Libertarian Chairman Decries Straight Ticket Voting in Lubbock

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal ^ | 11-21-02 | DeLamar,David

[Theodore R.]

Incumbent Protection Act

On Nov. 5, 70 percent of Lubbock County voters cast a straight ticket Republican vote. A vote that reelected every Republican incumbent in Lubbock County.

The straight ticket Republican voter disregarded a candidate's record and even the candidate's adherence to the Republican Party's Texas platform, which states, among other things, that, "We believe that government spending is out of control and needs to be reduced. We support fundamental, immediate tax reform that is simple, fair and fully disclosed."

How many Lubbock County taxpayers have seen government spending reduced or their taxes lowered by the previous Republican-dominated Lubbock City Council or the Lubbock County Commissioners Court? Have we ever seen a tax-cut bill proposed by our current group of Texas Republican state legislators from Lubbock?

Straight ticket votes amount to nothing more than an incumbent protection act. The good, the bad and the ugly are swept into office by one check-off on the ballot.

DAVID DeLAMAR/Lubbock Chairman Libertarian Party of Texas Via e-mail

[Theodore R.]

At one time, not that long ago, Lubbock would have voted 70 percent Democrat -- now the shoe is on the other foot.

[Russ]

How about some cheese with that whine Mr. DeLamar?

It seems very un-Libertarian to be complaining about how people vote. Doesn't he believe in freedom of choice?? If they want to vote straight party that's their right.

[conservativemusician]

BOO freakin' HOO HOO

[Lysander]

At one time, not that long ago, Lubbock would have voted 70 percent Democrat -- now the shoe is on the other foot.

You got it. Nothing changed except the team colors. Conservatives have not taken over. Liberals have changed teams. It remains a one-party system. Choice? Sure. Iraq's voters had a choice too.

[No Truce With Kings]

I never mark the straight ticket box. That makes it too easy for a Democrat -- and based on this whining, maybe Libertarians -- to alter my vote. All they have to do is mark the individual candidate block for the OTHER party, and my vote is transformed.

Rather, I mark each position individually. Mind, unless the Republican fails the skank test, I mark it for the "R," so I guess it does not address the intention of his complaint, but hey! I don't go into a voting booth to make Libertarians happy.

[TommyDale]

I read where 25 million "Evangelical Christians" (Religious 'Right') voted STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN TICKETS nationwide. Do the numbers. Does anyone think it helped elect Republicans? Why do you all think Daschle is attacking conservative talk radio and the 'Religious Right'?

[Theodore R.]

A straight Republican ticket in some cases though means support for abortion: Ganske in IA, Pataki in NY, Romney in MA, Ehrlich in MD, Morella in MD, etc. Overall though, it was amazing how many prolife Republicans were on the ballot and winning. Yet, some of the "prolife" Republicans are not enthusiastic about the issue. Already G.W. Bush has pulled Trent Lott's plan to proceed with a ban on partial-birth abortion from the agenda.

[BUSHdude2000]

Oh, a limpertarian spoke, I almost care enough to read what they said, but it's pointless, they aren't happy unless they cost someone an election. Maybe they can use this an excuse (once they get down from their drug high) as to why their candidates only get 79 votes nationwide in presidential elections and they never win any races.

[ACAC]

That is not true. The President will sign a ban on partial-birht abortion in 2003.

[A2J]

Doesn't he believe in freedom of choice??

Only when it comes to abortion (i.e., murder).

[RFP]

FYI, I plan to run for my state legislature in 2004 as an Independent against our RINO Republican delegate. He's run unopposed for the last two cycles. Previously, other Republicans who've challenged him in the primary have lost as have Democrats who challenged him in the general election.

My yard signs will read: "SPLIT YOUR TICKET" - my name - "INDEPENDENT for HOUSE OF DELEGATES". We have an almost equal number of Repubs, Dems, and "No Party" voters in my district, and I figure I can win close to half the Repubs, a significant portion of Undeclareds, and even a few cross-over "protest" Democrat votes in a race between just me and him. Wish me luck.

[Theodore R.]

I read a week or more ago that the president "told" Trent Lott NOT to bring up the partial-birth abortion ban in the special session. What information do you have to the contrary? This time it was not Lott who was dragging his heels.

[Theodore R.]

What state and district are you in?

[RFP]

I live in eastern West Virginia. Click here to see the map of my district.

[AmishDude]

It seems very un-Libertarian to be complaining about how people vote.

I don't think so. We often confuse liberty and democratic instututions. They aren't at all the same.

[AmishDude]

In PA, pulling the (R) lever automatically pulls the lever down for each Republican candidate. It's very satisfying.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Libertarians are just mad that they're an irrelevant faction of the Democrat party.

[ACAC]

Don't believe everything you read.

[babaloo999]

their candidates only get 79 votes nationwide in presidential elections and they never win any races.

That number is a lie. Nationwide, they get at least TEN TIMES that amount in an election.

[Eagle Eye]

It seems very un-Libertarian to be complaining about how people vote

What a stupid remark. Is there any reason that anyone, including a Libertarian, cannot criticize how people vote?

It seems part of the Republican mantra to criticize how individual libertarians (or anyone NOT voting for a Republican) to whine complain how libertarians that don't vote Republican cost Republicans elections.

How is it that Republicans who want it both ways are always right?