Working the field, part V — Imperato

Daniel J. Imperato

I am always intrigued by the Libertarian Party and its candidates and positions. Daniel Imperato is particularly fascinating.  I do think that he has done an especially wise thing — reaching out to other “third parties” in order to help them all have access to ballots. He even addressed the Green Party in July of 2007 on the subject of ballot access.

It looks like he’s pursuing potential nomination from the Green, Libertarian, and Reform Parties. I’m not sure how that works, since there isn’t that much overlap between the three … or even any two of them.
In 2000, I have to admit, I voted for Ralph Nader. It was and probably will be the only time that I voted for someone I didn’t want to win. My hope, though, was that Nader and the Green Party would make their 5% nationwide, which would give them access to federal funds and ballots that they don’t have as a minor party (read: not the Democrats or Republicans). My hope was that this would splinter the Democratic Party, and then embolden “third parties” on the Right, thus creating more competition, more discussion of ideas, and more candidates in the arena. I’d like to see a real run between the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green, Reform, Constitution, and Socialist Parties. Of course, it didn’t happen.

Back to my point … Daniel Imperato. He’s an interesting-looking character. The Libertarian Party, of course, is best known for its very-small-government beliefs. (Supplemented here.) Daniel Imperato is not exactly on board there. His own site, in fact, makes very little mention of reducing the size of government. In fact, he wants to impose a whole new regulation in taxes on the 501(c)3 charitable giving (which he lists as part of “Social Security” … I’m not sure that this approaches enough reform to fix Social Security …)

I propose a new charity system, where the only charity that can receive unlimited contributions is the Social Security 501(c)3 Charitable Fund. That way, wealthy Americans, who wish to have the largest tax deductions through charitable donations, will donate back to the American people and the Social Security Charitable Fund that will be run by we the people.

In addition, this will hold accountable the principals of our current charities for their distribution of funds. It is necessary to close down the rest of them that are abusing our system. Charities that maintain honest business practices will be categorized numerically, with a rating system, and preference will be given to the ones that direct money towards America, and its people first.

Only the government-run charity can receive unlimited donations? Others will be shut down? The rest will be categorized? This doesn’t jive with my concept of a Libertarian, but I don’t know that much about him. I’m looking for some input from a couple of his supporters, and I’m hoping to get some of this cleared up.

He also wants to impose new FDA approval fees to pay for health care funding, and to set up an online education system. While an idea of some merit, I again wonder what it’s doing on a Libertarian’s agenda.

Though I don’t see it mentioned, it appears that Imperato has a socially-conservative agenda. His web site includes links to the American Family Association, Islamic Society of North America, Christian Coalition, Make A Wish, American Basketball Association, Children’s Miracle Network, American Cancer Society, and other groups. In some cases, I’m not sure of the connection.

He is a Knight of Malta, a Papal Knight, and has apparently been made recently Grand Prior of the Orden Bonaria… which is certainly something not on most candidates’ resumes.

Besides being an active entrepreneur, Imperato has recently been made a Chaplain in the Latin/African American Chaplains Association, and has served as a trustee and head of the Palm Beach branch of the United Nations NGO the African Center Foundation. Actually, his list of credentials is very impressive. He seems smart, service-minded, and shows a great deal of international experience — in terms of doing business in foreign nations and involvement in relations with his knight and chaplain duties.

I had every intention of writing about a few of the Libertarians in this post, but Mr. Imperato took more time than I’d intended.