U.S. House District 3 Michael James LaPierre (Not on Ballot)
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
1. What makes you the best candidate in a crowded field running for this office?
I have the depth and breadth of life experiences to make an outstanding Congressman. Married 40 years to the same wonderful women; avid hunter and gun rights activist; former professional baseball player (minor leagues); small businessman (Equestrian Farmer - Pickens, SC); NRA Lifetime Member (National Rifle Association); father of three adult children, grandfather of six beautiful children; Corporate Executive (Fortune 50 $93 Billion Company; Fortune 500 $12 Billion Company); servant deacon at several Baptist Churches; Founder/President - Christian Leadership Worldview International; Advanced USA - Ambassador (Congressional Christian Advocacy Group, Washington, DC); Anderson University Board of Visitors (Past and Present); SWU Business School Advisory Board (Southern Wesleyan); Brown University Graduate (B.A.’s - Political Science & Business); Clemson University M.B.A. - Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Summa Cum Laude); Bob Jones University (Continuing Education - Marketing & Accounting); Author (6 Books - The Christian Leaders Worldview; The Goldmine; God’s Gift of Imagination; A Covenant; The Elephant Brief; A Patriot Manifesto); Candidate for U.S. Senate (I ran against Lindsey Graham in the Republican Party Primary): Candidate For U.S. House (I ran against William Timmons)
2. How would you evaluate the job Jeff Duncan did in this position?
Jeff Duncan had a solid conservative voting record and did a nice job advocating for free-market energy as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee. However, he did a very poor job of using the power of the platform (bully pulpit) to advocate for and/or to defend a free and prosperous America. I believe he could have been a much bigger voice in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, he chose to remain relatively quiet and stay behind the scenes for the most part. At this stage in our South Carolina and American history, I believe that we need a pitbull in Congress, not someone who is content operating behind the scenes. The second area where he fell far short was on the education front. I believe that one of the key responsibility areas for a Congressman is to train and educate the constituent base on political goings-on. Jeff could have done a much better job at educating District 3 citizens.
3. Is there anything you will do differently that you consider a more effective path to serving the Third District?
Besides educating the citizenry and being a more powerful voice in Washington D.C., I believe that I will be much more "strategic" in my approach to public policy and the bills that I will sponsor and/or co-sponsor. As a twice named Executive of the Year at two different organizations (Fortune 50 $93 Billion Company; Fortune 500 $12 Billion Company), I have the ability to think strategically and get RESULTS. My creative approach to public policy will be a result of the 33 plus years that I spent in the private sector at executive levels. It will take uncommon strategic thinking by someone like me who has the experience, educational background, results, and overall life experiences to get the job done. There is nothing that I have attempted where I wasn't successful. Results have always followed me.
4. What are the three most pressing issues for this district and how would you address each?
The Southern Border, the Economy, and Safeguarding Our Children are the 3 most important areas of public policy.
Southern Border - Insurrection at our Southern Borders is a vital concern and this is what I would do about it. Congress must declare WAR on the Mexican Drug Cartels; As part of the aforementioned Declaration of War, I am advocating for a Militarized No Entry Zone (M-NEZ) on both sides of the Southern Border with or without the Mexican Government’s willingness and/or consent; We must build and finish a high-tech WALL with full drone capability; We must put a 5 year moratorium on ALL immigration until we figure out a go-forward strategic plan to figure this mess out; At a minimum we must revert to President Trump’s remain in Mexico policy; We must STOP “catch and release;” We must STOP the “birth right” citizenship of children whose parents come into our country illegally; We must STOP “chain immigration” where thousands of illegal aliens are allowed in our country as a result of their ancestral relations with those already here; We must create and redefine new H-1 B visa rules and requirements that normalize and support an America First agenda; We must pass legislation that puts the death penalty on the table for Drug Lords and Cartel members who kill our citizens by illegally bringing fentanyl into our country.
Economy - To ensure a long-lasting Constitutional Republic, I believe that we should go back to the gold standard and abolish the Federal Reserve System. We need to tie our wealth, debt, and the overall soundness of our monetary policy to gold. Operating a credit card with no spending limits is no way to run a country. Second, I want a 20% reduction in our Federal Spending. Our current fiscal policy as it relates to spending is out-of-control. Third, I want a "zero based" budgeting process that resets itself every year. Fourth, we need to eliminate all political "pork" in the budgetary process. Fifth, we need to lower taxes. Sixth, we need to create the enabling processes to allow small businesses to flourish. Seventh. We must peel back all regulatory burden that is impeding a free-market economy. Eighth, we need to become energy independent by drilling, opening up the Keystone Pipeline, and exporting our national resources at home (America First) and abroad, where appropriate.
Our Children - We must craft legislation that will stop the WOKE indoctrination in our public-school systems. We must also do everything we can to stop the sexually explicit material from being distributed to minors in our public-school libraries. This is not a 1st Amendment issue or an issue about teaching biology in a health class, this is a child endangerment issue that should be a felony offense.
5. What are the three most pressing issues facing the U.S. House of Representatives moving into 2025?
As an institution, the U.S. House of Representatives faces 3 critical challenges.
a. They must limit the power of special interest groups. I believe that term limits will help toward this end. Special interest groups are not only funding the coffers of our elected officials, but in many respects have taken over some of the enumerated powers/duties that Congress is supposed to handle.
b. The U.S. House of Representatives budgetary process is woefully inadequate. We need a Balanced Budget Amendment to right the ships of necessity. We also need to get back to the 12 appropriations levers where each is voted on separately. Continuing resolutions, omnibus bills, and minibus bills should be a thing of the past.
c. We need to change the rules for when a Speaker of the House can be recalled. The threshold for the number of House members required should slightly increase. We need the provision, but need to raise the bar so that a few disgruntled lawmakers can't trigger such an event.
6. What is your philosophy of working with other elected representatives, some of whom may have different viewpoints?
My philosophy when working with others is simple. I will always try to find common ground while NEVER compromising my values or the values of the great citizens of South Carolina District 3. Anything outside of these parameters will always be a "no" vote for me on legislation.