The Democrats are clearly not my party...
Democratic Party Platform
Just watch this "Party of Inclusion" video...
I am a white male, a hunter, and I own guns. Clearly my vote is not being courted there. I'm not gay or Hispanic or poor. I don't believe in big government or in the progressive tax (where your tax rate increases as your income increases). On the other hand, President Barack Obama is an eloquent speaker and the party is protective of individual rights and freedoms (except the one to own guns, strangely).
An awesome SNL video... Obama vs. Romney Cold Open
The Republicans are clearly not my party...
Republican Party Platform
I think evolution is a valid theory, I don't care if homosexuals get married or not, I think reproductive decisions belong in the hands of the individual, and I don't trust anything Paul Ryan says after the 2-hour marathon comment. On the other hand, Mitt Romney came closest to winning my vote with his comment that 47% of Americans act like victims, pay no taxes anyway, and he has no hope of reaching them. It is little moments of clarity and truth like that that make me trust a candidate. The media thinks he should hide it. I think he should shout it from the mountaintop.
Are the Libertarians even running?
Apparently, there is a guy named Gary Johnson running on the libertarian ticket. I had to google it to find that out. Is voting for this guy the same as not voting at all?
On the other hand, this is sort of convincing...
This is actually a pretty damn good commercial...
I'm the guy you're after, politicians. The undecided voter. And you aren't exactly blowing my skirt up. I have no idea who I should vote for. I have a buddy who says he'll write in Ron Paul, but that sounds very similar to not voting to me. Somebody help me, or I'll be standing in the booth for a long time come November...
Walt, you already should know Ron Paul, and Gary Johnson is easy enough to learn about in a day. Successful 2-term NM Guvna '94-'02, followed Libertarian principles to do it - eliminated New Mexico's budget deficit, cut the rate of growth in state government in half, and privatized half of the state prisons. Vetoed 750 bills - 32% - and used the line item veto 1000's of times - vetoed almost half the bills his 2nd year - I REALLY like that. Limited state budget growth to 5% each year, left with a surplus, after cutting taxes 14 times without ever raising them etc, etc. http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/record I don't know that much about him myself, but my research capabilities are limited with our CISPA/SOPA controlled internet. My only dilemma is voting between Gary and writing in RP. But that's my personal choice between which statement I want to make. We all know they won't win this time, but if we don't start the ball rolling, and spread the word now, they won't be any closer to winning next go-round either.
ReplyDeleteGary Johnson on civil liberties - "Life is precious and must be protected. A woman should be allowed to make her own decisions during pregnancy until the point of viability of a fetus (6-7months max - Roe v Wade). Stem cell research should only be completed by private laboratories that operate without federal funding. Government should not impose its values upon marriage. It should allow marriage equality, including gay marriage. It should also protect the rights of religious organizations to follow their beliefs. It is insane to arrest roughly 800,000 people a year for choosing to use a natural substance that is, by any reasonable objective standard, less harmful than alcohol, a drug that is advertised at every major sporting event. Marijuana should be legal and regulated just as alcohol and cigarettes. Honest, effective education will be key to succeeding with this transition. America has cut teen cigarette use in half, not by criminalizing possession and use, but through a combination of honest education and sensible regulation. The FCC should not be allowed to create rules regulating content, Internet speeds, and pricing for services. The Internet should remain independent, accessible and market-based. Internet 'kill switch' legislation should be scrapped completely. No person or group of people should be able to turn off the Internet. The Internet has flourished and society has benefited immeasurably because it has remained relatively free of taxation. The moratorium on access and service taxation must be made permanent. Every scheme to impose a global Internet tax should be opposed. Political speech should in no way be censored. Online gambling should be legal for adults. TREAT 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS AS THE INDIVIDUAL constitutional rights they are. Many argue that the 2nd Amendment doesn't really apply to individuals. Would those same people suggest that rights to free speech, association or religious freedom don't apply to individuals? DO NOT NEGOTIATE AWAY OUR FREEDOMS IN the name of safety. From the United Nations to city council chambers across the nation, gun rights are constantly under attack from those who believe, mistakenly, that restricting our right to own firearms legally will somehow make us safer."
ReplyDeleteRemember, you asked for help deciding..ha. It is really pretty simple. You agree with pretty much everything on the libertarian platform - your only dilemma is whether to vote principle, or vote with the crowd who has a better chance of winning. We all know the libertarian party won't stand a chance of winning this go-round. Certainly neither does Ron Paul. But wasted vote? Any even cursory glance at the voting records of either major party candidates tell you the wasted vote would be on them. Neither have stood for either platform when it boiled down to their actual vote. Obama didn't get us out of war like he said he would, even after we killed OBL. He certainly didn't shut down Gitmo either among other failed promises of course. Romney has stood firmly against conservative platforms as much as he has stood for them over the last 10-15 years, although his actions have certainly expanded govt in his own state and helped form universal healthcare for the nation. Paul Ryan certainly has a LIST of actual votes for expanded govt and stimulus and bailouts just like Bush and Obama. So ALL of them are absolutely worthless when it comes to actually walking what they talk. Therefore, there is only one principled option to take, and that is vote your concience, vote your principle. Take the road less travelled and tell others to follow and start making that narrow path wider and wider. Millions are doing it already, and the word is spreading. Read that platform list again on the libertarian site you posted. Compare the actual voting records of Gary Johnson and Ron Paul to that platform. There is no comparison to those who sell their votes and actions, to those who stick to their guns no matter the odds and no matter the money flashed in their faces. I think if you actually do that, there will truly be no more question in your mind...if there truly even is one now.
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