#801 - Gary Johnson
NaN minutesEpisode #801
Gary Johnson is the Honorary Chairman of the Our America Initiative, two-term Governor of New Mexico, and 2016 Libertarian candidate for President.
Episode Timestamps
Joe Rogan Interviews Gary Johnson: The Libertarian Perspective on America's Political Landscape
- Gary Johnson discusses the polarization in American politics, focusing on Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
- Johnson highlights the rise of independent voters and the perceived inefficacy of the two-party system.
- He emphasizes the Libertarian Party as a viable alternative for a majority of voters who identify as independent.
The Rigged Game of Presidential Debates: Insights from Gary Johnson on Inclusion and Representation
- Johnson critiques the Commission for Presidential Debates and its exclusion of third-party candidates like himself.
- He shares his belief that achieving a spot in the debates is essential for any candidate's success.
- The discussion reveals the historical context of debate access, referencing Ross Perot's impact on modern politics.
Gary Johnson Reflects on Libertarianism and Political Polarization in the U.S.
- Gary Johnson identifies as a libertarian and discusses the origins of the Libertarian Party established in 1971.
- He highlights a common sentiment among voters where the libertarian viewpoint wins debates but struggles to gain electoral support.
- Johnson argues that the current political system is too polarized, limiting voters to only two choices and stifling meaningful third-party options.
Gary Johnson's Controversial Welfare Reform Experience in New Mexico
- Johnson implemented a welfare reform that encouraged work by allowing recipients to earn income without losing benefits.
- His executive order was ruled unconstitutional by the New Mexico Supreme Court despite its effectiveness in reducing unemployment.
- He emphasizes the need for legislative support to back effective reforms instead of relying solely on executive actions.
Governor Gary Johnson's Healthcare Innovation in New Mexico: A Bold Solution to Welfare
- Gary Johnson, former Republican governor of New Mexico, proposed giving welfare recipients a health insurance policy similar to his own.
- This shift from a fee-for-service model to a managed care model resulted in a 20% savings in healthcare costs.
- Johnson argues for devolving Medicaid and Medicare to the states to foster innovation and cost-control solutions.
The Impact of Marijuana Legalization: Lessons from Colorado and Washington State
- Colorado's legalization of marijuana has generated significant tax revenue, outperforming alcohol for the first time.
- In contrast, Washington State's high taxation on marijuana has sustained a robust black market.
- Johnson emphasizes the need for common-sense regulations, including home-growing, to optimize benefits of legalization.
Gary Johnson on America's Drug War and Prison Industrial Complex
- Discussion on the impact of the drug war on racial tensions and civil rights, initiated during the Nixon administration.
- Gary Johnson emphasizes the adverse effects of immigration policies and the cultural misconceptions surrounding immigrants.
- Highlights the role of prison unions in opposing legalization of marijuana and their influence on maintaining high incarceration rates.
Gary Johnson Critiques Federal Involvement in Education and LGBTQ+ Issues
- Criticism of the federal government’s requirements in education funding related to transgender rights.
- Gary Johnson debates the necessity and implications of federal oversight in state education policies.
- Controversy over North Carolina's legislation regarding bathroom access based on gender identity, and Johnson's stance on vetoing similar laws.
Bruce Springsteen's Boycott: The Debate Over Transgender Bathroom Laws
- Discussion on the need for transgender individuals to change their birth certificate to use the appropriate bathroom.
- Bruce Springsteen's boycott of North Carolina highlights the controversy surrounding discrimination against transgender people.
- Participants argue about the effectiveness of governmental involvement versus grassroots action in resolving the issue.
Cultural Differences: Gender Norms in America vs. Europe
- Examination of the low percentage of transgender individuals in society relative to the laws being debated.
- Comparison of segregation in American bathrooms with open shower practices in European recreational facilities.
- Discussion about the cultural challenges and potential shifts required to accommodate transgender individuals in public spaces.
Gary Johnson's Controversial Call for Drug Legalization and Term Limits
- Gary Johnson argues there are cultural differences in alcohol consumption and regulation between the United States and Europe.
- He advocates for term limits in politics, believing this would encourage politicians to focus on doing what’s right rather than maintaining power.
- Johnson shares insights from his experience as governor, highlighting the necessity to re-evaluate drug policies, particularly focusing on marijuana and the impacts of prohibition.
Gary Johnson on the Benefits of Marijuana Legalization and Longstanding Prohibition Effect
- Johnson discusses the positive societal impacts of marijuana legalization in Colorado, including lower crime rates and traffic incidents.
- He highlights the long history of hemp prohibition, linking it to corporate greed rather than public safety.
- Despite being a longstanding advocate for marijuana legalization, Johnson notes the slow progress in changing public and political views despite increasing support among Americans.
Gary Johnson's Vision: The Dilemmas of a Benevolent Dictatorship in Modern Governance
- Gary Johnson discusses the risks politicians face in taking controversial stands and the temptation to prioritize job security over doing what is right.
- He proposes a theoretical model of governance involving a benevolent dictator to fix systemic issues, though acknowledges the challenges in finding such a leader.
