by John Jay Myers
I am asked “Why don’t you run as a Republican? You could do so much good in the Republican Party”. I should not be upset, after all it’s sort of a compliment “they like me, they really like me”! It’s hard to respond, because I don’t feel like knocking any ones attempt at freedom or smaller government.
As a somewhat influential member of the Libertarian Party, some might take exception to my comment “I believe in Principle before Party”. I do believe this, but let me say I also believe the Libertarian Party needs to flourish and become a true option for the American people.
It would be silly for me to tell people that they should not always vote for party and then tell them that they should only vote for mine. However, I would like to take this time to explain the many reasons why I believe people should run, and vote Libertarian.
But My Teacher Says……:
I was forwarded a letter the other day from the Texas Secretary of State, it was an instructional tool for teachers to help them explain to students why we have a two party system.It went on to say that “it helps preserve majority rule in a democratic state.” If you know me, you would understand why this completely gets under my skin. We don’t have a two party system, if you look in the constitution you will not find any mention of having parties whatsoever. I am quick to point out that words majority rule, democratic, democracy, etc are also all not found in the constitution. Not once.
Democracy is the idea that someone can vote themselves things. But the first question is where do things come from? That is where it should hit you, a direct democracy is theft. Legal theft , but not much different than a man with a gun stealing from you. Because if you do not submit to the will of the democracy soon a man with a gun will come and take your stuff, and possibly put you in jail.
A simpler analogy is that Democracy is simply two wolves and a lamb voting on what is for dinner, you can bet that the answer will be lamb chops.
So we actually live in a Republic, the difference is that you have rights. And the government has no power to take them away. This is why we have a constitution so as Thomas Jefferson put it “In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”
I personally do not have any confidence in the man known as a politician except that he is probably a “confidence man” (con-man for you kids out there). Which is why I ask the left and the right, “If we are all so sure the government is corrupt, why be so quick to give them more power”?
When you are taught that we only have two parties, they are robbing you of choice. What you really have is a majority opinion, and no one standing up for the opinion or rights of the minority. Which smells a lot like lamb chops cooking to me.
The Libertarian Party endorses many methods of ending the two party monopoly among them are Ranked Voting or Approval Voting. Either is a step in the right direction from where we are now.
R’s and D’s are opposites?
Let’s play a game:Which side supports the drug war, Iraq, Afghanistan, Patriot Act, Gitmo? If you said Republicans, you would be right, if you said the Democrats, you would be right as well.
Which side supports socialized medicine, bailouts, stimulus, and debt? If you said the Democrats you would be right, and if you said the Republicans, you would be right as well.
Far from being opposites, neither will bring the troops home, restore fiscal responsibility, deal with entitlements, or promote free markets.
You may be starting to see why it is important that we have a strong Libertarian option. Libertarians would have a none of the above approach on all of these issues.
Libertarians are the Party of Principle, the others are Principally Party
America is ripe with Crony Capitalism, Foreign Intervention, Debt and Inflation, Economic Controls, and Ponzi Schemes, yet every election cycle we are led to believe that the major challenges facing us are “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and Mosques. Well ladies and gentlemen I am here to tell you, we need to focus on those issues that unite us, and stop being divided by the idiocy of the election cycle, it is time to stand up and say “Stop stealing my stuff!”
As long as you remain divided and so full of hate towards one side or the other you will always fail to notice the two major parties slipping out the back with your wallet, your future and your freedoms.
This is where the constitution comes in, and why we must return to it, right now the Republicans and the Democrats are constantly giving deals to Big Insurance, Big Pharma, Big Energy, Big Oil, Big Banks, Big Auto, Big Agriculture, Big Education, Big Foreign Aid, Big Religion, Big War. I ask you by what right? By what right can they do this? It is not our governments job to take our stuff and give it to their politically connected friends, it is their job to protect our life, liberty and property. A relatively simple job the current crop of leaders seems completely unable to handle.
If you turn in your constitution to Article 1 Section 8 you will find the 17 enumerated powers of Government, where do you see the power to give our money to any of those industries? It is not there. War is actually in there, but we don’t even have an officially declared war going on, we have strayed far from what our founders envisioned and more towards what Eisenhower warned us about, the corruption of the Military Industrial Complex.
But we can change the Republicans…
No, you can’t. God bless ya for trying, we may be able to get a few reasonably good Republicans in there, in my opinion Ron Paul is one of the greatest men in America, I am bias. But, most of the liberty candidates were shot down, and even Rand Paul has had to fly very low on the radar, and either has intentionally toned down his message or is not as much like his father as I had hoped.
But my question is, where do you think all the hardcore neo-con, nanny staters are going to go? They simply are not leaving. Those people who believe we need to outlaw masturbation, and have a constant war with half the world regardless of the cost or the lack of sense that it makes. Those people who believe being fiscally conservative is not good enough, they have to tell people how to live their lives, and in some cases die.
They are not leaving the Republican Party, and their influence and power is growing. Christine Odonell didn’t win the primaries because she wants to end the wars, and let people be free. She won because she is a social conservative. Who is willing to say “We should stop spending money, and live within our means” the meaningless mantra’s of every shell Republican who can’t figure out that Barack Obama’s health care plan did not double our debt during George Bush’s 8 years in office.
Do you believe these people are just going to disappear? It’s not going to happen the Republicans will always find themselves bitterly divided and that will not work when it comes to spreading liberty. It is a package deal, you can’t just take a little freedom.
Do you want to spend years of your life pounding your head against a brick wall only to find that half the bricks will never break?
The power of being
This year I think we are going to see some very good poll numbers from Libertarians despite the fact that the media ignores us, they don’t allow us in the debates, because they say we haven’t gotten enough media attention, if it wasn’t so horrifying I would have to laugh. For some strange reason they say we don’t poll that well, while we either aren’t included in the polls, or haven’t been mentioned in the media.
But, there is another reason why we should vote and run as Libertarians, because we are right. Because our message is true, we do not have to sacrifice some of our policies in order to appeal to a hard core wing of our party, we do not have to soft sell the message. The message is freedom, and when we start turning in numbers from 10-20% we just may see that the Democrats and the Republicans who are two sides to the same coin, just might start thinking a little more libertarian. Which to me would be a small victory on the way to major party status.
It is however very important that Libertarians stay true to the message of Less Government and More Freedom, and stand strong behind Social and Fiscal freedoms, which includes religious freedom ….. and tolerance ….. and ending the wars.
Lastly….some say “but I am an Independent!”
No you are not, you are dependent, you are dependent on the two major parties to come up with a candidate that you are going to vote for. But as we have already shown, both sides are the same. Who is going to get the candidate who shares your belief on the ballot? Now is not the time to think “the two parties got us into this mess and I am done with parties”….. Because you would still only have those two. Now is the time to support a party that most represents you.
If those people only knew how hard it is to achieve and maintain ballot access for anyone but the two major parties, they would be more willing to help. Libertarians work very hard to get on the ballot especially considering we get no donations from major corporations because when elected they know we would not give them anything.
For those people who say they are independent I say, sorry, you are very dependent. If you don’t help a third party, any third party for that matter, you will always be.
John Jay Myers is Running for Congress against Pete Sessions in Texas 32nd District
He is the Vice-Chair of the Dallas County Libertarian Party
He is on the Executive Committee for the Texas Libertarian Party
For more information go to www.johnjaymyers.com
I agree with John, of course I am an LP member, so that’s not surprising.
But the reason I’m a member is because I believe in the principles of the party. I usually vote Libertarian because the Libertarian candidates best represent my positions. It’s rare that I agree with much that a Republican candidate stands for. Even if you like their small government rhetoric, they never follow through with it…it’s just lies. Why would I want to vote for sociopaths? There are exceptions of course, but they are rare.
There are two things that the “waste your vote” camp always fail to realize:
– Their vote is not going to swing a national or state election. It’s impossible because the error rate is larger than 1 vote. It’s both sad and amusing to watch people get all bent out of shape over voting under the delusion that they’re vote is going to keep some scoundrel out of office by selecting a slightly less repugnant scoundrel.
