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Why Libertarian?
It has become awfully hard to tell the difference between the
Republican and Democratic parties. I know I tried them both and found them
short on substance and long on political opportunism.
My time on Capitol Hill working for Al Gore and later for the
Republican Party made me painfully aware of how little difference there is
between these two parties. They seem to exist mainly to create the illusion of choice for
voters who make their decisions mostly on personality or single issues in
an atmosphere of ignorance and fear-mongering designed to serve the
interests of established power groups and opportunistic incumbents.
The entrenched parties stand against change and for little
but their own pork projects and self-interest. The Libertarian Party stands
for the principles this country was founded on -- liberty, individual rights and responsibility -- and for the best interests of
the people who go underserved and misrepresented under the current
system.
While the Libertarian Party hasn't yet stormed the citadels of
power, I believe that we are entering a time of inevitable political change when
the politics of opportunism will be tested and found wanting. In past times of
political realignment, new parties have emerged from the background
to answer the call of the people. As the Republicans and Democrats crumble
under their own weight we are going to be offered a banquet of new options,
from worn-out socialism dressed up in green finery to reactionary extremism
driven by fear and frustration.
When the choice of a new approach to government has to
be made, I think that it would be foolish not to stand with the party which
stands for the people. Libertarianism can be idealistic, but idealism is something
our government has been sadly lacking for decades. When Libertarian ideals
unite with a pragmatic devotion to the needs of a constuency, the result is better,
more equitable government for all.
In the past, too many of us have forgotten that the pursuit of
freedom begins at home and in our own neighborhoods, in fighting the little
injustices which wear us down day by day. It is on this level where the groundswell
of real political change will begin in this country. Local campaigns and issues are
where we can find the most immediate and effective examples to make the public
aware of the freedoms and natural rights which they are losing day by day.
Ultimately a political campaign is about selling the candidate
and selling his issues and principles. The Libertarian Party is all about freedom. All
people have a natural yearning for freedom. All we have to do is overcome
fear and remember what we've lost. That's an easy sell.
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