It’s been said that politics makes strange bedfellows. Indeed it does, but how far do you go with your new lover before you become just as dirty as that whore you’re in bed with? That is a searing question in my head, as I try to rationalize being reserved and holding back a left jab at Mitt Romney for his rebuking of a Colorado reporter’s question on legalizing medical marijuana. On one hand, as a Libertarian, I support the individual’s right to decide what to do with his or her health, but on the other hand, we Libertarians don’t want to be labeled the “legalize pot” or “gay marriage” fanatics…especially when Mitt’s rebuke was because there are more pressing matters at hand, like the economy and jobs. In the world of government spending, after all, the Republicans and Libertarians are “kissing cousins” who differ on some social issues, but fundamentally we are related on the smaller role of government…except…
On the 2012 Republican platform website, a few tiny details may irk some libertarian minded people…as well as some Republicans who may not have ever read it…because their parents told them they were republicans…or maybe it was their preacher after scolding those gays and druggies that they are going to hell…but I digress…let’s get to the nookie:
Defense
“We will not rule out ‘ANY ACTION’ deemed necessary for security”…but they don’t define necessary, security or any of the actions…sounds pretty open to interpretation by whomever.
“We need to increase the size of our military forces”
“Homosexuals are incompatible with military service”
“Private Education Institutions should bridge the gap between the GI Bill and the current cost of education”…what…did I read this right?
“Employers should bear more of the burden/cost of transitioning soldiers back into the workforce”…again…what????
Immigration
“Government should track every individual entering and leaving our country”
“Government should mandate the burden of enforcement of immigration policy be borne by the employer”
“Government should deny federal funds to sanctuary cities refusing to do the job of the federal government regarding immigration.” Uh…what is the government doing by abdicating this role to states and municipalities in the first place??
Role of Government
Frequently throughout the platform of the Republican party, there is reference to the rights of the individual (when appropriate and convenient to the tenets of the Republican Party) and the separation of governmental control over private industry (again…when convenient)
“There should be a public/private partnership to develop and secure production…namely in the field of Energy”
“There should be a ‘National Disaster Insurance Policy’ to work with private industry to rebuild devastated areas after natural disasters”
“We lament the judges who undermine traditional marriage laws from coast to coast”
“To further the role of traditional families and encourage more children, we would double the tax exemptions for children” …so the individual without children can pick up the slack???
“We would use the tax code to promote savings”…I thought the tax code was to raise money for essential government functions??
***I love this statement*** “The legislature seems unable to deal with the most pressing problems of families, businesses and communities.” Hahahaha, yeah…well maybe you need to do MORE???
“The government can play an important role in retraining workers to reenter the workplace.”
“Government should support timely and targeted aid to those hurt in the housing crisis, as well as a voucher program, urban homesteading and keeping interest rates low” (ARTIFICIALLY???) Is this fiscal conservativism in a nutshell? I thought that gov’t meddling caused the housing bubble.
“Government should maintain the mortgage interest deduction to encourage home ownership” and in the next paragraph, referencing the need to advocate free market principles. We’re at war(undeclared), damn it, pick a side.
“Workers should have portable pensions and health care”…and a car, and a nice house, and a pretty wife, and nice mustache…come on!!
“Education is a parental right, state and local responsibility and national strategic interest. It is through education that we ensure the transmission of a culture, a set of values we hold in common. All students must be proficient in English…” Oh brother…I think this comes right out of the founding father’s beliefs…or the communist manifesto…I can’t remember which.
“We support federal investment in basic and applied biomedical research”…kinda seems tame after the last one.
“We support head start for low income families, and reaffirm support for the child care tax credit for parents to choose care best for family.” (and paid for by those sterile losers who can’t have kids to lessen their tax burden)
“We support the public and private partnership that offers students and their families a vibrant marketplace in selecting student loan providers” (paid for by the taxpayers, even the ones who don’t have kids, or paid for their own kids to go to school…or…and this is exceptionally rare…the kids who put their own ass through school.)
“Millions of Americans suffer from pathological gambling, and we support the law prohibiting online gambling.” (Unlike that party of Gay, Pot smoking gamblers)
Free and Fair Trade
“Farming communities have been hurt hard by flood and weather, Federal aid should go to those as a safety net to farmers.” What about federal limits to the free market that force commodities to sell at or above predetermined levels to protect the farmer? What about barriers to trading foreign commodities to force local producers to become more competitive? Oops…how libertarian of me.
“USDA should remain an international leader in agricultural research to ensure America and the world will not have to choose between energy and food.” (In case that free market thing doesn’t work?)
“US should end ethanol mandate and let the free market work”…but if it doesn’t…we should get the USDA to study it because they are best suited to determine when free markets should and shouldn’t be used?
I don’t want the Libertarian party to be known as the “Pot Party” or “Gay Party”, mostly because I don’t want us reduced to a one issue group who is unhappy with the only two options Americans are supposed to have. I want us to be heard and seen for what we are, which is the only consistent party of the people…independent and free people. This means we embrace individuals, and respect their freedoms and liberties. We are not able to choose which liberties we should defend, we should take EVERY opportunity to defend them. Conversely, we should not be hiding the fact, or omitting from the argument, the tenets of Republicans which are in direct violation of our sacred belief that the individual is more important than the collective, and that our rights are endowed upon us by our creator…not the federal government. I have no problem focussing on the economy and the lack of a healthy and growth oriented business environment in the USA...because the Libertarian party is best at solving economic issues...so let's get in the fight. Gary Johnson said it, and it bears repeating. "If I had to choose between Romney and Obama, or death…kill me." So, let's stop kissing Republicans...I know where their mouth has been.
-Rev
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