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As We Look Past the Next Four Years of Virtually Certain Unmitigated Crapitude, Here's a Couple of Thoughts on Election 2012
As Brian Doherty noted not so many days—oy, it feels like years!—when it comes to electoral politics, small "l" and big "l" libertarians know disappointment like Charlie Brown knows kite-eating trees.
Yet as those of us who belong to that dwindling tribe of Mohicans who believe in choice not coercion, free minds and free markets, open borders, drug legalization, buyouts not bailouts, and more look to 2012, let's keep in mind two great hopes for a fun, invigorating, and informational presidential race.
I humbly submit that Duke University political science professor Michael Munger, who ran a strong bid as an Libertarian Party candidate for governor in North Carolina, set his eyes toward an even bigger and remote target in 2012, that stationary Death Star known as the White House. Here's a clip of Munger in action:
reason's Dave Weigel talked with Munger here.
And here's another ticket well worth considering, that of LP activist Angela Keaton and blogger Michelle Shingal:
Full disclosure: Keaton is married to Brian Doherty. Shinghal promises "a chicken in every pot" to everyone who follows this simple plan.
Munger and Keaton/Shinghal would doubtlessly run fun, media-savvy campaigns that would delight and edify the masses.
And as long as we're talking about revolution at the ballot box, let's not forget Matt Welch and Dan Haye's mad mood poem for the Ron Paul Revolution (long time passing):
|11.21.08 @ 9:20AM|#
Well, all I know is that the next 4 years will no doubt be
better than the last 8. Dictator Bush has single handedly run this
country into the ground!
Jess
http://www.Privacy-Center.net
|11.21.08 @ 9:35AM|#
Why the hell not? Surely these two can slay the unholy cabal that's about wrung our necks and cooked our gooses!
|11.21.08 @ 9:39AM|#
Here's a clip of Munger in action:
Not funny, barely clever, perpetuates the LPs moonbat reputation.
Color me unimpressed. Now if that beach had been crowded and he
took off all his clothes and he had a big "VOTE for MUNGER" tattoo
on his back.
Keaton is married to Brian Doherty.
Happily? Is it an "open" marriage? Do you have an "understanding"?
I'm just asking... What? Whaddi' I say?
|11.21.08 @ 10:05AM|#
I humbly submit that Duke University political science
professor Michael Munger, who ran a strong bid as an Libertarian
Party candidate for governor in North Carolina,
No, no, no. Haven't we pretty conclusively proven that the
vanity/symbolic campaign for President is utterly useless in
building a viable political alternative to the Dems and Reps? Don't
we have decades of data that shows these campaigns don't move the
needle one nanometer our way?
Time to focus on state and local races and party-building, big-L
Libertarians.
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 10:18AM|#
I will leave the LP and forget it ever existed if Keaton is the
presidential nominee. There is such a thing as a big tent, but
using "the nation's largest third party" to run a joke campaign is
out of the question -- especially since this particular nominee
believes in the smallest possible tent. I will never use the
credibility I've tried to build in my community to explain why
people should vote for some low-class hippie. And before you say "I
don't want those kinds of people to vote for me anyway," consider
that the "average" person, who looks "normal," is the person you're
allegedly trying to "educate."
I nominate the Doherty/Keaton ticket for the Nobody Gives A Rat's
Ass What You Think Party.
|11.21.08 @ 10:27AM|#
I will leave the LP and forget it ever existed if Keaton is
the presidential nominee.
Drink-worthy?
Atanarjuat|11.21.08 @ 10:28AM|#
I agree, kind of a lame stunt. Now if he had performed self-immolation on the steps of the capitol like a buddhist monk, that would have got some attention.
T|11.21.08 @ 10:32AM|#
My attitude about politics is I'm going to get screwed no matter what, so I should at least be entertained. I'll vote Keaton/Shinghal based on that criteria alone.
The Angry Optimist|11.21.08 @ 10:35AM|#
oh woe is me! nothing will get better and everything
sucks!
I didn't know Libertarians were the Emo-Kids of the political
world.
|11.21.08 @ 10:43AM|#
I didn't know Libertarians were the Emo-Kids of the
political world.
