Governor: Barry Hess

Name:  Barry Hess

Age:  I'm 53, January 29th, 1957

Hometown:  Sugar Hill, NH  (Moved to Arizona in 1980)

Office running for:  Arizona Governor

Political experience:   I've been elected to Precinct Committeeman five times, Vice-chair of the Libertarian State Committee three times (and currently).  Beyond that, I'm not someone who can be blamed for what we have now in political office.  The LAST thing I would want on my resume at this particular time is, "successful political experience."  To say I could thrive in an overtly corrupt system would only beg questions as to my own personal character.

Family:  Wife, Gina, Son, Zelig.  Sister, Brother, Dad, etc.

Party:  Libertarian

Please describe your platform:

To re-invigorate our Constitution and to un-do the ‘wrongs’ heaped on it.  I have the ONLY plan that will absolutely stop all illegal crossing of our southern border (using 20-year old non-lethal technologies that have “protected” the Groom Lake facility).  If it’s good enough to use to keep secrets from the American People, isn’t it good enough to keep us safe?  I think it is.

I also have the ONLY real plan to bring industry and the jobs that come with it back to Arizona, please see my economic development proposals on our website (www.HessForGovernor.Com) for complete details.

I offer Arizonans the opportunity to breath a collective sigh of relief and to renew an optimistic view of our future.  I am confident that my administration will immediately restore confidence in our state government, stop these devastating boycotts, remove the stain of racism this temporary Governor has rained down on us all and to make us the envy of America.

If elected, what is your first priority?

Eliminating the personal income, property and death taxes to, as Nancy Pelosi said (of course she was talking about 'temporary' money [extension of the unemployment benefits...after the administration takes its bite out of it], "Spending money in the pockets of the average Citizen will do more to stimulate the economy than any government initiative." (paraphrased in context) I believe such a move will not only restore some confidence in government [sorely lacking now], but will quickly and efficiently stimulate the economy in sectors the government could never hope to reach.  At the same time, I hope to eliminate all corporate taxes and leave only a simple, 4 percent corporate veil access fee on the gross receipts of every corporation without exception or deduction.  This is tied to also removing most of the regulations that are currently strangling new, private enterprise.  It's all about the money and jobs because without people working, there is no money to fund anything else...at all.

Who do you think is your biggest challenger and why?

The media and its miss-portrayal of SB1070.  If people would simply read its language (or listen to the complete audio explanation by Ernest Hancock—on our campaign website www.HessForGovernor.com) they would know that it has absolutely nothing to do with immigration or stopping illegal crossings.  It just puts all of us on a national data register destroying any notion of personal privacy.  SB1070 is a con job by the temporary governor’s trainers for her to hide behind for lack of any other accomplishment in 21 months on the job.  Thanks to the government schools, she’s gotten away with it, and $1.7 million she took from taxpayers to fund her “from a distance” campaign.

What do you think sets you apart from your opponent(s)?

What sets me apart is simple.  As the economic and regulatory ship of state sinks, I want to save the people; they want to save the boat.  The government administration is more important to them and their hold on power than protecting the people and their property. 

At the same time another distinction I have is in regard to the destructive Republican-Democrat polarization that keeps our government from making any progress on the People’s behalf.  I am the only person who is in position to become the next Governor who can take good ideas from either side of the aisle without fear of political repercussion or reprisal.  That’s important, because I literally can get along with all of them.  No one else can say that.

What would you do to achieve more transparency in government, and should government officials be in charge of managing those efforts?

I will open your government up to ALL.  Its transparency should be such that when you look at out government you can see out the other side.  No, government should not be ‘in charge’ of it, but they should be responsible for its being done.

Public notices are regarded as one important way for the public to find out what is really happening in government. Newspapers currently not only print public notices but also operate a free, consolidated, online, searchable database. Some people advocate that public notices should be available only on government websites. Do you agree that the Legislature should change the current law to mandate that public notices be available only on government websites?

I believe that “Public Notices” need to be “Public” in every sense of the word, on any and every private website of any and everyone who wants to put them up, but at the same time I also believe that the Notices need to be mandated to be available on government websites as an ‘official’ reference (not necessarily as an “end all” verification.).  Simply put, I believe ‘Public’ means public, without reservation or restriction.  I would relish the opportunity to veto such a proposed law change as to restrict availability to government websites.

What do you think is the biggest challenge right now facing Yumans, and Arizonans?

The economy, putting Arizonans back to work ( I literally have the ONLY plan that will do that—it’s on my website (www.HessForGovernor.com).

What would you do, if elected, to help change that?

I will adhere to the dictates of our constitution and bring real ideas, not just more of the same that the Republican/Democrats offer.  Absolutely nothing will change with the same people in office.  If we keep electing our representatives from the same old inbred political gene pool we’re going to have to change the state anthem to “Dueling Banjos.”

What is one of your strengths?

I am irresistibly persistent.  I stay focused on objectives and principles and am not easily distracted from the task at hand.  I am always more interested in fixing problems and alleviating suffering, than on fixing blame. 

Weaknesses (something you’d like to improve upon)?

When it comes to politics, I tend to be a little, uh direct.  Just the same, I made a decision when I got into politics that I would rather a person thought me rude, than a liar. 

What is one thing that you want voters to know?

That I truly am, “one of their own” -- I’m on their side and I know in almost every case that the best way government can help those who are hurting -- is to stop hurting them!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We stand on the brink of history, a true turning point that will have implications and ramifications that will chart the course of what was once a free Arizona Republic and,   “America,” forever.  I hope they will join me in living up to our responsibilities as parents, friends and community members to preserving the only legacy of any value that we might leave the next generation -- that of their birthright of individual freedom and liberty.