Candidate Q&A: Libertarian Mike Scott of Bowie is `not a fan' of the Blueprint or big government

CANDIDATE SURVEY

Air Force veteran Mike Scott of Bowie recently responded to The Bowie Sun candidate questionnaire on abortion protections, diversity policies, public safety and other issues. The Libertarian is running for U.S. Senate in a closely watched race with Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D), former governor Larry Hogan (R) and independent candidate Emmanuel Osuchukwu.

Scott's full responses to the questionnaire are further below, but here's a quick summary:

Reproductive freedom: "My personal belief is reproductive decisions are health decisions ... It should not be legislated by politicians and shame on us for allowing them to make health care decisions for us."

Diversity policies: "I loathe that DEI programs are necessary ... I do, however, support putting on blast (public reporting and communities holding accountable) companies engaging in discriminatory racial practices."

Public safety and education:  Transforming education is the best way to reduce crime, Scott said in the questionnaire. But in keeping with his stance on limited government, Scott is "not a fan" of the Blueprint education reforms that he sees as giving government more power.

Other issues: To fix housing costs, he recommends reforming banking and lending rules.  As for climate change solutions, Scott wrote that they are good for the economy and the environment. He also wrote that it is "well past the time for a ceasefire" in Gaza. 

CRIME

Retail crime and theft continue to persist in Bowie at a time when the city, like the rest of the nation, is facing police shortages. How could you as a senator tackle the rise in crime in places like Bowie that have not experienced high crime until recent years? Is there anything you could do as a senator to address staffing shortages in our public safety agencies?

Scott: Before I answer these questions, it's important to know the lens through which I view government. Government's job is to protect liberty and individuals' safety and property. Government's job is not to solve our problems or provide for us. That difference in perspective is subtle, but necessary to understand how I believe things should work.  

The federal government is too big, too expensive, and not effective nor efficient at providing services. We borrow $100,000 per second to run the federal government. We are going broke, we are hitting hyper-inflation, we are facing lack in the land of opportunity. It's the result of bad government policy.

With that in mind, let's tackle these questions:  The rise in crime is due to the hopelessness we feel as a people, bad economics, a lack of opportunity, little training, poor education, no discipline, and exorbitant costs of goods and services. Government is not the answer to how to reduce crime unless you're referring to shrinking government and reducing taxes. A reduction in overall tax burden (by shrinking government) puts money back in the hands of We the People. If government is to interfere, it should be in education reform. Transitioning education from rote memorization to critical thinking, mathematics, engineering, and entrepreneurial coaching would do more to reduce crime than more police. 

We need hope in the hoods, not a police state to cow the population. People need education and opportunity, not gestapo. Less government, less taxes, more opportunities.

HOUSING COSTS

Housing costs are on the rise in Bowie and across Maryland. As a senator, would affordable homes and rent be a top legislative priority for you? Do you think some of the current pending legislation in Congress to provide tax credits would make a big difference in lowering housing costs here?

Scott: How do you fix housing costs? That is a Ph.D. level discussion that I'd bring in an economist and a mathematician for. I'm not a fan of tax credits. I'm a fan of reducing taxes. I'm a fan of reducing regulation and real banking reform. Add in campaign finance reform to get money out of politics. No one remembers, but after the housing crisis in the early 2000s, Congress tried to reform banking and lending rules. Banks lobbied Congress to keep things the same. This was after "too big to fail," after the bubble and the economic downturn, after the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court case, in which corporations are people and money is free speech). Money wins. Money is how one gets into office. Money is how one stays in office. Money is how one gets things done in government. 

You want to fix housing costs? The answer lies in reform: banking, campaign finance, elimination of regulations protecting banks from their poor business practices.

BUSINESS

Like many Prince Georgians, Bowie residents have long sought quality retail options, healthier eating options and more amenities on par with those in neighboring counties. Are you hearing similar sentiments from county voters, and do you have a plan to address this need for more quality retail and restaurants in the county where you grew up?

Scott: As a U.S. Senator, I cannot (and should not) make rules on county retail and food options. A reduction in taxes is the best economic stimulus imaginable. Keeping the fruits of your labors without undue government burden (taxes and regulations) will incentivize Bowie residents to open more businesses.

ENVIRONMENT

Bowie is the new headquarters for EV charging company Blink. The city also has an active group of volunteers serving on the city's Environmental Advisory Committee, which prepared Bowie's Climate Action Plan. The plan recognizes that global warming has led to increased heat waves, drought and storms. Do you believe climate change is real, and what type of measures would you support in the Senate to mitigate the effects of flooding and record heat in communities like Bowie?

Scott: Whether I believe climate change is real isn't the important question. The solutions to climate change are good for the economy and the environment. More solar, more and better public transportation options (reduce cars on the roads), sustainable "green" processes (producing sustainable "green" homes, reduce plastics use, etc). One example, reduce restrictions on things like hemp which can revolutionize construction (hempcrete) and textiles (hemp clothing). Reduce protections for failing industries--bailing out the auto industry likely kept viable competitors out of the market. Transformative technologies, from AI to new construction techniques, are out there. Allow them to transform the nation and stop picking winners.

Quick story: Do you know why the U.S. stores nuclear waste? Jimmy Carter made a rule in the 70s about the type of nuclear tech we'd invest in. Carter's rules meant, not only couldn't the U.S. reuse fuel rods, we couldn't sell the resulting material to other nations. There's more to it than that, but by the time Reagan changed the rules, America was already invested in the non-renewable tech and the cost of switching was not attractive. Fast forward, we have problems with storage and containment of nuclear waste. 

