Michael Bedenbaugh

[{"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>Michael Bedenbaugh 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 Bedenbaugh'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-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading-bio-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-217819-2024-03-26\" 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-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-217819-2024-03-26\" 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 Prosperity, SC native, Mike was born with a reverence for history, his state and his Nation.\r\n<p>After dedicating five years to the US Navy aboard the USS South Carolina, Mike expanded his horizons by studying International Studies and History at both USC and Columbia University, New York. \r\nHis initial foray into the corporate realm took him to New York, where he joined the product marketing firm Post No Bills, Inc. that collaborated with corporate powerhouses like Phillip Morris USA and RCA Records. In 1990, Mike moved the company headquarters to Prosperity SC and became CEO. Over the next decade, Mike, alongside his wife and business partner Doreen Sullivan, grew the company to include DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, and MGM and opened branch offices in Los Angeles and New York. During this time, he also played pivotal roles in local planning, preservation, and community service. After becoming President of Preservation SC in 2007, Bedenbaugh created and managed numerous programs that advanced the mission of PreserveSC while creatively addressing the challenges inherent in endangered historic properties. He was responsible for raising millions of dollars for Preservation Projects and saved dozens of historic properties through real estate successes that otherwise would have been lost. Mike was awarded the Order of the Palmetto for his work by Gov. Henry McMaster.\r\n</p>\nHe is currently a Realtor with SVN Blackstream and Christie's Blackstream International.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading-key-message-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-26\" 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-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Out of love for Country and Liberty, and the desire to ensure the elevation of solutions for the survival of our democratic Republic, I have posted my 95 Theses for a Free Republic. The theses below are posted in hopes to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism, to disempower global corporate hegemony, and offer structural mechanisms to mitigate their excesses so as to empower individual liberty of “we the people”.</li><li>I am for term limits for all federal officeholders.\r\n<p>Reduce the size of House districts.\r\n</p>\nRepeal the 17th amendment</li><li>Make our COMMUNITIES Great Again!</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading1-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading1-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-217819-2024-03-26\" 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 and government ethics\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading2-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading2-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tPersonal friends that I considered my hero's: my \"Aunt\" Becky (Myra Fellers) , My Mother, Marcus Fields, and Mike Monts along with George Washington, Wade Hampton, Bono, and people like: and anyone who stands up for truth in the face of Demagoguery is a hero! An attorney named Joseph Welch was in a session on June 9, 1954, when McCarthy charged that one of Welch's attorneys had ties to a Communist organization. As an amazed television audience looked on, Welch responded with the immortal lines that ultimately ended McCarthy's career: \"Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness.\" When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, \"Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?\"\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading3-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading3-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tHonesty and bravery to face the responsibilities of representation head on.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading4-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading4-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tHonesty and strong Character\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading5-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading5-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tProtect the Constitution\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading6-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading6-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tMade my piece of the world a better place.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading7-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading7-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-217819-2024-03-26\" 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 barley remember Kennedy's assassination when I was three.<br/>\r\nI really remember the Moon landing when I was 8\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading8-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading8-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tWorking on my Family Farm. Until I joined the Navy.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading9-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading9-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tDirect representation of the people, and war powers.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading10-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading10-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-217819-2024-03-26\" 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 helps sometimes, but we need more citizen legislators.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading11-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading11-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tBlowback from bad foreign policy decisions.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading12-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading12-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tyes...no more than 5 terms\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading13-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse13-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse13-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading13-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse13-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tAbsolutely! I pledge only two terms.