Video exploring critical thinking and how it leads to great citizen involvement

Chuck Baldwin

Constitution Party Presidential Nominee
Founder and Minister of the Crossroad Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL
Positions & Statements
on the Issues


Finances
VP Selection: Darrell Castle


Chuck Baldwin''s Positions & Statements on the Issues
Positions are categorized as Pro, Con, Not Clearly Pro or Con, or None Found.
Abortion: "Should abortion remain a legal option in America?"

Con: "I believe abortion is America's national holocaust. It is the deliberate killing of innocent human life. Furthermore, it is absolutely disgraceful that while the so-called "pro-life" Republican Party controlled the entire federal government from 2000 to 2006, they did nothing to overturn Roe v. Wade and end legalized abortion."
"Strictly Personal," www.renewamerica.us, May 9, 2008

Abortion: "Should parental consent be required for pregnant minors to have abortions?"

Pro: "Pro. But abortion would be illegal, so this would not be applicable."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Character: "Is competence more important than honesty in a President?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Both are important."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
China: "Is China a threat to the US?"

Pro: "Speaking of China, it is time that we recognize the very serious threat that China poses to the peace and security of the United States."
"If I Were President," www.chuckbaldwinlive.com, May 3, 2008

China: "Should the US impose economic sanctions on China as an incentive to improve its human rights policies?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The U.S. should terminate most-favored-nation (PNTR) status for Communist China, and discontinue technology transfers to the Beijing regime."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Criminal Justice: "Should felons, who have completed their jail time and probation and paid all their fines, be allowed to vote in elections?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The nature of the crime of which the felon was committed should be taken into consideration in determining whether a particular felon should be allowed to vote in elections. This is a matter to be determined at the state level, not by the Federal government."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 18, 2008

Criminal Justice: "Should the US develop programs that focus more on rehabilitation than punishment in order to reduce its rate of incarceration?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Determinations of appropriate punishment should be made at the state and local level."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 18, 2008

Cuba: "Should the US continue to support an embargo against Cuba?"

Pro: "Yes, especially at a time when Moscow is using Cuba as a footstool to taunt the United States, we should do all we can to maintain and enhance the pressure on the Cuba regime."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Darfur: "Should the US send any American forces, with or without the UN, to the Darfur region of Sudan to stop the genocide?"

Con: "We would support and encourage all private citizens and private humanitarian aid to work to change the situation in the Darfur region.

These United States is [sic] properly a free and sovereign republic which should strive to live in peace with all nations, without interfering in their internal affairs, and without permitting their interference in ours. We are, therefore, unalterably opposed to entangling alliances - via treaties, or any other form of commitment - which compromise our national sovereignty, or commit us to intervention in foreign wars.

Also, the Constitution Party would "call upon the President, and Congress, to terminate United States membership in the United Nations, and its subsidiary organizations, and terminate U.S. participation in all so-called U.N. peace keeping operations."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Death Penalty: "Should the death penalty remain a legal option in America?"

Pro:  "The Supreme Court should in no way interfere with the ability of the duty of the states to impose the death penalty in appropriate circumstances. At the Federal level, the government has usurped responsibility in the criminal justice area. It was recognized in the early days of our republic when there were only three crimes subject to Federal jurisdiction; piracy, counterfeiting, and treason. That has now increased to some 4,450 crimes. We should go back to the original limit."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Defense: "Should the US build its missile defense shield in former Soviet states despite objections from Russia?"

Con: "It has not been clearly established that such deployments are necessary to the defense of U.S. territory and population."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 18, 2008

District of Columbia: "Should the District of Columbia become the 51st US state?"

Con: "No. This is clearly prohibited by the Constitution of the United States."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 18, 2008

Economy: "Is outsourcing jobs to other countries good for America?"

Con: "Talented professionals should have their best opportunities for employment within the United States. If the Federal government limited its activities and expenditures to those which are Constitutionally permissible, the outsourcing of jobs and businesses would cease to be the problem which it has become."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Economy: "Should the US include mandatory regulations for labor rights in free trade agreements?"

