Libertarian candidate for governor Ed Thompson logged on to chat Thursday, Oct. 10. Moderator: Welcome! Ed Thompson is here in the building, and you can start sending in your questions now. We will take them one at a time.
Ed_Rocks:What was it like growing up with Tommy Thompson?
Ed: I had fun. If he wouldn't take me along where he went, I would just beat him up. (Laughs)
Ed_Rocks: I heard you are going to build more casinos ... why?
Ed: I will build casinos where the local people make the decision that they want a casino -- Shullsburg, Racine ... We want to build revenue from Illinois and Iowa.
Tucker2: Do you think video poker -- like at bars -- should be legal?
Ed: Absolutely, the small businesses have so many regulations -- too many regulations. They need to generate revenue. They can't survive without it.
Tucker2: What do you think about McCallum using free boats and flying for free?
Ed: I don't think that any public officials should be using anything free for recreation. They have enough benefits -- without any extras for free.
mklune: Would you tax the bar video poker machines?
Ed: Yes, it would be a good source of revenue for the state ... we would tax them at the same rate as casinos.
RpnPhiDelt: Obviously, it's hard to receive the WECF campaign grant as a third party candidate. Do you think that it is the primary system or the grant requirements that make it more difficult for you to receive public campaign funds? How would you change it?
Ed:Yes, I would change it. You should be able to vote for whomever you want in the primary. If you could have voted for a person instead of a party ... we would have gotten the 6 percent we needed for funding.
Mframe75: My question to Ed Thompson is: What is his standpoint on gay rights? And if elected to be governor of Wisconsin, what is he going to do to establish rights for gay marriage and all rights provided to married couples?
Ed: I am very supportive of gay marriage. I think they should have all benefits of heterosexual marriage.
Pack_Fan: Ed ... do you like the Packers?
Ed: (Laughs) Of course! How could you be from Wisconsin and not love the Packers!
Pack_Fan: Who is your favorite player?
Ed: In the past Paul Horning ... Brett Favre now. Paul was my type of guy, and Brett Favre is a good, tough football player.
wordemup: Don't you think if you legalize marijuana, fewer people will be interested in going to casinos if they are also legalized?
Ed: I don't see the correlation. I don't think people should go to prison for smoking marijuana. It should have the same rules and regulations as alcohol, such as, it should not be sold to children ... you shouldn't drive, etc. By decriminalizing it, that's how you keep it from children.
RpnPhiDelt: Is there anything from the Green Party, Republican Party or the Democratic Party that you agree on?
Ed: I agree with Green Party that the environment and clean air is important. I agree with Republicans on some finance issues. I agree with Democrats on some of their social stands.
dkettner: Should I be forced to support a religious institution with my tax money?
Ed: No, I think the separation of church and state is good. Vouchers do not go against this. It's a parent's choice.
wordemup: Do you want to legalize marijuana all across the board, or only for certain cases?
Ed: I want to decriminalize it. It should have the same rules and regulations as alcohol. Medical marijuana is way overdue! Doctors know more than bureaucrats about the benefits.
RpnPhiDelt: What is the hardest thing about being a third-party candidate?
Ed: It's getting in the debates for me ... Convincing people you can win ... People think that if you vote for a third-party candidate, they waste their vote. They think that if your candidate didn't win, they wasted their vote. But that's not true. If you get votes -- any votes -- you get to be heard. Your issues get attention.
UWLAX: Ed, will you have enough resources to run TV ads before Nov. 4?
Ed: I don't think so ... Hopefully, we have enough money for radio and newspapers ... We have raised $400,000 .. but it's taken us a long time ...
dar341: Does your brother contribute to your campaign?
Ed: Yes, he has donated $300 ... we are waiting for more! (Laughs)
wordemup: What are your thoughts on the new-ish TV ad campaign linking a simple purchase of marijuana to supporting terrorism?
Ed: It's insanity! The "drug war" is supporting terrorism. There are more drugs on the streets than ever. The "drug war" is not working. It's taking up our courts and prisons. We can do something about it! And it's time we had the courage to do it.
UWLAX: Does the National Libertarian party have resources you can draw from?
Ed: No, they are almost as broke as I am ... But there are Libertarians who have helped and continue to help.
RpnPhiDelt: Have you considered running for any other political offices?
Ed: I was mayor of Tomah ... this is my second campaign.
WolfDreamr: What are your plans for state employee health insurance issues?
Ed: That's a huge question ... Obviously, we need alternatives. I am thinking of medical savings accounts. Insurance covers catastrophic things ... then if you don't use your money, it's yours -- not the insurance companies.
dkettner: As governor, how would you effectively pull the legislature along to accomplish your platform?
