Lawrence Lessig in Survey of 2016 Presidential campaign websites
On Crime:
Comprehensive reform of mandatory minimum sentences
Almost every problem that we see in the criminal justice system flows from the core inequality that we've allowed to grow within our society. The laws are harshest against the most politically disempowered (the poor); they are unenforced against the most
politically empowered (Wall Street). And a bizarre and misguided policy of conservative Supreme Court justices to grant an expanding immunity to government officials who break the law has removed the only effective check on rogue police departments
and federal agents.As President, I would press for comprehensive reform of mandatory minimum sentences. We send people to prison for way too long, and when they get out, too many have no choice but to return to crime.
I would also direct the Justice Department to prosecute white collar crimes through penalties imposed on people first. Corporations are not people.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On Drugs:
War on Drugs is most self-destructive war in U.S. history
The so-called "War on Drugs" has been the most self-destructive war in American history since the Civil War. Motivated by the same naive idea that led America into prohibition, the war has cost billions of dollars, and countless American lives; it has
weakened civil rights, and it has destroyed and democracy of the many South and Central American nations drawn into the illegal drug trade.We must acknowledge the mistake of this war. Not the mistake in its objective--to protect the vulnerable against
debilitating addiction. Instead, the mistake in its means. We should treat addiction like a disease, with compassion and support.
I therefore support the legalization of marijuana--not because I want my children to use that drug, but because
I recognize the limits of government's power in a free society. I would also press the federal government to develop plans to decriminalize other controlled substances--at least when it is clear that the cost of prohibition exceeds any benefit to society
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On Environment:
We don't own Earth; we hold it in trust for our children
Our values teach us that we don't own this planet. We hold it in trust for our children. And we must pass to them as rich and diverse a world as we inherited from our parents. This is a moral principle that it has taken too long for us to recognize, and
act upon.It is my view that polluters should clean up their pollution or pay the cost for the damage they've done. In this context, that principle translates into a strong demand that carbon emitters pay the price for what they do.
I would support a carbon tax, which would force them to internalize the cost of what they're doing, thereby raising the price of dirty energy, and shifting demand to clean alternatives.
That principle also means that we must do much more to stop the pollution of our air and waters by corporations who have convinced Congress to exempt them from this basic obligation.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On Homeland Security:
The size of our own defense budget induces instability
We must recognize the instability that we induce by the very size and nature of our own defense budget. Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex. His original term was even better: the military-industrial-congressional complex.
That complex creates enormous pressure for us to spend money on weapons of war. It puts enormous pressure on the United States government to encourage or at least tolerate the sale of weapons in contexts that could not induce peace.
And it continues to put pressure on our government to spend money in ways that cannot help our long term security. The wars of tomorrow won't be fought in Bradley tanks, regardless of what the lobbyists say.
Which is why, once again, we must pass The First Reform, and secure a Congress free to lead.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On Social Security:
Privatizing Social Security is a sure path to insecurity
We as a society need to guarantee that when we are old, or if we are infirm, we will have the support we need. We secure that guarantee by setting these resources apart from the market. Privatizing Social Security is a sure path to insecurity for most.I would also support removing the cap on contributions to Social Security (without necessarily proportionally increasing the benefits paid.) Any increase in taxes will be incredibly difficult until
The First Reform is enacted. But when Republicans and Democrats alike are free to consider the views of voters rather than funders, we will return to the objective of Social Security: security.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On Social Security:
Apply same Social Security rate to all levels of income
Taxes in America should be progressive and efficient. Today they are neither. We have capped Social Security contributions at a regressively low amount.
I would support abolishing the contribution cap for Social Security, applying the same Social Security rate to all levels of income. I would consider a proposal to offset any reduction in corporate tax with increased progressivity in income tax.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On Tax Reform:
Taxes in America should be progressive and efficient
Taxes in America should be progressive and efficient. Today they are neither--or at least, not enough. We have flattened the traditionally progressive income tax substantially. We have capped Social Security contributions at a regressively low amount.
We tax corporations unequally and unfairly--and as economists have shown, regressively. And we have one of the most complex tax codes generally in the world.I would work to radically simplify the tax code, while enhancing its progressivity.
I would support abolishing the carried interest exemption that permits some of the richest Americans (hedge fund managers) to pay among the lowest tax rates. I would consider adding a higher marginal rate for individuals making more than $1M a year.
