Michael Wood run for Presidency 2024

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition_Party
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo,_New_York 
Michael Wood is a fifth generation Californian and recently retired CEO of a multinational 
company.  An active member of the Prohibition Party, since retirement he has been elected to 
both the Prohibition National Committee and the Executive Committee of the Prohibition Party. 
He works closely with other party leaders to help set a course for the long-term success of the 
party.    

1. The Prohibition Party has a historical focus on temperance and moral reform. How do you plan to modernize these values to address contemporary societal issues?

Yes, many people associate the party with the objective of forbidding the consumption of alcohol on moral grounds - but our platform has evolved significantly over time. Although alcohol remains our signature issue, the party has moved away from telling people what they should or should not do. We recognize an individual's right to drink if they wish, but by emphasizing personal responsibility and educating people on the dangers, we believe that people will inherently choose healthier lifestyles which do not include alcohol or tobacco.

Another example of modernization can be seen in our evolving position on abortion - a contemporary issue which often divides our country. The majority of Americans support access to abortion; under what terms is now up to the states to decide. As each state works to regulate this issue, we as a party have taken two positions: first, that women, and their opinions, must be included in the legislative process. Secondly, and this is a major change from the past, we believe that each woman should have the right to decide the issue of abortion based on her own conscience. 

Although we are oldest third party in the USA, founded in 1869, the PRO party today has moved away from the century old image of preaching moral reform and is today a modern party focused on improving the quality of life for all Americans.

2. Given the evolving landscape of drug policies and the legalization of marijuana in various states, how does the Prohibition Party position itself regarding drug enforcement and substance regulation?

https://prohibition2024.weebly.com/

Recreational drug use, including alcohol, nicotine and opiates, kills far to many of us. Alcohol abuse and smoking are two of the leading preventable causes of death in the United States, taking the lives of more than 600,000 American's every year. Ten million people misused opioids in the past year alone: nearly 70,000 dying from synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

The party opposes recreational drug use, including cannabis, and supports a sustained program of education to help people understand the risks. We advocate a ban on cannabis, vaping, and alcohol advertising - especially those ads targeted at America's youth. The UK is leading the way in creating a tobacco-free generation by proposing a forever ban on the sale of tobacco to anyone who is today 14 years or younger. Such actions, together with our proposal to increase the alcohol excise tax with proceeds earmarked for education and addiction-rehabilitation programs, are the best way to encourage community disapproval of recreational drug use.

3. The Prohibition Party historically focused on alcohol prohibition. How do you plan to address current concerns related to alcohol abuse and its impact on society?

Our approach to alcohol abuse is three-fold; education, taxation and a ban on advertising. Since cigarette advertising was banned in 1971, the nation has seen a consistent reduction in the number of smokers. This same approach should be taken with alcohol. Alco-pops and other flavored alcoholic drinks are being mass-marketed to America's youth - this needs to stop. A broad education campaign, coupled with an excise tax increase, with tax revenues being invested in education and addition-treatment, will reduce the number of unnecessary deaths from alcohol abuse. If people understand the risks and health impacts, they will instinctively chose healthier lifestyle options. 

4. What specific steps do you propose to reduce gun violence while respecting Second Amendment rights?

Our objective is to balance Second Amendment rights and public safety. There have been more than 130 mass shootings in the USA this year: something needs to change. We as a party firmly support the right of citizens to own and carry firearms for personal defense and recreational purposes. The Second Amendment is a cornerstone of American democracy, and it must be upheld.

At the same time, we believe that it is crucial to differentiate between firearms meant for self-defense, hunting or sport and weapons of war - namely rapid-fire assault rifles. Existing laws do not allow the general public to purchase weapons of war; these restrictions should be expanded to prohibit the purchase of semi-automatic assault rifles. These weapons have no place in civilian hands and have been tragically instrumental in multiple mass shootings. This, coupled with a system of stringent background checks for all guns, and proper education and gun training are steps in the right direction. 

It is simultaneously imperative to recognize mental health issues as a significant part of the problem of gun violence. According to the CDC, more than half of gun deaths in the USA were suicides. Rather than solely focusing on restricting access to firearms, we should also allocate substantial funding to public mental health programs. Adequate mental health services can help identify individuals in crisis and provide the support they need, potentially averting violent incidents before they occur.

Tightly controlling access to assault rifles, implementing stringent background checks and investing in mental health programs are just three steps towards addressing gun violence in America - but they are steps we could take today. Only through a comprehensive approach can we hope to reduce the tragic toll of gun violence in our country.

5. The Prohibition Party advocates for stricter immigration policies. Could you elaborate on your stance regarding immigration reform and border security?

Protecting our borders is a duty to the citizens of the United States. To ensure only lawful entry, those agencies protecting our borders must be sufficiently funded. Videos taken at the border show that a wall, in and of itself, will not solve the problem; we need to reform our immigration system. 

I commend the contributions of immigrants to our culture, economy, and national identity, but must insist that immigration and naturalization be done through an orderly legal process. Existing asylum laws rightly protect those facing persecution, however asylum should only be granted to those arriving directly from a country where they are at risk. Refugees already present in a safe-haven country should be able to apply for legal immigration to the United States at a U.S. Embassy in that country, but may not claim asylum simply by virtue of their physical presence in the USA or at the border.

6. How does the Prohibition Party aim to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability in an ever-changing world?

Pollution does have an impact on our planet. At the same time, abatement projects must balance costs with benefits. We support cooperation with other nations in mitigating the effects of climate change. We should however strive for energy independence and as a nation should not surrender our sovereignty in making energy decisions. 

We advocate increased research into the development of non-fossil fuel resources, including tax breaks for companies and subsidies for consumers willing to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

7. Healthcare is a pressing issue. What are your proposals to improve access to healthcare and address rising healthcare costs?

In a country with our resources, access to affordable, quality health care should be the right of every American. If this is achieved through a federal program, participation in such must remain an individual choice. Medicare and Medicaid are good programs, but no one should be forced to participate in a federal program if a private program provides them with equal or better coverage. The bottom line is that no one who needs a medicine or treatment prescribed by a doctor should be denied such due to their personal financial limitations. 

8. The Prohibition Party emphasizes the importance of family values. How do you plan to support family structures and address societal changes that impact families today?

Strong families make for a strong country. The values which one gains from family are important, and we recognize that religious values have played a positive role in the founding of the United States. 

Food insecurity destabilizes families. Ensuring access to fresh, healthy food is a good basis from which to help build strong families. To help achieve this objective we believe that food banks should be supported through programs which incentivize donations. 

9. Education is a cornerstone of societal progress. What measures do you propose to improve the educational system and ensure equal opportunities for all students?

In addition to our belief that educational curriculums should inform our youth about the dangers of alcohol and drugs, we feel strongly that the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture must take a leading role in education. In 2025 these departments will publish an update to the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" - an educational tool for both children and adults. Imagine for a moment if the Surgeon General recommended smoking two cigarettes a day... outrageous you say? Under the current dietary guidelines these departments suggest that consuming two alcoholic drinks per day is part of a healthy diet. With 140,000 deaths each year due to alcohol, I sincerely hope that these guidelines will be revised.

Our understanding of the meaning of equality begins as children. As a party, we abhor all forms of racism, discrimination, harassment, hatred, structural inequality and violence directed at any group - especially in our schools, where early education helps form the opinions we carry into adulthood. We support a just and inclusive society with equal opportunities for all. To this end, public schools must be sufficiently funded. At the same time we support the right of families to choose the method for educating their children, and programs that allow families to make choices for alternate schooling. 

We approve of the federal Department of Education setting minimum standards for education and advocate for stronger emphasis on science, technology, engineering, math, history and languages. We advocate free community colleges with 4-year degree programs, as well as for vocational education. Student debt relief must be applied equally to all; including those who through personal responsibility have already repaid their original debts. We support free educational programs to retrain displaced workers and those who become disabled. 

10. In a polarized political climate, how will you navigate bipartisan cooperation to advance the Prohibition Party's agenda while working with diverse ideologies in government?

This is not going to happen overnight: our nation is almost as polarized now as it was in the late 1850s. Bipartisan cooperation is in great part stymied by strongly entrenched political interests. The Prohibition Party believes in federalism, emphasizing that many issues are better regulated by state and local jurisdictions - resulting in a leaner, more efficient federal government. Within this smaller federal government, we support the expansion of term limits to both houses of Congress. Representing other citizens in Congress should be an honor, not a career. Enacting term limits will help to reduce the influence of special interest groups, provide a more accurate representation of the public in Congress and by regularly bringing fresh ideas into the system, enhancing bipartisan cooperation.