I recently had the pleasure of interviewing California congressional candidate Pete Kesterson. Pete is running in the 36th district against Jane Harman.
I first met Pete at a meeting of the Beach Cities Republican Club. Pete has been heavily involved with the BCRC.
(Full disclosure: I have been invited to speak to the BCRC in August of 2010. There was absolutely no quid pro quo or conditions applied to my speech or this interview. Additionally, Pete and I both addressed the Manhattan Beach Republican Women on the same night. His campaign speech and my speech had absolutely zero connection. We were both invited to speak by the ladies independent of each other.)
Pete Kesterson is passionate about the South Bay, and about the need to defeat Jane Harman.
With that, I present my interview with Pete Kesterson.
1) What is the Pete Kesterson story? What made you decide to enter the political arena and Congress?
Not to be confused with a career politician, I have been involved in politics all of my adult life. Originally stuffing envelopes for Bush 41 and being very active ever since. I believe whole heartedly in giving back to the community. So whether it is being a Commissioner in the city where I live, volunteering at a shelter, helping children, or being elected to the Party Central Committee, being a servant leader is just who I am. I am also currently serving my third term as President of the Beach Cities Republican Club. Our club has been instrumental in fighting against state and local tax increases. As for running for Congress, I simply just can’t take it anymore. The federal government has been encroaching on the freedom and liberty of all Americans at an unbelievable pace. What they have taken over or attempted to take over in the last year has pushed me into standing up and saying enough is enough and throwing my hat into the ring.
2) What 3 political issues are you most passionate about?
It is hard to narrow down to three as it starts with the Constitution. Our government seems to believe that they can make it up as they go and not follow the great vision of our Founding Fathers. So much of my passion is related to the big picture. As for specific issues, we have to get Americans back to work. We do this by first stopping the out of control spending. We cannot continue to mortgage our grandchildren’s future. It is imply not sustainable. At the same time we need to cut taxes. Every time in American history where we have cut the marginal tax rate the economy has improved while at the same time the revenue of the federal government has gone up. I believe the flat tax is the best and most fair way to change the tax code. Everyone pays the same rate and there are no deductions. This stops the social engineering of the tax code; like cash for clunkers, washers and dryers, windows etc. We also need to eliminate taxes on all capital gains, dividends, and permanently eliminate the death tax. Stop taxing the same dollar over and over again. We also need to cut corporate taxes in half. After all, who actually pays corporate taxes? The consumer does. These combined actions would help fight the debt and deficit while putting more money back in the hands of the American people (who it belongs to anyway) and American businesses so they can create more jobs as a result of the increased economic activity. The second issue I am passionate about is national security. This is a two-fold approach as we need to be strong abroad as well as here at home. I believe in the Reagan Doctrine of “peace through strength”. We must have the best trained soldiers armed with the best technology to deter our enemies around the globe. Our current Administration does not seem to understand the threat of a faceless, nameless, stateless enemy who spends every day trying to come up with new ways to kill innocent men, women, and children. Our basic survival requires us to secure our borders NOW. We, as a sovereign nation, have the right to know that anyone who crosses either our northern and southern borders or who enters via a land or sea port has the right and permission to do so. This is vital to both our national and economic security. Making sure the government doesn’t take over our healthcare system is also extremely important. We have the best health care in the world. We also have some challenges in its delivery. Let’s focus on the delivery system instead of taking it over. Nothing in the current House or Senate package does anything to lower cost which would allow more Americans to have access to insurance. My plan eliminates employer based health care and puts the power back in the hands of our citizens. Let’s allow Americans to directly purchase their own healthcare from any of the approximately 1,300 health insurers around the country. This would give us much bigger risk pools which will lower cost while bringing real competition back into the picture. Of course with competition you get innovation and lower cost. This would solve the pre-existing condition issue as you own the policy and it doesn’t matter whether you lose or change your job. We should still allow employers to reimburse employees for some of the cost and allow Americans to buy their insurance on a pre-tax basis.
