Posted on 05/27/2020 1:26:16 AM PDT by Kaslin
We have a choice!
Next presidential election, we don't have to decide between two big-spending candidates, neither of whom has expressed much interest in limited government.
Now, we have a third serious choice. This week, Dr. Jo Jorgensen, a psychology lecturer at Clemson University, won the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination.
OK, I won't delude myself -- a libertarian is unlikely to become president. But Jorgensen's platform is a refreshing change.
She correctly points out that government "is too big, too bossy, too nosy, and way too intrusive."
Of course, many candidates say that when running for office.
President Donald Trump said it, but once he was elected, he increased spending by half a trillion dollars, created a new military branch designed to protect U.S. interests in space, imposed tariffs and demanded more funds for "infrastructure" and "building a giant wall."
Joe Biden wants to spend $532 billion more, increasing spending on things like education, climate and health care.
By contrast, Jorgensen says government should do less and spend less.
She's right. The founders' insistence on limited government is what made America prosperous.
Jorgensen noticed how our big and cumbersome government slowed our response to the coronavirus.
"We had about 60 American companies making testing kits and the FDA only approved two," she said in the final Libertarian Party debate. "What the president should have done was use the Emergency Powers Act and say, 'FDA, you only have to prove safety, not efficacy. Get these kits out there.'"
If some tests don't work, the free market will weed that out, says Jorgensen. "If you are a large drug company, you don't want to put out a drug or testing kit that doesn't work -- you'll go bankrupt."
Trump supported the latest multitrillion-dollar stimulus bill, saying, it "will deliver urgently needed relief to our nation's families and workers." Biden called for another stimulus -- "a hell of a lot bigger."
Jorgensen wouldn't sign either bill. "Let the people keep their money," she says. "Let them decide who should stay in business and who shouldn't."
She points out that government is not as good as individuals at deciding where money should go. "Government money usually goes to their friends and special interests and lobbyists."
America's most popular government program is probably Social Security. Created to help the minority of Americans who lived past age 65 at that time, it's now an unsustainable handout to most older people. Social Security is going broke because people my age just keep living longer. Sorry. We won't volunteer to die.
Jorgensen would save social security by offering everyone "an immediate opt-out," something like the Cato Institute's 6.2% solution, which would let individuals invest 6.2% of their payroll tax into a private retirement account.
While phasing the program out, she says seniors would be paid back what they've put in. "Sell those government assets, mineral rights, water rights, buildings downtown," she says. "Give that money to seniors."
Finally, Jorgensen would end "these needless wars that caused the injuries or deaths of hundreds of thousands of American soldiers... and the waste of trillions of tax dollars." She'd "make America one giant Switzerland, armed and neutral... no American military personnel stationed in foreign countries. No foreign aid. No loan guarantees."
This is not pacificism, she says, "I am proposing an American military force ready and able to defend the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and all U.S. territories against foreign attackers."
But like most libertarians, she doesn't want America involved in foreign wars.
As the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate, Dr. Jorgensen will be on the ballot in most states. Voters will have a real choice this November.
Libertarian ideas are very different from those held by today's Democrats and Republicans. Instead of lusting for more money and power, her party proposes a government that keeps the peace and, mostly, leaves people alone.
Sounds good to me.
The way things are going, the presidential debates will have only Trump and Jorgensen on stage.
Why would anyone take seriously a so called libertarian party that offers up candidates like Gary Johnson?? and William Weld?????? as their presidential ticket?
There shouldn’t be a need for a Libertarian party. Ideally, the Republican Party should be the party of small government, less spending, fewer regulations, and more freedom.
It has most decidely been abot syrian rapefugees, bumpstock bans, continued corporate cronyism with h1bs and how mant trillions in other people’s money.
I do have to say, as a woman, i have a difficult time voting for a female prez.
Libertarians shoot for the stars again with no chance of getting there.
Libertarians have a handful of elected members across the country and a few loud individuals shouting from their mother’s basement/
They like to sit around drinking wine or craft beer talking about how smart they are.
Until Libertarians get to work and form a power base in local areas they will continue to be only spoilers.
I’m tired of Libertarians wasting everybody’s time every 4 years. We have a 2-party system, deal with it. We actually elected a President in the Republican party that wasn’t a Republican by tradition. No one gets every tenet of their belief system wrapped up into a single candidate. Not the conservatives or the leftists ever realize that kind of dream. Libertarians can finally put the bong down, grow up, and vote (R) or (D) and act like an adult.
I feel the same way as you do.
Stossel is stuck on STUPID!! Does he REALLY think Dr. Jo can deal with CHINA, Russia, Ukraine, the DEMOCRATS??? Get REAL, Johnny, go put your big boy pants on!
Just a fast look at the numbers in case some Libertarian wets their pants on this thread.
As per the Libertarian web site they have 177 elected politicians in the country.
The US has 3,007 counties.
That works out to 1 Libertarian per 16.98 counties.
Pretty thin on the ground - no base.
A psych professor
Nope. Nope. Nopeity nope
Here’s where Libertarians and Republicans part company: abortion, homosexual rights, marijuana.
Ms Jo J wants open borders, so no she does not want to defend America from foreign invaders. She does not want to defend America period.
It should, but the Republican Party has largely been turned into nothing more than a fake "opposition" party for the Democrats. Much like the Washington Generals play the foil against the Harlem Globetrotters, although the Harlem Globetrotters are entertaining and fun, and the Dems are neither of those things.
Are you saying that John Stossel wants to open borders? Surely you jest
“She correctly points out that government “is too big, too bossy, too nosy, and way too intrusive.”
LOL So she’s so great, she stole Trump’s platform. Will the lunacy ever end? Refreshing, Stossel?
What date will all government hand out programs be cancelled? Right after inauguration speech? The candidate must list every program to be ended,time and date before election rate of example,Food Stamps,housing allowances,planned parenthood,education dept.,energy dept,etc.
We need tariffs to protect workers and to RAISE REVENUE. But Republicans forgot about this main plank in the party after WWII.
Libertarian motto- the perfect must always be the enemy of the good.
Stossel’s advocacy resolves to electing the Democrat. Nothing more.
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