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Interview with Mike Yost, conservative republican for U.S. Congress
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As a conservative Republican from a heavily Democratic district, candidate Mike Yost believes that he has a good chance of being elected to the U.S. Congress due to widespread voter discontent with the economy and unemployment.
Yost aspires to represent Florida's 3rd Congressional District, a ridiculously meandering area that, when viewed on a map, looks like a winding river or a side-winder snake. The district has been heavily gerrymandered to favor the election of African-American Democrats. But this year may represent an opportunity for a conservative non-African American to win.
But first, let's get to know Mr. Yost.
Yost likes to consider himself as 'Mike the Mechanic,' named after 'Joe the Plumber'--an average citizen who risked his entire meager savings to go into business for himself. But let's let Mike tell you in his own words in the following exclusive Columbia Conservative Examiner interview.
Examiner: Tell us a bit about your background so that our readers can get to know you better.
Yost: I was born, raised, and educated in the small town of Bluefield, Virginia and like most small town Americans, learned the values of hard work, education, and life being what you make it. I graduated from Graham High School, Bluefield, Va. in 1972 and attended Bluefield State College for a few years majoring in Biology and Chemistry. I had worked in my Grandfathers Auto Dealership since I was 12, and loved being around cars, working on them and being someone who could do that. I also spent a few years in the underground coal mines as a Certified Mine Electrician and worked into management as a Maintenance Coordinator for Jewel Ridge Coal Company. Due to a layoff, the mines I worked at closed. I left there and sold insurance for 9 years representing the nations largest Health Insurer which also had Life, and Property and Casualty personal lines I sold as well. I also held a Series 6 Mutual funds and Variable annuity license during that time. From there, I re-entered the Auto industry as that is where the most satisfaction I ever experienced came from. I opened my own business back in my hometown until the City of Bluefield, WV (yes, a sister city across the state line), raised the tax rates to the point I couldn't survive, pay the bills, meet the payroll, and comply with all the regulations and requirements that were increasing almost daily. Needless to say, there was nothing left for me.
I had lived in Florida back in the late 80's and early 90's (after I left the Insurance industry) and when I moved back home the first time, it was then I opened my own business. I left the Virginia area the second time, 3 years ago, seeking better opportunity and found it with Garber Ford-Mercury in Green Cove Springs, Fl. I live in Jacksonville,Fl and I am engaged to Debra Youmans with a fall wedding planned.
My mother and dad are both living and in good health and I consider that a blessing. My Grandfather had a tremendous influence on my life as he, too, was a mechanic by trade and a businessman by desire. He taught me the value of hard work, responsibility and respect for other people. His life was from the Depression era, and the Conservative way he lived, you would never thought he was indeed a millionaire before his retirement. Most importantly, he taught me to fish, something every child deserves to learn as it teaches patience and a love of God's beauty you can only experience face to face.
Examiner: What would you consider to be your basic political philosophy?
Yost: I consider myself a Conservative Republican, mainly what people considered a "Reagan Republican" and believe that the foundational principles of smaller government, fiscal discipline and less spending, individual and personal freedom and liberty, and putting more money in peoples pockets by reducing regulations and taxes will bring America back from the brink of the Liberal nightmare we are experiencing today.
Examiner: What would you identify as the one main motivating factor in causing you to decide to run for the U.S. House of Representatives?
Yost: I see people everyday that are hurting financially. I live what they are living with lost jobs, reduced hours, and rising prices.; I see a government that is totally out of control spending wise and a bankrupting of this nation if we don't apply the principles of life that individuals must apply daily in difficult times. I also see what little industry we have left as being headed overseas in a year or so for more business friendly environments. Unless common sense people are elected to represent the voices of these people, this nation will not survive another 20-30 years as I see it. Debt is rising exponentially and the social entitlements are going to continue to drain the nation and our economy. Mainly, I believe I can bring solutions to this nations financial issues that will work, are effective, and provide long term solutions that will bring Americans prosperity, and make America the bastion of economic growth once again. Unless we solve that problem first, nothing else is going to matter.
Examiner: I take it that as a small businessman, you are concerned about current policies of the Obama Administration and Congress that Joe the Plumber, for example, described as 'oppressive' and 'socialistic.' What, exactly, is making it more difficult for small entrepreneurs such as yourself to make it today?