Ed: Obviously, they can't do it now. They need a third party. They need someone to hold their feet to the fire. That's why I refuse to take PAC money.
catattack: Sorry if this has been asked before, but how would you rate the entire "third party movement" in the U.S.? Do you think there will ever be a time when a third party candidate takes the presidency?
Ed:Not now ... but it's a possibility in the future ... but the deck is so stacked against the third party. The major parties join forces to keep you out. Earlier when I was not a threat, they let me in the debates ... but when I became more competitive, they wanted to keep me out. They agreed to let me in ... but then when the polls got better in my favor ... Doyle drops out , etc ...
Ed: I am extremely thankful for the "We the People debate" invitation. But people need to see us all together ... Give people the choice to ask questions of all candidates and get answers.
(Editor's note: McCallum, Young and Thompson will be at the "We The People debate Oct. 29. Doyle has not accepted.)RpnPhiDelt: Do you think that hospitals should be able to build were they want, or should the government require a hospital to give a good reason to build?
Ed: I think they should within reason ... not next to a zoo or anything. It's a business, it should have power to make decisions for itself.
State_Work: Ed, I heard you on the radio say that state workers are dead weight. What did you mean?
Ed: I never said that. My son is a state worker ... Must have been misunderstood ...
Tucker2: In light of Rayovac's closing today ... what would you do as governor to help the people who will be out of jobs?
Ed: First of all, we ought to help businesses stay here. Wisconsin is the third-highest tax state ... We'll keep losing more if we don't do something. We need to attract business, and the only way to do that is to lower the tax rate.
WolfDreamr: What about those employees on the lower end of the earning grid? We cannot afford more co-payments and large cuts to our existing benefits with no increase in wages. Even a cost-of-living increase would be beneficial, but I am still waiting for mine. How would you help this situation?
Ed: The insurance situation is terrible ... I can't afford it either! We need to pool together .. The people deserve as good of insurance as the legislators who are passing the laws.
Dems2002: I think the talk of a non-strong third party is somewhat crazy considering that the Republicans were once a third party, so there is always some hope that a third party would come out strong.
Ed: There is hope. I hope we are bringing attention to it. And if lightening strikes ... and we get some revenue ... we can get the word out more.
Elaine_B: What about Campaign Finance Reform?
Ed: I am the epitome of Campaign Finance reform. I have sent money BACK to people.
Elaine_B: What about term limits.
Ed:I am also a firm believer in term limits ...
dar341: My husband says if I vote for you, I will be wasting my vote, what would you say to that?
Ed: There is only one way to waste your vote ... don't vote at all! If you don't win ... did you lose? No. You have to get your opinions out there.
relaxa: Good Morning, Mr. Thompson. What would be your top 3 or 4 priorities in balancing the state budget?
Ed: Cut the Department of Corrections in half ... We need to get addicts medical help, etc. -- not lock them up. We need to have accountability on every level. We need to cut the fat. We need to turn in budgets that are fiscal budgets ... not just policies.
Dems2002: If you were not running as a Libertarian candidate, who would you vote for? McCallum or Doyle?
Ed: I'd vote for Jim Young.
UWLAX: Ed, Marty Reynolds has gotten some very good press for being an honorable legislator. Why don't I see him in the press as your running mate?
Ed: You'd have to ask the press that. Marty is a man of great honor. He was kept out of debates too. He had a tornado in his city ... it ripped up his home up ... but he is still out there. He is a great man.
relaxa: Ed, what is your opinion of state workers?
Ed: I think they are very needed and dedicated people. I would be lost without them!
mklune: Where can we get yard signs, bumper stickers in Madison?
Ed: Go to my Web site -
Edthompson.com.
UWLAX: Has the tornado in his hometown hindered his ability to campaign?
Ed: In the beginning it did, but now he is working around the clock. We met after I read an article where he said he was quitting because he was sick of it all. So, I called him and told him, "You're the kind of guy we need!"
RpnPhiDelt: Do you think that same day voter registration is good for the state, why?
Ed: Right now I am trying to run for governor, but I always am concerned when we talk about war .... it's very serious.
relaxa: Ed, Jim Doyle has demanded that Chuck Chvala and Scott Jensen both step down. Do you think they should step down?
Ed: Yes, for the sake of leadership. But if the people decide to vote them back in ... that's their prerogative ... Until the cloud hanging over them has lifted ...
wordemup: The demo for both smoking and patronizing casinos could be somewhat similar, and I can't remember the last time I smoked and said, "Gee guys, how about we go gambling!"
Ed: We said the same thing when we saw that study.
wordemup: Thanks, and good luck Mr. Thompson.
Ed: Thank you.
mklune: Ed, you said you will cut the budget by $5-6 billion. What percent of the total budget is that? Does that mean a tax cut? Which taxes?
Ed: I didn't say billion ... I said cut $500 million from Department of Corrections ... and that is still twice as big as it was in 1989.
