Joseph William Christman

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Joseph Christman completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Christman's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading-bio-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a computer programmer and martial arts enthusiast.\r\n<p>I am running to end the wars, especially the one in Gaza.\r\n</p>\nI am also running to support civil liberties, economic freedom, and lower taxes.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading-key-message-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>All American enablement of the Gaza genocide must end immediately. America should send no more weapons or money to Israel until either:\r\n<p>1)Israel leaves Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights\r\nor\r\n</p>\n2) Israel agrees to an equitable two-state solution</li><li>The right to Free Speech is vital to a free society. The government has no right to restrict the content of our speech outside of imminent and plausible calls to unlawful action.\r\n\r\nThis means the government should not:\r\n1) Nudge social media companies to restrict “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malinformation.”\r\n2) Ban or unreasonably restrict peaceful protests.\r\n3) Use government contracts to restrict the Free Speech rights of contractors and employees outside of their work including their right to participate in and advocate boycotts.\r\n4) Coerce or “nudge” financial institutions to disassociate with customers on the basis of constitutionally protected speech.\r\n5) Ban foreign owned social media companies such as Tiktok.</li><li>The Military should be shrunk to the absolute minimum size necessary to protect the territorial integrity of the United States. I will work to close all American military bases on foreign soil, eliminate the Selective Service system, and bring all “military advisors” home. I will work to end our involvement in entangling military alliances like NATO. I will also work to end weapons sales to countries with questionable human rights records like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Israel.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading1-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tForeign Policy<br/>\n<p>Civil Liberties<br/>\r\nFree Speech<br/>\n</p>\nGun Rights\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading2-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMuhammad Ali.<br/><br/>\n<p>As a combat sports aficionado, I am inspired by his energy, heart and creativity.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nAs an activist, I admire how he stood up for what is right, especially in Vietnam, even at great personal expense.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading3-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy political influences are eclectic. Figures who have exerted large amounts of influence on me include:<br/>\n<p>Murray Rothbard<br/>\r\nNoam Chomsky<br/>\r\nJustin Raimondo <br/>\r\nScott Horton<br/>\r\nMuhammad Ali<br/>\r\nGeorge Orwell<br/>\r\nH.L. Mencken<br/>\n</p>\nRon Paul\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading4-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIntegrity, empathy, being full of energy, and being willing to do the work.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading5-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1) Driven<br/>\n<p>2) Obsessive<br/>\n</p>\n3) Stubborn\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading6-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1) Represent the community that elected you.<br/><br/>\r\n2) Do no Evil.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading7-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tA freer country and a world with less wars.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading8-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tProbably 9/11. I would have been 5 or 6 at the time.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading9-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAn Electronics Recycling Plant; over the summer.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading10-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWell, it's supposed to be \"representative;\" a reflection of our overall society. Of course, it's highly unlikely that someone representing hundreds of thousands of people can actually be that representative. But, the thought is nice.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading11-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIt certainly can be, some people struggle to pick up parliamentary procedure for example.<br/><br/>\r\nHowever, too much focus on \"experience\" is a good way to end up being governed by Bureaucrats and Apparatchiks.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading12-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t1) Identity Crisis: The traditional American identity is falling apart, especially among the younger generations. There are both good and bad reasons for this, but the consequence is that much of the country, especially the younger part has a severe identity crisis. I suspect this a larger driver of the current \"culture war\" environment.<br/><br/>\n<p>2) Military-Industrial Complex: America has been serving as the World Police for decades now, and it has done little to benefit the country. However, there are entrenched interests that seek to keep things this way. <br/><br/>\n</p>\n3) The Economy: The GDP may constantly be going up, but most Americans have not felt the benefits. The current mix of Capitalism and Socialism pleases nobody but large corporations who can afford to buy off politicians.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading13-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading13-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIt seems like a decent compromise. It gives new representatives enough time to \"learn the ropes\" while also giving them an incentive to stay connected to their community because re-election is always around the corner.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading14-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading14-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tConceptually they seem reasonable, but in practice I'm not sure if it's the best idea. In general, it is easier for people from wealthy backgrounds or with wealthy backers to get elected, so I could see a program of term limits creating a bias towards the status quo as more dissident representatives that slipped through the cracks (like Ron Paul, Thomas Massie, or Illhan Omar) get term-limited out.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading15-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading15-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tRon Paul\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading16-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading16-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo some degree, but we have to be careful here.<br/><br/>\n<p>Often, \"compromise\" becomes an excuse for supporting the undefendable. <br/><br/>\r\nFrankly, both the Republicans and the Democrats are terrible, so if you hear that a bill is bipartisan, that usually just means it's doubly bad.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nStrategic compromises can be reasonable, but we must be careful to not sell our souls in the process.