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Staff Vote 4 Dummies (Get it??)
In my column from four years ago imploring other journalistic outlets to show us who they're voting for, I boiled down our more expansive 2004 presidential survey into the responses of 13 key reason contibutors. The breakdown then:
only one certain vote apiece for Bush, Kerry and Badnarik. Two principled non-voters and two more probable non-voters (one of whom leans Badnarik); two I'll-never-tells, two undefined undecideds, and two undecideds who will either vote for Badnarik or a major-party candidate.
I was the sole loser for Kerry, BTW, though it was because "Bush
needs to be fired." Go to the link to see an
easily digestible list of how the 13 responded.
For the purposes of symmetry I thought I'd do the same boiling-down exercise from our just-published 2008 survey. So here goes, with 18 staffers and regular contributors this time around:
Peter Bagge: Barr; Obama if close
Ronald Bailey: Obama
Radley Balko: Barr
Drew Carey: "Anybody but McCain/Palin"
Tim Cavanaugh: Obama
Shikha Dalmia: Nobody
Brian Doherty: Never votes
Nick Gillespie: Barr, if he votes
Katherine Mangu-Ward: Never votes
Michael Moynihan: Won't vote
Charles Oliver: Won't vote
Bob Poole: McCain
Damon Root: Probably nobody, maybe Barr
Jacob Sullum: Barr
Jesse Walker: Barr
David Weigel: Obama
Matt Welch: Probably Barr
Cathy Young: Probably Barr
By my count that's three definitely for Barr, three definitely for Obama, one definitely for McCain. Five won't-votes, four probably-Barrs, one probably-nobody, and one "anybody but McCain/Palin." What does it all mean? You tell us.
|10.29.08 @ 4:45PM|#
It means:
1. You folks are highly atypical (which is unfortunate)
2. Barr would do much better if the general public knew as much
about him as you folks do.
3. "None of the above" would win in a landslide if allowed on the
ballots.
Fluffy|10.29.08 @ 4:48PM|#
It means that the Republican / Libertarian divide is so wide now
that it's wider than the Democrat / Libertarian divide.
And if you had predicted that to me in 1980 or 1984 I would have
laughed in your face.
|10.29.08 @ 4:48PM|#
It means that you are the sort of fake "libertarians" who live in cities and use deoderant.
lunchstealer|10.29.08 @ 4:49PM|#
My tally of the whole list including the Brins and Benfords and other less regular folk ended up with Obama in front, with McCain coming in 4th behind the "Don't vote, it just encourages them" tally.
hotsauce|10.29.08 @ 4:49PM|#
That most of you don't apply the same principle when voting year to year (I'm guilty myself, and only recently became a principled nonvoting convert).
|10.29.08 @ 4:51PM|#
It means libertarians shoudln't write about horserace electoral politics because they rarely have anything to contribute to the conversation
Citizen Nothing|10.29.08 @ 4:57PM|#
Jack, I'd think libertarians have more to contribute to stories about horserace electorial politics since they don't have a horse in the race.
I, Kahn O\'Clast|10.29.08 @ 4:58PM|#
It means that I have been reading this blog for too long since the last internal poll (Kerry/Bush) feels like yesterday.
|10.29.08 @ 4:58PM|#
"It means that the Republican / Libertarian divide is so wide
now that it's wider than the Democrat / Libertarian divide."
The R/L divide was never that close in the first place, IMO.
|10.29.08 @ 5:00PM|#
It shows there's quite a bit of diversity in libertarian thought, and that all the candidates running, to be frank, suck this year...
|10.29.08 @ 5:08PM|#
It means Bob Barr brought nothing to the LP and has in fact diluted the brand. Can I have my party back now?
|10.29.08 @ 5:10PM|#
Weigel is going for Obama. That is a shock. If Obama wins, the ones who voted for him better not bitch. It is not like there will be any surprises or they didn't have the option of voting for Barr. I expect Reason to be solidly in support of the Obama agenda since they overwelmingly will vote for it and choose to do when there was a third party protest vote available.
xMan|10.29.08 @ 5:11PM|#
No love for McKinney? No R. Paul write-in attempts?
It's about what I expected otherwise.