3) What can ordinary citizens do, besides donating money and voting for you to help win the War on Terror? What obligations do we have, and how can we help?
Ordinary citizens like you and I have an obligation to be diligent and keep a watchful eye. As I stated earlier, we have a faceless, nameless, stateless enemy and we need to be aware of what is going on around us. We also need to give of our time to help elect leaders at all levels who understand the primary responsibility of the government is to keep its people safe. So besides money and votes, our citizens should get involved by walking precincts, making phone calls, writing letters to the editor, etc. for such candidates that understand what a responsibility this really is.
4) It is one thing to ask people to have faith in God. It is much tougher to ask people to have faith in government. What does our government do right? What does it need to do better so people can start believing in their government again?
Faith is not something that should be afforded the government. That does not mean a government without faith. Simply an understanding that our system of government is supposed to be “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Right now it seems the other way around. Our government has done a good job keeping us safe and that they have done well. I am concerned that a lack of understanding of the current threats to our “existence” will put us in harms way. The “underwear bomber” only failed because he did not execute his task well. Had the system worked, we would have had a terrible tragedy on our hands. The lack of response by the current Administration to this event was a great example of their lack of understanding. We need to stop treating these terrorist like common criminals or “isolated extremists” and treat them like terrorists. Send them to GITMO and interrogate them so we can learn what they know and stop future attacks. We need to stop giving them Miranda rights and providing them with taxpayer funded defense lawyers and try them using military tribunals. As for believing in government again, that won’t happen until we return the government back to the people.
5) With regards to foreign policy, what have we done right, and what have we gotten wrong, in the last 8 years, and what steps need to be taken to improve the situations that require improvement?
Albeit there have been many challenges along the way, Iraq again just held democratic elections. Having a democracy of free people who are not massacred by their own government is simply a good thing wherever it may be. Having it in the Middle East makes long term peace in the region have a better chance. We did well in Afghanistan in the beginning of the war, but let the Taliban come back and take power in too many places. Where we have made our biggest mistake is in allowing Iran to create nuclear weapons. The threat to their neighbors is unacceptable as is the threat around the world as Iran could easily sell those weapons to any terrorist group around the world. The stability of the region is forever in danger as long as they have nuclear weapons.
6) The American dollar seems to be in free fall, and homeowners are seeking bailouts at taxpayer expense. Should government get involved, and is this even a problem at all? If so, what needs to be done?
The dollar actually is improving. Unfortunately it is due to the weakness of others and not our own strength. Bailouts are simply wrong in all arenas. The “moral hazard” created by not just having a bailout, but no real penalty, threatens the free market system. It is the freedom of failure that makes the free market work. Most businesses fail. From that failure, many learn and try again. That risk is where the reward of success comes from. If there is no risk of failure due to bailouts, then unacceptable and unnecessary risk will be taken and we all will pay for it. The government should not get involved directly with homeowners and let the free market settle out the “real” value of these properties. As long as we continue to postpone these events, the longer it will take to recover from them. What the government should do is create a better economic environment as “a rising tide, raises all ships.”
7) What would be the main qualities and criteria you would look for with regards to potential Supreme Court justices? Could they disagree with you on major issues, and still be qualified? How do you feel about how they ruled on the DC second amendment case?
The only qualification is a Justice who will not interpret, but who will uphold the Constitution. Throughout our judicial system are judges who are legislating from the bench and this is wrong. Can they disagree with me on an issue, yes. As long as they uphold the Constitution and not treat it as a “living, breathing document” I am OK. The Constitution provides the 2nd Amendment not just to protect our families and property, but to protect against a tyrannical government. Based on the direction we are going today, I am glad that provision is there. The Supreme Court should continue to uphold the citizen’s right to bear arms.
8.) Do you support the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive action? Do you feel that it may be necessary to take pre-emptive action against Iran? What is the Kesterson Doctrine?
