On the issues: Not sure if his views have changed.
https://www.ontheissues.org/jesse_ventura.htm
Illegalizing abortions won't stop abortions. (Apr 2008)
Vetoed 4-hour waiting period for abortions. (Apr 2008)
Keep abortion legal on privacy grounds. (Jul 2000)
Doesn’t support abortion, but leave them legal. (Jan 1999)
Abortion decision belongs with the woman and who she chooses. (Nov 1998)
Jesse Ventura on Budget & Economy
Click here for 12 full quotes on Budget & Economy OR other candidates on Budget & Economy OR background on Budget & Economy.
Balance American Dream with unfairness of capitalism. (Mar 2010)
Keep savings banks separate from speculative investments. (Mar 2010)
Return to staid banking: low-risk highly-regulated loans. (Mar 2010)
Entered governor race when legislature spent $4B surplus. (Apr 2008)
Government is no bottomless pit of money-it’s from you & me. (Jul 2000)
End pork-barrel spending; return surplus to the people. (Jan 1999)
Return any budget surpluses to the taxpayers automatically. (Jan 1999)
Government policy should facilitate business. (Jan 1999)
Let state meat inspection suffice for interstate shipments. (Jul 2000)
Bankruptcy reform: limit Chapter 7; protect states' role. (Feb 2001)
Uphold commitments to states before other spending. (Sep 2001)
Foster dairy production that is market driven. (Feb 1998)
Jesse Ventura on Civil Rights
Click here for 14 full quotes on Civil Rights OR other candidates on Civil Rights OR background on Civil Rights.
Don't amend Constitution to outlaw flag-burning. (Apr 2008)
We're losing our rights to the so-called War on Terror. (Apr 2008)
Only governor of 50 to not declare National Prayer Day. (Apr 2008)
Equal state benefits for gay employees and partners. (Apr 2008)
Civil unions for gays AND hetero couples. (Apr 2008)
I'd rather face the terrorists than lose my civil liberties. (Apr 2008)
The Patriot Act guts the Fourth Amendment. (Apr 2008)
Respect diversity, both cultural and lifestyle. (Dec 2000)
Equal opportunity for women; but equal responsibility too. (Jul 2000)
Gay domestic partnership OK; not gay marriage. (Jul 2000)
As football commentator, found name “Redskins” offensive. (Jul 2000)
Against funding National Endowment for the Arts. (Jul 2000)
Prosecution and sentencing should be colorblind. (Aug 1998)
Support principles embodied in the Equal Rights Amendment. (Feb 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Corporations
Click here for 6 full quotes on Corporations OR other candidates on Corporations OR background on Corporations.
Unlimited secret cash from corporations influences elections. (Apr 2011)
Keeping fat cats in business deepened 2008 collapse. (Mar 2010)
2008 bailouts were conspiracy to keep fat cats in business. (Mar 2010)
Media today: controlled by corporations & all about ratings. (Apr 2008)
We embraced China but not Cuba because Castro nationalized. (Apr 2008)
Treat Indian gambling monopoly same as MLB baseball monopoly. (Apr 2008)
Jesse Ventura on Crime
Click here for 9 full quotes on Crime OR other candidates on Crime OR background on Crime.
Watch out for DNA Fingerprint Act's biometrics. (Mar 2010)
Opposes death penalty because DNA proves too many mistakes. (Apr 2008)
Opposes “Three Strikes”; leave discretion to judges. (Jul 2000)
Crime statistics are distorted to encourage racism. (Jul 2000)
No role for governor in crime; it’s for local police. (Jan 1999)
Put up with death penalty until life sentences mean life. (Jan 1999)
Supported death penalty, but now as Governor opposes it. (Nov 1998)
Find compromise between rehabilitation and punishment. (Aug 1998)
Supports flexible federal block grants for crime programs. (Sep 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Drugs
Click here for 13 full quotes on Drugs OR other candidates on Drugs OR background on Drugs.
