(Ed.'s Note: We interviewed Cameron County Libertarian Party chairman Ben Neece and Ed Mishou, candidate for the Congressional District 27 seat currently being held by Solomon Ortiz. Coming as it did, in the patriotic Fourth of July weekend, both answered the questions and laid out their emerging party's platform. In the following wide-ranging interview with El Rrun-Rrun, Neece, discusses the party’s ideals, its appeal in South Texas, and why Brownsville resident Mishou will pose a strong challenge to the incumbent.)Q: You are now the Cameron County Chairman of the Libertarian Party. Having grown up in a county dominated by Democratic Party and until recently Republican county judges, why Libertarian?
NEECE: Why Libertarian? I have a Political Science degree from St. Mary’s University and have taught Government at UTB. I am a lawyer and a judge. So, as a result of these things, I have developed a great admiration and respect for the United States Constitution. The Libertarian Party is the party that is truest to the tenets of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and our form of government. I can proudly tell everyone that's why I chose to affiliate with the Libertarian party. Some claim we are anarchists because we want limited government, but, in fact, we esteem the U.S. Constitution, which, necessarily, precludes the advocacy of anarchy. We desire limited government, whether it be fiscally or socially applied. We want a return to the tenets of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution and believe that our government should govern with less intrusion in our lives. We want to pursue Happiness, freely. Free enterprise and limited government intrusion into people’s right to prosper is what everyone should want. Free trade means secure, but open borders. Secure from threats and open for commerce. For example: The federal government is choking our already suffering economy by making simple things, such as shopping in our stores by our neighbors in Matamoros so difficult that people don’t want to take the trouble to cross the port of entry. This is a direct harm to our community perpetrated by our own government upon us.
Q: Do you think that the ideals of the Libertarian Party fit the South Texas Culture? Why?
NEECE: Here in Cameron County, we bear the brunt of national policy. It is unfortunate that we aren’t heard in Washington about the impact of these failed policies on our community. The downtown revitalization project comes to mind and the impact of “the Wall” on that project. The national failure of immigration policy has created such a drastic condition that states are taking it upon themselves to solve their own immigration problems. Tie that to the safety issues generated by a failed national policy advocating a “drug war” and the right to bear arms becomes a real issue for our community. With things as dangerous as they are right now on the border, the reality of this particular right hits home. The Libertarian party, if properly understood, is an ideal vehicle for our large Hispanic population to convey its ideals and culture, because, even though we don’t espouse religion, in particular, we do believe, to the greatest degree, that personal responsibility is the utmost civic duty, without which, our idea of government will not work. In order for limited government to work, we must have personal responsibility. Through personal responsibility we achieve ethics, morality, public service, community spirit, and family values. Sound familiar? Generally speaking, Hispanic Catholics, such as those, right here in South Texas, fit in this picture because they have very high moral and ethical values, and are, by nature family oriented.
Q: You are running Ed Mishou for congressman of the 27th Congressional District. What will Ed bring to the table that the current congressman (and the Republican candidate) don't?
NEECE: Ed is a true conservative. He is uniquely qualified to take on this new role in his life. He is a retired Air Force Colonel with extensive experience having served in two major command headquarters as well as a joint command headquarter. He is combat-decorated with a Distinguished Flying Cross and several Air Medals. After the service to his country, he went on to work in the private sector and became an executive with a Fortune 500 firm. Subsequently, he formed his own firm providing business consulting and mediator services. He has earned a Masters Degree in Management. He performed public service first as a pro-bono mediator for the Dallas Alternative Dispute Resolution Center, and then served as a Commissioner for the Henderson County Emergency Services District – that’s in East Texas – for eight years, six of which as the President of the District.
NEECE: Why Libertarian? I have a Political Science degree from St. Mary’s University and have taught Government at UTB. I am a lawyer and a judge. So, as a result of these things, I have developed a great admiration and respect for the United States Constitution. The Libertarian Party is the party that is truest to the tenets of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and our form of government. I can proudly tell everyone that's why I chose to affiliate with the Libertarian party. Some claim we are anarchists because we want limited government, but, in fact, we esteem the U.S. Constitution, which, necessarily, precludes the advocacy of anarchy. We desire limited government, whether it be fiscally or socially applied. We want a return to the tenets of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution and believe that our government should govern with less intrusion in our lives. We want to pursue Happiness, freely. Free enterprise and limited government intrusion into people’s right to prosper is what everyone should want. Free trade means secure, but open borders. Secure from threats and open for commerce. For example: The federal government is choking our already suffering economy by making simple things, such as shopping in our stores by our neighbors in Matamoros so difficult that people don’t want to take the trouble to cross the port of entry. This is a direct harm to our community perpetrated by our own government upon us.
Q: Do you think that the ideals of the Libertarian Party fit the South Texas Culture? Why?
NEECE: Here in Cameron County, we bear the brunt of national policy. It is unfortunate that we aren’t heard in Washington about the impact of these failed policies on our community. The downtown revitalization project comes to mind and the impact of “the Wall” on that project. The national failure of immigration policy has created such a drastic condition that states are taking it upon themselves to solve their own immigration problems. Tie that to the safety issues generated by a failed national policy advocating a “drug war” and the right to bear arms becomes a real issue for our community. With things as dangerous as they are right now on the border, the reality of this particular right hits home. The Libertarian party, if properly understood, is an ideal vehicle for our large Hispanic population to convey its ideals and culture, because, even though we don’t espouse religion, in particular, we do believe, to the greatest degree, that personal responsibility is the utmost civic duty, without which, our idea of government will not work. In order for limited government to work, we must have personal responsibility. Through personal responsibility we achieve ethics, morality, public service, community spirit, and family values. Sound familiar? Generally speaking, Hispanic Catholics, such as those, right here in South Texas, fit in this picture because they have very high moral and ethical values, and are, by nature family oriented.
Q: You are running Ed Mishou for congressman of the 27th Congressional District. What will Ed bring to the table that the current congressman (and the Republican candidate) don't?
NEECE: Ed is a true conservative. He is uniquely qualified to take on this new role in his life. He is a retired Air Force Colonel with extensive experience having served in two major command headquarters as well as a joint command headquarter. He is combat-decorated with a Distinguished Flying Cross and several Air Medals. After the service to his country, he went on to work in the private sector and became an executive with a Fortune 500 firm. Subsequently, he formed his own firm providing business consulting and mediator services. He has earned a Masters Degree in Management. He performed public service first as a pro-bono mediator for the Dallas Alternative Dispute Resolution Center, and then served as a Commissioner for the Henderson County Emergency Services District – that’s in East Texas – for eight years, six of which as the President of the District.
MISHOU: We both know the terrible job Mr. (Solomon) Ortiz has done as our Representative. He has been nonresponsive to constituent positions of vital interest to the people of the District and until now,
just before the election, spends very little time here. After 28 years, he now says he needs a little more time to complete his work but I think he just wants a little more time to feather his own coffers. After all, he did go to Congress as a high school drop out and is now a multi-millionaire. Go figure. And who can forget his questionable involvements regarding the ports, both here and in Corpus. Farenthold, the Republican candidate, is largely an unknown quantity. So far, there have been no positions other than a lot of political rhetoric. His website says he got in at the last minute because he thought he could beat the other guys. In addition, Farenthold, as I understand it, has no experience in working within a large organization which is far more difficult than a small group. He has stated at a meeting here in Brownsville that he plan to stay in Congress 12 years. That tells me that he is highly susceptible to influence from his party as well as special interests whereas Ed has pledged if he doesn’t fulfill his obligation to provide honest, open, responsive representation he will not run again or if he doesn’t fully represent the District, he would not expect renomination. There is serious question as to Farenthold’s work ethic as he clearly came from a wealthy family and after earning a law degree performed in that profession only for a short time before becoming bored with it. And, while outspending his opponent in the runoff by almost two to one, he barely won by slightly over 200 votes so he doesn’t have strong support of his party members while Ed has strong bipartisan support.Q: You are well acquainted with Mr. Mishou as chairman of your party. What ideals does Mr. Mishou share with the people in your hometown and county?
NEECE: Ed's close relationship with the people of the county extends back decades. He first came to the Valley was when he went through flight training at what was then the Harlingen Air Force Base. Since then, he has had the opportunity to start revisiting the Valley on short trips and subsequently he and his wife, Nancy, decided to make it their home. The Hispanics of South Texas should seriously consider Ed, because he will represent them in a manner that will promote the ideals shared by our community. These ideals should not be compromised for the benefit of career politicians or special interests. Ed’s background as an Eagle Scout and Retired Air Force officer are but two of the objective indicators of his character and although, not Hispanic, he holds the same family values and personal responsibility as the people in this community.
