WHO AM I? I am Gov. Gary Johnson, Honorary Chairman of the Our America Initiative, and the two-term Governor of New Mexico from 1994 - 2003. Here is proof that this is me: https://twitter.com/GovGaryJohnson I've been referred to as the 'most fiscally conservative Governor' in the country, and vetoed so many bills during my tenure that I earned the nickname "Governor Veto." I bring a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, and believe that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology. Like many Americans, I am fiscally conservative and socially tolerant. I'm also an avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist. I have currently reached the highest peak on five of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest and, most recently, Aconcagua in South America. FOR MORE INFORMATION You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and Tumblr.

Comments: 1005 • Responses: 29  • Date: 

GovGaryJohnson328 karma

Repeal the 16th Amendment, abolish the IRS, eliminate income and corporate taxes, and replace them with one consumption tax.

nofapoclock112 karma

What is your opinion of Chris Christie?

GovGaryJohnson545 karma

Ha Ha. He is 3 times the man that I am.

Lentil-Soup78 karma

Gov. Johnson, in a previous AMA, you were asked about your opinion on Bitcoin. You said you hadn't done too much reading about it and promised to answer the question the next time you were here. Because of your brief stay last time, you never got to follow up. Have you done any research yet? I'm very anxious to hear what you think. Thanks!

GovGaryJohnson138 karma

I am following it, and it is more intriguing than ever. It is interesting in that it is a limited supply cryptocurrency that has developed a market value.

CollaWars76 karma

How will you reduce prison overcrowding?

GovGaryJohnson350 karma

A major reform of our drug laws.

Dickworth64 karma

What your thoughts on the amount of cronyism happening in Washington, and what do you propose should happen in order for it to be changed? I feel like Washington is no longer serving the needs of the public that elected them, and is instead serving the people who can give them the most money.

GovGaryJohnson75 karma

Washington's agenda is about politics first and issues last. As Governor, I put issues first, and found that good government was actually easy.

aparis9957 karma

Mr Johnson, with rumors spreading of Rep. Rand Paul running for the presidency, on what topics do you believe you have the upper hand?

GovGaryJohnson205 karma

I am a classical liberal -- fiscally conservative and socially accepting/tolerant. Sen. Paul may not be as accepting/tolerant as I am on social issues.

GovGaryJohnson55 karma

Thanks everyone! That's it for tonight -- I will have another Reddit soon, and hope you will return.

MatticusG47 karma

Where do you stand on the legalization Marijuana? Have you ever smoked Marijuana? Thanks

GovGaryJohnson218 karma

I have advocated legalizing Marijuana since 1999, and yes, I have smoked it.

RustyyTrombone42 karma

Your thoughts on the recent SC ruling that our DNA can be obtained without warrant and what can we do to reverse that ruling........

GovGaryJohnson76 karma

I definitely have concerns about the ruling, but I fear that essentially equating it to fingerprints may make it pretty much "settled" law.

FloatingHawking29 karma

What are your views on education? Are you pro charter schools? Or do you favor complete privatization? Or maybe maintaining the status quo?

GovGaryJohnson50 karma

As Governor, I proposed a full-blown voucher system for six straight years.

pimaxiu23 karma

First off, I am a student Maggie Walker high school, and I really appreciate you coming to talk here earlier this year. Since a lot has been discussed about your domestic policy, i.e. marijuana legalization, taxes, etc, I am curious as to your stance on foreign policy. Today's world is increasingly globalized, and I know that traditional libertarian foreign policy is hands-off. So how would you deal with pressing international issues such as North Korea, Pakistan & Afghanistan, and Iran, issues that might require U.S. involvement?

GovGaryJohnson79 karma

I am firmly in the camp that our military interventions have had the unintended effect of creating hundreds of millions of enemies that would otherwise exist if not for those unnecessary interventions.

morgan_freemun23 karma

You say that we should eliminate the IRS and put in place a 'consumption' tax.