Asharak|10.29.08 @ 5:15PM|#
Notice how John just zeroes in on Weigel's choice and believes that it represents Reason, its entire staff and most of its readers in general. That is a shock.
|10.29.08 @ 5:19PM|#
It means that your ideas are worthless and I should have never strayed from The Economist in the first place.
|10.29.08 @ 5:21PM|#
It means ya'll need to hire some actual libraterians to write for Reason. Hopefully some of you non-voting losers will at least go and vote for some down-ticket LP candidates. Hey, I have an idea, why don't we build a political movement based on picking up all of the non-voting types and see how that works out.
Boston|10.29.08 @ 5:23PM|#
It seems to be some confusion about those people voting in DC. Weigel can't vote for Barr. Though Welch (who i thought lived in DC as well) says he is. I of course could be mistaken.
Don the libertarian Democrat|10.29.08 @ 5:23PM|#
It means that not enough of you are reading my posts.
|10.29.08 @ 5:26PM|#
After tilting at windmills for about 30 years, the $850B bailout bill this year was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Anyone who votes for Obama or McCain is part the problem.
lunchstealer|10.29.08 @ 5:28PM|#
If Obama wins, the ones who voted for him better not
bitch.
Why not? I've bitched about everyone I've ever voted for before.
Although none of them ever won. Except Bush, but I only did that as
a protest vote in case Gore won, which he probably did.
the liberal-tarian|10.29.08 @ 5:33PM|#
Good, I have finally coop--er, uh converted most of you to the religion of the Obamessiah.
|10.29.08 @ 5:39PM|#
It means that libertarians, as much as anyone else, vote on the
basis of personality and someone being "like us" and not the hated
Other, and only occasionally on the basis of stated policy,
rhetoric, and voting history.
For most Reasonoids, Obama is much more "like us," whereas
McCain (from a military family) and Palin are much more the Other.
(Also, certainly, is Barr.) Reason writers are no different from
anyone that way.
That's all quite reasonable. The argument of "He's smart, he's like
me, he listens well, I'm smart and I'm right, so once he hears all
the facts he's actually do the right thing and agree with me, no
matter what he's been saying" isn't actually the worst possible
argument.
Also, it says that Reason writers are not particularly
exercised over issues like free
trade, agricultural subsidies, health care,
school choice or education in general, or Medicare spending
(such as the prescription drug benefit Sen. McCain voted against).
Or, again, merely doubt most all of Sen. Obama's voting and
campaign rhetoric, and assume that he won't actually spend
what he claims, and what he says about Pakistan and Afghanistan
are also lies. (Don't trust me, though, I'm linking to nasty
Cato Institute papers.)
Also, living in DC, perhaps Reason staffers are very
pro-Amtrak spending, pushing them towards Sen. Biden and away from
Sen. McCain.
Another possibility is that Reason writers want to punish
Sen. McCain for things that other Republicans did, even when (like
on spending, the Medicare drug benefit, ag subsidies) he voted
against them and Sen. Obama voted for them.
|10.29.08 @ 5:44PM|#
So, Shikha Dalmia has the nerve to call Barr duplicitous? Isn't
she the one who verbatim-repeated that bullshit "Hummers are more
environmentally friendly than Prisuses" "study"?
Give me a break.
Matt Welch|10.29.08 @ 5:56PM|#
For most Reasonoids, Obama is much more "like us," whereas
McCain (from a military family) and Palin are much more the Other.
(Also, certainly, is Barr.)
If Barr is like "Other," and Reasonoids vote for people "like us,"
why are so many Reasonoids voting for or leaning toward Barr?
Matt Welch|10.29.08 @ 5:57PM|#
Also, living in DC, perhaps Reason staffers are very
pro-Amtrak spending, pushing them towards Sen. Biden and away from
Sen. McCain.
I note that you failed to provide any link to our pro-Amtrak
coverage....
|10.29.08 @ 6:07PM|#
I think his point, Matt, is many of you guys are voting for someone who is sure to continue the Amtrack scam.
Waquoit|10.29.08 @ 6:13PM|#
How can anyone vote for a ticket that includes that shady character Wayne Root?
|10.29.08 @ 6:19PM|#
You guys are just sucking up in hopes of getting ambassadorships in the Barr administration.
|10.29.08 @ 6:24PM|#
It means y'all have at least four people on staff who think it's
a good idea to vote for politicians who are the opposite of
libertarian.
I thought the recent article in Liberty magazine giving four POVs
(vote Obama; vote McCain; vote Barr; don't vote) was more
informative, especially in the way the vote Obama and vote McCain
pieces read like hit pieces about the politicians ostensibly being
supported.