Con: "Chuck Baldwin as president would 'immediately commence a systematic withdrawal from these treaties and agreements, each of which holds the potential to plunge America into war in some far-flung corner of the earth.' The US would no longer be involved in any free trade agreements, so would not mandate any regulations for foreign countries."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Economy: "Has the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) had an overall benefit for the US?"

Con:  "We favor the abolition of the Office of Special Trade Representative, and insist on the withdrawal of these United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and all other agreements wherein agencies other than the Congress of these United States improperly assume responsibility for establishing American trade policies."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Economy: "Should the federal government bail out failing US private corporations like it did with Bear Stearns or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac at taxpayers expense?"

Con: "At the time of this writing, the U.S. House and Senate are poised to pass a $700 billion bailout to Wall Street. At the behest of President George W. Bush, the U.S. taxpayers are going to be on the hook for what can only be referred to as the biggest fraud in U.S. history...

Bear Stearns was awarded a $29 billion bailout, followed quickly by the bailout of Freddie and Fannie that will cost the taxpayers up to $200 billion...

I say, No amnesty for Wall Street...Instead of sending these banksters on extended vacations to the Bahamas with millions of taxpayer dollars in their pockets, we should be sending them straight to jail!"
"No Amnesty for Wall Street," www.chuckbaldwinlive.com, Sep. 26, 2008
Economy: "Do labor unions provide an overall benefit to workers in the US?"

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Baldwin campaign on Oct. 29, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Oct. 31, 2008.

Education: "Has the No Child Left Behind Act been effective at improving public education?"

Con: "The Department of Education of course is a monstrosity that was created back in Jimmy Carter's administration as a payoff, literally, to the teacher's union for support. Of course, just recently under President Bush, who collaborated with Ted Kennedy, they put together the No Child Left Behind Act which gave the Department of Education more power and more authority over education than had ever been known before in this country... Again, the Department of Education is one of those departments that when I become president will no longer exist...

If the federal intrusion into education worked as they said it would work, then why are we slipping every year it seems, further and further down on the competence level when you compare our test scores to the other industrialized nations of the world. Now if federal dollars was the answer, if federal involvement was the answer, then this would not be happening. This dumbing down would not be occurring, and the falling behind in education would not be happening. The fact that it is happening is a testament to the reality of the situation, which is that the more the federal government gets involved in education the worse education becomes."


Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Education: "Is the increasing cost of college and university tuition pricing America's middle class out of higher education?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "One way to reduce the economic burden on American students is to stop giving tuition advantages to illegal aliens and the children of illegal aliens."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Education: "Should the federal government fund school voucher programs?"

Con: "Education should be free from all federal government subsidies, including vouchers, tax incentives, and loans, except with respect to veterans."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Education: "Should sex education in our schools be based on abstinence only?"

Con: "There should be zero sex education in government schools."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 18, 2008

Election Reform: "Should voter verified paper audit trails (VVPAT) be mandatory in elections?"

Pro: "PRO!"
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 15, 2008
Election Reform: "Should there be restrictions on campaign contributions?"

Con: "No. We call for a repeal of all federal campaign finance laws (i.e. McCain-Feingold) due to their violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Election Reform: "Should the election campaigns of candidates for public office be publicly financed?"

Con: "Con."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Eminent Domain: "Should federal or state government be allowed to use eminent domain laws to take private property for non-public use?"

Con: "The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution limits the federal power of eminent domain solely to the purchase of private property with just compensation for public use, such as military reservations and government office buildings - not for public ownership, such as urban renewal, environmental protection, or historic preservation."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Energy: "Should drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) be allowed?"

Pro: "We call attention to the continuing need of these United States for a sufficient supply of energy for national security and for the immediate adoption of a policy of free market solutions to achieve energy independence for these United States. We call for abolishing the Department of Energy...