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading14-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse14-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse14-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading14-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse14-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tPresident Washington\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading15-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse15-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse15-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading15-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse15-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tYES...as long as the constitutional order is not compromised.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading16-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse16-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse16-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading16-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse16-217819-2024-03-26\" 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\tAgriculture<br/>\n<p>Appropriations<br/>\r\nArmed Services<br/>\r\nBudget<br/>\r\nEducation and the Workforce<br/>\r\nEnergy and Commerce<br/>\r\nEthics<br/>\r\nForeign Affairs<br/>\r\nHomeland Security<br/>\r\nNatural Resources<br/>\r\nOversight and Accountability<br/>\r\nRules<br/>\r\nScience, Space, and Technology<br/>\r\nSmall Business<br/>\r\nVeterans’ Affairs<br/>\r\nWays and Means<br/>\r\nPermanent Select Committee on Intelligence<br/>\n</p>\nJoint Committee on Taxation\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-217819-2024-03-26\" id=\"heading17-217819-2024-03-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse17-217819-2024-03-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse17-217819-2024-03-26\" 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=\"heading17-217819-2024-03-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse17-217819-2024-03-26\" 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 refer to a few of my 95 Theses:<br/>\n<p>A candidate for political office can only accept funds from individual citizens qualified to vote for them.(22)<br/><br/>\r\nA candidate for political office should be limited to how many years they can serve to ensure the public benefit is not compromised by the power accumulated for their self-benefit.(23)<br/><br/>\r\nThe source of income by political candidates or office holders must be fully disclosed.(24)<br/><br/>\r\nElected members of Congress must not partake in a retirement plan. They should receive Social Security like the rest of us.(25)<br/><br/>\r\nIf the Senate maintains a filibuster rule, then the actual filibuster must take place and must adhere to the subject of legislation under debate.(27)<br/><br/>\r\nEnd the practice of omnibus bills: any bill constitutional amendment to distinguish “Natural Persons,” or individual citizens, from “Artificial personas,” or corporations.(87)<br/><br/>\r\nAmend the 14th amendment to read Natural Persons.(88)<br/><br/>\r\nEstablishment of, and rigid enforcement of, antitrust laws in both the State and National marketplace with prioritized focus on media and medical conglomerates.(89)<br/><br/>\r\nProhibition of federal law intervening in individuals right to self-medicate.(90)<br/><br/>\r\nInstitute rank choice or approval voting for federal office.(91)<br/><br/>\r\nProhibit straight ticket voting along party lines.(92)<br/><br/>\r\nProhibit local/state/federal administrative support for political party primaries.(93)<br/><br/>\r\nProhibit any natural person holding federal position (elected or employee) from joining the board of a corporation or hired as executive leadership in a corporation for a time period equal to their most recent time in office/employment.(94)<br/><br/>\n</p>\nProhibit any candidate or holder of federal or state elected office, or, any person who holds a regulatory position with state or federal government, from investing in publicly held corporations.(95)\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>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Bedenbaugh submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on March 26, 2024.</i></p></div>\n<div class=\"text-center\" style=\"margin-top: 30px\"><button class=\"btn btn-default showResponses text-center\">Show past responses</button><button class=\"btn btn-default hideResponses text-center\">Hide past responses</button></div>\n<div class=\"pastResponses\" style=\"display: none\"><p class=\"large-date\">\tMarch 11 submission</p><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-217819-2024-03-11\" id=\"heading-bio-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-217819-2024-03-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-217819-2024-03-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-217819-2024-03-11\" 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\t\tIm a man that means business!\t\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-11\" id=\"heading-key-message-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\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\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-217819-2024-03-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Liberty</li><li>Freedom</li><li>Place matters</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-217819-2024-03-11\" id=\"heading1-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-217819-2024-03-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-217819-2024-03-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-217819-2024-03-11\" 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\t\tForeign Affairs\t\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-217819-2024-03-11\" id=\"heading2-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-217819-2024-03-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-217819-2024-03-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-217819-2024-03-11\" 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\t\tWorking\t\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-217819-2024-03-11\" id=\"heading3-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-217819-2024-03-11\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-217819-2024-03-11\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\t\tHow should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?\t\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-217819-2024-03-11\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-217819-2024-03-11\" 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\t\tyes\t\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div><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><p><i><b>Note:</b> Bedenbaugh submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on March 11, 2024.