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| Maryland Libertarian Governor Candidate, Shawn Quinn (Left) with 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate, Gary Johnson (Right) |
A very big thank you to Shawn for participating in this interview so close to election time.
DM: Thank you Mr.
Quinn for taking the time during your very busy schedule to agree to another
interview so close to Election Day, November 4th. We have seen the frustration of Maryland
voters over the last couple of months expressing their frustration on the
candidate selection given by the Democrats and Republicans. How do you feel this will affect the election
on Tuesday?
SQ: David, there is really no way to know what voters will end up doing once they are face to face with the voting machine. The two parties have been ruling with fear tactics for a long time. If I had a dime for every time I have heard that we must vote for the lesser of two evils or that somehow Hogan owns republican votes and I am stealing them. Their nonsense just never stops. I personally don’t think anything will change if Brown or Hogan should win this election. I continue to be the only candidate that is talking issues with a plan. I continue to be the only candidate giving honest answers and putting the people first. I guess we will all find out two things on Tuesday; will people come out to vote in force, and have people truly had enough of the crap we have been getting from two party corporate crones.
DM: As stated in my last interview with your running mate for Lt. Governor, Lorenzo Gaztanaga, you have the only party platform in Maryland that will support the full legalization of Marijuana, at a low state tax. Can you stress again how this will benefit Maryland in revenue, combat the black market, help those with marijuana related records get back into the work force, and many of the other points?
SQ: Let’s hit these one at a time. Revenue has been proven by the two states that have already legalized Marijuana. I want to take that revenue and use it to fight addiction. Addiction is really the big problem. Of course if we keep using jails to combat addiction we are not even in the fight.
SQ: David, there is really no way to know what voters will end up doing once they are face to face with the voting machine. The two parties have been ruling with fear tactics for a long time. If I had a dime for every time I have heard that we must vote for the lesser of two evils or that somehow Hogan owns republican votes and I am stealing them. Their nonsense just never stops. I personally don’t think anything will change if Brown or Hogan should win this election. I continue to be the only candidate that is talking issues with a plan. I continue to be the only candidate giving honest answers and putting the people first. I guess we will all find out two things on Tuesday; will people come out to vote in force, and have people truly had enough of the crap we have been getting from two party corporate crones.
DM: As stated in my last interview with your running mate for Lt. Governor, Lorenzo Gaztanaga, you have the only party platform in Maryland that will support the full legalization of Marijuana, at a low state tax. Can you stress again how this will benefit Maryland in revenue, combat the black market, help those with marijuana related records get back into the work force, and many of the other points?
SQ: Let’s hit these one at a time. Revenue has been proven by the two states that have already legalized Marijuana. I want to take that revenue and use it to fight addiction. Addiction is really the big problem. Of course if we keep using jails to combat addiction we are not even in the fight.
Combat the black market: Human nature is that some folks
will always try to profit by giving people things that the government decides
should be against the law. By legalizing and keeping the tax low, we will take
in revenue without making it easy for those folks to undercut prices and create
a black market.
Felony charges: This is the greatest insult to our African
American community. They are the target of most non-violent, drug arrest. We
fill our jails up with these folks for years, where we teach them to become
criminals. Is it surprising that these folks can’t get a living wage job when
they are released? I will work to get
these non-violent folks out of the jails and clean up their records so they
will have a chance to make a living. Getting these folks out of our jails will
free up major assets in revenue.
DM: During our last interview, you had stated your intentions to revise and cut Many of Maryland’s taxes and regulations. Can you also elaborate again your stance on the Second Amendment for Maryland and your plan with taxes, such as cutting the State Tax to 3%?
SQ: I think I have made it pretty clear that by cutting the sales tax to 3%, we keep citizens shopping in Maryland and we put an average of $3,000.00 a year back in the pockets of the working poor and those in poverty. We will need to get term limits put in place and end the pension system for elected office holders. This will offset lost revenue from lowering the sales tax.
DM: During our last interview, you had stated your intentions to revise and cut Many of Maryland’s taxes and regulations. Can you also elaborate again your stance on the Second Amendment for Maryland and your plan with taxes, such as cutting the State Tax to 3%?
SQ: I think I have made it pretty clear that by cutting the sales tax to 3%, we keep citizens shopping in Maryland and we put an average of $3,000.00 a year back in the pockets of the working poor and those in poverty. We will need to get term limits put in place and end the pension system for elected office holders. This will offset lost revenue from lowering the sales tax.
The second Amendment is just one of many rights we have as
citizens. It amazes me that so called 2nd Amendment defenders throw their money
at candidates who want to take away their 2A rights. I am the only candidate
running who is pro bill of rights and would fix the permit issue. I am the only
candidate that is willing to try and repeal SB-281. I have to think these
organizations are trying to keep this a problem to steal money from their
members. The NRA did not even respond to the many e-mails I sent them. I was
not even permitted to have their questionnaire to be rated.
DM: A lot of your campaign has been a in your face, one vote at a time approach versus high cost commercials and famous endorsements. Do you feel your hands on approach, is more effective on a personal level to gaining voter’s confidence and vote?