Scott66|10.29.08 @ 6:30PM|#
As a Reason reader and occasional blog poster it strikes me as a
pretty disappointing tally.
I worry more about Obama's Cult of Personality support and
socialist rhetoric than a coming theocracy from the right. A
minority position here to be sure. Add Obama's rhetoric to the
balance of power in Congress and you have a recipe for abuse and
abuse we will get.
Regardless of the above, Barr seems a reasonable candidate.
Libertarians not supporting Barr seems counterproductive. As a NC
resident I will be voting Barr, Munger and Dole (to hopefully
prevent a filibuster proof Senate).
|10.29.08 @ 6:32PM|#
I say it means a substantial number of you are, for lack of a
more genteel term, idiots. I've always been a strong believer in
the idea that, if you don't vote, you should subsequently STFU. I
hereby submit that request to your non-voting staff.
Second, no one voting for the wannabe tyrant O! has any business
being anywhere near a Libertarian outfit. You people also need to
STFU from here on. In addition, you should quit your jobs. Fat,
stoned, and hypocritical, is no way to go through life.
jj|10.29.08 @ 6:39PM|#
Reason editors: anyone care to explain how you can vote for Obama or McCain after the 700 zillion dollar bailout? Or perhaps it's no biggie?
|10.29.08 @ 6:39PM|#
it means reasonoids are, for the most part, paying attention and yet not prone to groupthink.
|10.29.08 @ 6:42PM|#
It means that you are the sort of fake "libertarians" who
live in cities and use deoderant.
I am surprised any one but Matt voted for McCain. Who is Bob Poole
anyway?
The Obama Votes are disappointing but the strong Barr support makes
me Happy.
David Weigel: Obama
This is no surprise.
economist|10.29.08 @ 6:50PM|#
I disagree with the "torture is like rape" comment. Some people deserve it. Personally, I agree with all the people who say they would like to have had Woodrow Wilson waterboarded. He was truly the most loathsome piece of shit to ever occupy the White House. Even worse than Jackson, the Roosevelts, or Bush (who at least had past ill-conceived interventionism as a precedent).
economist|10.29.08 @ 6:51PM|#
Crap, I forgot to include LBJ in the list of presidents that I considered loathsome sacks of shit.
SIV|10.29.08 @ 7:01PM|#
Who is Bob Poole anyway?
A transportation fascist with a lot of crackpot ideas and deep
pockets.Good to see he is voting for McCain though!
Craig|10.29.08 @ 7:02PM|#
The "don't vote" contingent has been wearing me down, but I'll
still show up to write in Ron Paul and vote against all the new
spending (i.e. bond measures) my fellow Californians want to stick
me with.
On a philosophical level, I see the "don't vote" argument. On a
practical or strategic level, it makes no sense.
If you convince 1% of the population to join you in not voting, it
won't even be noticed, just like convincing 1% of the population to
vote for a pro-freedom candidate.
If you convince 5% more to not vote, it still won't be noticed, but
a pro-freedom candidate getting 5% would be noticeable and
significant.
If you convince 10% more to not vote, you might hear something
vague about "low voter turnout", but if you convince 10% to vote
for a pro-freedom candidate, it would be real news.
Eventually, some level of non-voting starts to shake up the system,
but the 50% we're at now isn't doing it. On the other hand, getting
10% or 15% or 20% to vote for a pro-freedom candidate would send a
message that's a lot clearer and more powerful.
Elemenope|10.29.08 @ 7:05PM|#
I forgot to include LBJ in the list of presidents that I
considered loathsome sacks of shit.
I've always tempered my hatred for him by remembering that he
committed legislative and party suicide in order to pass the Civil
Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act.
He gets points for that.
Woodrow Wilson, he gets no points. For anything.
The Wine Commonsewer|10.29.08 @ 7:40PM|#
Weigel is on board the Obamamobile?
Why, I'm shocked. ;-)
Actually, I expected a bigger turn out for Obama and I'm pleased to
see that I was wrong.
|10.29.08 @ 7:43PM|#
Here is my libertarian calculus regarding the most important
legislation of the decade and the people to always vote
against:
1) HJres 114 (Iraq War authorization). McCain, Barr, Biden (plus
also-rans: Clinton, Edwards, Kerry, Dodd, Hagel).