Yost: There are two basic factors affecting small businesses today. First, taxes. This administration believes they can tax the small business into prosperity, or so it seems. Then there are the massive regulations anyone either in business or wanting to start a business must comply with in order to keep the doors open. These regulations come from every aspect of Federal, State, and Local level. Some conflict with others and many businesses now have complete departments called the "Compliance Department" to try to meet the massive levels of regulations. In a free enterprise society, and with the government interference today, no business can survive with those 2 factors bearing down on their enterprise. You add the proposals for Health Care, executive pay regulations, and the cap and trade act to the mix, there are not going to be any jobs left for this nation as most small businesses won't survive and industry will leave this nation.
Examiner: What would you do in Congress to help change policies so that the small business entrepreneur can have a fair shake at success?
Yost: I believe that I can bring the FairTax bill to the House floor for debate. This would eliminate all INCOME taxes and replace it with the FairTax. This makes this nation the worlds largest tax haven for investments. Businesses could find the funding to expand and startups to get moving ahead with plans to open doors, hire workers, and build new buildings to operate in. It also brings the "underground" economy into the tax system that is estimated in the trillions of dollars of untaxed income today under the current plan. It reduces the size and definitely scope of government on the peoples freedoms. I also would introduce a "Multijusisdictional Deregulation Act" that would prevent the Federal government from imposing regulations when and where a State or Municipality already has regulations and or agencies in place to administer State laws.
Examiner: That sounds like you support the 10th Amendment to the Constitution--the so-called 'state sovereignty' amendment that limits the power and scope of the federal government.
Yost: If the state exercises it's 10th Amendment right, then the Federal government needs to stay out of the way. Face reality, what is good for Florida isn't necessarily good for Virginia, and vice versa. The diversity of geography, natural resources, and businesses are far different and a "blanket" set of Federal regulations can't meet the needs of each State.
Examiner: The district you wish to represent in Florida is the 3rd Congressional District, which is now served by Congresswoman Corrine Brown, D-Florida. That district has been heavily gerrymandered to favor an African-American being elected. On a political map the district looks like a meandering, narrow river or a side-winding snake, taking in parts of several counties Why do you think you can win in such a district as a conservative Republican?
Yost: People are people. No matter the race, religion, education, or creed, this nation is in need of one thing- JOBS for our people. This District has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. Ms. Brown has voted on numerous times, in this session of Congress, on legislation that doesn't help "her people" as she refers to them, with the Cap and Trade bill, the stimulus bills, the omnibus bill, and the list seems to go on. Things here are getting worse, not better, and the conservative principles I am laying forth will work for ALL Americans, no matter the race, creed, religious beliefs, or color. Dr. Martin Luther King stated that he envisioned the day that men would be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. I don't judge men by color, I see men based on their ideas and willingness to expand and explore those ideas and their desire to put those ideas forth for the betterment of all mankind. I only ask the same from ALL people of this District.
Examiner: Congresswoman Brown has suggested that perhaps she may not run for another term in lieu of making a run for the Senate. If Brown is not your opponent, who do you think the Democrats will select? How strong a candidate do you think this person would make, and how would you go about campaigning against that person?
Yost: I guess the best thing to do at this time is wait until she decides. Either way, my message won't change. Liberalism/Statism is failing the people of this District and this nation. Unless we return to those Conservative ideals, we as a nation will not survive. Conservative principles are how we live our daily life, and will work in our government. But ONLY if we elect those voices FOR THE PEOPLE, and not the Special Interest groups who "buy votes" for political favor. As to who may run if she indeed makes a Senate bid, I have no idea and haven't heard any names mentioned.
Examiner: If Brown turns out to be your opponent, what do you think you have to do in order to win, given her long history in the area of being elected easily year after year?
Yost: Spread the message and work to raise the necessary funding to do so more effectively than she does. Her record for legislative accomplishment is weak at best, unless you call naming Courthouses or Post Offices a great accomplishment. I know in my heart that people in this District deserve Leadership, not followers as Ms. Brown seems to be. I don't intend to sit and see what happens from the sidelines. Freshman Congressmen are expected to sit, be quiet and listen. All I have to say is wait and see. When the people elect me as their voice, I plan to BE THEIR VOICE, not someone who will tow the party line. I have always been vocal about my beliefs, and people I see everyday believe exactly as I do. They WANT leadership, and they are not getting it from this Representative now in this District.
Examiner: Speaking of being willing to buck the GOP when you feel it necessary, I understand that the GOP so far has not given your campaign very much acknowledgment or financial backing. Why do you think that is?
