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John Cox on Government Reform
Republican Party Chair, Cook County (IL)
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Mixing money & politics causes corruption & partisanship
One of the basics is found in Matthew 6:24, which says that you can't serve God and money. And you know what? I think the same thing holds in politics. Right now, Washington is populated by people who are involved in politics to make money
for themselves, to make it a career. I think that's why we have the corruption that we've seen. I think that's why we have the partisanship. I think that's why we have the failure of results.
Source: 2007 GOP Values Voter Presidential Debate
Sep 17, 2007
Disallow lawsuits that stop public officials invoking God
Q: Would you support the Constitution Restoration Act that prevents federal courts from hearing lawsuits brought to stop public officials from acknowledging God in such ways as the Pledge of Allegiance, public display of the Ten Commandments, & public
prayer?- HUCKABEE: Yes.
- TANCREDO: Yes.
- COX: Yes.
- BROWNBACK: Yes.
- PAUL: Yes.
- HUNTER: Yes.
- KEYES: Yes.
HUNTER: At the first Constitutional Convention in 1787, they began each session with a prayer with the supplication to God.
Source: [Xref Hunter] 2007 GOP Values Voter Presidential Debate
Sep 17, 2007
Ok if church identifies candidates who favor its principles
Q: My church is currently under IRS investigation for "political involvement" due to my identifying politicians who support the destruction of innocent unborn children. Would you remove the gag rule from pastors like me & repeal the restrictions against
churches from expressing our biblical convictions for or against a candidate?- HUCKABEE: Yes.
- TANCREDO: Yes.
- COX: Yes. Let's get rid of the entire IRS while we're at it.
- BROWNBACK: Yes.
- PAUL: Yes.
- HUNTER: Yes.
- KEYES: Yes.
Source: 2007 GOP Values Voter Presidential Debate
Sep 17, 2007
Regulation should be governed by the free market
Regulation is necessary but should be governed by the free market. Regulators need to understand that they serve the private economy, not the other way around. All agencies should be graded on quality and efficiency.
Regulations must make sense and not pick winners and losers in the economy. Rational legal reforms like loser pays are essential to keep our economy competitive.
Source: Campaign website, cox2008.com
Jul 2, 2007
Disclosure is best disinfectant for diseased campaign system
We need more statesmen to enter politics, not more career politicians. The 1974 limits on spending have only cemented protected incumbents, who win with large networks of contributors. Immediate disclosure--sunlight--is the best disinfectant
for a diseased campaign finance system. We must also have term limits for Congress, and repeal McCain-Feingold, which stifles free speech and has empowered liberal groups but has had no positive effects.
Source: Campaign website, cox2008.com
Jul 2, 2007
Term limits for members of Congress
Q: Do you believe our Constitution authorizes term limits for members of Congress?A: Career politicians are the reason our government has gotten much too large.
Career politicians benefit when government does so much because they can manipulate government for votes. I would like to think that term limits are not necessary--that voters can exercise a free choice to kick out a legislator who stays too long.
Unfortunately, with the media the way it is today, we need to enact term limits to provide some measure of perspective in our Congress.
Q: Do term limits need to be constitutionally vetted, and if so, where specifically are term limits authorized?
A:
Term limits may not be authorized and may have to be instituted by Constitutional amendment.
Source: Interview with "Small Government Times"
Mar 6, 2007
Page last updated: Oct 01, 2008