Billing himself as a smut-peddler who cares, Hustler publisher Larry Flynt officially announced his gubernatorial candidacy yesterday from his office, with intentions of running as a Democrat on a platform of expanding gambling, legalizing prostitution, putting a halt to illegal immigration and improving education.
Flynt, who owns a California casino himself and is known to be an avid gambler, suggests that the state of California would be able to earn at least $3 billion in tax revenue by allowing casinos to have slot machines.
While Flynt is supporting the concept of legalized prosititution, he admits that he probably wouldn't get much support from legislators in the state congress.
"I could see all kinds of benefits coming from that, including additional tax revenue, being able to control venereal disease and a possible decrease in sexual assaults," Flynt said, who also suggested that drugs might be legalized as well.
A San Francisco Chronicle poll, while not scientific (it's not a random poll), shows that 59 percent of the people who participated in the poll agree with Flynt's position on prostitution and drugs.
Flynt would also like to grant amnesty to all illegal aliens, then install measures to prevent further illegal immigrants from crossing our borders.
Another topic that Flynt is adament is about is improving the quality of education, something Flynt suggests current governor Gray Davis has done nothing about.
Flynt dismissed the concept that his campaign is nothing more than a publicity stunt.
"I don't need any publicity" he said. "I'm better known than Coca-Cola."
Flynt has suggested that if the public takes his campaign seriously, he'd be willing to dip deep into his own pockets to finance the run for governor. "I'm prepared to go the distance," he said.
Of course, first a majority of voters in California must vote for the recall in the Oct. 7 vote. If they do, then the candidate with most votes wins - and with a field of over 250 candidates it might not take many votes for any person to be declared the new governor of the state of California.
