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Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 10:21:28 AM

cjan

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I see that the Libertarian Party has selected their presidential candidate for this years elections. Former GOP congressman from Georgia, Bob Barr. I never heard of him. There has been very little press coverage regarding this, but, apparently, the LP candidates will be on the ballot in 48 states for sure and , possibly, in all 50.

I know next to nothing about them, except what I have read on their website, a link to which I have posted here. I'm curious to learn more. On the surface, their platform seems reasonable to me, with the exception of their attitude to dismantling any kind of social service safety net for those who temporarily need such services.

I'm curious to learn more so am asking for input. Also, I'm wondering if their role will be as a spoiler in the upcomming elections. In other words, will a vote for them be wasted and perhaps effect what may be a very close election ?

Waddya think ?

http://www.lp.org/issues/platform_all.shtml

http://www.miamiherald.com/campaign08/story/546576.html

< Message edited by cjan -- 5/26/2008 10:24:27 AM >

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 10:34:53 AM

TheHeretic

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cjan

their platform seems reasonable to me, with the exception of their attitude to

Pretty much every conversation about the Libertarians will have this phrase in it. What fills the blank will vary widely, but the Libertarian Party seems to have something that is a deal-breaker for anybody.

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 10:37:41 AM

Alumbrado

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IMHO, the LP is just a political party.... Their ideas may look good on paper, but in practice, their actual functioning is subject to exactly the same organizational dynamics as the parties they claim to be 'different' than.

Their last presidential candidate was by many accounts a real piece of work, and they haven't acted as any sort of spoiler because they seem to draw from the fringes on both sides equally.

Nothing indicates to me that Barr represents any useful difference.

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 10:38:45 AM

Level

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CJ, I don't see votes for third parties as a waste, but it is always possible that it can affect a race. Thinking of Perot and Nader....

Libertarianism is quite reasonable, and like you, the one part of it that I'm leery of is the reduction in social services. Even on these matters, they can make a good argument for their views.

If you want to learn more, I'd suggest Libertarianism: A Primer, by David Boaz, and Freedom in Chains, by James Bovard.

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 10:44:12 AM

petdave

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic

quote:

ORIGINAL: cjan

their platform seems reasonable to me, with the exception of their attitude to

What fills the blank will vary widely, but every political party seems to have something that is a deal-breaker for anybody.

Fixed!

i'm very disappointed with the selection of Barr. While he may have had more experience than the other contenders for the nomination, he's not really a Libertarian- he belongs with the Constitution Party.

i've voted Libertarian in every election i've been able to vote in, but i may just write in Ron Paul this year.

Remember: "The lesser of two evils" is barely adequate criteria for selecting lunch. For the Chief Executive of a major world power, you need to demand more than that.

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 10:53:12 AM

TheHeretic

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       Bad form, Dave...

       And I disagree with the contention you made doing it. Ask a D about the R's, or vice-versa, and you'll typically get a whole litany.   Ask about the Libertarians, and there seem to be one or two particular items.

       For me, it's the foreign policy. We need to be active participants in the world.

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 11:45:51 AM

Bethnai

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http://www.tylwythteg.com/enemies/Barr/barr1.html

I couldn't remember why I remembered him. But this is stuff good to know about Barr.
He is the guy that didn't want Wicca practiced by the military and supported the CCC.

It is interesting his former stance on a variety of issues. I wouldn't vote libertarian anyway, but I would definitely question his turn around.

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 1:27:59 PM

pahunkboy

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c-span broadcasted the Libertarian National Convention the past 2 days.

They were refreshing.

I like the idea of proportional voting.
being that the 2 parties entrenched in the system -that we get 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. in short "corporate rule".

For this reason- I think a 3rd party wont be a spolier.

OH MAN= the deabte quesitons at their debate, is tempting for me to unregister republicrat.

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RE: Libertarian Party: Waddya think ? - 5/26/2008 2:44:07 PM

petdave

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quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic

Bad form, Dave...

Hm? Pretty common response style on some of the other boards i'm on, although i probably should have bolded/italicized the changed phrase... no offense intended.

quote:

And I disagree with the contention you made doing it. Ask a D about the R's, or vice-versa, and you'll typically get a whole litany. Ask about the Libertarians, and there seem to be one or two particular items.

Experiences vary, i guess... i've had plenty of people tell me that they just can't vote for a Republican due to their stance on the death penalty, or a Democrat because of their stance on abortion, or a variety of other litmus test issues. i think people are just more willing to swallow hard and pull a lever for red or blue.

There are some issues where i have some disagreement with the Libertarian Party platform, or the strict libertarian stance, but they are far an away the most attractive choice for me.

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