-jcr

It’s not my intention to “dis” the Libertarian party any more than any other party. Ultimately, my platform is working for a Consitutional federal government. But I do like Thomas Jefferson’s quote on the topic of political parties:

“I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.”
–Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 1789. ME 7:300

I’ve been a Republican all my life, but I clearly disagree with some parts of the platform. Likewise, I have disagreements with the Democratic party, and the Libertarian party. I try to avoid labels at all costs, and focus on the issues.

Regarding the issues:
The War on Terror/Endless Occupation/Nationbuilding *is* part of the Republican party’s status quo. But that status quo leads to bankruptcy and economic devastation, evaporation of our freedoms, and destruction of our civil liberties. Some have the luxury of fighting against these forces from outside the Republican party. I have the task of fighting against these forces from within the Republican party. In either case, the survival of our Constitutional republic is an *American* issue, and not a partisan issue. I hope you’ll support my efforts to work for a free, prosperous nation that can truly be a light on a hill, even though I choose to work within the Republican party. How great would it be for the Republicans, Libertarians, and Democrats to be on the same side with respect to this critical issue?

The federal War on Drugs is also an unconstitutional abomination. I am no more supportive of the War on Drugs than I am on the War on Terror. State and local governments should be entirely free to decide how to manage the challenge of addiction, to the extent they believe it needs to be addressed by the government.

Regarding abortion, my view is fairly nuanced based upon my medical training. I absolutely believe that abortion is not a victimless crime. The unborn baby is the victim. As a physician, I’ve seen too many stillbirths during my training stints on labor and delivery — what sort of OB would comfort a mother who just lost a child by saying, “Don’t worry, it’s just a fetus”? On the other hand, if the mother’s life is truly in danger (which is an extremely rare occasion), that’s a decision where the government shouldn’t be in the room. That moral decision is between the woman, her physician, and God. Since I believe that life begins at conception, one must also recognize that there is a window of time where we don’t know if conception has even occurred. On that basis, emergency contraception in the wake of tragic events is less of a legal issue for me and more a spiritual and moral decision where again, the government shouldn’t be in the room.

Regarding immigration, you should check out Roy Beck at NumbersUSA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyTmClBU7nA
I’m a big fan of sustainability. Our current de facto open borders policy is objectively non-sustainable.

Finally, I have no intention of “kissing up” to the party establishment. Even if I was that type of person (which I’m not — I have to look my kids in the eye), there aren’t enough of them to matter at the ballot box. Here’s the sad truth for the Republican party in my District:

Wake County - Pretty evenly matched between Republicans and Democrats
Durham and Orange Counties - For the number of voters who vote in 75% of the major elections for which they are eligible, the Democrats outnumber Republicans 4 to 1. Yes, 4 to 1.

Yet the GOP establishment in Durham and Orange counties are generally fairly hostile towards my candidacy, using all sorts of backroom and laughable “covert” tactics including encouraging young folks to “spy” on my campaign. (Hint - want to know where I am? Look at my Events calendar. Want to know how much money I’ve raised? Look at my home page.)

What are they protecting? A social club? It isn’t much of a political party.

Lawrence, we need to pull together on this as free Americans. Find the best candidates you can, support them, and work for change. Better yet, run for office yourself!

BJ

1. The War on Terror, and interventionism IS a very big part of the Republican Party, whether you or Ron Paul wants to acknowledge that or not. True since WW2, Republicans were put into office to end some wars, but if you are going to ignore the present situation by looking backwards in history, back in the late 1800s, interventionism and expansionism was very Republican: they wanted to grab Cuba, the Philippines, Hawaii, etc. Non-interventionism is a CORE ideology of the Libertarian Party, and always has been.

2. The War on Drugs was started by Republicans. Nixon’s administration to be specific. Many Democrat voters hate Republicans because they see that party as “big government on social issues.” Of course, Democrats also like to infringe upon social rights, just the same as Republicans like to tax. Are you going to give the Republican Platform a pass on their infringement on social rights?

You know, I understand that it is practical to run as a Republican if you want to have reasonable chances to get into office, but believe me: kissing up to the party establishment at the expense of people who WOULD support you is not going to get you very far. Ron Paul does not do this, and I full-heartedly believe that Ron Paul would run as a Libertarian if it were viable.

About your disagreement with abortion: Note that Murray Sabrin was allowed to run a pro-life platform arguing that it is not a “victimless crime” since the fetus is a victim. The Libertarians will accept deviation from their mainstream platform so long as you have some good LOGIC to back up your policy. By the way, do you believe that a woman should be denied an abortion if the pregnancy is endangering her life or longterm health? Do you believe a teenage girl who is raped should not be allowed to have an abortion? This is not a simple issue, and extremists on either side are unreasonable; clearly pro-choicers should acknowledge that the government should NEVER be paying for this, as many Democrats argue.

Also, do you really feel that immigration is a higher priority item than our policy about conducting wars, or economic spending and taxation issues?

I would like to believe that any Democrat or Republican that I vote for, would be the type of politician that might someday shock the establishment by announcing “I am switching to the Libertarian Party” after getting elected. Not that it has to happen, but I want to support somebody who is going to infiltrate these parties .. not somebody who is going to get absorbed by the parties and start making compromises when he or she starts voting on issues.

My “platform” is ultimately the United States Constitution, and the philosophical framework of the Declaration of Independence!

I am curious. You say you agree with (only) 90% of the GOP platform, and much of the Libertarian platform. How much?

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“A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.” (Barry Goldwater)