Should I cut myself now?
|11.21.08 @ 10:47AM|#
I concur: you do look like a dick in that tiny jacket. And the hairspray doesn't help either.
|11.21.08 @ 10:56AM|#
Your tribe increasingly irrelevant. Add to that: you have already dismissed the people's choice and crap. What a wanker remark. Littler wonder you are all off in a corner stroking each other...Ps: 8 years, not 4...and the pickings you present? sad, at best.
|11.21.08 @ 10:57AM|#
I just graduated from Duke in 2008 as a political science major. While I never got to take a class with Munger, I know him to be an incredibly intelligent guy and real libertarian. While I would absolutely relish a national campaign, I fear he performance at the state level is tragically prescient. I'm crossing my fingers, though....
?|11.21.08 @ 10:58AM|#
Shingal exemplifies what's wrong with libertarians... Getting a "fucking job" isn't exactly a solution for a child growing up in poverty. It isn't a solution for someone living in a dying town. It just makes you all look like phenomenal douchebags.
Ravac|11.21.08 @ 11:00AM|#
WTF is with people that think a black background and tiny white print makes an easy-to-read website?
The Angry Optimist|11.21.08 @ 11:02AM|#
a child growing up in poverty.
People who use children as emotional bludgeons for political points
are abhorrent little fuckers.
|11.21.08 @ 11:07AM|#
WTF is with people that think a black background and tiny
white print makes an easy-to-read website?
Maybe the Urkobold can answer that question.
|11.21.08 @ 11:11AM|#
Ironically enough, many people in dying towns have found employment at chicken processing plants.
Bingo|11.21.08 @ 11:13AM|#
Hey Question Mark person,
I grew up in Detroit. I moved to a different city when I saw the
job pool was shrinking and the future looking bleak. I have no
sympathy for people that will sit on their ass and wait for someone
to hand them the world. Fate helps those that help themselves.
economist|11.21.08 @ 11:14AM|#
AO,
I'm not the "emo" kid of the political world. I'm the bitter old
drunk of the political world. It's just one of those things that
needs to be straightened out.
Bingo|11.21.08 @ 11:15AM|#
Also as evidence, the Rust Belt states are probably going to lose 2-3 electoral votes each after this next census. Not everyone is content to sit in a dying town and wait for a government bailout.
economist|11.21.08 @ 11:15AM|#
While joseph hill sounds like a little bitch, he's right on one point: These candidates could never even make a respectable showing in an election.
|11.21.08 @ 11:28AM|#
@R C Dean
"Time to focus on state and local races and party-building, big-L
Libertarians."
I dislike and distrust government so very much I couldn't possibly
be part of it.
--Ed
|11.21.08 @ 11:37AM|#
I have a novel idea for the Libertarian party: stop being a
bunch of extremist idiots. There are tens of millions of Americans
who identify with the general idea of libertarianism--social
liberalism with economic conservatism--but aren't quite ready for
buying heroin out of vending machines, or forcing the fire
department to find voluntary funding. I don't know...maybe in a
democracy it works better for a party to attract more people than
it scares away.
In my mind, the Libertarian Party is like a football team that only
throws long, only blitzes, and never punts, runs the ball, or kicks
for three. You can imagine a team like that being 0-18 most every
season. Democracy requires give and take and moderation, and those
who prefer an everything-or-nothing approach usually get the
latter.
So, the choice is pretty clear. Become a liberal democratic party
that can run on more moderate and general themes of personal
liberty; have the flexibility and diversity among candidates to
challenges Congressional candidates of either party that run
unopposed in most elections because of gerrymandering; concentrate
on winning elections rather than playing spoiler, as though that's
ever accomplished anything; make alliances with the major and minor
parties when useful; and become a significant political force. Or,
just keep on looking for spoilers and novelty candidates that make
you more of a curiosity than a movement.
|11.21.08 @ 11:42AM|#
I thought the Barr/Root campaign was a joke. How could the
Libertarians do any worse than those two jokers?
Libertarians have one big thing in common with big government
liberals, they don't believe the nation is worth defending. As long
as they believe you only defend the U.S. if Al Qaeda is walking
down third avenue then they will be doomed to less than one percent
of the vote. I don't care how many oceans they swim in.
|11.21.08 @ 11:51AM|#
In my mind, the Libertarian Party is like a football team
that only throws long, only blitzes, and never punts, runs the
ball, or kicks for three.
