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Me: What are the reasons you decided to run for governor?
WF: First, my wife, Liz Dowling, suggested it. I would never run without her pro-active support, otherwise you win office by destroying a family. Second, this is a perfect opportunity to present fathers' and mens' issues to the public, which are otherwise too politically
incorrect for any mainstream candidate to articulate. With 30 years
of writing about these issues, and a PhD in political science, well,
all the forces came together.
Me: Is this run planned as a one time thing, or are we looking at a career shift into politics for you?
WF: A one time thing unless some other extraordinary opportunity like
this recall re-creates the conditions in which I can again be totally
honest and not have to live a long-term political life with its
Sirens of political correctness and its sacrifices to privacy, etc.
Me: You discuss your policies on father's rights, gun control, and abortion at your site http://www.warrenfarrell.com/gov/ but where do you stand on other issues such as drugs, the economy, and security?
WF: Drugs: Marijuana, alcohol, coffee and sugar legalized but well taxed. Economy: be business-friendly (low taxes, caps on unemployment insurance); subsidize job training and education, especially in the technical fields; eliminate affirmative action hiring, but expand affirmative action scholarships and training awards for the minority
sex in fields that have less than 20% of one sex. Security: spy, infiltrate, use technology to tap phones, etc., but do not publicly reveal names of suspects until the suspect has been subjected to careful investigation and determined to be reasonably likely of being guilty.
Me: What else would you like to tell us about your campaign?
WF: It's exhausting, unifying, energizing and increases my respect for
politicians. Politics is the only job you get by exposing yourself to people who won't get their job unless they attempt to ruin you. Between that and campaign laws, if you go into politics to make money dishonestly, you're crazy.
Me: On your site you mention the need for more male teachers in school. As governor how would you go about encouraging this?
WF: Three ways: Hiring:Exchange programs with male business executives, entrepreuneurs, accountants, politicians, leaders. Recruiting: special males-for-teachers scholarships; free tuition; and special outreach to boys in high school. Legislation:The more single moms a school district has the higher the percentage of male teachers the district be required to have so boys brought up by moms have positive male role models when young, and do not join gangs to get a male role model.
Me: Since tossing in your hat, what has been the reception you've recieved from others in the Democratic party? Has it been what you expected?
WF: My supporters are about 1/3 Democrats, 1/3 Republican and 1/3
Independent.
Me: Having seen you on a couple talk shows, you appear to be a soft-spoken man. Do you carry a proverbial big stick? Can you relate an example of when you've used it?
WF: My "big sticks" are The Myth of Male Power, Father and Child Reunion and in brief, my writing, where a loud voice and interrupting are not required. My other "big sticks" are being willing to research, speak up, hone sound bites from in-depth material, and, now, risk it all in the political arena. Interrupting and shouting are mediums that defy my message, so they must be used sparingly. When I taught a class once, I never raised my voice until, once, at the end of the year, it felt momentarily appropriate: three kids in the class cried.
Me: In addition to father's rights, what other men's or
boys issues will you work on if elected governor?
WF: First, boys in school; second, undoing all the small and big ways we make boys into the disposable sex by cheering football games and channelling males into the hazardous occupations so that 92% of workplace deaths are males.
Me: How can people assist you in your campaign?
WF: It is so hard for me to ask for the help of others, but boy, it's character-building to realize that is part of the test: knowing how to inspire a state run by a team starts with knowing how to create a campaign team. The toughest part is asking for contributions. The upfront costs are over $10,000, and then there's no real end to it. The only way this campaign will be effective is with activists inviting me to do press conferences/protests, etc., in their city. So please email me with your willingness to help, or help via logging on to paypal through my www.warrenfarrell.com/gov web site.
Me: Any final words?
WF: Let others have the final word.
Me: I'd like to thank Dr. Farrell for allowing me to conduct this interview and also for his prompt reply. Good luck in all that your trying to do with your campaign and remember there are many who are fighting alongside you." |
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