Interview with Andie Brownlow [andiebrownlow] on Whohub

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What is your specialty? What subjects do you deal with?

Politics and Economic issues.

In which media do you presently work or have you worked?

Independent Journalist at:

American Thinker - Contributor
Pajamas Media - Contributor
Examiner.com - Columnist: Raleigh Conservative Examiner

Please list a web address where where one can view an example of your work.

News: Events reported with no bias.
Commentary: News reported with bias.

Much of what passes for mainstream news should be considered commentary.

To you, what is objectivity?

The ability to glean truth from all sides of an issue.

What is the best headline you have ever read?

The one from my first published article.

What headline would you like to see printed one day in the newspaper?

The World Returns to Common Sense

Which paper do you buy on Sundays? Where do you read it?

I don't regularly buy newspapers.

How do you define your political position? What is the ideology that inspires it?

Libertarian conservatism.

The ideologies that most influence my political position are: Classical Liberalism & Judeo-Christian philosophy

Influential People: Adam Smith, John Locke, Friedrick von Hayek, Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell

What matters more in deciding your vote: the party, the candidate, or the ideas?

1) Ideas
2) Character of the candidate
3) Corruption level of the party

Do you think religion has a place in politics?

No. But it's imperative to the success of a nation for its citizens to freely choose to be religious and moral people in their own lives.

Are high abstention levels a serious problem for democracies?

Yes and no.

For those who don't engage in the process because they are disinterested, high abstention levels are not a problem.

However, abstention is a problem when those who make an effort to be informed about issues are discouraged from voting because of the high corruption of politics.

This is because voters who make the effort to be informed about issues shouldn't have their vote negated by someone who won't. Uninformed voters are more inclined to vote for redistribution of wealth policies that don't consider the economic repercussions of destroying that nation's work ethic.

Should parties that want to eliminate democracy be allowed to participate in democratic elections?

Yes. It's up to the citizens to decide what kind of government they want.

"People will always get the government they deserve."

Are Right and Left obsolete concepts?

No.
Left and Right determine the size of government.

Extreme Left: Totalitarian (oppressively large government) /Extreme Right: Anarchy (no government, chaos & lawlessness)

As long governments exist there will always be a spectrum of Left and a Right to bracket our politics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXTiMLSYXF0

Why does hunger continue to exist in the world? Is this the result of a deliberate policy?

Hunger exists because dictators deny their people the basic human right to improve their economic lot in life.

Stalin starved millions of Russian farmers to force them to give up their farmland for the communist cause. He would not allow those who refused to have their property rights taken away to produce food for themselves and their family.

People are starving in Africa for similar reasons: because dictators use the power to starve and kill politically dissident factions of their own people. (Rwanda, for example.)

Monarchs, dictators and communists use totalitarian (total control) governments to suppress dissent and control the masses. Unfortunately the easiest way to do that is through controlling the food supply.

What type of information should a government be able to legally maintain on about its citizens?

It depends on the form and of level of government and its constitution (if applicable).

In America, the federal government is required by the Constitution to collect census information for the purpose of determining population size and congressional representation. States can collect whatever information is gathered by the consent of the governed according to their own constitutions.

So, ideally it should be the information approved of by its citizens.

What political figures in recent history do you admire most?

Ronald Reagan & Ron Paul.

Two-party systems are on the rise: is this good for politics?

Not for the long term, but it's the best we've got so far. That's not to say it can't be improved.

I wrote an article in 2009 about this issue. I'll link it because it's not a cut and dry answer.
http://www.andiebrownlow.com/blog/122909.html

Should any territory have the right of self-determination if a majority of the population votes in favour of doing so?

Only if the nation is purely a democracy...(which has proven not to be an effective form of government.)

Since most nations are republics you have to look at their constitution and/or laws to determine the citizens' recourse for disbanding or detaching from their government.

