I am Sheriff Richard Mack. I'm challenging SOPA and PCIP Sponsor Lamar Smith (R-TX) to a Primary in a heavily conservative district. AMA

Sheriff Mack, I am in your district -

Your stance on the issues seem very light on the details, seemingly designed to get the most votes from your conservative public body without creating controversy. While I think that your stance on internet freedom mirrors mine, I think it would be unfortunate if that's the only reason you have for me to vote for you.

1- Your district is comprised of many technology companies - several heavy hitters have offices in or nearby (including Dell, Rackspace, Microsoft, and Google). You have apparently discovered Reddit on your own which gives me hope that you actually know more about the internet than your rival; but technology moves fast - what will you do to keep abreast of technology and not accidentally support a bill that ends up doing more damage than SOPA/PIPA? Have you thought about contacting some of these companies and requesting to do an "Employee Open House" at their office (specifically Rackspace would probably be open to it considering their CEO Lanhan Napier went to Washington to speak to Smith about opposing SOPA and a large percentage of their workforce is most likely in your district).

2 - You are pro-life and against funding " for so-called family planning groups that promote abortion" - but you also believe that "the federal government cannot compel a regulatory scheme which forces citizens to purchase health insurance," how would you approach making health care affordable again in the United States?

3 - Do you support term limits for Congress?

4 - Would you vote to amend the Constitution to end corporate personhood in regards to both corporate personhood rights as well as for campaign finance reform?

5 - Would you support the teaching of Creationism in public schools in Texas?

6 - How (or Will) you support future redistricting plans in Texas in order to end obvious gerrymandering such as District 21?

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Edit - Adding reply from Sheriff Richard Mack Link

Thanks so much for the excellent questions. I look forward to being your Congressman.

1. I already took a tour with one of the heads of Rackspace and I very much appreciated it. It made me even more concerned about what's going with this type of censorship. I still can't believe that Lamar Smith is holding strong on this ridiculous legislation that is going harm people in our district. Also, you don't have to worry about me accidentally supporting legislation that's going to give more power to Washington DC.

2. Get government out of the way. One of the greatest expenses for the medical industry in America is malpractice insurance and litigation. If we address tort reform, that would help reduce costs immensely. We do not need the federal government attempting to regulate the healthcare industry. I will never support the Federal government forcing citizens to buy a private health insurance product determined by the federal government.

3. If it was good enough for George Washington, it should be good enough for Lamar Smith: 8 years.

4. The Constitution is designed to protect individual freedom. I would support a law that limits what corporations can contribute to campaigns, as well has harsher penalties for those who violate that law, but I would not support an amendment on that issue.

5. That is certainly not a Federal issue nor a major issue for me. If the local school boards want to make that kind of curriculum available, that's fine with me.

6. As a Congressman, I don't know how much involvement I would have in Texas redistricting, but I certainly don't like it being used as a political toy. I hope they get this redistricting problem in Texas taken care of soon so that we can get back to work.

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Voting in the Primaries (Primary Process)

Currently Republican primaries are set for April 3rd, but that may be delayed due to litigation. Check with your Registrar for the most up to date information.

Primary Process: Quoted source

Political parties hold a primary election in March of even numbered years. Currently, only two parties hold primaries - the Republican Party and the Democrat Party.

In Texas, registered voters may vote in either political party’s primary; however, a voter may vote in only one party’s primary in each election cycle.

If a voter votes in one party’s primary, he may not vote in the other party's run-off election in that same year. Registered voters who do not vote in the primary election may vote in a run-off election of either party that year.

Republican Primary voters elect the Republican candidates who will appear on the general election ballot, their precinct chairmen, and their county chairmen. Thus, primary voters have a greater influence on the final outcome of the general election than those who only vote in the general election.

Those who vote in the Republican primary election (either in person or by mail) can then attend the various Republican Party conventions held that year.

Thanks so much for the excellent questions. I look forward to being your Congressman.