...If I become President of these United States, we will see to it that the Department of Energy will be eviscerated. Ending the Department of Energy will take the Federal government out of the oil business, out of the energy business. We will untap vast reserves that reside under soil of Alaska... We do not need OPEC[Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries]... We can, simply by getting the government out of the way, have resurgence, a surplus of energy in this country."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Energy: "Should the US tap into its emergency oil reserves to help bring down the price of gasoline?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "There is absolutely no reason for us to be dependent upon OPEC. There is enough gas and oil under the soil of Alaska (not to mention the Dakotas and the Gulf of Mexico) to meet the energy needs of the United States for the next 150-200 years. There is also no reason that gas should cost more than $1.50 a gallon (which is about what it was before Bush became President).

We must begin drilling for the domestic oil that we know exists; we must build more refineries and nuclear power plants."
"If I Were President," www.chuckbaldwinlive.com, May 2, 2008
Energy: "Should the US permit more offshore drilling to increase domestic energy supplies?"

Pro: "We must begin drilling for the domestic oil that we know exists...There is no reason why the United States cannot be mostly energy independent."
"If I Were President," www.chuckbaldwinlive.com, May 2, 2008
Energy: "Should the US build additional nuclear plants?"

Pro: "...[W]e must build more refineries and nuclear power plants. There is no reason why the United States cannot be mostly energy independent."
"If I Were President," www.chuckbaldwinlive.com, May 2, 2008

Energy: "Should the private ethanol industry be subsidized by the federal government?"

Con: "Con."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Sep. 23, 2008

Environment: "Should the US ratify an international environmental agreement (such as the Kyoto Protocol) that mandates reductions in carbon emissions?"

Con: "We oppose environmental treaties and conventions such as the Biodiversity Treaty, the Convention on Climate Control, and Agenda 21, which destroy our sovereignty and right to private property."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Environment: "Should the federal government mandate an increase in fuel efficiency standards for automobiles?"

Con: "Con."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Environment: "Are humans substantially responsible for global climate change today?"

Con: "No, not any more than humans have been responsible for climate change, back and forth, up and down, cold and hot, during the many centuries in which such changes have occurred."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Gun Control: "Are more federal regulations on guns and ammunition needed?"

Con: "We oppose attempts to prohibit ownership of guns by law-abiding citizens, and stand against all laws which would require the registration of guns or ammunition... We call for the repeal of all federal firearms legislation, beginning with Federal Firearms Act of 1968."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Health Care: "Should all Americans have a right to government or employer subsidized basic health care?"

Con: "The federal government has no Constitutional provision to regulate or restrict the freedom of the people to have access to medical care, supplies or treatments."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Health Care: "Should Americans be allowed to purchase their prescription drugs from other countries?"

Pro: "Yes."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Health Care: "Are fast food companies responsible in any way for America's obesity problems?"

Con: "Con, in the same way automobile manufacturers aren't responsible for those who drive while impaired and kill people. Fast food is a commodity that, while not the centerpiece of a healthful diet and while not the best and most nutritious fare, in moderation, and as part of a healthful diet coupled with exercise does not lead to obesity in and of itself.

People are responsible for what they choose to eat, and how much they choose to eat/ Fast food on a regular basis can lead to obesity, but that does not call for government intervention and watchdog meddling."

Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 15, 2008

Immigration: "Are illegal immigrants a net gain to the US economy?"

Con: "No."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Immigration: "Should illegal aliens receive any of the rights or benefits that lawful permanent residents enjoy?"

Con: "These immigrants - including illegal aliens - have been made eligible for various kinds of public assistance, including housing, education, Social Security, and legal services. This unconstitutional drain on the federal Treasury is having a severe and adverse impact on our economy, increasing the cost of government at federal, state, and local levels, adding to the tax burden, and stressing the fabric of society... We oppose the provision of welfare subsidies and other taxpayer-supported benefits to illegal aliens."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Immigration: "Should the US build a physical barrier, such as a fence, along the US-Mexico border?"

