On Charles Barkley's short-lived television show, Listen Up!, somebody asked Jesse Ventura his opinion on then president George W. Bush. Ventura said, "He's a former governor and he told all of us governors that he was going back to old federalism which means powers to the states and he's done just the opposite. He's taken more from the states."
Ventura, obviously bothered by Bush's flip-flop, said, "I'm a believer that states should be able to self-govern. The federal government should only be national defense and national issues. Every state should have their own destiny to be able to pick and choose so that you as a citizen can decide what state fits you best and go live there."
Ventura's belief that states should be able to govern themselves without interference from Washington rings true for many Americans. So does his distaste for an increasingly powerful federal government. "If everything's covered by the federal government blanket, the only recourse you have then is leave the country and who wants to do that?" said Ventura.
Ironically, Ventura himself decided to leave the country. "I'm living now, at least half the year, down in the Baja in Mexico. I live one hour from pavement and one hour from electricity, about 850 miles down there," said Ventura on Larry King.
When asked why he decided to spend six months away from his home state of Minnesota Ventura said, "I'm young enough yet to need another adventure. I drive down and back every year and it's truly an adventure to live down there."
Mexico's Baja Peninsula also provides Ventura with numerous surf breaks and a chance to live simply, away from the noise. "I'm off the grid. I have electricity but it's all solar. I'm completely solar powered down there and it makes you pay more attention. It makes you turn the lights off when you're not using them," said Ventura.
Though Ventura's half year emigration to Mexico isn't entirely in response to an ever expanding federal government, there is one political event that would keep Ventura out of the United States for good: A Sarah Palin victory in the 2012 presidential election. "I will tell you right now, if she becomes president I'm gone to Mexico. I will tell you this, I would leave the country because I would lose all my faith in this country and I would rather just move on then," said Ventura on Geraldo.
Jesse Ventura on Listen Up! with Charles Barkley (click play to listen)
Jesse Ventura on Larry King (click play to listen)
Jesse Ventura to Geraldo: "If Sarah Palin Becomes President, I'm Going To Mexico" (click play to listen)
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