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Alan Keyes on Technology
Republican challenger for IL Senate; previously Candidate for President
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Transportation projects are top priorities in Illinois
Q: What infrastructure projects do you think are priorities in Illinois, and which ones would you work for?A: Starting with the problem that supports one of the most important sectors in our state, which is the need to take the 70-year-old locks and
dams that have been preserved by the Corp of Engineers, but which everybody knows now are in need of attention so that we can maintain the transport system that supports our agriculture. That would be a first priority. Second, we have the problem of
congestion in the air space over O'Hare that has been held up by a whole bunch of political paralysis; people paying lip service to what needs to be done, while they stand back in fear of having to deal with what is really, at the end of the day, an
effort to control the situation politically. We need to integrate central & southern Illinois into this plan, by making sure that we have encouraged Amtrak to develop its full potential for rail transportation, that knits together our whole state.
Source: IL Senate Debate, Illinois Radio Network
Oct 12, 2004
Abolish the income tax and eventually tax the Internet
Q: Do you support taxing Internet commerce?
A: I think it would be a mistake to make that moratorium permanent.. And since we ought to abolish the income tax and move to a national sales tax,
I would not want to exclude that area of commerce from national taxation under a sales tax when we have abolished the income tax.
Source: Republican debate in West Columbia, South Carolina
Jan 7, 2000
Publicly fund NASA like we funded the western frontier
Q: Should taxpayers continue to fund NASA, or should it move to the private sector?
A: They should continue to fund these programs. When we opened up our frontiers, the Lewis & Clark Expedition and so forth, those were not privately funded matters.
Our Founders considered exploring this great continent to be one of the important functions of government. And we should as a community sustain our commitment to develop the great frontier [of space] for the sake of humanity, not just for our own sake.
Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College
Oct 29, 1999
Supports the spiritual component of space exploration
Space exploration has a spiritual component which we may be losing sight of. As a people we need continually to have before us the truth that our potential is best realized when we are challenging ourselves to reach for those things that transcend
our everyday needs and desires and passions and commit us to the kind of endeavors that have importance not only for us, but for future generations. I think space exploration is one of those and I would support it strongly.
Source: Republican Debate at Dartmouth College
Oct 29, 1999
Regulate “offensive violence” on TV, not all violence
Only the most obtuse libertarians would contend that broadcasters have no responsibility toward public safety and decency. There would be a problem, though. Deciding what constitutes offensive violence. The objection to offensive violence surely isn’t
an objection to the depiction of any violent act. The classic film High Noon for instance, culminates in a violent showdown. But the movie isn’t about violence; it’s about courage, and the need to stand for what is right even when threatened by
violence.TV shows that wallow in mindless materialism, and that encourage people to believe that sexual gratification, a fancy house, or a fine suit of clothes are worth more than family, friendship, or moral integrity, encourage violence. Any
system to empower parents ought to involve a ratings scheme that allows parents to deal with these things, too. The present movie rating system isn’t perfect, but it helps. The media moguls will howl, but parents who care will be grateful.
Source: Our Character, Our Future, p. 96-8
May 2, 1996
Explore space to fulfill our sense of purpose
There are some people who oppose space exploration on the grounds that there are more pressing human needs to be addressed here on Earth. But I think they forget what may be the most pressing human need of all-the need for a sense of purpose
and meaning in life that goes beyond this moment, and that links us with a future larger than ourselves. As long as children dream dreams inspired by that sort of meaning, they may live in poverty, but poverty never lives in them. A commitment to space
exploration is surely not the only future-oriented project we can set for ourselves, but it’s certainly one of them. With this is mind, I hope the recently released Stafford Report will help re-energize America’s long-term commitment. The
report presents four plans, including a Mars exploration project and a human outpost on the moon. A major flaw in the report is the failure to provide cost estimates.. We should keep our hopes in the heavens but our costs down to Earth.
Source: Our Character, Our Future, p.105-6
May 2, 1996
V-chip to allow parents to regulate kids’ TV access
I don’t believe that government censorship is the answer. I think that we should develop and use the technology that will allow parents and other responsible people to regulate access for those who are minors. I think the V-chip for TVs is good for those
who want it, but should not be mandated by government for all sets. I oppose the Clipper Chip.
Source: Interview on CompuServe
Sep 6, 1995