While we fight "war on drugs", Afghans do our drug business. (Apr 2011)
Banks & prison-industrial complex gets rich on the drug war. (Mar 2010)
Let states decide medical marijuana laws. (Apr 2008)
Treat marijuana like we treat alcohol and tobacco. (Apr 2008)
Drug addiction is a health problem, not a crime. (Jul 2000)
Drug War fails like Prohibition did. (Jul 2000)
Stopped taking steroids & made FDA posters against them. (Jan 1999)
Tougher drunk-driving laws for repeat offenders. (Jan 1999)
Stop being so afraid of marijuana; some uses are OK. (Jan 1999)
The war on drugs has failed; look for other solutions. (Jan 1999)
Rethink approach to drugs; “more of the same” fails. (Oct 1998)
Jail won’t work when we can’t even keep drugs out of prisons. (Oct 1998)
More federal funding for all aspects of Drug War. (Aug 2000)
Jesse Ventura on Education
Click here for 19 full quotes on Education OR other candidates on Education OR background on Education.
Evolution for science teachers & Creation for Sunday school. (Apr 2008)
Requiring the Pledge of Allegiance brainwashes students. (Apr 2008)
Focus on results and standards. (Dec 2000)
Lifelong learning; college & training for work & life. (Dec 2000)
More money for class size reduction. (Jul 2000)
Public schools can’t advocate religion; private prayer OK. (Jul 2000)
Teach “creation science” in church, not schools. (Jul 2000)
Fund schools at state level instead of via property taxes. (Jul 2000)
Mainstrean special-ed kids, like his daughter did. (Jan 1999)
Reducing class size solves many educational problems. (Jan 1999)
Mainstream disabled students. (Jan 1999)
Commonsense steps to improve public education. (Jan 1999)
No government money for higher education. (Jan 1999)
School Choice
Erase the word voucher from the vocabulary. (Dec 2000)
Public dollars belong to public schools. (Jul 2000)
Loosen federal control; leave more to state & locals. (Jan 1999)
Neighborhoods shouldn’t abandon their public schools. (Jan 1999)
Public schools are inefficient; but fix them, don’t end them. (Nov 1998)
Choosing private school includes responsility to pay. (Feb 1998)
Jesse Ventura on Energy & Oil
Click here for 6 full quotes on Energy & Oil OR other candidates on Energy & Oil OR background on Energy & Oil.
Military agrees: climate change represents a serious threat. (Apr 2011)
Develop light rail tranist for Minnesota. (Dec 2000)
Competitive electricity pricing; include alternative energy. (Dec 2000)
Overcome dependency on foreign oil. (Jul 2000)
Voluntary partnerships reduce greenhouse gases economically. (Aug 2000)
Kyoto Treaty must include reductions by all countries. (Aug 2000)
Jesse Ventura on Environment
Click here for 12 full quotes on Environment OR other candidates on Environment OR background on Environment.
EPA approved poisons in Gulf to disperse BP oil spill. (Apr 2011)
Driven off his family farm due to development. (Apr 2008)
Entered mayoral race because of water drainage issues. (Apr 2008)
Pushed for light rail in Twin Cities. (Apr 2008)
Smart Growth with greenways and mass transit. (Dec 2000)
Recycling conserves our limited resources. (Nov 1998)
Teach environment in grade schools. (Oct 1998)
Too risky to have large feedlots near homes. (Oct 1998)
Replace MTBE in gasoline with cleaner ethanol. (May 2000)
More state autonomy on brownfields & Superfund cleanups. (Aug 2001)
Support State Revolving Loan Fund for flexible Clean Water. (Aug 2001)
More EPA flexibility on interstate ozone. (May 1998)
Jesse Ventura on Families & Children
Click here for 5 full quotes on Families & Children OR other candidates on Families & Children OR background on Families & Children.
Hypocrisy to tell kids to abstain from sex. (Apr 2008)
No more tax subsidy for child care; parents’ responsibilty. (Jan 1999)
Community regulates behavior better than government. (Jan 1999)
Encourage fathers' participation in child-raising. (Sep 2001)
Federal funds & state involvement in fatherhood initiatives. (Aug 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Foreign Policy
Click here for 5 full quotes on Foreign Policy OR other candidates on Foreign Policy OR background on Foreign Policy.
After WWII, we put top Nazis to work for us. (Apr 2011)
Visited Cuba & Fidel Castro, despite presidential opposition. (Mar 2010)
Questions why we still need Cuban embargo. (Apr 2008)
Global cooperation OK; world government not. (Jul 2000)
Buchanan is an unrealistic isolationist. (Feb 2000)
Jesse Ventura on Free Trade
Click here for 7 full quotes on Free Trade OR other candidates on Free Trade OR background on Free Trade.