2) Patriot Act (HR 3162). McCain, Barr, Biden (plus also-rans:
Clinton, Edwards, Kerry, Dodd, Hagel).
3) Wall Street bailout (PL 110-343): McCain, Obama, Biden.
So McCain is 0-3, Obama is 0-1, Biden is 0-3, Barr is 0-2. So I can
easily understand a) the lack of Reason enthusiasm for voting (and
I also understand the statistical reasons, but I actually enjoy
it!), b) the split barr/obama votes in the "less bad than McCain"
category.
I hope that McCain supporters who believe that there is other
legislation more important to libertarians will use McCain's voting
record (with bill numbers) to tell me why libertarians should even
consider him. Typing "Obama is a socialist" doesn't count.
Personally, I'm writing in Ron Paul for Prez (3-3, bitches!).
Otherwise, I plan to vote a fairly straight libertarian ticket in
NC (though I'm happily voting for Ron-Paul-Repub BJ Lawson for
Congress).
The Wine Commonsewer|10.29.08 @ 7:44PM|#
Who is Bob Poole anyway?
A transportation fascist with a lot of crackpot ideas and deep
pockets.Good to see he is voting for McCain though!
Bob Poole is the beloved founder of Reason and I believe his
decoder ring has a serial number of 00000001.
Calling him a fascist is fairly ludicrous and if I didn't like you
SIV I would say far harsher things.
He's actually one of the premier transportation experts in the
known world and has worked tirelessly to promote market reforms in
aviation and other transportation.
sage|10.29.08 @ 7:46PM|#
Hey everyone, I'm a bit late, but here is how I'm voting this year. The big winner will be "Giant Douche" or "Turd Sandwich" depending on how the coin toss goes.
The Wine Commonsewer|10.29.08 @ 7:53PM|#
I plan to vote NO on any proposition in Californicate that will
result in spending tax money.
I will vote against any sitting judge who is up for
confirmation.
Those are the really important votes Brian.
For Pres? Barr or maybe I'll write in Ron Paul.
Statewide offices: A straight LP ticket.
Local gangsters: Vote against the incumbent.
|10.29.08 @ 7:53PM|#
Personally, I'm writing in Ron Paul for Prez
Jesus Christ. I wish I could be Ron Paul...I'd have groupies and
hot gold-groupies throwing themselves at me, even though I'm
entirely ineligible as a Presidential candidate!
RP's cult of personality can't go away fast enough.
sage|10.29.08 @ 7:57PM|#
TWC, are there LP candidates on all your statewide offices?
There wasn't a single on on mine (WA state).
If not, what to do? May I suggest also voting against the incumbent
for them as well?
cunnivore|10.29.08 @ 8:16PM|#
I'm still wondering why writing in Ron Paul is seen as superior to writing in your own name. If the point is to vote for the person you most agree with...
cunnivore|10.29.08 @ 8:20PM|#
TAO, it's a shame too, because RP is seemingly a good and strong-willed man, even if he's a terrible politician. I want to be happy that people like him, but then they have to go too far...
chroma|10.29.08 @ 8:46PM|#
I'd like to see the same tally/survey done with the regular commentors here: Elemenope, joe, JsubD, etc.
|10.29.08 @ 8:47PM|#
Hey Angry Optimist,
You quoted me, so I assume that you are referencing me. I specified
three bills that were important to me as a libertarian. I broke
down the votes of the various of the various candidates. I
concluded that Ron Paul (who was in fact running for president)
voted correctly 3 out of 3 times. Everyone else, based on their
votes, is turd sandwich.
Frankly, I think Ron Paul has zero personality.
Who, again, are you voting for, and why?
|10.29.08 @ 8:54PM|#
I'm voting for Bob Barr. For one, it's silly to take those three
bills and just "apply" the voting record as a test. It drops the
context and the nuance of the situation (especially WRT Barr's
fight for sunset clauses in the PATRIOT Act).
Here's part of the problem: Ron Paul votes "no" on freakin' almost
everything...which at first you think (as a libertarian) "yeah,
that's cool man! I mean, no on everything!"...but what we forget is
that Paul has made no effort to move the country incrementally more
libertarian.
Finally, when you go write in RP, are you even sure he's
eligible?
