Q&A with Norm Olsen, candidate for U.S. House, 6th District

Party: Libertarian

Residence: Centennial

Campaign website: www.Norm4Liberty.org

What makes you the best choice for this office?

I am not a politician. I have absolutely no intention of pursuing a political career. I am not affiliated with either of the major political parties. I have no loyalty to either of the major parties or any of the leaders of such. As your representative, I would have no loyalty to anyone other than you, the folks who I would represent. When voting for or against legislation my one concern, my only concern, will be the future of the republic and the future of our progeny as citizens of this great republic. 

If you're elected, one single issue will be at the top of your agenda?

A constitutional amendment and modification of the rules of the House of Representatives to conform with the rules to which the Colorado legislature adheres.  Specifically: 1) term limits on (lawmakers), 2) all bills shall deal with a single issue, 3) the content of a bill must remain true to its title, and 4) continuing resolutions with regard to appropriations would be prohibited.

If you're elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?

Elimination of the absolute dominance of the majority party in the House of Representatives. Party-line voting would be the measuring stick. When legislation is passed with significant approval rates by representatives of all political parties, then I would be successful.

What role should Congress play in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that you feel it has not fulfilled so far?

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have an annual budget of $7 billion. Its primary raison d'ȇtre is to be prepared to deal with a pandemic such as COVID-19 … This agency/department is incompetent and is, perhaps, totally superfluous. Congress needs to examine and restructure. Certainly, some leaders need to be terminated. If this agency/department can't be fixed, let's just disband it and save ourselves $7 billion a year.

After intense wildfires on the West Coast and in Colorado, what action should Congress take to mitigate the danger of future wildfires?

Congress has control of federal lands. Federal government agencies (Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, and so on) are responsible for the management of the dominant portion of the acreage on fire. If the federal government can't manage federal lands properly, the lands should revert to state control. If states can't manage state lands properly (some do, some don't), the lands should revert to private control. Private interests which have some skin in the game are likely the to be the best managers.