Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson supports term limits for federal officeholders, but had some surprising things to say about dictatorship.
The former New Mexico governor told podcast host Joe Rogan that if he were to build the federal government from scratch, he might seek out a benevolent dictator.
“So if we woke up today and there was no government at all, do you think that we would possibly create one guy that runs the whole thing; we would agree that that would be the best way to run things?” Rogan asked.
“I have a theory that the best way to run things would be that every 16 years we would have a benevolent dictator take over for two years,” Johnson answered before cracking a smile.
“So what would happen in those other days, the other 14 years?” Rogan asked.
“The other 16 years, you’d have elected officials and then for two years you’d have a benevolent dictator step in and right all the wrongs,” Johnson said. “But of course the problem is —”
“Finding a benevolent dictator,” Rogan answered.
“Well and how do you, it’s not possible,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to be funny here, but trying to bring out a point that actually if you could have that benevolent dictator step in and right the wrongs that — we don’t live in a democracy in this country. It’s not a democracy.”
But Johnson also bristled at President Obama’s use of executive action to intervene in the controversial bathroom debate regarding which public restrooms should admit transgender persons. Johnson opposed Obama’s action, and called bathroom restrictions, such as the North Carolina legislation, discriminatory in its intent.
Instead, Johnson proposed that men and women in the United States could use certain facilities together, including showers.
“We’re spreading awareness that ‘Oh shoot, in Europe they shower together?'” Johnson said.
“Yeah, but that means your wife has to shower with some dude,” Rogan interrupted. “Like, trust me, that’s not going to fly.”
“Right!” Johnson answered. “Well, it flies in Europe.”
Johnson was the Libertarian Party’s nominee for president in 2012 and could win his party’s nomination again. If he wins, he would be on the ballot in all 50 states opposite presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