The Wine Commonsewer|10.29.08 @ 8:56PM|#
I'm still wondering why writing in Ron Paul is seen as
superior to writing in your own name. If the point is to vote for
the person you most agree with...
It's not, but it sounds better than writing in your own name.
Besides, nobody else is going to write in TWC, but at least twelve
people will write in Ron Paul. See the diff?
Elemenope|10.29.08 @ 9:06PM|#
I'd like to see the same tally/survey done with the regular
commentors here: Elemenope, joe, JsubD, etc.
It basically was on the other thread that talked about how
Reason staffers would vote. Most of the regulars gave
their voting histories and intended 2008 pick.
The Wine Commonsewer|10.29.08 @ 9:16PM|#
Sage, we are fortunate here in the Golden Fleece State to have
fielded a nearly full slate of LP candidates for statewide office
since the beginning.
That makes it easy for me, as some have pointed out here at H&R
in the past. When the race is strictly between the GOP and the
Dems, it does leave you in a quandary.
Interestingly, my GOP Congressman, Ken Calvert, sent a mailing to
the registered libertarians in his district asking us to vote for
him in the upcoming election. Because we share some common
values.
And, there is no LP candidate.
So, there you have it, I'm stuck with: Calvert is better than the
Dem versus writing in myself or Ron Paul.
Big Sigh.
cunnivore|10.29.08 @ 9:27PM|#
The curvaceous shadow of Howley looms large in the minds of Reasonoids, it appears.
Gene Berkman|10.29.08 @ 9:51PM|#
There are no statewide races in California this year, except for
President.
I live in Ken Calvert's district, and he is worse than the
Democrat. Calvert voted for the Iraq War, the Patriot Act and the
Bailout, and Bill Hedrick, the Democrat running against him is
opposed to the war, favors restoring civil liberties, closing
Guantanomo, and he opposes the Bail-out.
|10.29.08 @ 10:55PM|#
The bailout may finally be factor that tips me over into
outright anarchism. Virtually every Democrat and Republican in
congress voted for it. Obama and McCain not only voted for it, they
actively promoted it.
I've already voted and I voted for Barr. I can understand those who
are voting for Barr or for None of the Above. But for the life of
me I can't understand any libertarian who votes for Obama or
McCain. "We must punish the Republicans" is an absolutely stupid
idea. It's like punishing the guy who kicked you in the nuts by
hiring another guy to kick you in the nuts instead. Stupid.
John|10.29.08 @ 11:17PM|#
It means that libertarians that will bitch about Barr voting for
the Patriot Act and refuse to vote for him will turn around and
vote for Obama who voted for FISA. And despite McCain having a less
than five percent of winning, many libertarians are still seduced
by "the lesser of two evils" and "we have to hold Republicans
accountable." I'm just sure these "libertarians" will vote
for Romney, Palin or Jindal in 2012 to "hold Obama
accountable.
It also means that libertarians who don't vote are like high
schoolers who don't go to the prom. They say it's because it's
"stupid," but it's really because they couldn't find a date.
They'll spend election day/prom night playing D&D in the
basement.
Count me as a Republican for Barr and long live the new,
responsible Libertarian Party!
economist|10.29.08 @ 11:29PM|#
John,
Part of your statement makes sense, and part of it is utter
twattery.
Elemenope|10.30.08 @ 12:36AM|#
I thought he was doing decently (for John, anyway) until the gratuitous swipe at D&D players. Vin Diesel is going to find him and kick his ass.
Katie Snell|10.30.08 @ 1:45AM|#
There are no statewide races in California this year, except
for President.
Guess I haven't been paying attention. This does not bode well.
Mike Laursen|10.30.08 @ 2:48AM|#
So, Shikha Dalmia has the nerve to call Barr duplicitous?
Isn't she the one who verbatim-repeated that bullshit "Hummers are
more environmentally friendly than Prisuses" "study"?
You know, I ragged on her for that. We all did. But come on, the
statute of limitations has kicked in by now.
Mike Laursen|10.30.08 @ 2:51AM|#
Also, living in DC, perhaps Reason staffers are very
pro-Amtrak spending, pushing them towards Sen. Biden and away from
Sen. McCain.
You know they don't all live in D.C., don't you? Reason is a bit of
a virtual organization.
PicassoIII|10.30.08 @ 3:07AM|#
Craig wrote:
Eventually, some level of non-voting starts to shake up the system,
but the 50% we're at now isn't doing it. On the other hand, getting
10% or 15% or 20% to vote for a pro-freedom candidate would send a
message that's a lot clearer and more powerful.