- Johnson critiques the current state of the government, emphasizing the need to minimize bureaucratic growth and restore liberty and freedom for citizens.
Government Waste and Corruption: Insights from Gary Johnson's Governance Experience
- Johnson shares his experiences as the Governor of New Mexico, revealing how he managed to reduce the number of state employees without layoffs, focusing on fiscal responsibility.
- He expresses outrage at the misuse of agencies like Homeland Security for trivial pursuits instead of their intended purpose, advocating for their structural reform.
- He emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in government spending, citing the Marine One helicopter contract as an example of mismanagement and waste.
Gary Johnson's Vision for Presidential Transparency and Travel Reform
- Gary Johnson criticizes the isolated and extravagant travel of U.S. presidents, questioning the necessity of Air Force One.
- He outlines a hypothetical approach to handling crises like the Flint water disaster, promising immediate action and open communication.
- Johnson emphasizes the need for a more inclusive electoral process that allows third-party candidates like himself into presidential debates.
Handling Whistleblowers: Gary Johnson on Edward Snowden and Julian Assange
- Johnson discusses his approach to whistleblowers, advocating for a pardon for Edward Snowden, who revealed Mass Surveillance practices.
- He highlights the importance of transparency and correcting government overreach, particularly in regards to privacy violations.
- The conversation critiques how the NSA portrays whistleblowers and emphasizes the need for a new narrative acknowledging systemic failures.
Bill Binney Reveals NSA's 1984 Surveillance Tactics and Whistleblower Challenges
- Bill Binney, the original NSA whistleblower, discusses the extensive government surveillance programs that began in the early 2000s.
- The conversation touches on the Orwellian implications of the NSA's operations and the lack of due process involved in mass data collection.
- Criticism is directed towards former President Obama’s administration for its harsh treatment of whistleblowers compared to the Bush administration.
Rethinking National Defense: The Need for Congressional Oversight in Military Actions
- Concerns are raised regarding the unchecked military actions taken by the President without Congressional approval, likening it to a dictatorial approach.
- The discussion emphasizes the importance of establishing a transparent process for military engagements and national defense.
- Potential strategies for dealing with North Korea's threats and the role of China in stabilizing relations in the region are also explored.
Examining John Kerry's Iran Treaty: A Misguided Approach to Terrorism Funding
- Discussion on the impact of North Korea's dire state and the need for a partnership with China.
- Critique of the U.S. military spending and its intended role in global security.
- Concerns raised about the Iran nuclear agreement and the potential for terrorism funding as acknowledged by Secretary John Kerry.
The Consequences of U.S. Military Interventions: Lessons from Iraq and Iran
- Analysis of the unintended consequences of the Iraq war leading to an empowered Iran.
- Debate on how U.S. interventions may inadvertently contribute to terrorism funding.
- Discussion on modern military tactics and their effectiveness against groups like ISIS and ISIL.
Gary Johnson's Skepticism on Obama’s Syria Intervention Plan
- Gary Johnson questions the effectiveness of U.S. intervention policies in Syria under Obama.
- Highlights public outrage during Obama's proposal for military intervention in Syria amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
- Reflects on the motivations and complexities behind U.S. foreign policy decisions and the influence of political figures like McCain and Graham.
Eliminating Taxes: Gary Johnson’s Radical Proposal to Revamp U.S. Tax Policy
- Gary Johnson advocates for eliminating income and corporate taxes in favor of a federal consumption tax.
- Argues that this shift could lead to job creation and reduce the influence of lobbyists in Washington.
- Explains the mechanics of a consumption tax and insists it could be revenue neutral while simplifying tax compliance.
Gary Johnson Proposes Radical Tax Reform to Eliminate the IRS
- Gary Johnson discusses replacing complex tax systems with a federal consumption tax that would eliminate the IRS.
- He argues that a zero corporate tax rate would stimulate job creation and attract companies back to the U.S.
- Concerns are raised about the impact on IRS employees and the lobbyist pressure to maintain the status quo.
Gary Johnson Challenges Campaign Finance and Corporate Influence in Politics
- Johnson advocates for transparency in campaign contributions and critiques super PACs for their non-transparency.
- He shares anecdotes from his governorship to demonstrate the influence of campaign donations and the potential for corruption.
- Johnson compares the influence of one large contributor to multiple smaller donors, arguing the former can be less corrupting.
Gary Johnson's Unique Campaign Strategies and Political Aspirations
- Gary Johnson emphasizes the influence of wealthy supporters in politics, expressing concern over their power and motivations.
- He discusses his experience financing his own campaign for governor of New Mexico, citing a sense of high calling in politics.
- Johnson highlights his dual approach as both fiscally conservative and socially liberal, seeking to improve government with unique perspectives.
Gary Johnson's Vision for Transparency in Politics and Government
- Johnson calls for transparency in political donations, questioning the morality of corporate influence allowed by the Supreme Court.
- He presents himself as a candidate representing 25 million people, sharing insights on his governing experience and principles.
- The conversation concludes with Johnson advocating for his presence in presidential debates to raise awareness of his platform and issues.