That's exactly how I play Madden! Go for it on 4th down, hell
yeah!
|11.21.08 @ 11:54AM|#
TDR can go TDY from the LP and nobody would give a S.H.I.T.
unless he took B.H., B.B., B.R., A.S., and B.S. with him. Take a
guess on the LNC intials.
The font is set up that way to get people to read it. It works,
too!
The Keaton-Doherty marriage is none of clueless tool Warren's
fucking business, but it's strong, happy, and doing fine. I know
them, but I'm not either of them. Warren gets his moonbat in
pie-in-the-sky flaming liberal President-elect If Ya Smell What
Barack Is Cookin'. Gods help us all.
And there is no indication Munger is running for President in 2012
yet. But he'd be far sight better than BarrRoot or any of the tools
the DP or GOP whore out.
Pass the Vaseline, the government screwing is about to get much
worse.
Thanks to the 80% of the population that are well-meaning idiots,
the 10% that are pure evil stay in power, and we all get raped
more. at least the other 10% of us that are cynics and get the
problems have more to do, but that's not a good thing.
|11.21.08 @ 12:07PM|#
chairman,
the LP doesn't compromise its adult principles to the kindergarten
levels of the major parties, because, as BarrRoot showed when they
did, IT DOESN'T WORK! The only people I see who advocate heroin in
vending machines, to use your extremely stupid example, are the
critics like you looking for their own quick hit of blow. Nevermind
that our economic predictions are spot-on and we have the plan that
can solve the problem, they want to put a drug machine on every
corner! (And nevermind that drug machines are already on every
corner, but the drugs are sugar and caffeine!) It's a strawman put
forth by morons who can't stand freedom and refuse to be
responsible for themselves. We call them STATISTS.
Maybe the problem is that the American voters are mostly fools who
rely on Big Brother and Big Nanny way too much. The low vote totals
are from those actually get it.
patrick1,
We do believe the nation is worth defending, you clueless fool. If
Al-Qaeda starts coming down 3rd avenue we'll be the only line of
defense because the military will still be overseas and the
statists will have disarmed everyone else at home. Besides, do you
honestly think that the reason that hasn't happened yet is only
from their patience and our dumb luck and self-destruction from the
political front? It sure isn't the random acts of luck and common
acts of incompetence that make up the DHS! As long as the fools in
DC keep doing what they're doing, all Al-Qaeda has to do is sit
back, laugh, and wait. And that's exactly what they are doing.
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 12:12PM|#
Tannim -- Well, with eloquent spokesmen like yourself in the LP,
how could it NOT succeed!
I'm really sorry I insulted your friends, but let's be honest --
they are getting involved in POLITICS. And what I said is NOTHING
compared to what those radical douchebags (such as yourself, I'm
sure) were saying about Barr for the last 6 months. So if you can't
handle someone laughing at the idea of Angela Keaton running for
PRESIDENT, then maybe you'd better go grow a pair before she ever
actually jumps in the race.
|11.21.08 @ 12:13PM|#
BTW, partrick1, national defense starts with DEFENSE, not OFFENSE, and that starts at home. DHS is doing what the Defense, Justice, and Commerce Departments SHOULD be doing instead of what they are doing. Therefore the focus in DC is wrong and the government is bloated and DHS is unnecessary. Many libertarians have served and currently serve honorably in the military. So STFU on this honor crap, you clueless fool!
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 12:14PM|#
Oh, and for what it's worth, maybe if Keaton and Ruwart went TDY we could actually have a functional, credible LNC. But so long as the radicals inhabit the ranks, intent on circle-jerking each other, the LP will be a laughing stock for ANOTHER 35 years.
|11.21.08 @ 12:15PM|#
Hit & Run wouldn't be Hit & Run if concern trolls didn't stop by to lecture us all the time. It's amazing how so many people seem to have our best interests at heart.
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 12:17PM|#
I don't know who the fuck you think the concern trolls are; I'm here all the time and I don't see you say anything vaguely resembling an intelligent comment. I get pissed off about douchebags like Keaton and Ruwart because I would actually like to see the LP be a credible party and I'm out busting my ass to make it happen.