1. I already took a tour with one of the heads of Rackspace and I very much appreciated it. It made me even more concerned about what's going with this type of censorship. I still can't believe that Lamar Smith is holding strong on this ridiculous legislation that is going harm people in our district. Also, you don't have to worry about me accidentally supporting legislation that's going to give more power to Washington DC.

2. Get government out of the way. One of the greatest expenses for the medical industry in America is malpractice insurance and litigation. If we address tort reform, that would help reduce costs immensely. We do not need the federal government attempting to regulate the healthcare industry. I will never support the Federal government forcing citizens to buy a private health insurance product determined by the federal government.

3. If it was good enough for George Washington, it should be good enough for Lamar Smith: 8 years.

4. The Constitution is designed to protect individual freedom. I would support a law that limits what corporations can contribute to campaigns, as well has harsher penalties for those who violate that law, but I would not support an amendment on that issue.

5. That is certainly not a Federal issue nor a major issue for me. If the local school boards want to make that kind of curriculum available, that's fine with me.

6. As a Congressman, I don't know how much involvement I would have in Texas redistricting, but I certainly don't like it being used as a political toy. I hope they get this redistricting problem in Texas taken care of soon so that we can get back to work.

Hi Sheriff Mack,

What are your views on the wars overseas, the PATRIOT Act, and the Federal War on Drugs?

I oppose allowing the President of the United States the power to take our military to war without a formal declaration of war from Congress, so I therefore do not support any of the wars we've been involved in in the Middle East. I do not believe that the US has any authority to appoint itself the police officer of the world.

The Patriot Act was co-authored by Sen. Jon Kyl, and I told him to his face that it was the most unconstitutional law promulgated by Congress in the last 50 years, now only exceeded in it's unconstitutionality of the 2012 NDAA. The attacks of 9/11 did not occur because we lacked a Patriot Act, and destroying the principles of the Fourth Amendment to go after terrorists is a compromise I hope all Americans will oppose.

Having been an undercover narcotics officer, I discovered first hand the futility and failure of the war on drugs. There's two parts to that: First, I do not want our nation's police officers pretending that they should protect us from our own stupidity or appetites. Secondly, we should not be asking officers to risk their lives for such ridiculous reasons.

I hope you are not talking out of your ass, because I like you.

No, I am sitting on it.

[deleted]

Having been an undercover narcotics officer, I discovered first hand the futility and failure of the war on drugs. There's two parts to that: First, I do not want our nation's police officers pretending that they should protect us from our own stupidity or appetites. Secondly, we should not be asking officers to risk their lives for such ridiculous reasons.

We should legalize marijuana.

I do not use drugs, and I hope that other people will not use drugs, but I have no right as a police officer to take away someone's liberty because they smoke marijuana. That is absolutely absurd.

Sheriff Mack,

Over many years you have said, to great acclaim from "Patriot" and Tea Party audiences, that

"The separation of church and state is a myth. There's no such thing."

Why should redditors overlook this fundamental anti-democratic orientation, just for a chance to stop a single piece of (admittedly awful) legislation?

And BTW, why are you running for a federal office anyway, given that you so strongly oppose not only federal law and regulation, but any authority above the county level?

There certainly is a legitimate place for Federal and State government. It's just that at the county level is where government should be the most responsive to the needs of the people and protecting the rights of the individual.

The First Amendment simply says that Congress "shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." The entire purpose was to stop the King from forcing his subjects to be members of the Church of England and tithe to the Church. As a believer in the Constitution, I can't support the idea that the intent was to prevent people from practicing their beliefs in any public venue.

That being said, I'm extremely religiously tolerant. I've never been a proponent of things like school prayer, which I don't believe is an integral part of our system.

I feel this community is owed some straight answers even if you may be less than thrilled with the one's I'm going to give.

This is what we want.

I'm doing my best.

Reddit is overwhelmingly in support of defeating Lamar Smith, but we are currently divided about how this can be done. What is your opinion about how we can help, short of sending you our sweet, sweet money?