Pack_Fan: Will you watch the New England Patriots play the Packers and who do you think will win?
Ed: I will definitely watch the Packers beat the New England -- by 21 points!
Pack_Fan: Is there anything you can do about the Pathetic Brewers!
Ed: (Laughs) If there is anything I could do ... I would have done it! Maybe if Bug Selig would change his mind about Pete Rose .. the good lord would smile on him?
relaxa: Ed, should the secretary of the DNR be appointed by the governor or by the DNR board?
Ed: By the DNR Board. I think they have a better handle on it -- and it would be serve the public better.
Skorpi: Would you change the current abortion laws?
Ed: No, Wisconsin's are the most stringent in the nation, and I wouldn't change them.
WolfDreamr: I think your campaign is great, Mr. Thompson, I have seen more yard signs and bumper stickers with Thompson for Governor than I have for McCallum or Doyle and they are advertising all over TV. You have taken your campaign TO the people (radio, chats, etc.) and not thrown it AT the people like the Dems and Repubs. Bravo!
Ed: Thank you. We are trying.
relaxa: Ed, do you think it's fair that state workers have been working without a new contract for over 15 months? If you were governor, would you give priority to settling contracts with state workers?
Ed: No, they should be able to work out an agreement. I settled with the police union in Tomah ... there was a lot of negotiations, but you can do it if you try. It's time that it's settled. I have been a member of several unions ... I am a firm believer people should be able to form unions if they want to. They kept me working! I was in UAW and worked for AFGE, and the labor union.
State_Work: Wisconsin wages are too low! what can you do?!?!?
Ed: We need family-wage paying jobs. We need industry in Wisconsin, and that will attract business. It's all related
relaxa: Ed, do you think the UW budget should be cut to help balance the budget?
Ed: No, but I think that it should not be balanced on the backs of students ... any raise in tuition should be tied to inflation, financial aid needs to rise accordingly.
RpnPhiDelt: What kind of industry would you like to attract to Wisconsin?
Ed: Any industry that attracts wage-paying jobs -- Car makers ... shoe makers .. whatever! There are a lot of industries that are needed. And you can't leave out the poor counties. You have to build the whole state together.
Skorpi: What is your position on primary education testing?
Ed: We can't have testing shoved down out throats. It doesn't help education.
dar341: I, personally, am sick of the Dems and Reps, they do nothing to help the lower-income people in this state, what will you do to make things more equal?
Ed: I have been poor my whole life. I feel the same way. My biggest concern is senior citizens. They are being taxed out of their homes. They can't afford drugs. In the end, they end up in care centers that are understaffed. I have seen this all over the state. We need to get our priorities in order. We better focus on our seniors. In Tomah, we started loans for medical supplies ... if we had a wheel chair and someone needed it .. they got it -- at no charge.
RpnPhiDelt: Do you think that there should be a term limit on the Governors seat?
Ed: Absolutely, I am strong supporter of that. Two terms - 8 years -- that's it. If I were elected ... I am not sure if I would even run for two terms ... I would make my decision late based on issues -- not based on polls. That's what career politicians do. They just look at the polls and decide.
RpnPhiDelt: If you were to have the money to advertise on TV, what kind of ads would you run (negative or positive)?
Ed: I wouldn't have to do negative .. they are doing a fine job of that themselves. I just want people to know who I am ... a common- down to earth businessman. I do what I say.
Dr_Spock: When did you decide to run?
Ed: It was a growing process to make this decision. I used to be very apolitical. But I made the decision Dec. 13, 1997. That was the turning point.
State_Work: How can you lower taxes?
Ed: You can lower taxes by cutting spending. Don't implement new programs if you can't afford it. We need to get the fat out of the government.
RpnPhiDelt: Was there any outside influence (friends, family, etc.) that pushed you to run for Gov. or was it just a decision that you made?
Ed: Gov. Ventura was an inspiration ...
Moderator: Any topics that you'd like to discuss that haven't been asked about yet?
Ed: Yes, conceal and carry -- It's time that women and people in the city can arm themselves if they have no criminal record. I don't think that conceal and carry is discussed enough. McCallum let the issue die last year.
mklune: Have you asked Gov Ventura to come over for a fundraiser?
Ed: No, but we've thought about it. He's busy person though.
dar341: Thank you Mr. Thompson, for this chat, I have really enjoyed it, and you are certainly going to get my support! You are very refreshing.
Moderator: Our time is coming to a close, do you have any closing comments?
Ed: It's time to take the state back. This state is being run by big money. If you want honesty, I am your man.
Moderator: Thanks for coming into and joining our chat!
RpnPhiDelt: Honesty is what you have, good luck in the election Ed!
mklune: Keep pushing, Ed.
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