Pro: "Pro- build a fence and enforce the existing immigration laws, no amnesty and no social services at taxpayer expense."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 15, 2008
Iran: "Should the US use military force against Iran if Iran does not dismantle its nuclear program?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The United States should not be involved in another governments' affairs, but primarily in its own defense.

We must disengage this nation from the international entanglements which generate foreign hatred of these United States, and are used as the excuse for terrorist attacks on America and its people. Constitution Party Platform: Terrorism and Personal Liberty

Any military force would have to be ordered and authorized by Congress.

We demand that never again shall United States troops be employed on any foreign field of battle without a declaration of war by Congress, as required by the United States Constitution."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Iran: "Should the US be involved in direct negotiations with Iran?"

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Baldwin campaign on Oct. 14, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Oct. 17, 2008.

Iraq: "Was it a mistake to attack Iraq in 2003?"

Pro: "I opposed the preemptive invasion of Iraq, and I continue to oppose the occupation of that country. I believe the Bush administration was untruthful about the motivations for going to war with Iraq and continues to deceive the American people to this very day."
"Strictly Personal," www.renewamerica.us, May 9, 2008
Iraq: "Has the war in Iraq made America safer?"

Con: "The war in Iraq has made us more of a target, hated by foreign countries for invading sovereign territory."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Iraq: "Should the US set a timetable for troop withdrawal in Iraq?"

Pro: "Pro."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 18, 2008
Israel: "Should Israel continue to receive the current level of military and economic aid from the US?"

Con: "No, nor would any other countries on the globe.

As President, I believe that foreign aid is unconstitutional. I would eliminate all foreign aid, period. Including to Israel. I think foreign aid is harmful to our overall peace and harmony in the world... I do believe that our policies towards Israel over the last several decades have been more harmful than helpful for Israel... How are we being a blessing to Israel by arming and quipping and sending four times more foreign aid to her enemies than we do to her? ... The best thing the United States could do to help for Israel is to simply butt out of her business and let her take care of her sovereign affairs."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Israel-Palestinian Conflict: "Should the US allow Hamas to join future Israeli-Palestinian negotiations?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The US should not be involved or determining negotiations between foreign governments or organizations.

We must disengage this nation from the international entanglements which generate foreign hatred of these United States, and are used as the excuse for terrorist attacks on America and its people."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Israeli Palestinian Conflict: "Should there be an independent Palestinian state?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The US should not be involved or determining negotiations between foreign governments or organizations.

We must disengage this nation from the international entanglements which generate foreign hatred of these United States, and are used as the excuse for terrorist attacks on America and its people."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Kosovo: "Should the US have supported Kosovo's independence?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The US should not be involved or determining negotiations between foreign governments or organizations.

We must disengage this nation from the international entanglements which generate foreign hatred of these United States, and are used as the excuse for terrorist attacks on America and its people."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Marriage: "Should there be a Constitutional amendment or federal law defining marriage as only between a man and a woman?"

Con: "We are opposed to amending the U.S. Constitution for the purpose of defining marriage."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
[Editor's Note: While Baldwin opposes a Constitutional amendment to define marriage, he does believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman as indicated on his campaign website (www.baldwin08.com) which states: "Once elected you can be sure that President Chuck Baldwin will always give the American people the 'Real Deal.' He is a conservative who believes that the United States Constitution really is the law of the land and that marriage should always be between one man and one woman."]
Marriage: "Should an affair outside of marriage disqualify a candidate for public office?"

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Baldwin campaign on July 22, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Aug. 19, 2008.
Media: "Should journalists be shielded from prosecution for protecting their sources?"

Con: "Journalists should have no special privileges denied to other citizens of the United States."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 18, 2008

Medical Marijuana: "Should marijuana be a medical option?"

Pro: "The federal government has no Constitutional provision to regulate or restrict the freedom of the people to have access to medical care, supplies or treatments. We advocate, therefore, the elimination of the federal Food and Drug Administration, as it has been the federal agency primarily responsible for prohibiting beneficial products, treatments, and technologies here in the United States that are freely available in much of the rest of the civilized world."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Medical Marijuana: "Should the federal government stop raids against people for using medical marijuana in states where medical marijuana use is legal?"

