An Open Letter to Libertarians

The BIDINOTTO BLOG ^ | 10/25/04 | John Hospers

[Dr. Free Market]

When the stakes are not high it is sometimes acceptable, even desirable, to vote for a "minor party" candidate who cannot possibly win, just to "get the word out" and to promote the ideals for which that candidate stands. But when the stakes are high, as they are in this election, it becomes imperative that one should choose, not the candidate one considers philosophically ideal, but the best one available who has the most favorable chance of winning. The forthcoming election will determine whether it is the Republicans or the Democrats that win the presidency. That is an undeniable reality. If the election is as close as it was in 2000, libertarian voters may make the difference as to who wins in various critical "Battle Ground" states and therefore the presidency itself. That is the situation in which we find ourselves in 2004. And that is why I believe voting for George W. Bush is the most libertarian thing we can do.

[Dr. Free Market]

Where have we heard this before?

[thoughtomator]

It's too bad the GOP has been saying this year after year after year, because finally, for the first time, it is possibly true.

As a libertarian I am voting for Bush, not because I agree with his governing philosophy as a whole, but because I agree that defending the country is the paramount concern to which the government needs to be directed. Without effective defense, what other liberty can survive?

[Taggart_D]

It has been my hope that the libertarians will take over the democratic party. Do you think it will happen in my lifetime?

[kjvail]

Same old canard - vote Republican because we can win. . . BAH! The lesser of two evils is still evil.

[Dr. Free Market]

No. The Democrat Party is closer to extinction than rebirth.

[Politicalities]

Same old canard - vote Republican because we can win. . . BAH! The lesser of two evils is still evil.

Always better to use trite catchphrases than to really think about the issues, isn't it?

If you're given the choice between being shot in the head or punched in the shoulder, are you indifferent between the two? Why? After all, the lesser of two evils is still evil, right?

The canard isn't "Vote for Bush because we can win." It's "Vote for Bush because he's infinitely better than Kerry."

[Dr. Free Market]

Bottom line:

Even if you think government intervention and spending is a wash between Democrats and Republicans, I ask you,
"Do you want Pres. Kerry defending our country and laughing at Libertarians, while Badnarik teaches skydiving, but your conscience is pure; or a Pres. Bush defending our country, beholden to Libertarians, while Badnarik teaches skydiving, and you swallowing your pride for a day."

You choose.

And I submit that this is an accurate description of the reality.

[ClintonBeGone]

An Open Letter to Libertarians - From one of the sane few.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-rlc/1256242/posts

[Mudboy Slim]

"I believe voting for George W. Bush is the most libertarian thing we can do."

No argument here...Dubyuh may be have been too big a spender in his first term, but Kerry would set back libertarianism a country mile. Hell, Kerry's the NumberOne Most-Lib'ral Senator in a very Lib'ral Senate!! You don't get those sorta awards without being a damned Socialist Dweeb!!

FReegards...MUD

[familyop]

My Open Letter to Liberaltarians:

"Our candidate's red hot! Yo' B____ ain't doodly squat!"

[familyop]

...think I was too rough with that, ClintonBeGone? Maybe...

C'mon, folks, we can't afford to let Kerry into that Office! Libertarians can't afford that, either, unless they want the Clintonistas behind Kerry to confiscate a lot of private properties for the government.

[familyop]

And it's way late for any who present themselves as conservatives of any kind to be campaigning against President Bush.

Do some research on "gradualism" and "incrementalism" along with "socialism." ...one yard at a time for now, friends.

[Commie Basher]

The stakes are too high to reward the GOP with another four years.

The GOP is using Kerry to blackmail freedom-lovers into voting for more GOP radical-extreme left socialism.

It's like Napoleon warning the animals that they must support his tyranny, lest Farmer Jones return.

[Commie Basher]

The stakes are too high to reward the GOP with another four years.

The GOP is using Kerry to blackmail freedom-lovers into voting for more GOP radical-extreme left socialism.

It's like Napoleon warning the animals that they must support his tyranny, lest Farmer Jones return.

[Dr. Free Market]

Got medication?

I didn't realize LaRouche was on the ballot this year.

[Beemnseven]

"Always better to use trite catchphrases than to really think about the issues, isn't it?...If you're given the choice between being shot in the head or punched in the shoulder, are you indifferent between the two? Why? After all, the lesser of two evils is still evil, right?...The canard isn't "Vote for Bush because we can win." It's "Vote for Bush because he's infinitely better than Kerry.'"

