Instapundit Talks With Green Party Prez Candidate Jill Stein; Bonus: His Q&A with LP's Gary Johnson
In USA Today, Glenn Reynolds, the Instapundit, introduces Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate for president, who will be on the ballot in all or nearly all states in November. Stein's a medical doctor and much of her platform is what you'd expect from a left-leaning Green Party candidate: She wants to extend Medicare to all (the country, it seems, isn't going broke fast enough) and wants to make college free to all (ditto on the going broke stuff).
But Reynolds discussing some interesting aspects of her candidacy too. For instance, she'd force able-bodied unemployed to work for relief: "If you don't have work, you'd go to an employment office, not an unemployment office, and you'd get a job, not sit home, depressed, with a check."
She'd also repeal The Patriot Act and "she'd downsize the military to below its 2000 funding levels and avoid 'hypermilitarism,' from which, she says, 'we are getting a lot of blowback right now.'"
Read more about Stein and the Green Party here.
In the USA Today piece, Reynolds notes that there is virtually zero press interest in Stein and the Greens this time around, even though it was just a dozen years ago that Ralph Nader's run helped create the tightest presidential outcome in history. Stein says that "Americans are chomping at the bit for more choices. Don't they deserve more choices?"
And in that spirit, here's Reynolds' interview with LP nominee Gary Johnson, back when he was running for the top slot as a Republican (original air date, October 7, 2011):
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In the USA Today piece, Reynolds notes that there is virtually zero press interest in Stein and the Greens this time around, even though because it was just a dozen years ago that Ralph Nader's run helped create the tightest presidential outcome in history.
FIFY/FIFH
But Reynolds discussing some interesting aspects of her candidacy too. For instance, she'd force able-bodied unemployed to work for relief: "If you don't have work, you'd go to an employment office, not an unemployment office, and you'd get a job, not sit home, depressed, with a check."
Blind squirrel find nut. Film at 11.
So skilled workers who need time to find new jobs would essentially be forced to opt out of unemployment benefits. TIA.
They keep forgetting that this isn't the 30s-- there are a lot of unemployed white collar workers who got let go when the real estate market crashed. You're not putting them to work building Hoover Dam.
Why not?
Because it's already been built. Duh.
Have one internet, sir.
Man those bought and paid for politicians really crack me up man. Wow.
http://www.AnonNation.tk
The Green Party: communism without the overt violence.
Yet.
How could she be any dumber or more useless that the current Oval Office chairwarmer?
If she's a doctor, she HAS to know more about the real world mechanics of health care.
I have no interest in Jill Stein's policies, but I am actively campaigning for my friends and family to at least consider her, along with all other third party candidates. This election needs to continually be painted not as "the MOST IMPORTANT ELECSHUN EVAR!!1!" but as one where the major parties are Jack Johnson and John Jackson, two sides of the same coin.
I don't care who you vote for, just don't vote for Obama or Romney.
I thought Roseanne was the GP candidate?
Awesome, so she gets extra points for consistency. Real socialists are going to demand production from their constituents. Capitalism allows you to sit at home and play video games.
My prediction: Jill Stein will get less votes than there are dues paying Green Party members. Nader taught all the Greens the lesson that a vote for Green is a vote against a Democrat. Today when the Democrats say jump, the Greens ask "how high massah?" Even in my home state of California, where Obama is going to win by a landslide, the vast majority of Greens will vote Democrat.
She'd also repeal The Patriot Act and "she'd downsize the military to below its 2000 funding levels and avoid 'hypermilitarism,' from which, she says, 'we are getting a lot of blowback right now.'"
Odds of this happening are between slim and none.
She wants to extend Medicare to all (the country, it seems, isn't going broke fast enough) and wants to make college free to all (ditto on the going broke stuff).
Odds on this are much higher, unfortunately.
Didn't read Reynolds' article, but let me guess where the employment office would help you find a job: a government agency.
It's also notable that Jill Stein, herself a physician, supports full legalization for hemp, cannabis, and medical marijuana.
Stein should really know that the phrase is "champing at the bit", not "chomping".