Wouldn't that increase the burden on the poor and lower classes and decrease the burden on the rich, thereby making the poor poorer and rich richer? That seems like it would have a negative effect on the economy and society as a whole.

What do you support that measure?

GovGaryJohnson17 karma

You are right that a consumption tax is regressive, but go to FairTax.org to see how the regressive nature of it can be addressed.

surgingchaos21 karma

Governor Johnson, my question to you has to do with an issue that is more at the state and local level than at the federal level. Right now there are many states experiencing major financial problems due to extremely generous public pensions. These benefits have become unsustainable as the money to fund the pension programs evaporated when the housing bubble burst. In my home state of Oregon for example, PERS (the major public-sector retirement system in the state) has been the biggest issue in the state legislature. It threatens to consume more and more tax revenue as the liabilities pile up.

How would you address these public pension programs that are strangling the states? As a former governor, I would think you might have a way of dealing with this problem. My biggest worry is that a state like California becomes completely insolvent and all the other states have to bail it out just like what happened with Greece.

GovGaryJohnson52 karma

As Governor, I proposed legislation to change the state's retirement program from defined benefits to defined contributions. As Governor, I did not add one penny of liability to the state's pension fund. I believe bailing out any individual state would be a horrible financial decision.

e1349b16 karma

What is your favorite part about New Mexico? I am from there, and I love the landscape. I miss the Sandia mountains a lot. Also, I was proud to vote for you in the past election.

GovGaryJohnson32 karma

Skiing Taos. That's where I live -- and why I live there.

StarFscker16 karma

[deleted]

GovGaryJohnson19 karma

The consumption tax, and balancing the federal budget.

nofapoclock14 karma

What is the most important issue America is faced with today?

GovGaryJohnson58 karma

The most important issue is that we are printing money to pay for things we cannot afford. At some point, this will bring about a monetary collapse.

FredTheDerp14 karma

[deleted]

GovGaryJohnson17 karma

The 2nd Amendment could not be more clear. I have never had a need for a switchblade knife, so I'm not very well versed.

augspreadhead12 karma

how long do think it will take for the government to regulate and pass legislature to legalize online poker?

GovGaryJohnson33 karma

It hope it happens in the next few years. If it doesn't, the blame can be laid on the Republicans and special interests.

RustyyTrombone10 karma

Are you looking forward to Porcfest? ;)

GovGaryJohnson14 karma

I am looking forward to it, and should be there for a couple of days.

neilmcc9 karma

How do you view amnesty for illegal immigrants?

GovGaryJohnson43 karma

I believe we must make it as easy as possible for immigrants who want to come to this country -- or are already here -- to work to obtain a work visa.

nofapoclock9 karma

Favorite movie?

Favorite band?

Favorite city outside of New Mexico?

GovGaryJohnson37 karma

Dr. Zhivago. Killers. Jackson Hole, WY.

mndlssphlsphr7 karma

What are your thoughts on Agenda 21?

GovGaryJohnson21 karma

It is an all-out attack on property rights.

Eins_Zwei_Drei6 karma

Is the Fair Tax system viable in the next 10-15 years? How can we make this change happen? For those interested: http://www.fairtax.org/

GovGaryJohnson12 karma

I certainly hope the Fair Tax is viable in the next few years. The IRS abuses we are seeing today have been going on for a long time, but the publicity and focus now is drawing attention the merits of the Fair Tax.

KnightDarkThe3 karma

Governor Johnson, it's an absolute honor to be able to ask you a few questions. If I may ask, what was your primary motivation for becoming governor? If you were a governor or the president today, what would be your first concern/action? Thank you for your time.

GovGaryJohnson10 karma

I have always believe politics is a high calling, and it has worked out that way for me.

shadow3153 karma

What do you think about quantitative easing?

Thank you for doing AMAs.

GovGaryJohnson21 karma

I don't believe the Fed will be able to unwind it as skillfully as they believe, and that it will lead to a collapse in bond prices.

MatthewNadolny2 karma

What do you think of Nigel Farage?

GovGaryJohnson12 karma

I am a big fan.