Thank you for your support. There are plenty of ways to help. We need volunteers, we need people to pound the pavement, we need people to talk with their friends in person and online, and yes, I hate to say this, but money is part of this political campaign. Lamar Smith has raised over $1 million and has received over $400,000 from SOPA supporters.

At what point did you begin opposing SOPA/PIPA?

Probably 20 years ago. Government doesn't have the authority to tell me what I can do on the internet or anywhere else. The last thing I want is for the Federal government to control the internet.

I specifically heard about SOPA some two or 3 months ago I thought it was a joke at first.

What is your opinion of the Occupy movement?

edit: also, how does it feel to be Stephen Colbert's twin?

I just held a conference in Las Vegas and the local Occupy group asked to meet with me. I told them what I'll tell you. They can occupy anything they like so long as they're not breaking the law. I'll fight and die for their right to peaceably assemble and protest.

What I abhor is some of the ruthless responses from some of our police forces. I detest putting people on their knees and spraying them with pepper spray. I can honestly tell you, as a career law enforcement officer, I've never maced or pepper sprayed anyone in my life.

RE: My "Colbertness"; It feels pretty good, but he's not as funny as I am.

What is your opinion on the Citizens United Supreme Ct. case? What, if anything, would you do as a Congressman to address the issue of the lobbyists influence in Washington?

Any citizen has the right to lobby a representative.

What I have a problem with is the extreme amounts of money that flow to our congressmen. The biggest problem I have is that huge corporations donate to both parties corrupting the system. If our politicians had an ounce of integrity, they would stop that sort of thing. I intend to work towards that.

Do you think that passing laws limiting the flow between public office and the private sector might prevent this? Also, are you challenging Smith as a republican? It seems Texans would embrace your view of limited government.

Yes, I am challenging Smith in the Republican primary. Here in Texas you merely need to show up and ask for the Party primary ballot. Anyone can vote in either party's primary.

Will the results of the Texas Gerrymandering lawsuit affect your electability?

No, I don't think so.

Will you take any legislative action against no-knock raids like the one that killed Jose Guerena? You gave a rather stirring talk at his memorial service; I'm curious as to whether that will figure into your legislative efforts.

My concern then and my concern now is the SWAT team mentality that seems to be so pervasive across our country's law enforcement agencies. I don't believe it was a question of the no-knock warrant, but more the mentality of the officers involved.

This was a search warrant! This wasn't a raid on crime bosses or the mafia. This was a warrant to see if he had anything bad in his house.

There's nothing the police did right in this case. He should have been stopped as soon as he left his job, or they could have done a traffic stop. But to wait until he got home, knowing he was a Marine and probably had weapons, was ridiculous.

Jose Guerena should be alive today and taking his kids to school every day.

Why you?

More specifically, why should you lead? We've become so tired of promises that dissipate as soon as the oath of office is taken, politicians who are completely in thrall to various business interests, and power-hungry egocentrics who are in it for the accolades.

So why you? How are you different than any other politician?

EDIT: Oh, and do you have any opinion about the movie Rampart?

That's a good question. I would say, look at my record. I have dedicated my life to defending the little guy against big brother government. I have defended Amish farmers against the FDA and I have sued the Federal government on behalf of State's rights and local autonomy.

I will stand on my record and what I've done. I'm not a "politician" and never wish to be.

The problem with our government today is that our leaders believe they are here to be our rulers. I will never be a part of that. I will go to Washington to be your servant and to protect and defend your individual rights. My record is very clear on that. And after my term is up, I'll support you going to Washington to take my place.

Sadly, my in-flight movie today was not Rampart.

What gun do you carry on duty? Do you prefer the SIGs or Glocks?

My first service duty weapon was a Smith & Wesson .357, then switched to a Sig Sauer 9mm. I like a little more firepower, so today I shoot a Sig Sauer .40 caliber.