NAFTA reservations: Mexican labor conditions & US job loss. (Apr 2008)
Active role in bringing China into WTO. (Apr 2008)
Trade creates jobs & productivity. (Sep 2000)
Trading with China is a no-brainer. (Jul 2000)
Opening markets will cause China’s downfall. (Jul 2000)
Ease Canadian border-crossing rules. (May 1998)
Grant fast-track authority to the President. (Nov 1999)
Jesse Ventura on Government Reform
Click here for 38 full quotes on Government Reform OR other candidates on Government Reform OR background on Government Reform.
Require paper ballots & hand-counting. (Mar 2010)
Electronic voting machines are a GOP conflict of interest. (Mar 2010)
CIA operatives in every state government. (Mar 2010)
Get rid of the antiquated Electoral College. (Mar 2010)
Term limits in Congress would limit lobbyist power. (Apr 2008)
Bingo Saga: allow Bingo from somewhere in 1,000 law volumes. (Apr 2008)
States should not be in business of building sports stadiums. (Apr 2008)
Term limits for politicians AND for political press. (Apr 2008)
Get rid of elitist, bankrupt Electoral College. (Apr 2008)
Limit campaign money to one publicly-funded source. (Apr 2008)
Get presidential debates out of the hands of the two parties. (Apr 2008)
1996: Dole & Clinton conspired to limit presidential debates. (Apr 2008)
Credits win to public financing & same-day registration. (Oct 2002)
Will not actively fund-raise for re-election: “No strings”. (Feb 2001)
Open up, simplify, & demystify government. (Dec 2000)
Single House Legislature returns power to people. (Dec 2000)
Constitution is designed to be interpreted. (Jul 2000)
Feds leach away states’ rights. (Jul 2000)
Ban campaigning while earning a public paycheck. (Jul 2000)
Ban PAC funding; limit soft money; limit free air time. (Jul 2000)
Government should get out of the way and let people live. (Jan 1999)
Government service should be temporary; not a career. (Jan 1999)
Fought and lost on removing stupid milk regulations. (Jan 1999)
Spend every 4th year removing obsolete laws. (Jan 1999)
Put political process on TV; exposure beats incumbency. (Jan 1999)
To change system, private citizens must get involved. (Jan 1999)
Secrecy
CIA's job is often to cover up the truth. (Apr 2011)
Kennedy assassination involved CIA, Pentagon, & 2nd gunman. (Mar 2010)
Government cites "national security" for too many secrets. (Mar 2010)
Release 10,000 documents held under "national security". (Mar 2010)
Democracy cannot survive while hiding secrets. (Apr 2008)
Oswald did not act alone in JFK assassination. (Apr 2008)
2004 class: Warren Commission was wrong on JFK. (Apr 2008)
CIA plants operatives in state government positions. (Apr 2008)
Voting Record
Unicameral state legislature would be more democratic. (Apr 2008)
ATMs offer receipts and so should electronic voting machines. (Apr 2008)
Supports a Unicameral Legislature. (Nov 1998)
Reforms must respect state's rights to select electors. (Aug 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Gun Control
Click here for 4 full quotes on Gun Control OR other candidates on Gun Control OR background on Gun Control.
Gun responsibility goes with gun rights. (Jul 2000)
Guns are designed to kill; respect them. (Jan 1999)
If you’re going to own a gun, know what you’re doing. (Jan 1999)
Concealed weapons OK if you can pass safety exam. (Nov 1998)
Jesse Ventura on Health Care
Click here for 13 full quotes on Health Care OR other candidates on Health Care OR background on Health Care.
5,000 die yearly from preventable food-borne illness. (Apr 2011)
1948: US tested VD antibiotics on Guatemalan citizens. (Apr 2011)
Treat anyone: the doctor issue us a human right. (Mar 2010)
Individual responsibility for unhealthy lifestyle choices. (Dec 2000)
Focus on prevention, children, and results. (Dec 2000)
Supports “Minnesota Care”; tax to pay for uninsured. (Jul 2000)
No national care, but pure capitalism can’t work. (Jul 2000)
Comment “suicides are weak” meant “don’t encourage them”. (Jan 1999)
Government interference should be kept to a minimum. (Nov 1998)
Premise of the tobacco lawsuit wrong; it punishes victims. (Aug 1998)
No federal pre-emption of employee health plan regulation. (Oct 2001)
Maintain Medicare funding of HMO benefits. (Oct 1999)
Protect state tobacco settlement funds from federal seizure. (Apr 1999)
Jesse Ventura on Homeland Security
Click here for 24 full quotes on Homeland Security OR other candidates on Homeland Security OR background on Homeland Security.
