John Schultz's Weblog

God Bless you Harry; thanks for your efforts. I know nothing about Harry Brown because I am one of those who feel the Libertarian "cause" at this point is still too far out of contention. Nevertheless, the "big two" will never be broken down unless leaders continue to step up and make Americans aware there are alternatives. I would love to see a "3rd party" candidate achieve success one day, to throw a cog in the political machine and perhaps make our leaders realize they need to stay in touch with the people. However, until the "3rd party" contenders actually appear capable of making it into office, my choice continues to be to cast my vote for the "lesser of two evils".

Posted by Richard Winkie on March 05, 2006 at 06:12 PM CST #

An interesting analogy I heard over the weekend:

The Christmas office party is coming soon and you have a piece of paper with three choices for entrees. You look them over.

First is beef. Beef is OK, but it's not your favorite.

You get down to the second choice. It's chicken. You can't stand chicken.

And then third is fish. This is your absolute favorite.

You begin to check the box, but then have second thoughts. Not many people like fish. What if you vote for fish, but chicken wins? You can't stand chicken, but beef is OK. Maybe you should vote for beef since it's acceptable but you really really love fish. You continue to agonize and finally decide to check beef.

The Christmas party rolls around and the covers are taken off the buffet table and what do you know, it's beef. Hooray, no chicken! But ponder this, did you get what you wanted or did you settle for something less?

Posted by John Schultz on March 05, 2006 at 06:28 PM CST
Website: http://boone.lpmo.org #

Of course you didn't get what you REALLY wanted, but you at least got the more attractive of the "unwanted' options. A better analogy would be to utilize the above pattern, but sprinkle in that you are the lone "freak" vegetarian, such a tiny minority that you know you don't stand a prayer of getting your true choice.

Do you vote for chicken, beef or fish? Maybe one has more attractive "sides" to your palate?

Do you try to play "spoiler" and vote for the unpopular choice just to screw with the system?

Tough choices suck. Expand this to the political stage where the players are vying for a position that could theoretically alter the destiny of the planet. With those stakes, it is often necessary to sacrifice personal preferences for the greater good.

I hope the future of politics becomes more "open" where people CAN actually exercise meaningful choice, but we presently exist in a two-party system, and throwing your vote away in a "Hail Mary" cause can sometimes be dangerous for the greater good.

That said, I applaud Harry Browne and all the dedicated persons trying to put the "3rd party" on the map. Determination, and keeping your head up after being steam-rolled in the polls is tough, but eventually....maybe....it might pan out.

Posted by Richard Winkie on March 07, 2006 at 01:28 PM CST #

As the republican party runs away from its conservative base, you will see an influx of people headed to the Libertarian way of life.

I am a social conservative, as well as a fiscal conservative, or I would be more tempted to follow the libertarian line of thinking. These republicans are not the party they once were as they now blatantly legislate for business and spend like democrats to stay in office.

I am dissatisfied with the Republican party, can not begin to think of casting a vote for a democrat and can't agree with the socially liberal portions of the Libertarian party....

From my point of view, what ails the USA is a heart problem. All other problems stem from that. So answer this, can you make a libertarian case to a socially conservative person?

Posted by Kendall Noe on March 07, 2006 at 03:26 PM CST #

I know one of your sticking issues, what are the others?

Posted by John Schultz on March 07, 2006 at 03:31 PM CST
Website: http://boone.lpmo.org #

I am also a former social conservative who has moderated greatly to the middle ground. I similarly resent a number of the liberal platforms, and am more open to some of the "middle-ground" concepts, but neither of the "Big Two" really care to tread in the middle, other than to sweep in with bread & circuses to lead voters away on some temporary voting mission. Once the party gets your middle-ground votes, you are fogotten again, and the party pursues its own agendas. The Libertarian platform does hold some potential attraction for displaced conservatives, but not as long as it also dabbles in some clearly socially liberal areas.

You want success, retool yourselves to be a socially conservative, fiscally RESPONSIBLE party that actually lead and care for the people. Substituting Governmental regulation for unfettered corporate domination doesn't bode well for the rights of people.

Posted by Richard Winkie on March 07, 2006 at 03:37 PM CST #

For Kendall,

I don't know of any links for social conservative
libertarians, but here is a page with links for Christian libertarians.

http://www.self-gov.org/christian/

Posted by Glenn Nielsen on March 08, 2006 at 10:08 PM CST #

Others have been very eloquent in their remembrance of Harry Browne. I won't try to match them.

The first two Libertarian events I attended were Harry Browne campaign events in 2000. I had considered myself a libertarian since 1996 but
didn't get active until after I had heard Harry
speak.

Harry surely must now be in a place where he can relax and enjoy liberty after all his hard work
on this earth for our liberties.

Posted by Glenn Nielsen on March 08, 2006 at 10:15 PM CST #