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading17-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tThe Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading17-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI will vote for no new taxes or tax increases.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading18-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse18-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse18-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading18-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse18-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCarefully.<br/><br/>\r\nCongress should investigate abuses from within the government, but the platform is often used to grandstand or subtly threaten private citizens.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading19-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse19-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse19-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat committees interest you?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading19-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse19-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs a Libertarian I highly doubt either party will want me on their committees.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-264193-2024-08-06\" id=\"heading20-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse20-264193-2024-08-06\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse20-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading20-264193-2024-08-06\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse20-264193-2024-08-06\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWhile representatives should work as hard as possible to be as transparent as possible, at the end of the day it's only the people who can enforce this. If a representative is failing to live up to the people's standards, they should be voted out office.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nJoseph Christman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Christman's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a computer programmer and martial arts enthusiast. I am running to end the wars, especially the one in Gaza. I am also running to support civil liberties, economic freedom, and lower taxes. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? All American enablement of the Gaza genocide must end immediately. America should send no more weapons or money to Israel until either: 1)Israel leaves Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights\r\nor 2) Israel agrees to an equitable two-state solution The right to Free Speech is vital to a free society. The government has no right to restrict the content of our speech outside of imminent and plausible calls to unlawful action.\r\n\r\nThis means the government should not:\r\n1) Nudge social media companies to restrict “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malinformation.”\r\n2) Ban or unreasonably restrict peaceful protests.\r\n3) Use government contracts to restrict the Free Speech rights of contractors and employees outside of their work including their right to participate in and advocate boycotts.\r\n4) Coerce or “nudge” financial institutions to disassociate with customers on the basis of constitutionally protected speech.\r\n5) Ban foreign owned social media companies such as Tiktok. The Military should be shrunk to the absolute minimum size necessary to protect the territorial integrity of the United States. I will work to close all American military bases on foreign soil, eliminate the Selective Service system, and bring all “military advisors” home. I will work to end our involvement in entangling military alliances like NATO. I will also work to end weapons sales to countries with questionable human rights records like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Israel. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Foreign Policy Civil Liberties Free Speech Gun Rights Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Muhammad Ali. As a combat sports aficionado, I am inspired by his energy, heart and creativity. As an activist, I admire how he stood up for what is right, especially in Vietnam, even at great personal expense. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? My political influences are eclectic. Figures who have exerted large amounts of influence on me include: Murray Rothbard Noam Chomsky Justin Raimondo Scott Horton Muhammad Ali George Orwell H.L. Mencken Ron Paul What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Integrity, empathy, being full of energy, and being willing to do the work. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? 1) Driven 2) Obsessive 3) Stubborn What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? 1) Represent the community that elected you. 2) Do no Evil. What legacy would you like to leave? A freer country and a world with less wars. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? Probably 9/11. I would have been 5 or 6 at the time. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? An Electronics Recycling Plant; over the summer. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? Well, it's supposed to be \"representative;\" a reflection of our overall society. Of course, it's highly unlikely that someone representing hundreds of thousands of people can actually be that representative. But, the thought is nice. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? It certainly can be, some people struggle to pick up parliamentary procedure for example. However, too much focus on \"experience\" is a good way to end up being governed by Bureaucrats and Apparatchiks. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? 1) Identity Crisis: The traditional American identity is falling apart, especially among the younger generations. There are both good and bad reasons for this, but the consequence is that much of the country, especially the younger part has a severe identity crisis. I suspect this a larger driver of the current \"culture war\" environment. 2) Military-Industrial Complex: America has been serving as the World Police for decades now, and it has done little to benefit the country. However, there are entrenched interests that seek to keep things this way. 3) The Economy: The GDP may constantly be going up, but most Americans have not felt the benefits. The current mix of Capitalism and Socialism pleases nobody but large corporations who can afford to buy off politicians. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? It seems like a decent compromise. It gives new representatives enough time to \"learn the ropes\" while also giving them an incentive to stay connected to their community because re-election is always around the corner. What are your thoughts on term limits? Conceptually they seem reasonable, but in practice I'm not sure if it's the best idea. In general, it is easier for people from wealthy backgrounds or with wealthy backers to get elected, so I could see a program of term limits creating a bias towards the status quo as more dissident representatives that slipped through the cracks (like Ron Paul, Thomas Massie, or Illhan Omar) get term-limited out. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Ron Paul Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? To some degree, but we have to be careful here. Often, \"compromise\" becomes an excuse for supporting the undefendable. Frankly, both the Republicans and the Democrats are terrible, so if you hear that a bill is bipartisan, that usually just means it's doubly bad. Strategic compromises can be reasonable, but we must be careful to not sell our souls in the process. The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected? I will vote for no new taxes or tax increases. How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? Carefully. Congress should investigate abuses from within the government, but the platform is often used to grandstand or subtly threaten private citizens. What committees interest you? As a Libertarian I highly doubt either party will want me on their committees. What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? While representatives should work as hard as possible to be as transparent as possible, at the end of the day it's only the people who can enforce this. If a representative is failing to live up to the people's standards, they should be voted out office.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Christman’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b><big><big>Platform</big></big></b><br/><br/>\n</p><p><b>Gaza</b>\n</p><p>All American enablement of the Gaza genocide must end immediately. America should send no more weapons or money to Israel until either:\n</p><p>1)Israel leaves Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights<br/>\nor<br/>\n2) Israel agrees to an equitable two-state solution.<br/>\nor<br/>\n3) Israel gives full rights to Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza ending the Apartheid.\n</p><p>(Did you know Suzanne Bonamici voted to give 26 Billion dollars worth of weapons to Israel as recently as April 2024 and voted to defund UNRWA? Click here for more details.)<br/><br/>\n</p><p><b>Free Speech</b>\n</p><p>The right to Free Speech is vital to a free society. The government has no right to restrict the content of our speech outside of imminent and plausible calls to unlawful action.\n</p><p>This means the government should not:<br/>\n1) Nudge social media companies to restrict “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malinformation.”<br/>\n2) Ban or unreasonably restrict peaceful protests.<br/>\n3) Use government contracts to restrict the Free Speech rights of contractors and employees outside of their work including their right to participate in and advocate boycotts.<br/>\n4) Coerce or “nudge” financial institutions to disassociate with customers on the basis of constitutionally protected speech.<br/>\n5) Ban foreign owned social media companies such as Tiktok.<br/><br/>\n</p><p><b>Second Amendment Rights</b>\n</p><p>The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This means no “Assault Weapons” ban, no mandatory background checks, no magazine size restrictions, and no restrictions on developing technology such as 3D-Printed guns. American citizens should be allowed to posses at least the same weapons as our military because we are the Militia. While hunting and self-defense are good and should be protected, we need to always remember that the true purpose of the 2nd Amendment is to protect our country, both from outsiders and from our own government.<br/><br/>\n</p><p><b>Taxes</b>\n</p><p>I will not vote to increase any tax or implement any new ones. I will decrease taxes wherever and whenever reasonably possible.<br/><br/>\n</p><p><b>Foreign Policy</b>\n</p><p>The Military should be shrunk to the absolute minimum size necessary to protect the territorial integrity of the United States. I will work to close all American military bases on foreign soil, eliminate the Selective Service system, and bring all “military advisors” home. I will work to end our involvement in entangling military alliances like NATO. I will also work to end weapons sales to countries with questionable human rights records like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Israel.<br/><br/>\n</p><p><b>Civil Liberties</b>\n</p><p>.I support abolishing Civil Asset Forfeiture.\n</p><p>I believe the rights of defendants in criminal court should be vigorously defended. Every man and woman should have the right to competent legal representation and a fair trial.\n</p><p>I believe everyone should have the right to refuse any medication including vaccines.\n</p><p>I believe the government has no right to regulate the sexual behavior of consenting adults in the privacy of their own home.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_2-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-2\">[2]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Joseph Christman’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-3\"><a href=\"#cite_note-3\">[3]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Christman’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Platform Gaza All American enablement of the Gaza genocide must end immediately. America should send no more weapons or money to Israel until either: 1)Israel leaves Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights or 2) Israel agrees to an equitable two-state solution. or 3) Israel gives full rights to Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza ending the Apartheid. (Did you know Suzanne Bonamici voted to give 26 Billion dollars worth of weapons to Israel as recently as April 2024 and voted to defund UNRWA? Click here for more details.) Free Speech The right to Free Speech is vital to a free society. The government has no right to restrict the content of our speech outside of imminent and plausible calls to unlawful action. This means the government should not: 1) Nudge social media companies to restrict “misinformation,” “disinformation,” or “malinformation.” 2) Ban or unreasonably restrict peaceful protests. 3) Use government contracts to restrict the Free Speech rights of contractors and employees outside of their work including their right to participate in and advocate boycotts. 4) Coerce or “nudge” financial institutions to disassociate with customers on the basis of constitutionally protected speech. 5) Ban foreign owned social media companies such as Tiktok. Second Amendment Rights The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This means no “Assault Weapons” ban, no mandatory background checks, no magazine size restrictions, and no restrictions on developing technology such as 3D-Printed guns. American citizens should be allowed to posses at least the same weapons as our military because we are the Militia. While hunting and self-defense are good and should be protected, we need to always remember that the true purpose of the 2nd Amendment is to protect our country, both from outsiders and from our own government. Taxes I will not vote to increase any tax or implement any new ones. I will decrease taxes wherever and whenever reasonably possible. Foreign Policy The Military should be shrunk to the absolute minimum size necessary to protect the territorial integrity of the United States. I will work to close all American military bases on foreign soil, eliminate the Selective Service system, and bring all “military advisors” home. I will work to end our involvement in entangling military alliances like NATO. I will also work to end weapons sales to countries with questionable human rights records like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Israel. Civil Liberties .I support abolishing Civil Asset Forfeiture. I believe the rights of defendants in criminal court should be vigorously defended. Every man and woman should have the right to competent legal representation and a fair trial. I believe everyone should have the right to refuse any medication including vaccines. I believe the government has no right to regulate the sexual behavior of consenting adults in the privacy of their own home. [2] ” —Joseph Christman’s campaign website (2024) [3]"}]