All of these changes follow directly from the principle of an efficient, progressive tax system. But they all would be vigorously opposed by the interests that dominate Washington. After we enact The First Reform, these changes will be easier to achieve.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On War & Peace:
No US ground troops in Syria; but create safe zones
I recognize the frustration that many feel about Syria. After a decade, things are no better than they were. And given Russia's involvement, that will not change anytime soon. But we cannot ignore the incredible instability Syria is bringing to the
region. Eleven million Syrians are displaced and effectively refugees. That fact will put enormous pressure on the region and Europe. And we cannot simply ignore that fact and hope it goes away.
I do not now support sending ground troops to Syria. But I do believe we must act with allies to secure at least humanitarian ends. I would support a policy like that which protected the Kurds.
The topography of Syria will make that policy more difficult than it was in Kurdistan, but it could be effective nonetheless. There need to be safe zones in Syria. We need to work with allies to secure them now.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On War & Peace:
Vigorously support nuclear agreement with Iran
As President, I would vigorously support [President Obama's nuclear] agreement with Iran. We must exercise a cautious skepticism of course, but we must also recognize that across history, such is always how peace begins. We have fundamental disagreements
with Iran. We cannot tolerate the exporting of terrorism, and we must remain committed to defending the Israeli people. But this first step is an historic achievement. We should celebrate it, and work to make it succeed.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On War & Peace:
Work with Sunnis and Iraq against ISIS
I don't believe ISIS is like Al-Qaeda. ISIS has engaged in horrific and criminal acts to recruit. But its ultimate objective is not to challenge us. Its objective is to achieve a dominant position in the region. Our strategy must be to work with the
Sunnis & Iraq, to give the Sunnis a reason to support the Iraqi government against ISIS. I fear Iraq is looking elsewhere to build this anti-ISIS coalition. We need to move quickly to avoid an alliance that will only create more instability in the future
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On War & Peace:
Maintain 5,500 or more US troops in Afghanistan
I support the President's decision to maintain a small number of troops in Afghanistan. It may be that number should be higher than just 5,500. Those troops are not engaged in combat. They are only providing essential support. I fear that too hasty a
retreat would bring to naught the sacrifices of so many Americans in that war. Obama made a commitment to get us out. But he is acting as a statesman, recognizing that rational policy doesn't necessarily track the life of an American administration.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us, `Issues`
Oct 29, 2015
On Government Reform:
Voter vouchers: matching funds for federal campaigns
A core corruption of our political system is the concentration of funders of political campaigns. That concentration creates extraordinary inequality.
The Citizen Equality Act would end that inequality, at a minimum by adopting a campaign funding proposal that is a hybrid between the "Government by the People Act," and the "American Anti-Corruption Act."
That hybrid would give every voter a voucher to contribute to fund congressional and presidential campaigns; it would provide matching funds for small-dollar contributions to congressional and presidential campaigns.
And it would add effective new limits to restrict the revolving door between government service and work as a lobbyist.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us
Sep 25, 2015
On Government Reform:
Referendum president: pass voting reform, then step down
Larry Lessig would run as a "referendum president" who promises to serve only as long as it takes to pass the Citizens Equality Act of 2017. Once this package is passed,
Larry Lessig would step down, and the vice president would become president.The Citizens Equality Act of 2017 is a package of reforms designed to restore citizen equality.
It guarantees the freedom to vote, ends partisan gerrymandering, and funds campaigns in a way that would give us a Congress free to lead. Each part is drawn from existing proposals for fundamental reform.
We are not reinventing the wheel. And taken together, they would give us--finally--what we were promised: a government of, by, and for the people.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us
Sep 25, 2015
On Government Reform:
Automatic voter registration; make election day a holiday
We must have a system that guarantees a meaningfully equal freedom to vote. To achieve that, we must at a minimum enact the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 and the Voter Empowerment Act of 2015.
We should as well add automatic registration, and shift election day to a national holiday.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us
Sep 25, 2015
On Government Reform:
Ranked Choice Voting: end political gerrymandering
Equal citizens must have equal representation in Congress. That means, districts must be drawn, and election systems structured, so as to give each citizen as close to equal political influence as possible. FairVote has offered the most comprehensive
solution to achieve this equality. At a minimum, the Citizen Equality Act would incorporate their proposed "Ranked Choice Voting Act," which ends political gerrymandering and creates multi-member districts with ranked choice voting for Congress.
Source: 2016 presidential campaign website Lessig2016.us
Sep 25, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018