I do think the government has a responsibility to keep its people safe and where it requires pre-emptive action, then it must move to protect its citizens. It may well take pre-emptive action to stop the continued development of nuclear weapons by Iran . My doctrine is to keep the American people safe, period.
9) What Americans call 9/11, Israel refers to as every day life. Israel is then asked to show restraint. What is your view on Israel taking preemptive action, including a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities if necessary? What about with regards to the disputed territories such as Gaza? What about against Damascus, who funds Hezbollah?
I do think Israel has the right to a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s nuclear programs. Iran has repeatedly issued direct threats to the very existence of Israel and they as any sovereign nation have the inherent right to defend themselves. They also have the right to defend themselves and their borders against any enemy who threatens their sovereignty and security.
10) Attempts to partially privatize social security and fix the ticking time bomb of Medicare have been met with hysteria about throwing old people on the street and leaving them to die. The issue was demagogue by the demagogic party in 1995. Do you favor any privatization of social security? If not, why not? If so, how can it be framed in terms that do not frighten seniors?
Clearly we have an obligation to take care of the people who have paid into the system. Just 50 years ago there were 30 working Americans for every retired American. Today it is basically one to one. The only way for this system to continue and become solvent is to privatize the system. Let’s allow the American people to have more control over their destiny, not tax and spend their destiny away from them.
11) Even many Republicans see Jane Harman as “reasonable,” and “moderate,” compared to other Los Angeles congressional liberals. Is this centrist image false, and if so, in what respect?
Jane has crafted a conservative reputation in a conservative district. The facts simply don’t support her reputation. According to the Washington Post, Jane Harman has voted with the Democratic Party 98.6% of the time. That is not conservative. She voted for HR3200 (healthcare), for Cap and Trade, and against the Stupak Amendment. You can’t vote that way and be a conservative. The National Taxpayers Union rated her in the last session (2009) a 3. A rating of 90 is considered “thrifty” and a 16 is considered a “big spender”. She was actually rated lower then Senators Feinstein and Boxer. Where I come from if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck; not a blue dog.
12) If you had 5 minutes alone with George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, what would you say to them or ask them?
I would say thank you. As with any Administration there are good things and bad. Like President Obama, President Bush inherited a recession. Then he was faced with 9/11. His policies post 9/11 created one of the longest economic growth periods in our history. Yes it did end poorly, but it was not without warning about Fannie and Freddie that the Democrats simply ignored and did nothing about. The Bush Administration did its primary responsibility well, which is to keep the American people safe. After all, according to the Constitution, the economy is the responsibility of the Congress which failed so miserably.
13) Who are your 3 political heroes, American or worldwide?
The Founding Fathers as a group for creating this great experiment. Abraham Lincoln for freeing all people and preserving our Union. Ronald Reagan for restoring American pride, strength, and ending the cold war helping to provide freedom around the world.
14) Without delving too deeply into your personal life, what would you want Americans to know about Pete Kesterson the person? 100 years from now, what would you want people to remember about you, and what would you hope the history books say about you?
I would want Americans to know that like most Americans I have had my ups and downs. But I hope they would know that I do not speak with a lot of hyperbole. Just a plain spoken, regular guy, who is very open about where he stands on the issues, who spent his time here not just seeking to improve his own life, but improving the lives of others. As I said in the beginning, it is an American imperative to give back to the community. Other than risking your life as a member of our military or being a first responder, the ultimate service to our country is serving its people. This race is not about me or my ego. It is about returning our failing government to its rightful owners, the American people. I would hope that the history books would say that Pete beat a 16 year incumbent member of Congress and restored common sense and the Constitution back to the House. He never got caught up in the corruption and selling out of one’s principles just to earn favor or re-election.
I would like to thank Pete for his time and generosity of spirit in his dealings with me. Politics can be a soulless business, and every interaction I have had with Pete has felt genuine on my end. Defeating Jane Harman will not be easy, but Pete Kesterson does not back down from a challenge.
I wish him luck on the trail, and personal happiness for him always.
eric