I'd rather face terrorists than lose any of my freedoms. (Apr 2011)
Assassinating foreign leadership is despicable. (Apr 2011)
Bill of Rights still applies if you label them "terrorists". (Apr 2011)
End the phony war on terror to end al Qaeda. (Apr 2011)
Secret behavior control drug experiments on Gitmo detainees. (Apr 2011)
Evidence destroyed about torture of al Qaeda detainees. (Apr 2011)
Federal surveillance is a waste of taxpayer dollars. (Mar 2010)
Why were there no black boxes from any of the 9/11 planes? (Mar 2010)
Vietnam War was all about somebody making money. (Mar 2010)
Lesson from JFK: Don't let feds investigate momentous events. (Mar 2010)
I'm more afraid of the culture of fear than of al Qaeda. (Mar 2010)
1999: Special Ops ID'ed several 9/11 hijackers, but ignored. (Mar 2010)
Starting war under false premises should be impeachable. (Apr 2008)
Muhammad Ali sacrificed for his convictions on Vietnam. (Apr 2008)
CIA should not operate within the US, but they do. (Apr 2008)
Bush administration knew 9/11 was coming. (Apr 2008)
Official story of 9/11 WTC collapse just doesn't add up. (Apr 2008)
Wartime draft would stop Iraq War and prevent future wars. (Apr 2008)
Require Congressional family members to go to war. (Apr 2008)
War isn’t civilized; don’t expect warriors to be. (Jan 1999)
Military is stronger if all-volunteer. (Jan 1999)
Against the draft; for including women except in combat. (Jan 1999)
Deal with terrorism as a joint federal-state responsibility. (Feb 2001)
Include states in anti-terrorism planning. (Sep 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Immigration
Click here for 8 full quotes on Immigration OR other candidates on Immigration OR background on Immigration.
Great Wall of China failed; so will the Great Wall of the US. (Apr 2008)
Immigration is an integral part of who we are. (Jul 2000)
Official English leads to Official Christianity. (Jul 2000)
Emergency medical, but no other services, for illegal imms. (Nov 1998)
Grant legal immigrants all benefits of citizens. (Nov 1998)
Share costs of legal immigration between states & federal. (Feb 2001)
Federal government should deal with criminal repatriation. (Feb 2001)
Ease Canadian border-crossing rules. (Oct 1999)
Jesse Ventura on Jobs
Click here for 8 full quotes on Jobs OR other candidates on Jobs OR background on Jobs.
Improve the Competitive Position of Rural Minnesota. (Dec 2000)
Make Agriculture Competitive Anywhere in the World. (Dec 2000)
Training and retraining to resolve workforce shortage. (Dec 2000)
Subsidize ethanol like we subsidize oil. (Jul 2000)
Unions support Democrats even when interests are elsewhere. (Jul 2000)
Supports prevailing wages but not living wages. (Jan 1999)
Strongly pro-union; and a union member. (Jan 1999)
State instead of federal rules for animal operations. (Nov 1999)
Jesse Ventura on Principles & Values
Click here for 28 full quotes on Principles & Values OR other candidates on Principles & Values OR background on Principles & Values.
2003: Self-portrait as knight in armor on stallion. (May 2010)
Patriotism means wondering if were told the truth. (Mar 2010)
Stormed out from Paul Wellstone's memorial service. (Nov 2009)
Supports libertarianism with a small "l". (Apr 2008)
Enlisted in Navy SEALs during Vietnam. (Apr 2008)
Met wife Terry while working as a bouncer in a bar. (Apr 2008)
Taught "Wrestling Then Politics: The Perfect Preparation". (Apr 2008)
Chose stage name after Jesse James and California town. (Apr 2008)
Grew with sport of wrestling as "bad guy" character. (Apr 2008)
Personal hero is Muhammad Ali, who also shocked the world. (Apr 2008)
2000: Offered to run as John McCain's independent VP. (Apr 2008)
Co-starred with Gov. Schwarzenegger in two action films. (Apr 2008)
Taught a semester at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. (Apr 2008)
Political “horse races” ignore the issues. (Jul 2000)
Parties need ideological base as well as grassroots. (Jul 2000)
Religious Right & extreme left are both “morality brokers”. (Jul 2000)
Considers himself a moderate libertarian. (Jul 2000)
Independent Party, not Reform Party. (Feb 2000)
I didn’t need this job (as governor). (Jan 1999)
Voters want honesty; he provides it. (Jan 1999)
Fiscally conservative and socially liberal. (Jan 1999)
Two traditional parties are out-of-control monsters. (Jan 1999)
Does not plan to run for president; but won’t rule it out. (Jan 1999)
Problem is with fundamentalist fanatics, not religion. (Jan 1999)
Big Plan: smart government and self-sufficiency. (Jan 1999)
Wanted to be mayor & governor; doesn’t want to be president. (Jan 1999)
Member of Midwestern Governors' Association. (Sep 2001)
Member, National Governors Association/Economic Development. (Jan 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Social Security
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Maintain long-term solvency of Social Security and Medicare. (Aug 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Tax Reform
Click here for 15 full quotes on Tax Reform OR other candidates on Tax Reform OR background on Tax Reform.