Otherwise, the people must decide whether to take their chances with insurrection and risk undermining the legitimacy of law under their new government.

It's not a question that one should take lightly and give a yes or no answer. The success of a nation and the happiness of its citizens comes from the reliability, fairness and power of law. It's not good to undermine law, especially when it comes from the consent of the governed.

Does a state have the right to attack or intervene in another country that has not attacked said state, if the country has committed grave injustices or crimes against humanity?

The state does not have the "right" to do so, but that's not saying they shouldn't or can't.

The state must weigh the consequences of their decision against the will of its own people, their cultural morality and any political alliances and obligations that may affect the decision.

The nation could covertly help the oppressed by supplying them with the tools for their own defense. But, that's not without consequence either.

Are we witnessing the end of the American empire?

No, rather a return to ideals at its inception.

Why did the economies of communist countries fail?

It can't compete with capitalism.

Capitalism simply means all aspects of commerce are decided by individuals.

You want to be a baker? Go for it, and keep your profits. If you get greedy, the free markets of capitalism ensure your competition (who has lower prices) will get more of your customers. The consumer gets better deals when more people are in business to compete.

Conversely, communism makes all commerce decisions via the government. Too bad for you if you want to be a baker under this system. If the government is selling donuts at a price higher than what's fair, you can't start a business to compete with them. And the donut eaters suffer high prices while you stay out of business (and broke).

Communism is basically a closed political and economic system that can actually exist within free society. But in that free society, the vast majority choose not to sacrifice personal, political and economic freedom to live under it. That's way communism is a subversive ideology that seeks to destroy capitalism, it's competition.

What is nationalism?

Devotion to your country.

Historically it can be a good thing (the American Revolution),
or a bad thing (Fascist policies of the 1930s).

Depends on the context and political climate.

Do you actively or economically collaborate with any social organization, NGO, etc.?

Do you believe in any of the conspiracy theories regarding 9-11?

Are there peoples more civilized than others? Or is it merely a question of cultural differences?

Respect for human rights and the sovereignty of other nations seem to be universal standards for civility. So, having standards must imply some cultures are more "civilized" than others.

Are there too many taxes?

Probably, but the better question is "Are people being taxed too much?"

You can be affected by 1000 different taxes and only pay 2% of your income. Or... you can be taxed just once for 99% of your income. It's relative.

The total amount of tax should be about 10% of someone's income. No taxes outside that amount.

If it's enough for God, it should be enough for government.

Do you believe in affirmative action?

Does globalisation help in the development of the world's poorest countries, or does it perpetuate conditions of exploitation?

It helps only if the poor nations are free societies and individuals can engage in capitalism to negotiate better deals for themselves and their businesses. Unfortunately most poor nations are not free societies.

If the citizens can look out for their own economic interests and preserve their lands through private property, then globalization and economies of scale can be beneficial for all people.

The best way to end poverty is to give citizens the economic right to leave their condition.

Should a maximum limit of permissible personal fortune exist; and thereby, place limits on individual wealth?

Absolutely not!

Economies are not zero-sum; they grow and shrink.

Making a buck doesn't take it from someone else. But TAKING someone's buck will remove their motivation to make another one.

Do you defend the ecotaxes?

No,

But used specifically and in moderation, they are an effective way to control negative externalities.

Should consensual offenses such as drug use or prostitution be legalized?

Ideally yes, but our society isn't mature enough to decide they shouldn't get involved with prostitutes or drugs.

So, I'm ok with local laws prohibiting such action, especially if not doing so will be detrimental to their community.

Are you pro-choice or pro-life?

Are you in favor of or against the death penalty?

Should homosexual couples have the same right to adopt as heterosexual couples?

Pets, yes.

Children, no.

Kids need a father and a mother.

Do you believe that the world crisis can bring positive changes to social values?

No, but I believe people can.

What significant changes do you think Obama can bring about along his presidential term?

Galvanizing the People against socialism.

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