Mike Gravel--Live Q&A (10/18/07)

[questmoo]

I agree that the War On Drugs is misguided. It's backed by self-righteousness. Think the only answer is to lock people up. That's a burden on the tax payers. Other countries sell us drugs and drain our wealth. Innocent people are killed by gangs trafficking the drugs.

It's true the gangs would jack more cars or something to survive profit decreases through legalization. However, we'd have money to treat drug users and broadcast reasons for not using drugs plus provide more quality jobs.

P1

[questmoo]

It's more than a little naive to think people are going to stop using illegal drugs. Looks good politically. Fighting for what's right! But are they really, when innocent people are killed or jumped into gangs because of drug traffickers.

The best solution has always been legalization. Take the profit incentive out of illegal drugs. Home grown drugs equal jobs for our people. It's wealth we keep. All we're doing now is creating career criminals and tax burdens. No decent jobs for x-cons! P2

[questmoo]

People will stop using drugs when they hit rock bottom. It's unfortunate that some people have to lose their job, family, health, and roof over their head to realize drug use is not where you want to be.

I say, let's stop locking them up and making career criminals of them. Seriously, we're wasting tax money here! It's money that's not productive. Jail rehabilitates no one! It gives the guy a bad record and restricts him getting a decent job! War on Drugs is NUTS! P3

[ProgressiveIdealist]

Senator Gravel, you note that implementing the Fair Tax would likely lessen consumption, and would therefore be a green tax as well. Many people believe that more consumer spending is the key to stimulating the economy (though I am not sure). Do you too believe that more consumption is what is necessary to stimulate the economy, and, if so, how do you reconcile that with the Fair Tax and its lessening of consumption? Or, if not, what do believe would better stimulate the economy? Thank you.

[EinFremderAusElea]

1. The problem with any sales tax is black trade. Black labor is easier to control than black trade. That alone is reason enough for an income tax. Also, there is nothing wrong with consuming, consuming keeps the economy healthy, money needs to come around. I think it would be better to go into income tax in detail and try to improve it there. The fair tax concept is a bit simplistic.

[EinFremderAusElea]

2. The only practical thing in our e-bay times, as far as a sales tax is concerned, would be a sales tax on factory products only, with free second hand trading, but this might very well collapse the whole economy, because the incentive would be to under no circumstances buy something new, but try to fix whatever you would have already got. That would save resources, but it would likely break the back of the industry.

[EinFremderAusElea]

3. The problem here lies deeper, namely in the imbalance between people producing (few) and people consuming (a lot). That is a direct consequence of our standard of technology and politics can't do anything about it short of totalitarian measures. So what politics IS doing right now is to steal money, yes, and distribute it somehow. But it is better when the money is stolen, otherwise only industry workers would earn money and no one else, but then... who should buy all the products?

[EinFremderAusElea]

4. The industry workers would sit on a bag of money for half a year and then their factory would be closed, because its produce can't be sold.

That's the basic problem. And it is my conviction that we lack the CIVILIZATION to deal with this problem in an honest way.

[assyrio78]

Economists are sketchy fortune tellers...know what I mean jelly bean....I teach economics friend and let me tell you....GRAVEL KNOWS EVERYTHING!!! Accept that...and if you cant then to go and protest the current government and if you do not do that then you are treasonous like the current government. Yes, everyone that does not protest the current government some way or some how then you are a treasonous fool

[EinFremderAusElea]

Coming forth with taxation change is a very risky maneuvre. And it's also not exactly fair. What about the people who took credits, because they knew that their back payments are deductable? What about the people whose money on their bank accounts has already been taxed and will be taxed twice now?

This will bring people at the verge to want to kill. A little more carefulness would seem appropriate to me.

[EinFremderAusElea]

As far as Gravel is concerned, I'd love to see him win and direct democracy spread over the globe, because that's what it would. But there's still some way to go. And if he succeeded, he should look at what the university of Cambridge did, when Henry VIII gave it the right to publish, namely wait with the first publication until Henry VIII had died. The people in power will fight back, and I don't want to see direct democracy go under in the wake of that fight.

[EinFremderAusElea]

If you were a Gravel supporter, you'd been doing him no favour, just like the Paulbots are doing him a favour.

But concerning me. I am doing something better than protesting, namely to work on a working alternative.