Government makes rules without thought or planning, or we make rules based on industry desires (lobbying and bribes). We don't always understand the ramifications of those rules. My answer, again, is  reduce government.

EDUCATION

Are you concerned that financially stable municipalities such as Bowie could be affected by costs associated with the Blueprint education reforms? Please briefly elaborate on any concerns about the Blueprint costs to municipalities and what you could do as a senator to alleviate such costs?

Scott:  We are a financially stable municipality and, if one can afford to send kids to private school, we do. 

There are ways to improve public education and it involves shrinking the bloated administrative machine that clogs progress. My answer: Reduce government. Government is inefficient and ineffective at educating children. I would investigate public/private partnerships (using existing infrastructure) to improve educational outcomes. 

Democrats and Republicans always have the same answer; more money, more taxes and we get worse outcomes. I am not a fan of the Blueprint. It will take more money, provide worse outcomes, and give government more power.

PGCPS is, annually, a $2.5 billion operation. When I was young, we spent $3,000 per kid per year and Johnny couldn't read. Today, it's closer to $16,000 per kid. Johnny still can't read. Our report card: 15% or so English/language arts and 13% math proficiency. But that doesn't tell the entire story. They sold the lottery, poker, and slot machines to Maryland saying they'd use the taxes to fund education. Then, they pulled every dollar gambling put into the system out the back door, reprogrammed to other areas.

They say they want quality education but there's no commitment to changing what doesn't work. And improving/transforming education is the best way to reduce crime (that first question above).

DIVERSITY POLICIES

The city of Bowie is culturally diverse. The city's Diversity Committee has advised the City Council on issues such as hiring practices, contracting and hate crimes policy. The area is also home to historically Black Bowie State University. Should campus and workplace diversity programs be eliminated or restricted as some Republican lawmakers have attempted to do in other states?

Scott: People always say America doesn't have institutionalized racism. See the U.S. Constitution, Section 9, Clause 1 - Migration or Importation:

"The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person."

Our founding document ensured Congress couldn't stop importation of slaves for 20 years, nor charge more than $10 per head. 

I wish we lived in a society where the idea of racism (sexism, most -isms) was considered insane.  I'd love a place where one would hire the best person for the job (or not gouge BIPOC when selling houses and cars, giving loans, paying wages, sentencing, etc.). Several times in organizations, I've been 1 of 1 , the only Black male. Generally speaking, I was better educated and/or had more experience than my counterparts. I was still looked at as a "diversity hire." 

I don't like diversity programs. I'm not a fan of hate crime laws. I loathe that DEI programs are necessary. I'm a fan of free and voluntary interaction. As a matter of policy, I don't support government forcing associations in your private business. I do, however, support putting on blast (public reporting and communities holding accountable) companies engaging in discriminatory racial practices. I don't give government more power. It's always the wrong answer.

CONFLICT IN GAZA

An estimated 200 Bowie High School students recently engaged in a walkout calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Do you support a long-term ceasefire in Israel and Palestine? Do you think some of the campus activism on this issue and police handling of these protests has gone too far? Please briefly explain your position.

Scott: I am already against the next war. I believe there should be a ceasefire in Gaza. I believe the American government should not fund foreign conflicts. 

I believe the students being harassed by authorities for protesting deaths of innocents is un-American. Maryland Democrats have a bullet proof majority in the state legislature. They won't pass Defend the Guard (legislation stopping deployment of the Maryland National Guard to international operations without a Congressional declaration of war). We just deployed a unit (A-10 unit) to support foreign operations. 

We are a global destabilizing force. We foment conflict in order to sell arms to prop up our economy. We provide billions in foreign aid and they provide American political action committees hundreds of millions to bribe ... er, lobby Congress. 

Our foreign policy, mixed with a porous border and ongoing wars on terror and drugs, makes us as a nation less safe. We have 700-750 bases in 80 countries not counting black sites. I believe we need a new round of base realignment and closure, or BRAC. I do not support foreign wars and we are well past the time for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. Ditto Ukraine, Congo, Sudan.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Maryland voters will have the opportunity to vote on a ballot question in November that asks if the right to reproductive freedom should be added to the state constitution. Do you plan to vote yes or no on that ballot question? Please briefly explain why you plan to vote for or against this ballot question and if your faith will factor into your decision?

Scott: My personal belief is reproductive decisions are health decisions. As such, they are between the woman, her doctor, and Inshallah the father. It should not be legislated by politicians and shame on us for allowing them to make health care decisions for us. 

It should not be illegal to perform. It should not be mandatory for doctors who are against the procedure to perform. Freedom and education are necessary to cure what ails America. Research the choices, understand the ramifications, and be free to choose based on what's best for you. 

Stop giving up your control to a government that does not represent We the People. They keep power by divide and conquer. That's why, given all of America's problems (border, inflation, Social Security, Covid, reproduction, immigration, climate change, economy, Defense Department audits, Supreme Court corruption), the only thing they agree upon is funding wars and 87,000 new IRS agents to squeeze us to pay for it. 

That's why, in 2024, we're still arguing Roe v. Wade. We play the two-party blame game. The blame is ours because we keep voting in pathological personalities powered by money.

Editor's note: In addition to Hogan, Alsobrooks and Scott, independent candidate Emmanuel Osuchukwu of Baltimore is also vying for the U.S. Senate seat. The Bowie Sun has requested questionnaire responses from Osuchukwu as well and will publish it if he participates.

Candidate questionnaires are lightly edited for style.

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