– Votes for a 3rd party have more effect on the national debate than votes for the major parties. If an LP candidate gains enough support simply to have a voice in the discussion, his/her ideas will be heard. Winning elections may be the end game, but it isn’t the only way to influence direction. We need high quality candiadates who can influence the debate even if they recognize that the odds of winning are miniscule.
“The Libertarian Party did not properly play on Ron Pauls success, especially with our selection of VP and Pres, we also were not ready to capitalize on the Tea Parties, allowing them to be completely hi-jacked by the Republicans.”
This really pissed me off… Glad you are talking about it.
Since no one else is posting a non-condescending answer…I’ll post a couple of LP press releases:
Libertarians issue warning to Tea Partiers
WASHINGTON – Looking toward the 9/12 Tea Party events in Washington, DC, Libertarian Party executive director Wes Benedict issued the following warning to Tea Partiers: “Republicans are trying to fool you again.”
“There are two kinds of Tea Partiers,” said Benedict. “One kind is so blinded by its hatred of Obama and Democrats that it cannot see fault with Republicans. It’s the other kind the Libertarian Party is reaching out to.”
Libertarian Party staff and volunteers will participate in the Washington, DC Tea Party events on September 12. They will distribute flyers pointing out how the Top 10 Disasters of the 2009-2010 Obama administration mirror the Top 10 Disasters of the 2001-2008 Bush administration.
Benedict continued, “Libertarians have much in common with Tea Party goals of reducing government spending and taxes. While many Tea Party supporters will admit that George W. Bush’s administration grew government, Libertarians want to remind Tea Partiers about previous Republican administrations that loved big government.
“Republican Newt Gingrich and the Contract with America promised to eliminate the Departments of Education and Energy. Yet once Republicans took control of Congress, they failed even to reduce the spending on those departments.
“Republican President George Bush, Sr. remains famous for coining the phrase ‘Read my lips, no new taxes,’ and then raising taxes.
“Republican President Ronald Reagan grew federal government spending to the highest level it had reached since World War II. He also ‘saved Social Security’ by raising payroll taxes.
“Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole was a huge supporter of taxpayer subsidies for corn and ethanol.
“In 1971, Republican President Richard Nixon instituted wage and price controls. That made a group of free-market supporters so angry that they decided to form the Libertarian Party.
“Republicans seem to think we’re idiots. For decades they have paid lip-service to shrinking government, while consistently doing the opposite in office.
“Our fear is that Tea Partiers might say ‘This time it will be different.’ No it won’t. If you vote for Republicans this time, it will just reinforce the message that they can lie to you and grow government with impunity.
“Current Republicans are just as bad as past Republicans.
“This year, Libertarian Party co-founder David Nolan is running for U.S. Senate against Republican John McCain, who famously suspended his 2008 presidential campaign so he could rush back to Washington to bail out the banks.
“Republican leader John Boehner might end up as the next House Speaker, and he voted for George W. Bush’s huge 2003 Medicare expansion.
“John Cornyn, Republican senator from Texas, and current chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, voted for the TARP bailouts.
“Ron Paul is probably the only Republican congressman willing to point out the huge cost of America’s foreign wars and empire building. Other Republicans pretend that spending trillions on the military just doesn’t count as big government.
“With Social Security, Medicare, and military spending making up the vast majority of federal spending, you can’t cut significantly without cutting those. But Republicans refuse to touch them.
“Libertarians welcome the Tea Party movement’s focus on the problem of government growth. However, we are concerned that Tea Partiers might fall for the Republicans’ trickery.
“Republican leaders have brought up distractions like New York City mosques and gay marriage to distract voters from Republicans’ big-government track record. We hope that Tea Partiers will see through the smoke and mirrors.
“While our nation is declining dangerously right now, a turnaround could be straightforward and simple with Libertarian steps like these: 1. Bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan; 2. Stop rewarding failed companies with bailouts; 3. Cut taxes and spending and let the free market work.