[EinFremderAusElea]

...Paulbots are doing him NO favour...

[xDisruptor]

It's very sad that Gravel and Kucinich are not working together. Cause they have so much in common and so few substantially different opinions. One doesn't have to lose in order for the other to win. Nations need people like Kucinich, Gravel and Ron Paul working together - like in the same government.

[Snarkbutt]

What makes criminals are laws. If something is legal, participating in it will not be breaking the law, and if hard drugs were legal, they would be much cheaper, and less people would kill and die over them. The 'war on drugs,' like all of the fake wars, is a war on people, and an important market. Do we want Columbia to go broke?

[uterfan]

They wouldn't want people to actually vote for someone they believe in! Instead they want to herd us into supporting their pre-selected, corrupt, corporate-backed choices.

Fresh on the heels of MSNBC's exclusion of Senator Mike Gravel from last week's Philadelphia debate, we now hear that CNN has cut the Senator from its November 15 debate in Las Vegas. Like MSNBC, CNN's justification comes down to one ugly factor: MONEY.

[samhellion]

"drug addict is a public health issue" its refreshing to hear a politician say what experts have been saying for years. Make it to the primary Mike!

Steve

Va Beach, VA

[uterfan]

Please listen to this: NI4DdotUS

vote on the National Initiative NOW!

[jaminunit]

Mike you rock!  God bless you!

[gravelvspaul2008]

I don't understand how people can't see that he's the best the Dem party has to offer.

[brandonfoy12]

not only is he the best democrat, but he is the best candidate in general. Gravel has the potential to truly unite the un-United States and usher in an era of solidarity throughout the entire world.

[acheddar]

Just reposting the petition link.

petitionspotdotcom/petitions/l­etgravelspeakoct30

[032603032603]

Mike Gravel wants to leave the borders open for people to come in illegally & then give amnesty to illegals, the same people that break laws and then get rewarded for it.

[brandonfoy12]

We spend billions of dollars on the walls and border patrol salaries and people keep coming in. Throwing money at serious issues is as Mike Gravel says, "politics as usual".

The solution is not to close or open the borders, but to truly help other nations develop solid economies to support their citizens so they don't have to search for work here.

Immigrants built this country and acting like they don't have the right to pursue happiness and live a happy life is inhumane and unamerican.

[brandonfoy12]

This comment was in response to

032603032603's comment below

[rancidguy420]

I really liked this Q&A from Mike Gravel, especially because it just goes to show that he is keeping his head held high even though those bastards are excluding him from any further presidential debates that air on NBC. I thought that was bogus, & I went ahead & emailed all of the people Mike asked me to email in his newsletter that he occasionally sends out when he needs our help. I still really hope Mike Gravel gets to become president of the United States...he's definately got my vote ;)

[Proverbs6and16]

Mike Gravel is on point!, Then agin, so is Ron Paul.

Imagine if one was the pres and the other the vp!

[acheddar]

slash between com and petitions

[acheddar]

Sign this petition to protest NBC's exclusion of Mike from the debate!

petitionspotdotcompetitions/le­tgravelspeakoct30

I think the thing started this morning (Oct 23, and it's got 1400 signatures now!)

[RST1515]

I like Mike

[electrictoothsyndrom]

Please Democrats...support one of your best candidates in Mike Gravel.

I would but I've yet to max out on Ron Paul. Let's make this a Gravel v. Paul race in 08! Please donate to this honest man and keep him afloat.

[s0ngcatcher]

@8:49 he almost says Hitlery, lol.

[s0ngcatcher]

You know, the "Fair Tax" (no income tax, only sales tax) would also address those taxes not paid by "illegal" immigrants and others who are paid under-the-table. Do you think this would ease the tensions on the issue of "illegal" immigration?

[lenaw70]

Gravel!?! WTH?? How is Dennis "Politics as usual"??? He is the one who wants to kill the health care insurance racket, He is the one who wants to kill NAFTA/WTO!! I had this amazing vision of your two agendas blending beautifully together. Now, if you two run together, this will come back to haunt you BOTH!

[uterfan]

you all have heard the bad news? Mike Gravel is not allowed to appear on the next debate October 30th, NBC says he hasnt raised enough money...At least the money he did get was from normal people, not like Clinton and her 35 Million she gets from WALL STREET!!! Im outraged!

