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Libertarian Saturday...a post-mortem
Author: TriSec
Date: 11/08/2008 13:06:38
Good Morning!
Well....I feel a little strange writing this column today. For a number of years now, I've been presenting this little corner of the internets with some alternate political views, and maybe just a wee alternative to the power structure in Washington.
I don't think I need to do that anymore.
Nevertheless, I think we should take a swing through and see what's happening. Bob Barr, without a hint of irony, has stated that post-election "This is just the beginning" of a new Libertarian party. Of course, Libertarians have been saying that since the party was founded in 1971. Curious that they've never been able to poll out of single digits in any election, especially given the golden opportunities over the last 8 years.
Of course, Mr. Barr had a hand in creating that "new libertarian party", as many of the rank and file (myself included) thought his nomination was a cop-out. In the end, we were proved correct, as many in the LP left the party this year in droves, or stayed home on election day, or yes...even voted for Senator Obama.
So, much like the GOP, the LP has to take a long, hard look in the mirror and see where it wants to go next. Of course, this won't help the third-party movement any, as there has already been a schism and what could have been a unified libertarian front is already diluted further. For example, did you know that some disaffected Libertarian Party members founded the Boston Tea Party over the summer? I bet you didn't.
So....as we bask in the afterglow of Senator Obama's victory, we can already see a new day dawning. Did everyone watch the press conference yesterday? He sure looked presidential, didn't he? And despite all the rhetoric about how America has only one president at a time, you can bet the rest of the world is already putting out feelers towards the Obama camp and starting to lay the groundwork for the future.
George Bush has 73 days left...but who do you think is the acting President right now?
And so....this may just be the last Libertarian Saturday for a while. I still have a wee bit of a rebellious streak in me, and I'll still keep reading the stuff. But with the goal achieved, I don't think this is really a necessary column. What I'll replace it with is unclear, and of course if there's something important happening in the party, we'll be right here with it.
Thanks for reading! :peace:
Well....I feel a little strange writing this column today. For a number of years now, I've been presenting this little corner of the internets with some alternate political views, and maybe just a wee alternative to the power structure in Washington.
I don't think I need to do that anymore.
Nevertheless, I think we should take a swing through and see what's happening. Bob Barr, without a hint of irony, has stated that post-election "This is just the beginning" of a new Libertarian party. Of course, Libertarians have been saying that since the party was founded in 1971. Curious that they've never been able to poll out of single digits in any election, especially given the golden opportunities over the last 8 years.
"This is just the beginning of the new Libertarian Party," says Bob Barr, the 2008 Libertarian Party nominee for president. "In these next four years, there will be an even greater need for a political party fully dedicated to lower taxes, smaller government and more individual freedom—a voice for liberty."
"This year, we set a solid foundation for freedom, on which we will build a strong and united political organization that advances freedom and liberty in the United States," says Barr. "I, and all Americans who support true liberty, owe a great debt of gratitude to our staff, donors, volunteers and voters who helped support this campaign."
Bob Barr represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. Congressman Barr was the 2008 Libertarian Party Nominee for President.
Of course, Mr. Barr had a hand in creating that "new libertarian party", as many of the rank and file (myself included) thought his nomination was a cop-out. In the end, we were proved correct, as many in the LP left the party this year in droves, or stayed home on election day, or yes...even voted for Senator Obama.
As we prepare to enter the post-Bush era, libertarians like myself have been asking themselves what, if anything, can be done to reverse, roll-back, and prevent the re-occurrence of the horrendous record of the Bush administration.
The Republican Party, as a whole, deservedly has the albatross of the Iraq War hanging around its neck. The Republican Party, as a whole, has been responsible for profligate deficit spending that threatens to ruin our economy. The Republican Party, as a whole, has left the Constitution in tatters as it wears the flag as a cape.
I believe that only the record and rhetoric of Barack Obama presents libertarians with a real option for change.
What is at stake in this election is civil liberties. And Obama has the best, most consistent, and most trustworthy record on those issues of any electable candidate running. I am a particular fan of his government-transparency measures, like his Illinois legislation requiring that all police interrogations be videotaped. It isn’t enough to merely advocate for civil liberties; we need concrete provisions to protect them, with real teeth, and Obama’s got the best record of any serious candidate. I have confidence that an Obama presidency will save habeas corpus, and close Guantanamo. I have confidence that an Obama presidency will bring a humble foreign policy that does not seek to send Americans on pointless foreign adventures. I have no such confidence with any other electable candidate.
So, much like the GOP, the LP has to take a long, hard look in the mirror and see where it wants to go next. Of course, this won't help the third-party movement any, as there has already been a schism and what could have been a unified libertarian front is already diluted further. For example, did you know that some disaffected Libertarian Party members founded the Boston Tea Party over the summer? I bet you didn't.
So....as we bask in the afterglow of Senator Obama's victory, we can already see a new day dawning. Did everyone watch the press conference yesterday? He sure looked presidential, didn't he? And despite all the rhetoric about how America has only one president at a time, you can bet the rest of the world is already putting out feelers towards the Obama camp and starting to lay the groundwork for the future.
George Bush has 73 days left...but who do you think is the acting President right now?
And so....this may just be the last Libertarian Saturday for a while. I still have a wee bit of a rebellious streak in me, and I'll still keep reading the stuff. But with the goal achieved, I don't think this is really a necessary column. What I'll replace it with is unclear, and of course if there's something important happening in the party, we'll be right here with it.
Thanks for reading! :peace:
