Posted on 10/23/2004 10:07:23 AM PDT by J. Neil Schulman
Absolutely. But how, pray tell, is a Kerry Presidency going to accomplish that? (And by voting "L" that is precisely what the practical result of your voting will be). Best to let the GOP "hold the status quo" while citizen-patriots actively attempt to move the debate away from its current (far left) position on the politcal spectrum. Politicians themselves are rarely (if ever) able to move that debate, only grassroots efforts and unforeseen events (like 9/11) can.
Former (big L) Libertarian Ron Paul eventually realized the futility of remaining on that sinking ship and is now a Republican. .......and he didn't have to change his views one iota to do it. Libertarians would be wise to follow his lead.
I wasn't suggesting not voting for Bush, or even commenting on the issue as it relates to the presidential election (thus being a bit off topic, I admit), just carping about the assumptions underlying the argument. But I'll ask the corresponding question: How are these "citizen patriots" going to restore the issue to its proper form?
I have abandoned my Libertarian affiliation because the LP's open borders/free trade position would transform our culture to that of a 3rd world nation through the ravages of outsourcing and immigration. Bush and Kerry also support relatively unfettered immigration and free trade, so I was left without any good choice. But I think it is tremendously important that Bush win with the largest margin possible to avoid a judicial coup d'etat by the Democrats and I will be casting my vote for him.
A libertarian government has an obligation to protect the lives and property of its citizens. The reflexive opposition to the aggressive pursuit of the War shows not only an abandonment of this libertarian value, but it also shows the Party as being no different from any other party. They've staked out a position simply because it's not what "the other guy" is saying. Right or wrong had nothing to do with it; only political expediency.
I already told you, by grassroots efforts presenting their small-gov't, constitutionalist positions to electorate. It'll take time, but it's the only change we have. Voting 3rd party sure isn't going to do it, and it fact, will have the opposite effect.
As an (little "i") independent these days, I have much to disagree with in the current leadership of the GOP.
However, GW Bush is the right man, at the right time, for the right job. Furthermore, John Kerry is the wrong man at any time for the job.
change = chance
I typically avoid any and all Libertarian discussions since they so often completely ignore the facts that this author includes and artfully embellishes.
I will be proud to recommend this article to FRiends and friends.
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Wow! A Losertarian with common sense!
You can still be a small-'l' libertarian, Neil.
Very good post. Bump.
This Libertarian has made the same decision as Schulman. Not all of us are theory wankers who believe that al Qaeda attacked America because we gratuitously went to war against Mexico in 1844.
Libertarians, Libertines, they're all the same to me.
But Bush is pushing us in the same direction. Even his defenders only say that he's doing it more slowly.
Not with the NRST on the table in the congress. Bush has all but said that he would favor it if it gets voted on and passed.
Thast the number one issue that divides this country..Taxes.
From one libertarian to another, Neil, where did you get the authority to appoint an agent to excercise dominion over my person and property?
"In truth, in the case of individuals, their actual voting is not to be taken as proof of consent, even for the time being. On the contrary, it is to be considered that, without his consent having even been asked a man finds himself environed by a government that he cannot resist; a government that forces him to pay money, render service, and forego the exercise of many of his natural rights under peril of weighty punishments. He sees, too, that other men practice this tyranny over him by the use of the ballot. He sees further, that, if he will but use the ballot himself, he has some chance of relieving himself from this tyranny of others, by subjecting them to his own. In short, he finds himself, without his consent, so situated that, if he use the ballot, he may become a master; if he does not use it, he must become a slave. And he has no other alternative than these two. In self-defence, he attempts the former. His case is analogous to that of a man who has been forced into battle, where he must either kill others, or be killed himself. Because, to save his own life in battle, a man attempts to take the lives of his opponents, it is not to be inferred that the battle is one of his own choosing. Neither in contests with the ballot--which is a mere substitute for a bullet--because, as his only chance of self-preservation, a man uses a ballot, is it to be inferred that the contest is one into which he voluntarily entered; that he voluntarily set up all his own natural rights, as a stake against those of others, to be lost or won by the mere power of numbers. On the contrary, it is to be considered that in an exigency into which he had been forced by others, and in which no other means of self-defence offered, he, as a matter of necessity, used the only one that was left to him."-- Lysander Spoooner, No Treason, 1870
I love Neal Boortz. I listen to him most days, but lately his predictions Kerry will win have me so upset that I can't listen right now. He believes Kerry's party will do a better job of getting the vote out..voter fraud. If Kerry wins I will be sick!!
I don't see how. Both parties spend like crazy, and that has to be paid back. Bush's spending will result in more taxes later, so I'm not too impressed with his tinny tiny tax trim.
It won't take long for you to attacked by the demented authoritarians no matter whether you support Republicans or not. I see some have already done so.
Don't worry, I've never seen a Freeper who was impressed with you.
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