Pro: "Pro."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

National ID: "Should there be a national identification card?"

Con: "We will not advance, we will not tolerate, we will not accept any form of a national ID card. Free people do not have to check in with government officials and show them their papers! That does not work in these United States of America...

...We affirm the Fourth Amendment right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, including arbitrary or de facto registration, general and unwarranted electronic surveillance, national computer databases, and national identification cards."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
National Service: "Should the US institute a military draft?"

Con: "Conscription deprives a person of liberty without due process of law. This is clearly prohibited by the 5th amendment. Conscription is an involuntary taking of a person's labor-which is a form of property-without just compensation as provided by the eminent domain provisions of the 5th amendment. I oppose imposition of the draft, the registration law, compulsory military training or any other form of compulsory government service."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
National Service: "Should openly gay people be allowed to serve in the US military?"

Con: "No, their presence can undermine military cohesion."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
National Service: "Should the US mandate military service or civil service like the Peace Corps?"

Con: "Con. Forced servitude is unconstitutional."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 15, 2008

Presidential Power: "Should the US President's powers be expanded to include a line item veto?"

Con: "Absolutely not. Giving the President such authority would transfer to the Executive Branch significant control over the budget process, which is supposed to be predominately under the direction of the Legislative Branch."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Presidential Power: "Should the unitary executive theory apply to the US President?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "It depends on what is meant by the unitary executive theory."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Presidential Powers: "Should the Vice-President of the US be considered part of the Executive Branch and thus be subject to the laws and rules governing that branch?"

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Baldwin campaign on Oct. 14, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Oct. 30, 2008.

Religion: "Should federal funds be given to faith-based (religious) organizations and initiatives?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Only those duties, functions, and programs specifically assigned to the federal government by the Constitution should be funded. We call upon Congress and the President to stop all federal expenditures which are not specifically authorized by the U. S. Constitution, and to restore to the states those powers, programs, and sources of revenue that the federal government has usurped."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Religion: "Should a candidate's religion matter to voters?"

Pro: "Voters should have confidence that their President acknowledges the sovereignty of God."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Science: "Should the government continue to fund the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)?"

None Found: ProCon.org emailed the Baldwin campaign on Oct. 14, 2008 with this question. We had not received a reply or found a position as of Oct. 17, 2008.

Science: "Should Intelligent Design be taught as science in schools?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I know that there are some among the Libertarians of our country that may be concerned that because I am a Christian minister I may try to use the office of the President to coerce people into worshiping the way that I would want them to worship, etc.,and nothing could be further from the truth."
"Chuck Baldwin on Atheisitic & Religious Freedoms," YouTube video  (accessed Oct. 24, 2008)
Social Security: "Should Social Security be privatized?"

Pro: "Social Security is a form of individual welfare not authorized in the Constitution. We support the right of individuals to choose between private retirement and pension programs, either at their place of employment or independently."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Stem Cells: "Should the federal government fund embryonic stem cell research?"

Con: "Only those duties, functions, and programs specifically assigned to the federal government by the Constitution should be funded. We call upon Congress and the President to stop all federal expenditures which are not specifically authorized by the U. S. Constitution, and to restore to the states those powers, programs, and sources of revenue that the federal government has usurped.

Under no circumstances may the federal government fund or otherwise support any state or local government or any organization or entity, foreign or domestic, which advocates, encourages or participates in the practice of abortion... In addition, we oppose the funding and legalization of bio-research involving human embryonic or pre-embryonic cells."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

Taxes: "Should the Bush tax cuts be made permanent?"

Pro: "Yes, they are a starting point. We favor elimination of the income tax and a return to reliance on excises, imposts, and duties as the primary source of revenue for the Federal government."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
Taxes: "Should any federal taxes be increased?"

Con: "Con."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Sep. 19, 2008
Turkey: "Should Turkey be able to enter Iraq or other countries unilaterally in search of its enemies?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The US should not be involved or determining negotiations between foreign governments or organizations."