Ravac|11.21.08 @ 12:19PM|#
The font is set up that way to get people to read it. It
works, too!
Not on me. When I need to squint to read a page on my monitor
that's a foot away from my head, the page / website is generally
ignored.
Haven't bothered with Urkobold for that reason.
|11.21.08 @ 12:20PM|#
TDR, the clueless douchebags in this world such as yourself will
never understand much of anything or anybody.
And I can handle people laughing about Keaton/Shinghal. THAT'S THE
WHOLE POINT OF THEIR RUN, TO GET PEOPLE TO LAUGH AND HAVE FUN
AGAIN. I'm sorry you don't get the obvious. But you're just a waste
of food and oxygen, and I'm just exercising my morning grouchiness
by pointing out that obviousness.
One last thing: 6 months? HAH! Barr, like "Saint" Paul, had a
fraudulent conversion, and I was criticizing him from day 1.
Another illustration of your ineptness.
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 12:22PM|#
You don't know anything about me, you arrogant, self-righteous prick. If you don't know how to have a cup of coffee before you start writing, that's your problem. But if you think the purpose of a PRESIDENTIAL TICKET is to "laugh and have fun", YOU need to visit a neurologist.
|11.21.08 @ 12:23PM|#
TDR complains about the Libertarian wing of the LP, meaning he
is just another Reformertard.
Go ahead, TDR, leave, and don't let the door hit you in the head on
the way out! You had your shot and you failed.
|11.21.08 @ 12:27PM|#
I was actually calling out chairman, but it's interesting that
you immediately thought I was talking to you. Hmm.
Anyway, the LP is dead, permanent withered as a brand due to a
parade of ridiculous candidates and outre positions. The best thing
to do is to disassociate libertarian thought from the sad
collection of stealth Republicans and anarcho-capitalists that call
themselves the Libertarian Party. Libertarian ideas are not
completely unpalatable to the American public, but no one but a
fool would eat a dinner served by a slavering maniac.
|11.21.08 @ 12:28PM|#
I don't drink coffee. Talk to your proctologist about your
lobotomy; it's overdue.
The purpose of an LP presidential campaign is to build the party
and maintain ballot access in states where the presidential race
actually matters for it. Period.
And yes, I am self-righteous, and damned proud of it. It comes from
the confidence of knowing who you are and where you stand. And if
it rubs you the wrong way, then perhaps you are the one with the
problems, not me. Take responsibility for yourself and control your
own reactions. THAT is the essence of libertarianism.
Pardon me while I stop laughing enough to finish my
breakfast.
Goodbye all, and I feel sorry for Doherty having to put up with
this crowd.
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 12:28PM|#
Well, you "Libertarian wingers" had 35 years to make a shot. Now
tell me just what, exactly, was accomplished?
As for "laughing" -- I remember a picture of Angela Keaton and some
other jerkoff (it was probably you) at the National Convention this
year. They had somehow managed to STEAL Shane Cory's floor pass and
were holding it up for the camera, LAUGHING ABOUT IT. Well, if THAT
is what we need to be "laughing" about, then you can laugh by
yourself. Keaton is low class, and you purists are the most
arrogant bunch of incompetent pricks I have ever encountered.
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 12:30PM|#
Tannim, you are one smug sack of shit. That's what comes from being so full of yourself that you can't listen to anything else. I feel sorry for you for being a fan of Doherty. Peace.
The Democratic Republican|11.21.08 @ 12:31PM|#
SugarFree: My apologies for my overreaction; I assumed you meant
me because you posted right after me. And yes, I have a guilty
conscience when I engage in a flame war.
Also, what you just said is very intelligent, and I agree 100%.
|11.21.08 @ 12:32PM|#
SugarFree, that was your first post, so I don't see any calling
out going on.
As for the slavering maniacs, sure, people do that. It's called
fast food and soup kitchens. It's analogous to people ascribing to
the political views of the major parties in today's Short Attention
Span Theater: fast, with what appears to be substance but in
reality is shit.
|11.21.08 @ 12:34PM|#
Smug? No. Certain? Absolutely.