Another thing.
How does one tell principled 'non voters' VS civic slackers?
Most people i know who don't vote, it's a case of apathy.
I suppose one could go in, take a ballot and leave it blank. Your
name is checked off as having voting, yet none of the candidates
actually received them.
That seems like it would be more principled, a vote of 'no
confidence' as opposed to 'blowing it off'.
Loupeznik|10.30.08 @ 8:40AM|#
What the F*** is the point of having a Libertarian party if even libertarians won't vote for it. All these words mean nothing if we cannot unite for those common principles. This movement shares so little with the founding of this nation. I'm disgusted. Grow a spine and stand for something.
Guy Montag|10.30.08 @ 8:52AM|#
Matt,
I am sticking with my comment from a previous thread.
You tell us.
It means that the difference between Slate and
reason is the spelling of the title.
Are we going to see some coverage of that 'secret' LA Times tape of
Sen. Obama toasting a PLO mouthpiece sometime after you guys help
get him elected and are 'shocked' that he pushes for the largest
welfare state in the Northern Hemisphere? Maybe it will run
sometime after reason covers the Sen. Webb pistol-in-a-bag
story? LOL
Mike Laursen|10.30.08 @ 9:43AM|#
What the F*** is the point of having a Libertarian party if
even libertarians won't vote for it.
Of the entire broad spectrum of libertarian thought, the
Libertarian Party, for most of its history, has represented only a
small segment.
Yesterday, Brian Doherty posts a very good video by British
scholar, Norman Barry:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/reason/HitandRun/~3/FsV8loIHaA4/129730.html
It's well worth watching. Especially, in regards to your question,
the part where he talks about the distinctions between classical
liberal and libertarian views. The Libertarian Party has
traditionally often been hostile to classical liberalism views.
a name before submitting the f|10.30.08 @ 10:11AM|#
The Angry Optimist
Finally, when you go write in RP, are you even sure he's
eligible?
He wasn't born in Panama or Kenya if that's what you mean. What do
you mean? In California he is registered write-in.
Invisible Finger|10.30.08 @ 10:17AM|#
Not one staffer gave the correct answer: IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
Reformed Republican|10.30.08 @ 10:24AM|#
I am a proud non-voter, at least regarding the political
offices. I will vote on amendments and referenda, but that is
it.
I would have like to have cast my vote for Bob Barr, but since he
does not seem to support many libertarian ideas, I am not going to
give him my support. Voting party affiliation, even when you
dislike a candidate, is just stupid.
lunchstealer|10.30.08 @ 11:10AM|#
To clarify, I want to see Nixon or LB Johnson waterboarded. I can't remember what Andrew Johnson did. And I fully supported Howard Johnson's rule.
John|10.30.08 @ 12:46PM|#
Clearly not everyone at reason stuck to the Libertarian Voting
Strategy Chart:
http://www.meltingpotproject.com/mpp/2008/10/libertarian-voting-strategy-graph.html
Guy Montag|10.30.08 @ 1:54PM|#
I can't remember what Andrew Johnson did.
He prevented a bunch of Indians from creating an autonomous
Socialist State (before Socialism had a name) within the confines
of the United States.
For that, many of the Leftoid commentors here will never forgive
him.
economist|10.30.08 @ 2:30PM|#
@Guy Montag,
First of all, that was Jackson, not Johnson. Second, if you spin
kicking people off their land, seizing property, and driving them
onto a crappy reservation as "preventing them from creating an
autonomous Socialist State" then you are a douche of unbelievable
proportions. I mean it, if you were serious, you truly do suck
ass.
I guess that means I'm now a "leftoid". Funny thing that.
economist|10.30.08 @ 2:30PM|#
Andrew Johnson didn't do much, except become the first president to be impeached.
|10.30.08 @ 2:34PM|#
It means, as usual, that libertarians are ridiculous people who have an infantile idea how governance/politics work in the real world. You people are fools.
Aaron|10.30.08 @ 2:34PM|#
Wow. Should I stop reading this blog? Could someone please tell
me why I'm wasting my time reading political writings by people who
don't even vote? REASON should be ashamed. Do the nonvoters really
think that their lack of a voice will accomplish anything? Are they
cynical? Are they lazy?
