3 July 2004 - Saturday
I've been putting this off
The Libertarian candidate for President this year is Michael Badnarik. WatchBlog has an interesting evaluation of his views. This entry is particularly interesting because it comes from a writer who is (like Badnarik) pro-life and pro-decriminalization of gay unions. The blogger, however, points out that the Fourteenth Amendment could make abortion a federal issue, contrary to the states rights position of Badnarik and many other libertarians.
The part of Badnarik's views that bothered me most is his position on intelligence and homeland security funding. According to his answers to a questionnaire, he would greatly decrease the first and eliminate the latter. At first glance, I find this just slightly insane. No matter how much one hates government intrusion abroad or at home, surely it is obvious that we need an adequate nervous system as well as adequate muscle. Libertarians are not opposed to the use of military power when it becomes necessary for self-defense, after all; intelligence is necessary for the appropriate exercise of the security powers. Perhaps Badnarik merely wishes to transfer the powers of DHS back to other departments; the questionnaire is terse.
Yes, my friends, I am just slightly libertarian in outlook. Unfortunately, any given libertarian is likely to have some fairly naive ideas. I've never really taken the Libertarian Party seriously, but (as some of you already know) the proclivities of both major parties are forcing me to weigh other options.
| Posted by Wilson at 12:11 Central | TrackBack| Report submitted to the Power Desk
Wilson, just one question. You say you're being forced to weigh other alternatives, which I assume means you're thinking about voting for a candidate not in one of the two primary parties. How can you justify voting for someone that you know for a fact will lose by a landslide, rather than pick the lesser of the two evils presented by the big parties?
The thoughts of Toad on 4 July 2004 - 11:51 Central+ + + + +
At this point, I'm not sure that I can designate a lesser of two evils. I find it difficult to identify anything in particular that members of both parties will not defend in turn, as they gain power. I am generally willing to admit that Republicans tend to be more effective at conquering other nations and supporting large businesses — which would be great, if I were a nationalist and a utilitarian. As for the candidates, I find Bush simplistic and authoritarian and preachy, and Kerry windy and pandering and preachy.
In any case, I live in Texas. My contrarian vote won't hurt Bush at all. If I choose according to principle, though, it may give me some small satisfaction. If it makes you feel better, I do not plan to vote for a third candidate unless I actually consider him suitable for the office; I am not going to vote out of spite.
The thoughts of Wilson on 4 July 2004 - 12:36 Central+ + + + +
Oh, I wasn't thinking that you'd vote out of spite. I may not know you well, but I know you better than that. Nor was I worried that your vote would hurt any candidate in any way, because even if your vote really counts for 1/250,000,000 of the decision, that's not significant enough to matter, even in Florida.
I was asking mostly to see the answer, and because I deplore the way our government has become. I don't particularly care for the bipartisan system, and I generally feel that any vote outside the two big parties is just as good as not voting. And since, like you said, neither of them produces anything but bad candidates, well... it's a bit disenchanting.
The thoughts of Toad on 4 July 2004 - 22:31 Central+ + + + +
once upon a time when i took that quiz I fell on the center of the line between centrist and right conservative. This quiz you linked is too short though for getting a good idea.
The thoughts of banana on 5 July 2004 - 11:37 Central+ + + + +
Hmm. Good thing I revisisted this post. I was wrong before, you see — I do see an appreciable difference between the two parties (in general) on the matter of abortion. I spoke too hastily.
The thoughts of Wilson on 8 July 2004 - 19:03 Central+ + + + +
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I took that quiz right before I started college (that would be 4 years ago). Then I was on the right side of the Libertarian quadrant (er, uh, is there a word for 5ths?).. Now I'm dead against the wall on the right side of the Libertarian. But, I think the quiz is somewhat wrong because it says I am 18.94% left-liberal and only 7.4% right-conservative, which I know must be inaccurate because I rarely agree with a liberal.
Anyway, I joined the libertarian party awhile back after reading several Ayn Rand books. Then I just decided the party was nice on paper, but really lacking in reality.
I have an interesting friend (well, I haven't talked to him in awhile) who I used to talk a little bit about libertarian things with. He used to be very active in the party, but now shuns all labels. He's a very smart guy.. ought to check his blog out sometime.
The thoughts of Eliot on 3 July 2004 - 23:13 Central+ + + + +