Republican Primary, Kilgore for Governor! Options

[Billy]

One candidate running for governor of Texas, though not as publicized as some, in the opinion of several Texas Tech students stands out from the rest. Larry Kilgore announced his candidacy as a Republican in the current race.

"I would say my main platform issues include the secession of Texas from the United States government," Kilgore said in a phone interview. "Also I don't believe it's right that we are not allowed to prosecute homosexuals, people who commit abortion and people who commit adultery."

He elaborated and said his reasons for wanting Texas to secede from the United States were the following: "I don't approve of the massive taxes forced upon us, and I don't approve of the fact that the U.S. engages in empire building and wars," he said.

The current situation in Iraq also is something Kilgore speaks out against.

"I think it's stupid we even went over there in the first place," he said.

According to Kilgore's Web site, he also is in favor of execution for the "crimes" of abortion, kidnapping, slavery, rape, bestiality or sexual acts with an animal, adultery, homosexual acts and deadly negligence.

"I don't believe with the death penalty in general, so I certainly don't agree with his politics about it," said Jessica Haefele, a freshman social work major from Louisville.

All of his platform beliefs, according to his Web site, are based on the Bible, which he calls, "God's word and the foundation for all law."

Kilgore does have the support of some, such as that of long-term friend, Cal Vastrow.

"People should vote for him because he's pro-life without exception," he said. "Larry also has an absolutely model and ideal family."

Kilgore said if he is elected and Texas does secede from the U.S., democracy would not be the government in place.

"I think our (current) democracy is more like a 'mob-ocracy,'" he said.

Also on the Web site, Kilgore calls democracy and terrorism "two faces of the same evil."

He instead proposes a system of government where the federal government, which would be the government of the current State of Texas under his plan, has a role only in infrastructure and public safety.

"The federal government would only deal with things like transportation, regulating our water, oceans, fish, rivers and other things to keep people safe," he said. "I would not want the federal government involved in things like WIC (Women, Infants and Children) or education in public schools."

Kilgore said he believes people should have to choice to educate their children however they want.

One Tech student does not agree with Kilgore's stance on any of the aforementioned topics.

"I think that kind of extreme ideology, when it's not taken seriously by anyone, is really counter-productive. The election would be better off without him, and people like Kinky (Friedman)," said Jordan Howard, a sophomore political science major from Dallas.

Kilgore is not new to politics. According to his Web site he has ran for state representative in 1994, 1996, 1998 and in 2004 on the Republican Party ticket.

Since the year 2000 Kilgore has been contemplating running for the office of governor.

"I just want to provide freedom for the people. I don't like it when people get stuck with yucky lives," he said.

One of the main reasons Kilgore said Tech students should vote for him is because of their future financial situation.

"If I'm elected we won't be under the burden of taxes like we are now," he said. "I know college students now don't pay much in taxes, but they will one day, and I want them to be able to raise a family without tons of their money going to taxes."

When asked if he felt the United States would retaliate should Texas secede, he said he did not believe so.

"I think we (Texas) could negotiate with the U.N. and tell them we want our freedom. The U.S. would look terrible in the eyes of the world if they didn't give us our freedom," Kilgore said.

Armed conflict with the U.S. is something Kilgore said he wishes to avoid.

"I don't want to get into any war with the U.S. They are really good at beating people up," he said.

Among other things, Kilgore also proposes a complete revamping of the current justice system and the prison system. He plans to do this by eliminating juries and prisons.

"Our justice system is unfair to poor people, black people, Hispanics and Middle Easterners," he said. "Only rich white people get justice, and that's not real justice."

He said he believes by doing away with prisons, people will have a better chance to carry on with their lives and support their families "without a criminal record to follow them around."

According to his Web site, Kilgore served in the United States Air Force from 1984 until 1988. He has a wife, Valerie and three children.

For more information visit www.larrykilgore.com. Because of the graphic nature of the Web site, viewer discretion is advised.

Yes, I seriously voted for this guy haha

And according to his website, Illegal immigrants should receive a minimum punishment of five lashes, $3,000 fine & deportation. Who wouldn't support this?!