newcomers and they don't feel threatened for a reason.

edit: I broadly identify as libertarian, this is one of the questions I always wanted answered because I am asked it a lot.

You are talking about crony capitalism. The political system, as it exists today, is for sale. Implement the Fair Tax, and this problem is reduced significantly.

Hi Governor. Voted for you in the last election. My question is simple: do you foresee another economic collapse in the near future?

Near term, the central bank's printing of money makes the picture look pretty, but long term, there will be devastating consequences. Let's fix it NOW.

How much of an affect do you think QE3 will have on the economy in the long run?

EDIT: or should I say, what affect will it have?

None, other than making the inevitable bubble "burst" more damaging.