[myvern]

I sent NBC a polite message, telling them that the debates will be dull without Mike and that NBC sold out the freedom of the press. Please contact NBC, Mike Gravel 2008!

[Nmax]

The more I hear Mike Gravel the more I support him.

[beautifulview]

Please win, everyone else (except the liberals) running are completely insane

[aljawadn]

Gravel, you are amazing.

[oldhacks]

he's knowledgeable and uses LOGIC. the others are ideologues. Especially Kucinich and Ron Paul.

[ghbinder]

makes sense

[sdFour20]

Lets Go Gravel!

[HatTricksInc]

Which debates are you referring to and where should we direct our protests?

Thanks for the heads up.

[clevername71]

The upcoming debate in Philadelphia at Drexel U. on the 30th of October. If were nearby and could go, I would get a bunch of my friends and protest outside of either: a.) Where the debate is being held, or b.) NBC Headquarters.

And I suggest you should do the same.

Direct your online protests everywhere, not just to NBC and the DNC, complain to every blog, network and forum out there.

[ddnn2000]

Ron Pau 08! Yeah!

[ddnn2000]

Ron Paul 08! Yeah!

[oldhacks]

I'm passing out flyers to raise awareness for the national initiative at the protest on the 27th. I suggest you all do the same.

[kyeot]

No one can fully understand the NI4D until they realise that representitive government is broken. Facts are easy to find look up Nancy Pelosi praying for Bush to do the right thing, look at the democratic appointed representitive, and nothing comes of it. Support Mike Gravel, support the NI4D, empower yourself as a lawmaker and see real change by the people and for the people.

[Isaac707]

Gravel you are an honerable man and you are not ignored. We hear you.

[Valerian1]

Amen, Isaac. Well said.

I can't get enough of this guy. It's 6:30am and I've been watching his videos all night. Seriously, if Mike Gravel got the American Presidency... we're talking an evolutionary leap. No joke. God, I want to believe he has a chance.

[FWNiightmare]

wanna know what else would help the poor? a job! :O

[FWNiightmare]

i gave u 10bucks maybe that will like buy, like 2 buttons haha

[bongobuddy]

I wish i had a president who would listen to the concerns of the average american, and i would be proud to have Mike Gravel as the first president i am able to vote for. Let's let the ripple effect spread.

[tubetrekker30]

This guy has ANSWERS! Thanks for adding your voice, Mike Gravel. You're the real deal.

[bartolemeo]

Thank you, Senator.

[jfmxl]

"... You'll know what people spend and you'll know what they pay in taxes..."

The federal government will be logging every purchase and reporting same to whomever asks? Are you kidding me?

I support you 100% Mike because you are the only candidate who will end the war(s) in the Middle East, take on militarism, and push the NI4d. But the Fair Tax seems to be hopeless to administer.

No problem. You're running for President, not Decider. We'll vote for the Fair Tax. Or not.

[RST1515]

Join the Revolution....Mike Gravel for President!!! We're Gaining ground....

[PeaceProfit]

Democracy is a failed system, as it relies upon control by all eligible members of the state, and thus is vulnerable to creating a situation of limiting the eligibility of the many in favor of the few, by lobbying etc. etc. etc.

A system of Cooperacy, with Coopertist creating Coopertism is the logical replacement and next step in human social evolution, and is in fact now in the first stages of developing on a global scale . . .

BL*M

[HatTricksInc]

Representative Democracy has failed and been hijacked. There's no direct accountability to the people. Voting is not enough.

Direct Democracy, which is what Senator Gravel is mobilizing people for by running for President, through the National Initiative.

This may be similar to what you're referring to in Coopertism.

We need to evolve for sure.

Like we need more Wind Generators, Solar Panels on Homes and Office Buildings and Wind power facilities.

[PeaceProfit]

Support your local, Prevention Center for Domestic Abuse, y/our future depends on its success . . .

It's time for society to remove the blinders, to start funding and building ARC's (Abuse Recovery Centers) instead of prisons. It is time to train and employ, non violent, third strike offenders as mentor assistants to help themselves and the homeless assimilate back into productive social behaviors.

It is time to embrace y/our humanity . . . and conquer our fears.

BL*M

[JawBreakerJimmy]

I love gravel as well. Got my vote...