Well, I HAVE thought about it, trite catchphrase or not. I will not let the threat of terrorism cause me to abandon my principles. I will never vote for a president who singlehandedly did more damage to the Constitution than any other president in our nation's history by signing Campaign Finance Reform. Never before have we ever seen such a blatant attack on the First Amendment of the Constitution, and for that, I will NEVER forgive him.

Bush is "Infinitely" better than Kerry? Let's see: There's virtually no differences with their plans in Iraq. Kerry's not going to abandon the hunt for Al Queda. They both are against gay marriage. They both wanted government coverage for prescription drugs -- and got it. Both came out against free speech with respect to 527 groups. Both have no interest in securing the borders. Both want to grow the size of the federal government, and have absolutely no plans to diminish it. And both candidates LOVE to spend our money. So tell me, what is so "infinitely" better about Bush?

Your analogy between getting shot in the head and punched in the shoulder is severely flawed. I know we're talking semantics here but, being shot in the head is murder -- which is evil. Being punched in the shoulder can be playful, or a mere annoyance. Huge distinction there. The differences between Bush and Kerry are no further than the difference between Coke and Pepsi.

Badnarik is the only clear choice for a return to constitutional government.

[Beemnseven]

"Always better to use trite catchphrases than to really think about the issues, isn't it?...If you're given the choice between being shot in the head or punched in the shoulder, are you indifferent between the two? Why? After all, the lesser of two evils is still evil, right?...The canard isn't "Vote for Bush because we can win." It's "Vote for Bush because he's infinitely better than Kerry.'"

Well, I HAVE thought about it, trite catchphrase or not. I will not let the threat of terrorism cause me to abandon my principles. I will never vote for a president who singlehandedly did more damage to the Constitution than any other president in our nation's history by signing Campaign Finance Reform. Never before have we ever seen such a blatant attack on the First Amendment of the Constitution, and for that, I will NEVER forgive him.

Bush is "Infinitely" better than Kerry? Let's see: There's virtually no differences with their plans in Iraq. Kerry's not going to abandon the hunt for Al Queda. They both are against gay marriage. They both wanted government coverage for prescription drugs -- and got it. Both came out against free speech with respect to 527 groups. Both have no interest in securing the borders. Both want to grow the size of the federal government, and have absolutely no plans to diminish it. And both candidates LOVE to spend our money. So tell me, what is so "infinitely" better about Bush?

Your analogy between getting shot in the head and punched in the shoulder is severely flawed. I know we're talking semantics here but, being shot in the head is murder -- which is evil. Being punched in the shoulder can be playful, or a mere annoyance. Huge distinction there. The differences between Bush and Kerry are no further than the difference between Coke and Pepsi.

Badnarik is the only clear choice for a return to constitutional government.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

[Politicalities]

So good you had to post it twice, eh?

Bush is "Infinitely" better than Kerry? Let's see: There's virtually no differences with their plans in Iraq. Kerry's not going to abandon the hunt for Al Queda.

Gotta disagree with you on that, friend. Bush believes that we were right to go into Iraq, and his goal is to build a democracy there, thus providing a beacon to the other despotisms in the Middle East. Kerry's first goal will be to get American troops home as quickly as possible. How can Kerry handle Iraq effectively if he doesn't believe in the cause?

So tell me, what is so "infinitely" better about Bush?

• The aforementioned War on Terror. As a libertarian, there are precious few things I want to see the government spending money on, but national security is one of those few things.
• Bush cut your taxes. Kerry will raise them.
• Bush opposes affirmative action, and his administration filed an amicus brief against the University of Michigan's policy. Kerry will continue this legalized racial discrimination, which should be anathema to every libertarian.
• Kerry has stated that he will not appoint any judge who does not support Roe v. Wade. Whatever your stance on abortion, Roe was a Constitutional abomination.

Badnarik is the only clear choice for a return to constitutional government.

There is only one person on this planet with whose views I agree 100%, and that is myself. Nevertheless, I do not write my own name in for President, because my vote would be totally wasted and would have zero chance of affecting the outcome. So will your vote for Badnarik.

But even if Badarik actually stood a chance, I would not vote for him because of his disastrous position on the War on Terror, including the battle in Iraq.