Yost: I have just recently introduced myself to the local GOP here. I guess it will be up to them to decide if and when to support my campaign. Since I have never run for office, it possibly is a "wait and see" for them. I certainly hope so, but you can only wait for them so long. IF the GOP wants to support a strong, Conservative Republican, which I believe the BASE of the party does want, then there will be the effort made to win this race. I refuse to believe that it IS NOT winnable until the votes are counted. Getting Republicans to vote is the key to winning and if the GOP is serious about wanting a Republican in the 3rd District, then I expect they are going to help. It's still a bit early for a commitment, so let's wait and see. I plan to move forward, however, there are several in the local GOP that have expressed tremendous interest in helping raise funds and work in this campaign.
Examiner: That brings up a key issue. How do you plan to raise the necessary funds to mount a viable campaign?
Yost: Raising funds is always difficult. There are no easy answers and no easy ways to go about it. You simply ask people for their support and belief in your ability to convey the message of real prosperity for this nation. I bring that to the table and I can relate to people who will indeed vote for me. If you want a seasoned and polished politician, I am not your man. If you want a common sense, conservative STATESMAN who lives the message he brings to the table, then I am the one to support. Begging, however, is out of the question. (laughingly said)
Examiner: If elected, what are your top priorities in representing the people of Florida's 3rd Congressional district?
Yost: I believe there are two priorities for this region. First, enacting the FairTax. This will give people 100% of what they earn to spend as they see fit. Taxes are best paid when the individual determines WHEN to pay them. It will encourage investment in our nations businesses and industry and take the burden of those embedded taxes off our pricing so that prices remains stable. It will allow free enterprise economic solutions to prevail. Second, I believe we MUST get the Federal government regulations off the backs of our businesses. They are drowning in the compliance of these regulations. Third, on a national scale, we must start using our nations own resources for our energy needs. The "alternative energy" sources simply are not technologically ready to provide our nations needs for the economic growth needed. We need to use our existing resources as we develop other means that are cost effective. Cap and Trade will kill jobs, not create them. Our coal, oil, and natural gas is readily available and restricting their use is not using common sense in this economic period when we should be drilling for oil, natural gas, and mining coal that will provide economical energy, and JOBS as we grow our business and industry.
Examiner: Could you go a bit further in describing your views on the current policies of federal stimulus bailouts, energy taxes through 'cap and trade,' and Obama's socialized healthcare plan?
Yost: That is easy. Stimulus is short term and only adds to the trillions of national debt being left for our future generations. Liberty gives people the right to succeed with hard work. Liberty also has the same freedom to fail if poorly managed. With great freedom come great responsibility.It's not a proper role of government to guarantee success.
Cap and trade will cost people nearly $3,000 just for energy, not counting increases in prices for basics like groceries, clothing, and anything else you will purchase. It is a tax disguised in higher prices and will hurt the poor and elderly, especially those in this District.
If you look at the history of medical care and our "health care crisis", it didn't start to be an issue until Government began the Medicare/Medicaid programs. What makes you think that the failure of Medicare/Medicaid will result in success with Obamacare? Free market solutions work in every case and when people determine what is fair and equitable for costs, the costs will shift the other way.
Examiner: What is your view concerning gun rights and the Second Amendment?
Yost: I am a member of the NRA. Thankfully, the issues of the right to keep and bear arms has been decided by the SCOTUS and still the attempts come to restrict ownership.happen daily from the Liberals/Statists. Jefferson said it best "when people fear government, you have tyranny. When the government fears the people, you have Liberty". Keeping the right to bear arms is tantamount to keeping our nation free.
Examiner: What major, national figure in politics, past or present, has served as a role model to you as you embark on a political campaign?
Yost: Of course Ronald Reagan. He stood on principles and didn't waiver. His conviction to those principles, as I feel I have, led him to win 2 Presidential elections. Another, lesser known political figure, was Representative Bill Wampler in Virginia's 9th District. I first became involved in politics in his campaign back in the mid 60's. It was a District he wasn't supposed to win, but did. I learned then that there is no such thing as a District or election that can't be won with the right people, the right amount of support, and grassroots effort to win. He too was a man of conviction and never wavered from his conservative, Goldwater values.
I'd like to thank candidate Mike Yost for taking the time to talk with us.
Here is a good man--a Reagan/Goldwater conservative--who needs the support of liberty-lovers and freedom-fighters all over the country.
For more information, or to contact Mr. Yost, visit his website at Yost for Congress.
For more commentary on other issues, please visit my blog at The Liberty Sphere.
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