Q & A with Scott Munsterman, SD gubernatorial candidate

A couple days ago I fired off some questions to South Dakota gubernatorial candidate Scott Munsterman of Brookings. I told him no rush on the reply (and, : ), that Cory at Madville needed to relax). Munsterman replied last night and you can read his responses below (SM). I personally (SH) asked the first three questions and asked other frequent voices here at Voices Carry (VC) to give me a few more questions to ask.

In his right sidebar, SD blogger Constant Conservative has a poll up right now on who you'd vote for if the election for governor was today. Take the poll. You can download Munsterman's book - A Vision For South Dakota" from his website. I'm happy to give the other candidates equal time if they want it but this Q & A with Munsterman is here because his invitation to personally ask him questions sought me out not the other way around.  Here we go…

SH: Regarding faith and politics, what is your faith background and how will that faith influence your public life and decisions as governor? (This question obviously comes from one who believes somebody’s values and morals are going to shape society, the only question is whose.)

SM: I became a born again Christian in 8th grade and have tried to walk the talk ever since then. My decisions and relationships in my personal life, in business and as a mayor have been impacted by these values and will as governor. My faith influences how I treat people. It gives me the perspective in life that all are entitled to dignity and respect, and that no person is more important than any other. My faith gives me a servant’s heart which is an essential element in leadership. It gets my family and I through tough times (http://www.munstermanfamily.blogspot.com) and it is my prayer each day for God to grant me wisdom, strength and courage as I do my best to follow His will.

SH: How did you vote on the issue of abortion in the 2006 and 2008 South Dakota election and why?

SM: I voted for Referred Law 6 in 2006, and Initiated Measure 11 in 2008. I will be the most pro life candidate running to be our new Governor. I have voted in favor of life in every election. I believe life begins at conception. I also believe in the adoption option as the real choice for Moms who cannot care for children. I've spent my life as a health provider to extend life not to end it.

SH: Do you support the Informed Consent law passed in 2005 and the South Dakota's efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade?

SM: Yes.

VC: Are you an independent or a republican? Is it true you voted for Daschle over Thune?

SM: I'd best be described as a Ronald Reagan Conservative Republican. I did not vote for Sen. Daschle over now Sen. Thune. And I am the only candidate to have served as Republican County Chairman.

VC: How do you plan to deliver high quality, affordable health care for all the people of SD?

SM: I practiced as a chiropractor for the past 25 years and I know the only people who deliver quality health care to the people of this state are dedicated health care providers of all professions. I don’t have one line on solving health care. Instead, I wrote a whole chapter in my book “A Vision for South Dakota”. As the only candidate with hands on experience in providing health care, I am close to the problem and closer to the solutions. Why do you feel that is the job of government? I don’t think it is the job of government. It is the job of dedicated health care providers.

VC: Why do you feel government should be involved in raising pre-school children?

SM: I am not a promoter of the government taking this over, and will reject any proposals for mandatory pre-school.   The research proves early childhood development is important, but this can and should be handled through private initiatives or with stay at home parents.

VC: As the owner of an HMO, how much money is there in such a position, and how does that prepare you to micro-manage health care decisions with more government? 

SM: It can get a little confusing with all the acronyms in health care, but I do not own an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) – you can check with the Division of Insurance.  What I am is a shareholder in a PPO – a Preferred Provider Organization. Many of my colleagues and I formed this PPO so decisions regarding a patient’s treatment were made within our state by licensed and practicing doctors and not someone without a license from out of state.

VC: What do you believe the proper role of government is?

SM: I think Abraham Lincoln said it best, ““The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do by themselves in their separate individual capacities.” I used this premise as a mayor and I will continue to practice this as your governor.

VC: How would you describe your worldview?

SM: As a Christian, I believe Scripture is the Word of God and is absolute truth. As a citizen of our nation, I believe that free enterprise and individual initiative are what have made our nation strong. As a father to my five daughters, I have promoted personal responsibility, doing your best and loving others by serving them. As a husband to my wife of 28 years, I have given her all of my love and friendship on a personal and intimate level. And as a brother, friend and son I try to do my best to focus on them and their needs. I recognize I fail at times, but my faith picks me up and dusts me off.

VC: In what instances do you feel it is OK to raise taxes?

SM: I'm not in favor of taxing people more. I’m for building our tax base with new and better jobs so we have more to tax.  As the only candidate with small business and governmental executive experience, I know how to carefully manage the money taxpayers give government for maximum efficiency. Small business owners and Mayors learn to manage money unlike Washington bureaucrats.

VC: What kinds of taxes do you feel could be decreased if any?

SM: I believe by finding efficiencies, there might be room to further reduce our property taxes.

VC: What areas of government waste would you address?

SM: The operation of government.

VC: What are your views on legalizing marijuana?

SM: I'm not in favor of legalizing marijuana. It is not necessary and any efforts at legalization on a state level would contradict federal laws, causing a jurisdictional nightmare for law enforcement.