We must disengage this nation from the international entanglements which generate foreign hatred of these United States, and are used as the excuse for terrorist attacks on America and its people."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
US Constitution: "Should the US Constitution and Bill of Rights be altered or updated in any way?"

Con: "We oppose any attempt to call for a Constitutional convention, for any purpose whatsoever, because it cannot be limited to any single issue, and such convention could seriously erode our Constitutionally protected unalienable rights."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
War on Terror: "Should interrogation techniques that some consider torture, such as waterboarding, be a legal option?"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "Subordinate military personnel should not be empowered to engage in activities which Congress defines as torture."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

War on Terror: "Should the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba be closed?"

Con: "No."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

War on Terror: "Has the USA PATRIOT Act had an overall benefit for the US?"

Con: "I want you to understand that the FBI used, under the rubrique [sic] of the PATRIOT Act, the laws that were provided in that act in order to spy and eventually to humiliate Governor Spitzer. But we were told, were we not? that the PATRIOT Act would never be used against American people. It was only designed to spy on foreign terrorists. I'm not defending Governor Spitzer; I'm trying to show you the dangers of giving unlimited, unconstitutional power to a government that does not have checks and balances intended by our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

The USA PATRIOT Act permits arrests without warrants and secret detention without counsel, wiretaps without court supervision, searches and seizures without notification to the individual whose property is invaded, and a host of other violations of the legal safeguards our nation has historically developed according to principles descending from the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.
Since we will no longer have a free nation while the federal government (or the governments of the several states, as the federal government may authorize) can violate our historic rights under such laws, we call for the rejection of all such laws and the ceasing of any such further proposals including the aforementioned Domestic Securities Enhancement Act."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008
War on Terror: "Should telecommunication companies receive immunity for allowing the government to conduct past warrantless wiretaps?"

Con: "No."
Email to ProCon.org from Chuck Baldwin's Communications Director, Mary Starrett, on Aug. 11, 2008

 

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Chuck Baldwin's Biography
Title(s): Founder and Minister of the Crossroad Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL
Personal Information:
Full Name: Charles "Chuck" Baldwin
Marital Status: Married
Birthdate: May 3, 1952
Children: 3
Birthplace: La Porte, Indiana
Religion: Baptist
Involvement:
  • Constitution Party Presidential Nominee, 2008
  • Founder and Minister, Crossroad Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL, 1975-present
  • Radio talk show host, "Chuck Baldwin Live"
  • Newspaper and Internet columnist
  • Constitution Party Vice-Presidential Nominee, 2004
  • Pensacola Chairman, and then State Chairman, of the Florida Moral Majority, 1980-1984
Education:
  • Attended Midwestern Baptist College
  • MA, Theology, Christian Bible College
  • BA, Theology, Christian Bible College
  • Bible Diploma, Liberty Bible Institute, Liberty University
Affiliations and Memberships:
  • Member, Board of Directors, Gospel Radio Latin America
  • Member, Board of Regional Vice-Presidents, Trinity Baptist College
  • Honorary Deputy Sheriff, Escambia County Florida Sheriff's Department
  • Volunteer Chaplain, Century, Florida State Prison
  • Honorary Member, Pensacola City Council
  • Honorary Member, Women for Responsible Legislation
  • Recipient, National Medal of Patriotism, American Police Hall of Fame
  • Recipient, honorary Doctor of Divinity degree, Christian Bible College
  • Recipient, honorary Doctor of Divinity degree, Trinity Baptist College
Other:

Select Publications:

  • "McCain Madness," The Liberty Lounge website, Feb. 8, 2008
  • "Romans Chapter 13," Chuck Baldwin Live website, Aug. 10, 2007
  • "Signs of an Emerging Police State," NewsWithViews.com, June 6, 2006
  • Subjects Seldom Spoken On: 11 Messages That Will Stimulate Your Mind and Stir Your Heart, 1990
Contact Information:
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