[xusword]

The fact that Gravel is less popular then Paul really pains me

Dr. Paul is a great person with integrity, but Gravel is the person who really gets it.

[mrche21]

Mike Gravel really gets it.

When I watch Ron Paul speak... it just feels like you've got another politician pushing for an extreme with out really thinking it all through.

[myvern]

Gravel, has federal matching funds, so every donation you give gets doubled. Please donate! No donation is too small.

[TwistedSister19]

I LOVE YOU MIKE GRAVEL!!!

You got my vote in 08!

[yellomizz]

Drug Maintenance. They did it in the U.K and it was VERY successful. The U.S didn't like it because it didn't fit with the U.S policy, so the U.K abandoned.

The last clinic in the U.S to close was in Shreveport, LA. Check it out. I recommend "Crack in America". Its good.

[exacerbatedtaboo]

Mr. Gravel,

 Could you please clear up the rumor that you want a New World Order in which you want the government to control it's people. Every time I post your videos someone always thinks you are a globalist.

[mrche21]

That's the problem that people confront me with. What they need to understand is that it's the PEOPLE controlling the government, its not the other way around. If they want to do something, have them empower themselves!

We cannot avoid the public (govt), private (business), and private (individually), but we must transcend through it and develop.

[JusticePetitioner]

Much respect for taking the time to do these Q&A's. Good luck to you in your campaign the Dems should be proud to have you representing them.

[CampHazzard]

Thank you, Mike! That's awesome! I wanted to hear you speak on health care and I really appreciate your answers! I'm with the Gravelution!

[wreckerpecker]

Regardless if you win or not, your methods are the way of the future.

If you can reply, please tell me the what that has kept anyone from creating a non-profit health care system?

[cjfriz]

Thank you for your bold stance for the redistribution of power to normal people! We cannot stop war as an instrument of policy, eradicate wasteful military spending, destroy nuclear weapons, redistribute wealth and land, or achieve universal health without first giving power back to the people and taking it away from the monied elites.

[munkiiboi]

+5 from me Mr. Gravel, i really do hope you win the elections

[TRUEADONIS]

GRAVEL is the hope for the future!

[ThinkMink15]

I am a huge fan of yours Mr Gravel. I have been registered independent for the last 12 years, but this year I have chosen to re-register Republican and vote for Dr Ron Paul. I hope that IF(and only if because I know that you know better than I) you choose to drop out of the race that you chose to support this Republican candidate. I remain a huge admirer and assure you that the Ripple Effect worked on me.

[overmind25]

"To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not."-Thomas Paine

[KyelFuqua]

Marijuana Yes!!...Hard Drugs Fuck That!

[mrche21]

What do you mean?

[wreckerpecker]

The reality is that once drugs are decriminalized or removed from the outlaw list, it now appears an issue of the whole and not of some strange fantasy that it be somewhere and something else outside us. This man knows exactly what moves to make.

It is unfortunate that disaster isn't enough to cure denial.

[poppapump444]

run for senator again so u can end the war ...would u be willing to give a town hall speech in the hudson valley new york

(clinton country)i can work it out.

[mrche21]

He's running for president to end the war!

Gravel '08!

[poppapump444]

when he doesnt get the endorsment....he can run for senator....unless u think hes gonna get it.....hey, nothing wrong w' thinking positve but lets talk realistically....gravel "08 gravel 4 life

[HatTricksInc]

Senator Gravel would make the best President of all those available.

Still, Win or Loose, "We the People" need Mike Gravel in our lives.

[wreckerpecker]

I agree.

I actually think that this next election will be another flop. Perhaps in some way we could establish something ourselves.

[HatTricksInc]

One way or another.

His book is going to be a must-read for every citizen.

[mrche21]

It is very good! My University has two copies of it.

[HolyHellraiser]

the more i listen to you the more i feal you really need to become president you seem to be the only one who really understands the problems our country has and has good solutions to fix them

[justin1o0]

A+++++++++++++++++++++

[Rsd79]

Gravel does not want to implement universal healthcare?

[PersonalJesus348]

he wants everyone to have free healthcare. Not force everyone to have an healthcare plan like hillary and many other candidates want to do.

The voucher system he wants to implement works. You should read more on it if it turly interests you.