And you've pissed yourself off for the day, so that means
everything else is gravy, and my point is proven, you do need to
take self-responsibility and control your reactions.
Ravac|11.21.08 @ 12:37PM|#
Tannim,
I'm quite aware of how to increase font size, thanks.
The problem lies with dark backgrounds and white text. That combo
sucks. Period.
As a counter example, see how easy this site is to read?
|11.21.08 @ 12:39PM|#
I accidentally deleted the salutation before posting.
Anyway, "calling out" as a polite way of saying "insulting."
I'm registered with the LP. I never been registered with any other
party, in fact, but they've never been anything to me but a protest
vote. At least twenty commenters on this board would be a better
public face for libertarianism.
sfcmac|11.21.08 @ 12:47PM|#
@Jess Wilder | November 21, 2008, 9:20am
Yeah, and the Islamofascists aren't too pleased with Bush either.
Get over your BDS. 4 years of the Obamessiah will have you praying
for the GOP in 2012.
Welcome to the Socialist States of America, sweetpea.
|11.21.08 @ 1:00PM|#
Wow! I haven't seen this much internecine flaming since I read a post at Daily Kos. If this is what debate is like within the LP I don't want any part of it. Y'all can just keep pissin' on each other at the kids table while the adults run the show.
|11.21.08 @ 1:00PM|#
At least twenty commenters on this board would be a better
public face for libertarianism
Well, of course I would, NutraSweet, as long as I remembered to
clean the blow off my nose and didn't let the hookers come to
interviews with me. But it's so hard to say "no" to them.
|11.21.08 @ 1:06PM|#
I was thinking of you, actually. With your oily charm, you'd make a perfect politician.
The Angry Optimist|11.21.08 @ 1:27PM|#
TDR complains about the Libertarian wing of the LP, meaning
he is just another Reformertard.
Everyone knows the way to build a movement is constant
excommunications for failing to properly adhere to The One True
Faith.
The Angry Optimist|11.21.08 @ 1:29PM|#
Thanks to the 80% of the population that are well-meaning
idiots
Oh, I forgot: political relevance is achieved through smug and
condescending attitudes towards a vast majority of the
electorate.
|11.21.08 @ 1:44PM|#
What about all those conspiraloons who told me in no uncertain
terms that Bush would declaer martial law and NEVER leave office.
Is that still going to happen? We have less than two months to find
out.
If the wild eyed wackos are right, then mothing Munger, Keaton or
Singal can do to stop it. Our last remaining hope is to stand on
street corners waving signs.
p.s. Oh, we're also supposed to be on the Amero in two weeks time.
Is taht still going to happen too?
|11.21.08 @ 1:44PM|#
I was thinking of you, actually. With your oily charm, you'd
make a perfect politician.
Don't I know it. Unfortunately, I have so many skeletons in my
closet I might as well be John Wayne Gacy. Or would that be
skeletons in the crawlspace? No matter. You get the point.
|11.21.08 @ 1:46PM|#
Delurking...
Based on my personal experience, nobody's going to take the LP
seriously until more actual members do the same.
Back during the 2000 election cycle I lived in L.A., one of my
partners and I (who had more than 30 years collective experience
creating award-winning radio ads) approached the LP with two
separate radio campaigns to raise awareness about the LP.
As guys with distinct libertarian leanings, we we were willing to
write, produce and deliver a complete ad campaign for ZERO money
upfront (with the idea we'd take some modest compensation on the
back-end only if the spots actually brought in any significant
donations).
We also had a strategy for highly cost-effective air buys
mapped-out.
I made several calls to the LP communications director in D.C.
(can't remember the name offhand) which were never returned. I
finally did speak with him, and he suggested we get in touch with
the then-head of the California LP (who, ironically, lived about
two blocks from me). Didn't make much sense to us, but we contacted
the CA guy anyway (Juan Ros, IIRC). He never got it together to
even schedule a meeting with us, even after repeated calls which
we initiated.
Frustrating.
I remarked upon this with a friend (who has been an LP member for
more than twenty years); her response was, "What the hell did you
expect? They're Libertarians."
True that.
