When the Right’s Wrong, What’s Left?

truthnews ^ | 6.10.03 | Gary Nolan

[Abcdefg]

What is the proper role of government? I think it is to be found in the Constitution and it doesn't include about 70% or more of what goes on today.

[jjm2111]

Libertarian bump. If President Bush signs an extension of the AWB, I'll be voting Libertarian too.

[Jeff Head]

WHEN TRUTH BECOMES TREASON

This was written when Clinton was in power and Kosovo was happening.

Jeff

[dirtboy]

This isn't the NY Times - Op Eds should not be posted as Front Page News...

[thoughtomator]

Small-l libertarians, yeah... the LP though is a god-awful vehicle for sensible small-government policies though, and its complete inability to take a principled stand on, say, abortion, does not augur well the prospect of having a LP candidate in a serious office.

If these guys were serious, they wouldn't be wasting precious resources on a fantasy Presidential campaign, they'd be using that money to build local and regional organization and influence.

The complete lack of pragmatism in the LP is a fatal flaw. Until that is corrected, expect most serious libertarians to work through the GOP.

[cspackler]

Thanks, Chris... you beat me to it. Where's that "Awww geez" picture when I need it.

[mvpel]

That's all well and good, but out here in California you've got people wanting to elect Riordan, for cripes sake! That's not what I'd call "working through the GOP."

[caisson71]

Libertarians are unelectable. Politicians with too many principles are unelectable or if elected become ineffective. Politicians who do best are the ones who have basic principles and can compromise on issues.
Idealistic political supporters are often misled because they fail to understand the nature of principles, issues and compronise in politics. Switching parties seldom satifies those too idealistic. It does, however, make them feel good and that they are finally making a difference - for awhile. There's nothing nice or cute in being an effective politician.

[thoughtomator]

I'm not familiar with Riordan... I think I heard the name a few years back, didn't he run for Governor or something in 1996?

[Paleo Conservative]

2002 prmary which he lost.

[thoughtomator]

What's his relevance to the topic then?

[rj45mis]

I think you fail to realize something here. The Libertarians have not had the occasion to find out what concessions and compromise is necessary to, first of all get elected, as well as get vital legislation passed. It can't be all one way. The 50/50 vote split in 2000 is a perfect example of the balance that needs to be considered.

[Damocles]

Yeah, a representative government sucks that way.

Even those I vehemently disagree with are provided equal representation under this fantastic form of government. (not sarcasm)

Compromise is not a dirty word.

[MHGinTN]

Gary Nolan is a candidate for the Libertarian Party nomination for president. If you'd have posted that at the beginning, I could have avoided the 'wading through the irrational sludge' of the author trying to dissemble the bloated federal budget. While I agree the government is way beyond blaoted with waste, I don't consider the 'no answers just slams' approach of Libertarians. Generalizations that don't give detailed approaches to fixing things are easy to write, but vacuous manipulations.

[k2blader]

I joined the Libertarians, the party with principle.

Haaa!!!

[Hot Soup]

Compromise is not a dirty word.

No, but it is very often misused. Many conservative voters and "conservative" politicians don't seem to be aware of the fact that a true compromise isn't just giving the enemy less than he demands, it involves getting something as well.

[Paleo Conservative]

What's his relevance to the topic then?

He's a big time RINO whose wife and daughters are DemocRATS. I guess some other RINOs want him to run for governor if Davis is recalled.

[Digger]

I do not believe that the Libertarian party is the answer but he sure hit a home run with the other part of his message. I'll guarantee you that an organization totally opposite of the National Endowments of the Arts will be ripped to shreads if Hillary is the pres. So why can't this guy do it? Atrocious!