MISHOU: I'm very concerned about the very detrimental effect on the people of the Valley that the unintended backlash of the excessive government growth and spending has created. This over-spending and creation of new money creates a serious problem in the rising cost of living. The government tells you is that the Consumer Price Index is low and therefore no adjustment to Social Security and other programs is needed. What they don't tell you is that the CPI is being manipulated to keep it low but you and I know that when you go to the store, it costs a lot more for the same bag of groceries.
I have gotten to know and learn of the strong conservative, family values of the people in the Valley and have come to sincerely embrace Texas Hispanic culture. Like many of our immigrant families – and this is true across the entire breadth of America – many here are recent immigrants who came to America like those before them to seek a better way of life and future for their family. I recognize their strong work ethic and an their immense pride in their new country, yet, like all of us, they appreciate their ancestral background. They appreciate the freedoms and liberties America has provided and they will do all they can to protect those values for their children and grandchildren. In speaking to local residents, I know Valley residents are tired of the government intruding in their private and business lives. They accept and respect that they have personal responsibility and only want to be able to exercise it and give them the opportunity – without the intrusion of big government – to be able to achieve the success they want for themselves and their families.
Q: How do you expect to help Libertarianism flourish in South Texas? Is it something in the party's ideals that will attract the voters? Or is it a disgust with the status quo that will help your candidate?
NEECE: The sense of personal responsibility that the Libertarian Party espouses is a perfect fit for us in South Texas. This responsibility is normally conveyed to us, albeit, not very effectively these days, through a combination of church, school and laws. We promote the same concepts, but put it on a level of personal responsibility. We avoid the nasty debates about which religion is right or wrong, or which government sponsored curriculum is right or wrong and try to reduce the amount of government regulation of our personal lives, in exchange for personal responsibility. Generally speaking, the Blue (Republican) and Red (Democrat) parties have become one. The Purple (Republicrat) party. We believe, strongly, that the people sent to represent us in Washington are now representing themselves and special interests, to our (the people’s) detriment. The two party system has become institutionalized. It is now a system that benefits the Washington party.
Q: How do you expect to help Libertarianism flourish in South Texas? Is it something in the party's ideals that will attract the voters? Or is it a disgust with the status quo that will help your candidate?
NEECE: The sense of personal responsibility that the Libertarian Party espouses is a perfect fit for us in South Texas. This responsibility is normally conveyed to us, albeit, not very effectively these days, through a combination of church, school and laws. We promote the same concepts, but put it on a level of personal responsibility. We avoid the nasty debates about which religion is right or wrong, or which government sponsored curriculum is right or wrong and try to reduce the amount of government regulation of our personal lives, in exchange for personal responsibility. Generally speaking, the Blue (Republican) and Red (Democrat) parties have become one. The Purple (Republicrat) party. We believe, strongly, that the people sent to represent us in Washington are now representing themselves and special interests, to our (the people’s) detriment. The two party system has become institutionalized. It is now a system that benefits the Washington party.
Q: You are known as a laid-back, hometown, and somewhat hip, chief municipal judge. What do you share in common with your candidate for congress?
NEECE: I happen to know that Ed Mishou shares these same values and is at home here in Brownsville, Texas, because the people of this area are like him in that respect. Ed has grown tired, like many of us, of the lip service he hears from Washington and wants to go there to engage the Purple party on its own turf, to make a difference for the community he has grown to love.
Q: Finally, in people's views, congress is nothing more than a bunch of millionaires looking out for themselves and thrusting the power of the federal bureaucracy in citizen's lives. What is the ideal Libertarian concept of government and why do you think it will be appealing to local voters?
NEECE: Although we believe that there is a high level of disgust with politicians right now, the real draw for the people of this community to Libertarian candidates, and to Ed,in particular, is that he shares the same values and goals as our community and is willing to take on the Purple Machine. Legalize Freedom!
NEECE: I happen to know that Ed Mishou shares these same values and is at home here in Brownsville, Texas, because the people of this area are like him in that respect. Ed has grown tired, like many of us, of the lip service he hears from Washington and wants to go there to engage the Purple party on its own turf, to make a difference for the community he has grown to love.
Q: Finally, in people's views, congress is nothing more than a bunch of millionaires looking out for themselves and thrusting the power of the federal bureaucracy in citizen's lives. What is the ideal Libertarian concept of government and why do you think it will be appealing to local voters?
NEECE: Although we believe that there is a high level of disgust with politicians right now, the real draw for the people of this community to Libertarian candidates, and to Ed,in particular, is that he shares the same values and goals as our community and is willing to take on the Purple Machine. Legalize Freedom!
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