In 2004, I moved back to OH to help care for a parent and also got
involved with doing free radio ads for Bill Peirce's gubernatorial
campaign. His campaign staff had it together surprisingly well, but
the Ohio LP was apparently pissy about doing basic things like
sharing their email list, since Bill was an LP "outsider".
Despite such stupidity, we managed to pull as much as 5% of the
vote in some OH counties.
As a result of the above, I've largely given up on the LP, aside
from voting for Libertarian candidates who aren't goofballs.
I'm now living in Atlanta and still have all of my notes from 2000
regarding the radio campaign to raise awareness of the party on a
shoestring budget. And I'm still willing to "give it away", if I
ever see any evidence of a serious, credible political party.
I ain't holding my breath.
Back to lurking...
The Angry Optimist|11.21.08 @ 1:50PM|#
I've never understood why people think that Libertarians must
necessarily be disorganized and akin to "herding cats".
Libertarians need to get some friggin' discipline and stop being so
fashionably nutty and flaky.
"Oooohh...look at us! We're hard to organize and we believe all
kinds of wacky shit! Aren't we cute?"
No, you aren't. You look like a bunch of morons.
|11.21.08 @ 1:52PM|#
Hey Jess, Is Bush an incompetent monkey or an evil genius, I can never get the loony left talking points straight.
T|11.21.08 @ 2:38PM|#
I've never understood why people think that Libertarians
must necessarily be disorganized and akin to "herding
cats".
Disorganized? Not necessarily. Herding cats? Well, are you paying
attention to this thread? There's way too much of the "no true
scotsman" bs floating around the LP.
Bryan Lovely|11.21.08 @ 3:30PM|#
LP activist Angela Keaton and blogger Michelle
Shingal
I'd punch that ticket! ;-)
|11.21.08 @ 6:14PM|#
the LP doesn't compromise its adult principles to the
kindergarten levels of the major parties, because, as BarrRoot
showed when they did, IT DOESN'T WORK!
So instead you sit on the sidelines and carp. How is that more
mature than say, accomplishing something meaningful.
The only people I see who advocate heroin in vending machines,
to use your extremely stupid example, are the critics like you
looking for their own quick hit of blow.
Actually, heroin is "smack", and cocaine is "blow", and I don't
have the sinuses for coke, or the deathwish for smack. But your own
party platform calls for the repeal of all drug laws, and in true
libertarian fashion, there's no middle ground, so how is my example
stupid?
Nevermind that our economic predictions are spot-on and we have
the plan that can solve the problem, they want to put a drug
machine on every corner! (And nevermind that drug machines are
already on every corner, but the drugs are sugar and
caffeine!)
That's my point. You have very good ideas, but you're so extreme
and absolute that you scare off people who would otherwise vote for
you, or you offer yourselves as spoilers for the ultimate benefit
of the socialists. Doesn't it bother you at all that you've done
more to get statists elected than you have to advance the cause of
liberty?
It's a strawman put forth by morons who can't stand freedom and
refuse to be responsible for themselves. We call them
STATISTS.
See? It's all or nothing. I support ending the drug war, legalizing
most drugs to some extent. I want to eliminate most taxes and see
the government's role in life dramatically reduced. I want more
open borders, free trade, gun rights, etc. But I'm not all the way
up in the top corner of the World's Smallest Political Quiz, so I'm
a STATIST!!!
Maybe the problem is that the American voters are mostly fools
who rely on Big Brother and Big Nanny way too much. The low vote
totals are from those actually get it.
Okay, so the most logical question in light of that is why the hell
are you particpating in the democratic process at all. Absolutists
tend to have more success as revolutionaries. Get your guns,
resist, destabilize the government, take over. You've obviously
failed as a political movement, so why don't you do something
useful? Aren't you tired of achieving nothing?
Craig|11.21.08 @ 8:00PM|#
Time to focus on state and local races and party-building,
big-L Libertarians.
You're assuming the result would be any different. Several states
have serious state and local LP campaigns, and they have topped out
at the 10% level.
The voting public isn't buying what we're selling. Going
door-to-door won't help much.
Craig|11.21.08 @ 8:02PM|#
It's funny how so many people tell the LP what it needs to do to
win while ridiculing it for its irrelevance.
