Michael Kalagias

Michael Kalagias served in the U.S. Navy from 1992 to 1997. He graduated from Harlingen High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wayland Baptist University in 1990 and further education from Northeastern State University. His career experience includes working as a public school teacher.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a BS in Political Science, Biology, and English in 1990.

Passed the alternative teacher certification program for secondary education at Northeastern State University in 1997.

Served in the US Navy from 1992-1997.

Worked in public education from 1998-2018.

Volunteer firefighter from 2014-2022.

Serve on the boards of multiple non-profits, and also volunteer at multiple charitable organizations.

Past candidate for Arkansas State Legislature and US Congress.

Currently retired.

Married for over 20 years to my first and only wife, Cecilia.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm a Libertarian because I care.

I served in the US Navy because I care about my country and honor those that served before me.

I serve at my local volunteer fire department because I care about my community.

I serve at a local food pantry because I care about the folks that are hungry and might need a helping hand up.

I'm running to serve as Lt. Governor because I care about the people in my state.

If you care like I do about our nation, state, and communities;

If you care like I do about the legacy we are leaving for our children and grand-children;

Then please be Libertarian with me.The government that governs least governs best.

Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Republicans and Democrats have held absolute power for over a century, and the resultant corruption is rampant. Every two years we choose the same corrupt Democrats and Republicans to rule over us, hoping that somehow this time the government will be better and different. Making the same decisions while expecting different results is insanity. Stop the insanity. Seriously, how bad does it have to get before you vote Libertarian? I have never been a Republican nor a Democrat. I've always been an American.Politicians and elected officials are servants, not leaders, and should act and be treated as such.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The size, scope, and cost of government.

Michael Kalagias did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Michael Kalagias did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a US Navy veteran and retired public school teacher. I have also served on the board of directors for a multi-million dollar non-profit corporation. I am currently a volunteer firefighter and am active with multiple charitable organizations.

I am running for office so that people will have a reasonable choice that isn't part of the corrupt two party establishment. For too many years the Democrats and Republicans have been preaching hatred and fear of the other, and we are reaping what was sown. We are killing each other while the country literally and figuratively burns. All so that privileged officials can grow and protect their power. It hasn't mattered which of those two parties has been in power; the result is the same bad government, massive debt increases, and further erosion of our liberties.

I want our government to become accountable again, whittled down to a size that fits inside the Constitution. We start by cutting government spending to the point where the budget is balanced. Then we eliminate every law that is contrary to the limitations imposed by the articles and amendments to the Constitution. Finally we make it easier for multiple parties to have ballot access so no one party can ever again hold power.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Balance the budget now. We're $27Trillion in debt. That's over $80,000 of debt for every single man, woman, and child. The interest alone is well over $300Billion every year and rising, making it the 4th largest federal expenditure behind Retirement, Healthcare, and Military spending. If we don't get the debt under control there won't be anything left to spend on anything else.Fix healthcare. The highly regulated managed care system we have now is not working and making healthcare harder to find or afford. It is quickly becoming a government rationed healthcare system. We need to return to a patient centered direct care and pay model that puts the choices back between the Dr. and patient while increasing access and affordability..End the corruption in politics. Pass a Term Limits Amendment. Cut pay and benefits for elected officials. Power corrupts, so allow more access to 3rd parties so that no party is ever in power.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Debt: Debt has caused the collapse of more nations than terrorism or foreign armies ever have.

Veterans Issues: The VA is a mess and we're not taking care of our veterans as we promised we would.

Foreign Affairs: We need to stop trying to be the world's police force and engaging in undeclared foreign wars.

Healthcare: Eliminate rationed care and transition to an affordable patient centered policy.

Education: Since the creation of the Dept. of Education spending and regulations have dramatically increased, while quality of education has dramatically decreased.

Taxes: Taxation is extortion and the means used by those in power to subjugate the masses. We need to cut government spending so that taxes can be responsibly lowered.

Liberty: All rights matter. It you support infringing on any protected right you support eliminating them all. They must all be defended and respected.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am not much into hero worship, and I am getting too old now to follow in anyone else's footprints. I do admire Benjamin Franklin though for his scientific and political accomplishments. Also Thomas Paine for his ability to inspire change and win respect for individual liberties.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The US Constitution.

Ben Franklin's Autobiography.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense.

The Anti-Federalist papers.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Integrity, and Humility. Elected officials must understand that they are servants not leaders and they must abide by the Constitutional restrictions placed upon them.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have always felt the need to serve and leave everywhere I've been better than I found it.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

First, do no harm.

Balance a budget and submit it on time. No more continuing resolutions fueling massive deficits.

Listen to your constituents and remember they're your boss. Not the lobbyists and special interests bribing you with campaign funds and future ill gotten riches.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A world set free in my lifetime.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The memories of the time are now pretty vague because I was pretty young; but the VietNam war, Lunar landings, and Watergate. I know more about them now as studied history than I can recall from my at the time memories.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a lifeguard. I held it seasonally for a couple years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Hobbit. It is well written fantasy. Funny, yet with deeper meanings.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

John Walton Sr. from The Waltons.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Coping with the death of my only child.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Using an apolitical non-partisan process that draws the simplest contiguous districts having approximately equal populations following natural barriers, county lines, city limits, and other obvious boundaries.

The gerrymandering needs to stop.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is where all spending bills originate. It also has two year terms that are supposed to lead to high rates of turnover - limiting power while simultaneously allowing quick adaptations to change.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can be beneficial to a very limited extent. Some experience flattens the learning curve. Too much breeds corruption.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

We have to start shrinking the debt. Our current level is not sustainable and we are quickly approaching the fiscal cliff that will cause our economy to completely collapse taking the nation with it. If we don't get this solved quickly, we won't be able to address any other issues.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

As a 3rd party candidate I have few illusions about committee assignments. The two establishment parties simply won't allow me to participate on any committees. I will have to do all my work from the floor of the entire assembly. That said, I would like to be on the budget committee, armed services committee, and education committee.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I fully support them and will push for an amendment to make them happen.

No one should ever serve more than two terms at any particular office. Staying longer than that breeds corruption.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

As the only Libertarian currently in the House is not running for re-election, I would likely become part of the party leadership by default.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Amash is a current representative I feel would be a good one to learn from. Thomas Jefferson would be the historical representative i would look to most.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Not that I am willing to share on their behalf.

Kalagias submitted the following statement to [the profile publisher]:[2]

I decided to run for office because I know my country and state are heading in the wrong direction, enacting unsustainable policies that will take the American dream completely away from our future generations. I want to leave my part of the world in better shape than I found it. We need to do this through more limited government, decreased spending, decreased taxes, and personal responsibility. Republicans and Democrats are concerned only with increasing the power of the Republicans and Democrats. I want to give the power back to the people.[9]