David Larsen for Congress

In a recent no-holds-barred interview with New Jersey political bloggers, Dave Larsen was asked to respond to a number of tough questions.

You are asking people to go out and vote for you in the Republican primary and yet you have often skipped voting in the Republican primary. Why?
Several reasons: in many primary contests, there was no real choice.  In others, people were running unchallenged.  When there was a choice, either there was little difference between the candidates or none of the candidates adequately reflected my views.

In this primary there is a clear and unmistakable difference: I am a Reagan Republican who believes in smaller government, lower taxes and the power of individual liberty in a free market. Mr. Lance's record in Congress indicates that he believes in none of these things.

How do you answer reports that you failed to pay taxes on your own home?
Larsen: First of all, the question assumes something that isn't true. Like many other Americans, I was not immune to the recession; I was faced with a short term cash-flow squeeze and decided the best course of action would be to delay my $40,000 annual property tax payment in order to make sure I could fulfill my obligations to the people and their families who depended upon me the most. I did not fail to pay my taxes - in fact, I have always paid my taxes and my property taxes are paid in full with interest. 

As a gentleman farmer, have you ever taken subsidies from the state or the federal government?
Larsen: If by "subsidies" you mean a check from New Jersey or from Uncle Sam, then the answer is no.

But you received a subsidy for farmland you own. How do you reconcile that with your claim to be a fiscal conservative?
Larsen: The so-called 'farm subsidy' is in reality a reduction of the taxes levied on undeveloped, working farmland and is offered by New Jersey to incentivize property owners and farmers to keep undeveloped land open and free from suburban sprawl. If anything, it contributes to a 'greener' New Jersey. Functionally, this tax code feature is no different than the deduction for mortgage interest payments available to homeowners when they file their IRS 1040."

How do you reconcile your opposition to the Stimulus Bill with the fact that your company offers a federal government rebate of up to 30% on purchase of an energy saving product?
Larsen: The federal tax credit offered for the purchase of energy-saving windows and doors isn't any different in principle from the credit homeowners can take for their property taxes. I am in a competitive business.  If I do not offer the same cost savings to my customers as other companies, I would quickly be out of business, not a good thing in an economy where jobs are already scarce."

Do you favor a flat tax or the so-called Fair Tax?
Larsen: Both systems have some very good features and would be a vast improvement over the monstrosity of a tax system we currently have. However, everything is dependent on the rates applied. If the rates are low, either system would work; too high and neither system will work. In order to get the rates as low as possible we need to significantly cut government spending. We need to return government to only those core functions enumerated in the Constitution.

In a nutshell, what is wrong with our economy and what would you like to see done to fix it?
Larsen: Unfortunately, the Obama administration labors under the delusion that higher taxes and more government spending and regulation will make us prosperous again and that just isn't true. No nation in history ever taxed and spent itself into prosperity. Were it up to me, I'd follow the example set by Ronald Reagan: cut taxes, reduce the size and scope of the federal government and leave the free market alone.

Are you pro-life? If so, do you believe your position will affect your electability in the 7th district?
Larsen: I believe in the sanctity of innocent human life from conception until natural death. As for electability, I don't think it will be an issue. Governor Christie ran as a pro-life candidate and defeated Democrat Jon Corzine. Besides, this year most people are focused on the economy and few will be thinking about the abortion issue. My attention should be directed to working with other Republicans in the Congress to get this economy back on its feet and to get people back to work.

Would you support federal legislation or a Constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman?
Larsen: I'm not sure the definition of marriage is something Congress is empowered to legislate, although I would support amending the Constitution to that effect.  

Are you willing to repeal Cap & Trade if it passes?
Larsen: Cap & Trade is based on highly questionable science and ignores the reality of the marketplace. If enacted, it will substantially harm any chance this nation has for an economic recovery and I will sponsor or support legislation that repeals it.

If Cap & Trade is defeated and the EPA acts unilaterally to control carbon emissions by controlling businesses, what will be your response?
Larsen: Carbon dioxide is essential to all life on earth. If elected to Congress I  will sponsor or support legislation that would both prohibit the EPA from classifying carbon dioxide as a pollutant and restrict the authority of the EPA to regulate the emission of carbon into the atmosphere by energy producers and other businesses.

In light of the recent Gulf Coast oil rig disaster, are you still a proponent of offshore drilling?
Larsen: Yes. LookÖthe BP accident was spectacularly unfortunate but it was the only such occurrence in our offshore waters in the past 40 years. Imagine if we stopped flying after a plane crash occurred or shut down the shuttle program after the Challenger disaster. When terrible accidents occur, we investigate, learn what went wrong, make necessary changes and move on. It is because of this methodology that industry has given us an ever better quality of life.  

Do you support the "No Child Left Behind" policy of the Bush administration?
Larsen: The 'No Child Left Behind Act' is a perfect example of good intentions that had terrible unintended consequences. A lot of taxpayer money was wasted and the quality of children's education got worse, not better. I believe this act should be repealed and the matter of educating children left to the states where it belongs.

Which Congressmen would you choose to caucus with as your mentors?
Larsen: Scott Garrett and Randy Forbes come immediately to mind. I admire their strong conservatism and believe I would benefit greatly from their experience and counsel.

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