</i></p></div></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nMichael Bedenbaugh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bedenbaugh's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. A Prosperity, SC native, Mike was born with a reverence for history, his state and his Nation. After dedicating five years to the US Navy aboard the USS South Carolina, Mike expanded his horizons by studying International Studies and History at both USC and Columbia University, New York. \r\nHis initial foray into the corporate realm took him to New York, where he joined the product marketing firm Post No Bills, Inc. that collaborated with corporate powerhouses like Phillip Morris USA and RCA Records. In 1990, Mike moved the company headquarters to Prosperity SC and became CEO. Over the next decade, Mike, alongside his wife and business partner Doreen Sullivan, grew the company to include DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, and MGM and opened branch offices in Los Angeles and New York. During this time, he also played pivotal roles in local planning, preservation, and community service. After becoming President of Preservation SC in 2007, Bedenbaugh created and managed numerous programs that advanced the mission of PreserveSC while creatively addressing the challenges inherent in endangered historic properties. He was responsible for raising millions of dollars for Preservation Projects and saved dozens of historic properties through real estate successes that otherwise would have been lost. Mike was awarded the Order of the Palmetto for his work by Gov. Henry McMaster. He is currently a Realtor with SVN Blackstream and Christie's Blackstream International. 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? Out of love for Country and Liberty, and the desire to ensure the elevation of solutions for the survival of our democratic Republic, I have posted my 95 Theses for a Free Republic. The theses below are posted in hopes to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism, to disempower global corporate hegemony, and offer structural mechanisms to mitigate their excesses so as to empower individual liberty of “we the people”. I am for term limits for all federal officeholders. Reduce the size of House districts. Repeal the 17th amendment Make our COMMUNITIES Great Again! What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Foreign Policy and government ethics Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? Personal friends that I considered my hero's: my \"Aunt\" Becky (Myra Fellers) , My Mother, Marcus Fields, and Mike Monts along with George Washington, Wade Hampton, Bono, and people like: and anyone who stands up for truth in the face of Demagoguery is a hero! An attorney named Joseph Welch was in a session on June 9, 1954, when McCarthy charged that one of Welch's attorneys had ties to a Communist organization. As an amazed television audience looked on, Welch responded with the immortal lines that ultimately ended McCarthy's career: \"Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness.\" When McCarthy tried to continue his attack, Welch angrily interrupted, \"Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?\" What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Honesty and bravery to face the responsibilities of representation head on. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? Honesty and strong Character What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Protect the Constitution What legacy would you like to leave? Made my piece of the world a better place. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I barley remember Kennedy's assassination when I was three. I really remember the Moon landing when I was 8 What was your very first job? How long did you have it? Working on my Family Farm. Until I joined the Navy. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? Direct representation of the people, and war powers. Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics? It helps sometimes, but we need more citizen legislators. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Blowback from bad foreign policy decisions. Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives? yes...no more than 5 terms What are your thoughts on term limits? Absolutely! I pledge only two terms. Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? President Washington Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? YES...as long as the constitutional order is not compromised. What committees interest you? Agriculture Appropriations Armed Services Budget Education and the Workforce Energy and Commerce Ethics Foreign Affairs Homeland Security Natural Resources Oversight and Accountability Rules Science, Space, and Technology Small Business Veterans’ Affairs Ways and Means Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Joint Committee on Taxation What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? I will refer to a few of my 95 Theses: A candidate for political office can only accept funds from individual citizens qualified to vote for them.(22) A candidate for political office should be limited to how many years they can serve to ensure the public benefit is not compromised by the power accumulated for their self-benefit.(23) The source of income by political candidates or office holders must be fully disclosed.(24) Elected members of Congress must not partake in a retirement plan. They should receive Social Security like the rest of us.(25) If the Senate maintains a filibuster rule, then the actual filibuster must take place and must adhere to the subject of legislation under debate.(27) End the practice of omnibus bills: any bill constitutional amendment to distinguish “Natural Persons,” or individual citizens, from “Artificial personas,” or corporations.(87) Amend the 14th amendment to read Natural Persons.(88) Establishment of, and rigid enforcement of, antitrust laws in both the State and National marketplace with prioritized focus on media and medical conglomerates.(89) Prohibition of federal law intervening in individuals right to self-medicate.(90) Institute rank choice or approval voting for federal office.(91) Prohibit straight ticket voting along party lines.(92) Prohibit local/state/federal administrative support for political party primaries.(93) Prohibit any natural person holding federal position (elected or employee) from joining the board of a corporation or hired as executive leadership in a corporation for a time period equal to their most recent time in office/employment.(94) Prohibit any candidate or holder of federal or state elected office, or, any person who holds a regulatory position with state or federal government, from investing in publicly held corporations.(95)\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.\nNote: Bedenbaugh submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on March 26, 2024.\nShow past responses Hide past responses\nMarch 11 submission Who are you? Tell us about yourself. Im a man that means business! 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? Liberty Freedom Place matters What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Foreign Affairs What was your very first job? How long did you have it? Working How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers? yes Note: 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. Note: Bedenbaugh submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on March 11, 2024."