You may have lost a viewer, Hit and Run. I'm very disappointed.
economist|10.30.08 @ 2:36PM|#
Goddammit I hate it when people call me a leftoid. It's usually used in response to the fact that I'm not a fucking neocon. Dammit I'm pissed off now.
|10.30.08 @ 2:44PM|#
I'm not sure what the vote tally says about Reason staff, but I can see from the comments that calling oneself a Libertarian doesn't imply greater intelligence or wisdom. Which shouldn't surprise me considering most of the self-described Libertarians I know think through issues about as far as their own immediate needs.
|10.30.08 @ 2:51PM|#
That almost 40% of the staff of a politically oriented magazine
is too apathetic to vote?!
None of the above is not an option.
One of these guys is going to be president.
Have the gumption to choose, or I don't ever want to see the staff
of REASON complaining about the result!
Mike Laursen|10.30.08 @ 2:55PM|#
Thanks Mike. I'll check it out.
The video is forty minutes long. I think the part where he talks
about the differences between classical liberalism and
libertarianism is about thirty minutes in, if you want to watch
just that part.
Mike Laursen|10.30.08 @ 3:09PM|#
Could someone please tell me why I'm wasting my time reading
political writings by people who don't even vote?
If all one does is vote, it's a minuscule participation in
politics. There's way more one can do: influencing public opinion,
influencing "policy makers", circulating petitions, buying off or
blackmailing legislators, etc. Reason does a lot in the influence
department, along with occasionally plying beltway denizens with
alcohol.
Philomath|10.30.08 @ 3:37PM|#
Pdrama
It means that your ideas are worthless and I should have never
strayed from The Economist in the first place.
Pdrama, care to
revise?
|10.30.08 @ 4:04PM|#
You really SHOULD vote, those of you who aren't. Seriously. It's not that hard.
b-psycho|10.30.08 @ 5:32PM|#
Considering that the essential point of libertarianism is in opposition to politics in and of itself, I expected more non-votes.
|10.31.08 @ 7:28PM|#
From 2004:
"John Perry Barlow
Barlow is a songwriter for the Grateful Dead and other bands, the
co-founder and vice chair of the Electronic Frontier Foundation,
and a Berkman Fellow at Harvard Law School.
2004 vote: I'm voting for John Kerry, though with little
enthusiasm. This is only because I would prefer almost anything to
another four years of George W. Bush. I don't believe the
Constitution, the economy, or the environment can endure another
Bush administration without sustaining almost irreparable
damage."
Ok, retard. The Constitution, the economy, and the environment have
all undergone irreparable damage over the last 4
years. NOT. Prediction FAIL.
|11.1.08 @ 6:04PM|#
Good God. Obama is our National Delusion. What the hell is wrong
with you people. If you actually look at the complete list, which
is about 40 names long, 25% of them are firmly pro-Obama.
Yes, please, reject McCain. But how the hell can you justify
rejecting McCain for his anti-libertarian views and voting Obama,
who's just as bad if not worse?
|11.2.08 @ 11:40AM|#
I once heard a friend say the libertarians could never be
successful as a political movement because it involves a tight
organization, and libertarians by nature hate organizations. It
also hurts that libertarians don't vote - pretty tough to elect
libertarians when they don't vote.
It's like that piece on The Onion about Barr's stand on the issues.
For health care it reads:
"Pro-medical marijuana stance guarantees him solid support among
those not registered to vote."
Thanks for proving punchline by not voting folks...
More here:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/84933
|11.2.08 @ 4:25PM|#
Pieter: I agree. I just don't see how anyone who calls himself a
"libertarian" can support a maxi-statist like Obama. McCain is no
prize, but he's not that bad.
Well, it'll be interesting to see all the shocked disappointment
among these "libertarians" when Obama and Pelosi and Reid try to
drag the country leftward.
Funny|11.3.08 @ 6:52PM|#
"Reason provides a refreshing alternative to right-wing and
left-wing opinion magazines by making a principled case for liberty
and individual choice in all areas of human activity."
Talk about lip service.
J. Gravelle|11.4.08 @ 12:47PM|#
It means there are at least four Reason staffers who would (or
will) side with the candidate endorsed by the Communist Party USA,
Hamas, Al Qaeda, Ahmadinejad, Qaddafi, Chavez, and Castro.
To name a few...
-jjg
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