The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a Libertarian as "an advocate of the doctrine of free will; a person who upholds the principles of absolute and unrestricted liberty especially of thought and action "
The Urban Dictionary defines a Libertarian as "A former Republican who grew larger balls and decided to say fuck the establishment."
(Question the Urban Dictionary's credentials all you want, but once you see the definition of a Double Date, you'll think again.)
The 50-year old Michael Badnarik may not have the name recognition of Kerry or Bush, but he does have the bare necessities to make a run at the White House. With a background including joining the Cub Scouts at age 6 and being elected Executive Vice President of his dormitory in college, you can punch a ballot for Badnarik in 49 of 50 states (and let's be serious - nobody likes Oklahoma anyway). Badnarik, with Vice Presidental Candidate Richard Campagna, have the bare necessities to succeed.
So why vote Libertarian?
- Leave you alone. The Badnarik/Campagna platform encourages a laissez-faire government, including a call for "national defense... not international offense," defending civil liberties, a reduction in corporate regulations (they cite one study in which "regulations that do more harm than good cost 60,000 American lives each year"), ending regulation of health care, deregulation of immigration standards, ending affirmative action, and legalizing drugs and arms.
- Against the War. Badnarik argues that the Middle East "hates us because we have spent many years attempting to force them to emulate our lifestyle." As such, he calls for the speedy recall of US troops home. He explains that "A Libertarian president would not have sent the military trampling about the world, racking up a death count in the thousands, wasting tax money on destroying and re-building infrastructure, creating more enemies, and doing the kinds of things that led to 9/11 in the first place." He remains steadfast against war as its an inconvienience for taxpayers, explaining, "Here at home, war leads to a decline in civil liberties, higher taxes, and wartime economic measures that blur the line between business and state, allowing politically favored corporations to profit at the expense of taxpayers." Badnarik is against the draft.
- Reestablishing civil liberties. Badnarik argues that government has essentially made a mockery of the Bill of Rights, and that the role of government in making laws are "The first is that government does not grant rights it acknowledges them... The second is that government is a servant to whom we delegate powers, not a master who dispenses privileges." He encourages enforcing the Bill of Rights as written and not a word more, and threatens prosecution to those who violate that. He also argues that prisoners of war should be given basic rights awarded any prisoner and enforcing due process.
- Deregulation and privitization of health care. The argument being that deregulation would cut prices, cause health care companies wouldn't have to pay for all that litigation. Talk about blind faith.
- Legalize it. I became truly introduced to the Libertarian plight of legalization through the story of Steve Kubby, which played at the 2004 Libertarian National Convention. He unsuccessfully ran for governor of California (73,845 votes for Kubby out of 8.4 million cast for governor in 1998). He was arrested for growing marijuana, fled to Canada, and was declined refugee status there. I got a laugh, only because the movie juxtaposed clips of his story with him smoking marijuana, making comments like, "Mmm... that's smooth." Medicinal, indeed.
- OK with Gay Marriage. Libertarians want as little control on moral as well as finanical behavior, so they profess no problems with gay marriage. I just got caught on the Badnarik platform about gays that he makes the pledge: "AIDS patients should be able to choose for themselves to use experimental medications or marijuana without interference from the FDA or DEA." AIDS and marijuana on the "Gays" page? Oh boy...
Criticims include the distinct possibility that you'd never would've known Libertarians existed had you not read this right now. Also, it's tough to say Badnarik exudes confidence, recalling this story from his acceptance speech at the 2004 Libertarian National Convention:
So I went back to Austin and I called a friend of mine and the first thing out of his mouth was, "We want you to run for president." And I said, "Of what?" He said, "Of the United States." And I said, "What have you been smoking?" I really thought they were kidding and didn't understand why they thought I should be out here representing the party.
For more information, check out:
The Libertarian Party
Badnarik/Campagna '04 for President
World's Smallest Political Quiz
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