SQ: Look David, I would love to put out a couple of closed caption commerce’s. People watch TV and it reaches a lot of folks. With that said, I know people are hurting. I chose not to do fund raisers because of that. I have told people if they wanted to donate, that $5.00 was plenty. I also made a point of going to every event that I could. This wasn’t always easy and some days I did 3 or 4 events. I left my parties national convention to make an event in Frederick. I traveled many miles so I could attend a civil rights march. I showed up in Annapolis for gerrymandering event. I showed up in Howard County for an addiction awareness event. I have had my head shaved for cancer and addressed high schools and colleges. We have been to over 100 events since January. I wanted people to understand that I will be there for them. They are the ones who are important. So yes, more money for TV would have been nice; but I would not trade that for one single person that I was able to meet and talk too. TV may be more effective, but I am much more blessed and have a far better understanding of what is happening in Maryland. I will leave it to the citizens for where they want to place their confidence.
DM: Leo Wayne Dymowski, the Libertarian candidate for Attorney General of Maryland has been gaining a lot of momentum in Eastern Maryland. We have seen you co-headline events with him during this campaign run. Do you have any plans upon being elected by working together to help improve Maryland together?
SQ: Mr. Dymowski and I have not sat down and made a plan. We do see a lot of things eye to eye. I will work with anyone who wants to make a better Maryland. I think Leo Dymowski will be a great Attorney General. I cannot see any reason why we would not work together.
DM: A lot of your campaign has been a in your face, one vote at a time approach versus high cost commercials and famous endorsements. Do you feel your hands on approach, is more effective on a personal level to gaining voter’s confidence and vote?
SQ: Look David, I would love to put out a couple of closed caption commerce’s. People watch TV and it reaches a lot of folks. With that said, I know people are hurting. I chose not to do fund raisers because of that. I have told people if they wanted to donate, that $5.00 was plenty. I also made a point of going to every event that I could. This wasn’t always easy and some days I did 3 or 4 events. I left my parties national convention to make an event in Frederick. I traveled many miles so I could attend a civil rights march. I showed up in Annapolis for gerrymandering event. I showed up in Howard County for an addiction awareness event. I have had my head shaved for cancer and addressed high schools and colleges. We have been to over 100 events since January. I wanted people to understand that I will be there for them. They are the ones who are important. So yes, more money for TV would have been nice; but I would not trade that for one single person that I was able to meet and talk too. TV may be more effective, but I am much more blessed and have a far better understanding of what is happening in Maryland. I will leave it to the citizens for where they want to place their confidence.
DM: Leo Wayne Dymowski, the Libertarian candidate for Attorney General of Maryland has been gaining a lot of momentum in Eastern Maryland. We have seen you co-headline events with him during this campaign run. Do you have any plans upon being elected by working together to help improve Maryland together?
SQ: Mr. Dymowski and I have not sat down and made a plan. We do see a lot of things eye to eye. I will work with anyone who wants to make a better Maryland. I think Leo Dymowski will be a great Attorney General. I cannot see any reason why we would not work together.
DM: Many Maryland voters feel that their vote is not being heard during this election. What are the numbers needed to ensure a Libertarian winning for Governor?
SQ: Here is a simple truth. If you feel you are not being heard, vote Libertarian on the 4th. You will turn more than just heads in Maryland. I think if we take 35 percent, we will be taking office in January. The people have the power to make this happen or they can simply vote for more of the same and stop complaining. You can’t ask to be heard and then vote for the folks who are not listening.
DM: Now that we are so close to the election, has any of your stances changed for your platform, or can you confidently say that you have been consistent and honest to the citizens of Maryland since the start of your campaign run?
SQ: David, I can say for a fact that I have always given honest answers to everyone. I have also made it clear that we are not going to lock into one course of action. When something is not working we will adjust. I also have strongly advocated that citizens must stay involved after the election. I will have an open door period every day for citizens. I can say that I have become open to bike paths after going to the disabilities forum. We must be open to talking and learning from each other.
DM: Shawn, I want to thank you again for taking the time for this interview. In closing, what would you like to let Maryland voters know as this may be your final interview in Western Maryland before Tuesday? What are your final thoughts for voters who are still on the fence voting for Shawn Quinn as Maryland’s next Governor?
SQ: As I do this interview I am making a trip across Maryland. I did the eastern shore on Saturday. Tomorrow morning, we will go west and south. I have tried to meet as many people as possible. Although I did find it insulting and un-American being kept out of the debates considering that I have been on the ballot since January. I would think the citizens should be even more insulted. Just more of the two party agenda controlling what they allow you to hear. If you think I have earned a chance to work for you, please step up and vote for me. I know how hard it is to do something new and untested. I have spent a life time doing it, and I have always landed on my feet. Most times it was grand, sometimes it was a lesson, every time it was worth it. This is supposed to be your government. I will see that it is yours once again. Power to the people, because it has to be about people.
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Photo courtesy of citizen4quinn.org.
Photo courtesy of citizen4quinn.org.