If the LP is so irrelevant and ineffective, why not just start your
own party and do it your way? Check back in 30 years with a list of
all your electoral successes.
|11.21.08 @ 8:27PM|#
I don't think that focusing on state and local elections is the
key to success for libertarians, though it certainly is
useful.
What would be useful is Fabianism, and a willingness to put
candidates up in uncontested elections. Something like 40% of
Congressmen run unopposed in general elections because their
districts are designed to shut out the primary opposition, either
Democrat or Republican. Libertarians are ideologically capable of
playing to either right or left, while simultaneously presenting
themselves as a clear alternative to either. If Libertarians are
able to be flexible and moderate in their beliefs, they can win
districts that a Republican or a Democrat can't. And once they're
in the House, their Senate candidates become viable alternatives,
rather than spoilers.
A Libertarian presidential candidate at that point could at least
win a few states. Such a result could force a presidential election
into the House, where a Libertarian caucus could play kingmaker,
rather than spoiler.
One of the things that irks me about the Libertarian Party is that
it seems to ignore their most basic assumption, that people left to
rely on their own intelligence and determination are best able to
prosper. I believe that, but that's despite the sad history of the
party that most dearly holds that same belief. Why not live as you
believe, use your determination and intelligence to improve
yourselves and your country?
zoltan|11.21.08 @ 9:36PM|#
Yeah, and the Islamofascists aren't too pleased with Bush
either. Get over your BDS. 4 years of the Obamessiah will have you
praying for the GOP in 2012.
Welcome to the Socialist States of America, sweetpea.
Is this a joke? Am I going to be praying for the GOP to return the
US to the free-market wonderland Bush ran from 2000-2008? It's been
the SSA since Bush got elected, buddy. Obama's got some big ol'
socialist shoes to fill following Bush, though I'm sure he won't
have much of a problem.
|11.22.08 @ 1:16AM|#
Hey, Jess! If you think nothing could possibly be worse than
Bush (on the whole, one of the best Presidents we've ever had), you
must have an IQ of 0, just like your Messiah. Also, your crystal
ball must be pretty cracked to be making predictions as retarded as
the ones you're making when the DJIA is down 20% after 0's
election, Al-Qaeda's mocking 0 for a "house negro" and Iran's
openly gathering enough material to build itself a nuke.
I predict the next 4 years will consist of massive nationalization
and taxation, gun confiscation, child enslavement, the de facto
repeal of the First and Second Amendments to the Constitution, wars
in Sudan and Pakistan, nuclear showdowns with Iran, rolling
blackouts in the USA and worldwide starvation due to Gore's Global
Warming (now Climate Change) BS. Worst of all, this brain-dead
eunuch you droolers elected is almost certain to bring about the
loss of our national sovereignty (and thereby our Constitution
itself) to that bastard brainchild of commie fag tree-humpers such
as yourself, the UN.
Of course, you hypocrite lefturd traitors were always bitching
about "national sovereignty" whenever you could hit Bush over the
head with it, pretending without the least hint of irony that
everybody was somehow better off under the likes of Saddam Hussein
and the Taliban. Let's see how you like being the UN's catamites,
cocksuckers!
miche|11.22.08 @ 3:22AM|#
Shingal exemplifies what's wrong with libertarians... Getting a "fucking job" isn't exactly a solution for a child growing up in poverty.
Pftt...Shinghal grew up poverty stricken due to government
handouts. Her mother divorced her father due to regular bullshit
that could've been worked out but for the food stamps and welfare
check which made a relationship in normal hard times easier to
throw away. Shinghal never used the free lunch card at school and
learned early on (as a child washing cars and cutting grass) that
you have to work for what you want and need. (Necessity required
those earnings to be used for utility bills for a family of 6
because those programs require you to stay in poverty.) Shinghal is
only what is 'wrong' with libertarianism because you don't
understand the onion layers. Shinghal only travels the world and
drives a Porsche because she got it the old fashioned way: She
married the money.
Fuckhead.
(I'm Michelle Shinghal and I approve this message even though I'm
in Vegas and tired after a week in South America on vacay.)
economist|11.23.08 @ 5:34PM|#
"Hey Jess, Is Bush an incompetent monkey or an evil genius, I
can never get the loony left talking points straight."
Bush is most certainly an incompetent monkey.
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