The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania - Forum

My absentee ballot finally arrived in the mail here in Iraq. After much internal debate (because I know I'm a Conservative but still aren't 100% sure I'm a Libertarian) I made my choice for President. At first, I was willing to compromise with McCain, because he seemed like he may stop the move towards socialism started by Bush while Obama on the other hand is sprinting toward Karl Marx at a rapid pace. But when McCain voted in support of the Wall Street Welfare that was the bailout bill, he effectively lost my vote and the Republican Party lost a member, as I have since registered as an Independent.

I voted for Bob Barr and donated $50 to his campaign. I just can't believe a party that once had such incredible men like Barry Goldwater could be reduced to what they are today and I want no further part in it. It may not be saving the world, but at least I can sleep knowing I did what I felt was right. :)

My "McCain Moment" was McCain-Feingold, the legislation that banned political ads by certain groups for at least 30 days before an election.  What isn't clear about "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech ... "?

In fact, during the last few months of this election season I reply to every McCain contribution request with a letter instead of a check.  Here's the latest post-bailout version of the letter: 

Dear Senator McCain:

I received a request for a contribution today, but I will not contribute to your campaign.  You are an undeniable war hero and were once one of the better watchdogs of public money (unfortunately that’s not saying much).  Recently you have taken far too many positions and actions that make me wonder if you need medicine for political schizophrenia. 

If you want me to reconsider, then please do the following as soon as possible:

•   Apologize for McCain-Feingold and promise to work to eliminate this ban on free speech.
•   Announce that you will never support the anti-First Amendment Fairness Doctrine and that you would veto any bill with those provisions.
•   Acknowledge that the Federal Reserve is the main reason for inflation.  (If this is unclear to you, then consult Rep. Ron Paul as he clearly understands this.)
•   Apologize for your support of the $700+ billion bailout and promise not to do that again.
•   Move to insure that Libertarian Bob Barr is not victimized by a Republican-sponsored effort to deny him ballot access in Pennsylvania.

There are several additional items that could be on this list, but I’ll stop here. 

I realize that there’s a good chance this letter is already in the trash, but I have to write it so there is a chance that you might understand what’s wrong and what can be done to correct it.  If you don’t correct it, I have little choice but to support Bob Barr for president.

Sincerely,
Mark Crowley

I like to think that letters like this remind them why they have created an activist opponent instead of an activist ally. 

Mark

Nice Letter!!

Very nice letter! I really enjoy that you sent in an honest, thoughtful and cordial reply to their request for campaign bucks. Another true believer that can't stand the bs anymore...I love it!

A little off topic but on Campaign Finance Reform, I do realize that it can be seen as a breach of 1st amendment rights but I'm not really that in depth on the subject. From what I've read it seems like it's aimed to take special interest money out of the campaign process, something that I'm very much in favor of...is this true? I've read what Goldwater thought of CPR back in the 70's and pieces here or there about it I'm just not really educated on the subject. I do think it's grossly inflated the amount of money that must be spent to get elected for pretty much any post these days.

@ marinejcksn, first off, thanks for your service! Please make sure to visit with the Dauphin County LP when you come home! Here's an article on McCain-Feingold:

 http://www.reason.com/news/show/34697.html

 

The McCain Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Bill was a big reason I could never get excited about McCain.

More recently his lack of leadership by allowing the effort to remove Bob Barr from the Ballot in Pennsylvania and his support of the Bailout Bill that was loaded with excess pork were further examples to me that McCain is more of the same.

His pick of Sarah Palin leaves a lot to be desired as well.

Ron G.

I had hopes that McCain would move the GOP "left" on social issues.  In 2000, he was very combative with the religious right and I don't think him courting them during the primary was anything but political necessity.   You don't go from calling them "agents of intolerance" to being best buds, unless it's politics and only politics ;D.  In addition,  I was hoping that McCain's tendencies for big government in economic issues wouldn't come up; but they did and they did with a vengeance. 

I read his book, and genuinely like the man.  That may not win me any libertarian friends, but his family history and personal story is compelling to me.   I cannot cast my vote for him, though I think guys like McCain, his flaws included, are good to have around in this country.   Selecting Palin (who I consider to be simply not-ready) and his bailout support sealed the deal for me.  There is no chance for the GOP to swing "left" socially and become fiscally responsible again.  The latter of which, would have held me regardless of the former.  I can't cast my vote for big govt lite anymore...

I respect McCain though, I just think he's easily influenced by the people surrounding him on pretty much everything but foreign policy.  I can't help but think how much better off we would be had McCain won in 2000', instead of Bush.  9/11 was tailor-made for McCain's background.  I suspect the Iraq war would be long over in such a scenario, even though it was the wrong move to go, I think he would have had the sense to make the necessary adjustments, get it won and get our guys home.  I don't know.  I wish he would have opposed the bailout.  That probably would have been enough for me, at the end of the day.  It would have at least left me with some hope.

Great reading on CPR, Jim. I really enjoyed it. Ok, so I think I have the meat of the issue here:

CPR was inacted to limit the amount of soft money one could donate to a specific campaign.
Soft money was then funneled more often to tax-exempt 527 groups instead.
Said 527 groups now have more cash to give to the candidate who panders to them more.

Is this Right?

The solution to the massive influence of moneyed interest groups in DC is not to limit the liberties of individuals or groups who have money.  The solution is to dramatically reduce the power of the Federal Government, so that the benefit of pouring money into DC is no longer worth it.

If the government did not have an income tax, or if it had a flat tax with absolutely NO deductions or loopholes of any kind, it would be a waste of money for rich people to buy influence in DC to write the tax code in their favor.

If the government did not meddle in the market or the economy in any way, then Wall Street would have no reason to pour their money into DC to influence the way those regulations are written -- there wouldn't be any to write.

The same goes for regulatory departments.  If these did not exist, then business and labor would have no motive to pour their money into the coffers of politicians.

Great point....the only reason tons of money flows to DC is that is where powerful and huge decisions are made that affect your business whether you like it or not.

The only way to stop the flow of money is to get the Federal government out of things it has no business being into in the first place.