OpEd: Reduction of deficit were "Jesse taxes". (May 2010)
Cut fees on only some watercraft, as unconstitutional. (Apr 2008)
Remove "license tab fees": a hidden sales tax. (Apr 2008)
Base property tax on services needed, not on value of home. (Apr 2008)
Replace property-tax-funded schooling with general funds. (Apr 2008)
Modernize, simplify, & clarify tax system. (Dec 2000)
Repeal the 16th Amendment. (Jul 2000)
Replace income with national sales tax. (Jul 2000)
Let people keep as much of their money as possible. (Jan 1999)
$600 “Jesse Checks” tax rebate to every taxpayer. (Jan 1999)
Replace income tax with 15% national sales tax. (Jan 1999)
Supports national consumption tax to equalize tax burden. (Nov 1998)
Reform outdated property tax system. (Oct 1998)
No national sales tax or VAT. (Feb 2000)
Let states independently determine estate taxes. (May 2001)
Jesse Ventura on Technology
Click here for 11 full quotes on Technology OR other candidates on Technology OR background on Technology.
WikiLeaks exposes how our government lies when waging war. (Apr 2011)
Replace electronic ballots with hand-counts & paper trails. (Apr 2011)
Feds surveill us via private sector to avoid Constitution. (Mar 2010)
1998 "Geek Squad" pioneered political use of Internet. (Apr 2008)
TV news stations are really entertainment stations. (Apr 2008)
Unplugging TVs when off would save 3800 gigawatt-hours. (Apr 2008)
FCC indecency fines are an unelected dictatorship. (Apr 2008)
Competitive telecomm services to bridge Digital Divide. (Sep 2000)
Leave Internet sales tax to states. (Jul 2000)
Government may facilitate the Internet, but not control it. (Feb 1998)
Level playing field for Main Street vs. Internet sales tax. (Aug 2001)
Jesse Ventura on War & Peace
Click here for 11 full quotes on War & Peace OR other candidates on War & Peace OR background on War & Peace.
We attacked Saddam for the same WMDs we have in our arsenal. (Apr 2011)
Al Qaeda will end by politics, not military. (Apr 2011)
1980: Carter's failure on Iran hostages let Reagan win. (Mar 2010)
Withdrawal from Iraq should start on first day of presidency. (Apr 2008)
FDR needed catalyst for WWII; maybe Bush wanted catalyst too. (Apr 2008)
Opposed Iraq War from the beginning and on the air. (Apr 2008)
200,000 contractors: Iraq is most privatized war in history. (Apr 2008)
Iraq war drains resources from social programs. (Apr 2008)
Bush has no Iraq exit strategy; he plans on never leaving. (Apr 2008)
Bush violated Constitution by misleading US into Iraq War. (Apr 2008)
We need Saddam as the bad guy in oil disputes. (Jan 1999)
Jesse Ventura on Welfare & Poverty
Click here for 7 full quotes on Welfare & Poverty OR other candidates on Welfare & Poverty OR background on Welfare & Poverty.
Transition from Welfare to Self-Sufficiency. (Dec 2000)
Social programs should be a safety net, not a hammock. (Jul 2000)
Focus welfare on jobs & training. (Jul 2000)
Believes in private charity, not government charity. (Jan 1999)
Support LIHEAP, low-income heating assistance. (May 2000)
Maintain federal Social Services Block Grant funding. (Sep 2001)
Maintain flexibility & funding levels for TANF block grants. (Sep 2001)