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Bedenbaugh’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><big><b>Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America</b></big><br/>\nIn my upcoming book “<a class=\"external text\" href=\"https://revivingourrepublic.com/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America</a>”, I outline <b>40 policy proposals</b> that warrant thorough discussion. Some of these proposals may appear radical to those unfamiliar with how the United States government was originally created and how it has been altered over the past two hundred years. It is imperative we encourage thorough and open deliberation on how to constitutionally implement these proposals.\n</p><p>Presented below are those 40 theses, prioritized top to bottom based on my sense of urgency balanced with the time required to garner informed public support. \n</p><p><b>Thesis 22:</b> A candidate for political office can only accept campaign funds from individual citizens qualified to vote for them.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 25:</b> Elected members of Congress must not partake in a retirement plan. They should receive Social Security like the rest of us.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 61:</b> The president cannot send military troops into harm’s way inside the domain of a foreign nation without a formal declaration of war by Congress.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 23:</b> A candidate for political office should be limited to how many years they can serve to ensure the public benefit is not compromised by the power accumulated for their self-benefit.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 65:</b> Our nation’s foreign policy initiatives must never be determined by profit-driven corporations.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 28:</b> End the practice of omnibus bills: any bill must pertain to one subject only, and that subject should be in the title.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 34:</b> No elected official can leave elected office and work in any “position of influence” (Board of Trustees or be employed as a lobbyist) with a 501c4 for a period equal to his/her time in office.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 73:</b> Create a time-definable plan to pay off the majority percentage of the debt of the federal government.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 77:</b> Any federal income tax created for a specific war debt expires once those war debts are paid for.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 89:</b> Establishment of, and rigid enforcement of, antitrust laws in both the state and national marketplace with a prioritized focus on media and medical conglomerates.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 62:</b> The USA is to honor all obligations that have been signed, but to seek in all future relations a status of neutrality.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 95:</b> Prohibit any candidate or holder of federal or state elected office, or, any person who holds a regulatory position with state or federal government, from investing in publicly held corporations.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 24:</b> The source of income received by political candidates or office holders must be fully disclosed.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 90:</b> The federal government should be prohibited to intervene in an individual’s right to self-medicate.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 93:</b> Prohibit local/state/federal administrative support for political party primaries.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 94:</b> Prohibit any person holding federal position (elected or employee) from joining the board of a corporation or being hired as executive leadership in a corporation for a time period equal to their most recent time in office/employment.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 87:</b> Constitutional amendment to distinguish natural persons, or individual citizens, from artificial personas, or corporations.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 88:</b> Ensure the 14th Amendment refers to “natural persons.”\n</p><p><b>Thesis 38:</b> Hearings by legislative committees should only be shared publicly through transcripts and end video recording except for security purposes.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 27:</b> If the Senate maintains a filibuster rule, then the actual filibuster must take place and must adhere to the subject of legislation under debate.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 29:</b> The Electoral College should not be party appointees nor winner-take-all.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 92:</b> Prohibit straight ticket voting along party lines.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 26:</b> End the practice of dividing the congressional chambers along party lines and have all state delegations sitting together in both legislative houses.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 64:</b> Military training at 18 years of age for qualified men and women to be available for state/home guard active service for a minimum of two years and never to be utilized outside the state of residency unless by order of the governor or a constitutional declaration of war.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 35:</b> Citizens of the Republic should be governed more by the government closest to them.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 36:</b> The state government is the closest government to the people due to its comprehensive constitutional authority, legislative power, regulatory oversight, and direct accountability to residents through elections and governance.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 37:</b> Services to the citizenry’s well-being should be the primary responsibility of the State.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 63:</b> Initiate plans to phase out the presence of a standing army in foreign lands.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 76:</b> Amend the 16th Amendment to create a federal income tax only to fund the investment necessitated by a formal declaration of war by Congress.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 91:</b> Institute rank choice or approval voting for federal office.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 81:</b> Property taxes should be eradicated in lieu of sales tax on products produced from property and property sales.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 33:</b> The districts of members of the House of Representatives should be reduced in size to reflect a closer connectivity with the people of the district.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 30:</b> The Senate and the House must return to their original role of checks and balances with each other.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 31:</b> For the Senate and House to check each other, the legislative branches must have different constituencies.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 32:</b> Repeal the 17th Amendment so the Senate can return to its original constitutional role as representing state governments.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 78:</b> The tax burden on citizens to finance services legislated by their elected representatives should come primarily from state governments.\n</p><p><b>Thesis 79:</b> Federal taxes should be based primarily on consumption of goods: local, interstate, imports.\n</p><p>Thesis 80: States should have the exclusive right to create a permanent income tax as well as sales tax.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_3-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-3\">[3]</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;\">—Michael Bedenbaugh’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-4\"><a href=\"#cite_note-4\">[4]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>", "answer_text": "Bedenbaugh’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America In my upcoming book “ Reviving Our Republic: 95 Theses for the Future of America ”, I outline 40 policy proposals that warrant thorough discussion. Some of these proposals may appear radical to those unfamiliar with how the United States government was originally created and how it has been altered over the past two hundred years. It is imperative we encourage thorough and open deliberation on how to constitutionally implement these proposals. Presented below are those 40 theses, prioritized top to bottom based on my sense of urgency balanced with the time required to garner informed public support. Thesis 22: A candidate for political office can only accept campaign funds from individual citizens qualified to vote for them. Thesis 25: Elected members of Congress must not partake in a retirement plan. They should receive Social Security like the rest of us. Thesis 61: The president cannot send military troops into harm’s way inside the domain of a foreign nation without a formal declaration of war by Congress. Thesis 23: A candidate for political office should be limited to how many years they can serve to ensure the public benefit is not compromised by the power accumulated for their self-benefit. Thesis 65: Our nation’s foreign policy initiatives must never be determined by profit-driven corporations. Thesis 28: End the practice of omnibus bills: any bill must pertain to one subject only, and that subject should be in the title. Thesis 34: No elected official can leave elected office and work in any “position of influence” (Board of Trustees or be employed as a lobbyist) with a 501c4 for a period equal to his/her time in office. Thesis 73: Create a time-definable plan to pay off the majority percentage of the debt of the federal government. Thesis 77: Any federal income tax created for a specific war debt expires once those war debts are paid for. Thesis 89: Establishment of, and rigid enforcement of, antitrust laws in both the state and national marketplace with a prioritized focus on media and medical conglomerates. Thesis 62: The USA is to honor all obligations that have been signed, but to seek in all future relations a status of neutrality. Thesis 95: Prohibit any candidate or holder of federal or state elected office, or, any person who holds a regulatory position with state or federal government, from investing in publicly held corporations. Thesis 24: The source of income received by political candidates or office holders must be fully disclosed. Thesis 90: The federal government should be prohibited to intervene in an individual’s right to self-medicate. Thesis 93: Prohibit local/state/federal administrative support for political party primaries. Thesis 94: Prohibit any person holding federal position (elected or employee) from joining the board of a corporation or being hired as executive leadership in a corporation for a time period equal to their most recent time in office/employment. Thesis 87: Constitutional amendment to distinguish natural persons, or individual citizens, from artificial personas, or corporations. Thesis 88: Ensure the 14th Amendment refers to “natural persons.” Thesis 38: Hearings by legislative committees should only be shared publicly through transcripts and end video recording except for security purposes. Thesis 27: If the Senate maintains a filibuster rule, then the actual filibuster must take place and must adhere to the subject of legislation under debate. Thesis 29: The Electoral College should not be party appointees nor winner-take-all. Thesis 92: Prohibit straight ticket voting along party lines. Thesis 26: End the practice of dividing the congressional chambers along party lines and have all state delegations sitting together in both legislative houses. Thesis 64: Military training at 18 years of age for qualified men and women to be available for state/home guard active service for a minimum of two years and never to be utilized outside the state of residency unless by order of the governor or a constitutional declaration of war. Thesis 35: Citizens of the Republic should be governed more by the government closest to them. Thesis 36: The state government is the closest government to the people due to its comprehensive constitutional authority, legislative power, regulatory oversight, and direct accountability to residents through elections and governance. Thesis 37: Services to the citizenry’s well-being should be the primary responsibility of the State. Thesis 63: Initiate plans to phase out the presence of a standing army in foreign lands. Thesis 76: Amend the 16th Amendment to create a federal income tax only to fund the investment necessitated by a formal declaration of war by Congress. Thesis 91: Institute rank choice or approval voting for federal office. Thesis 81: Property taxes should be eradicated in lieu of sales tax on products produced from property and property sales. Thesis 33: The districts of members of the House of Representatives should be reduced in size to reflect a closer connectivity with the people of the district. Thesis 30: The Senate and the House must return to their original role of checks and balances with each other. Thesis 31: For the Senate and House to check each other, the legislative branches must have different constituencies. Thesis 32: Repeal the 17th Amendment so the Senate can return to its original constitutional role as representing state governments. Thesis 78: The tax burden on citizens to finance services legislated by their elected representatives should come primarily from state governments. Thesis 79: Federal taxes should be based primarily on consumption of goods: local, interstate, imports. Thesis 80: States should have the exclusive right to create a permanent income tax as well as sales tax. [3] ” —Michael Bedenbaugh’s campaign website (2024) [4]"}]