“The Libertarian Party is fielding 168 candidates for U.S. House, and 20 candidates for U.S. Senate this year. Win or lose, a vote for a Libertarian sends a clear message for smaller government and more freedom. What message does a vote for John McCain send?”
Libertarians release top 10 disasters of 2009 Obama administration
Top 10 disasters of the 2009 Obama administration (in no particular order):
1. Cash for Clunkers
2. War escalation in Afghanistan
3. Giant government health care expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus package
6. Expansion of “state secrets” doctrine
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. “Bailout” Geithner as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits
Top 10 disasters of the 2001-2008 Bush administration:
1. Cash for Car Companies
2. War in Iraq
3. Giant Medicare expansion bill
4. Post office loses money hand over fist
5. Stimulus “rebate” checks
6. PATRIOT Act
7. Big increase in unemployment
8. “Bailout” Paulson as Treasury Secretary
9. Skyrocketing federal spending
10. Huge federal deficits
Wes Benedict, Libertarian Party Executive Director, commented, “Republicans and Democrats keep expanding government and creating more and more problems. We’re encouraging as many Libertarians as possible to run for Congress in 2010. In Texas, the state with the earliest filing deadline, Libertarians have already filed for 31 of 32 Congressional seats.”
Nixon, Agnew, Ford, Rockefeller, Reagan, Bush Senior, Quayle, Bush Junior, Chaney, Palin, McInsane ……….. with ‘friends’ like this ………
While I agree, that doesn’t give the person asking questions any information. You haven’t said anything about why any of these people are not friends of liberty.
16 a and b are basically the same thing, c is another insult (“mole”), d assumes the questioner already knows the information that you are privy to.
None of your “options” include someone who has just accepted the common misconception perpetuated by mass media, Democrats and Republicans alike that Republicans stand for smaller government, yet is at least willing to ask questions so as to examine that belief.
Nixon, Agnew, Ford, Rockefeller, Reagan, Bush Senior, Quayle, Bush Junior, Chaney, Palin, McInsane ……….. with ‘friends’ like this ………
stupidity as one of four options ………
Lake, not everyone who hasn’t been exposed to the truth about Republicans yet is stupid. They just may not know the facts. Your style of response doesn’t help in opening people’s eyes to other alternatives besides Democrats and Republicans, it causes people to turn away in disgust.
FT sounds like someone who may be open to exploring other alternatives. At least, he/she is asking questions, which is more than what a lot of the supporters of the bigger parties are willing to do.
FT // Oct 18, 2010:
” ……. the Republican party is by far our best weapon …….”
[a] are you REALLY that stupid?
[b] are you of a low IQ?
[c] Just ANOTHER GOP tea party mole?
[d] Liberty Lovers, with ‘friends’ like the GOP ………
John, I commented that people who have Libertarian leanings should recognize that we are in a battle against “Statism”, and that the Republican party is by far our best weapon to prevent what has happened to us in that regard over the past 2 years.
You responded that Pete Sessions is one of the biggest “Statists” in Washington. Can you tell me what you mean by that?
I do, it’s called the internet, and actually trying.
We haven’t “really” been trying we have been too busy fighting.
The Libertarian Party’s blog grew from 20k to 100k people in a matter of months.
The internet will help us get the message out there, if we stop wearing tye dye shirts and flip flops to our events, that may be another helpful step.
We have to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to go, we need to stand firm behind our principles at the same time. We lost a lot of people because at a time we should have been screaming liberty we agreed to try winning only. At the EXACT wrong time.
I believe someone just had a “revolutionary” idea in the 2008 campaign and it has really set off a fire storm.
The Libertarian Party did not properly play on Ron Pauls success, especially with our selection of VP and Pres, we also were not ready to capitalize on the Tea Parties, allowing them to be completely hi-jacked by the Republicans.
Hopefully these are both lessons learned.
I think the Tea Parties candidates getting elected is showing us that it doesn’t take 38 years to get elected it just takes a time when “our ideas have come”.
Now is the time for the Libertarian Party, we can make this happen. I hope you will consider helping.
@12
Mr. Myers,
And how has voting LP changed that fact since 1972?
For the record, I am a former LP member/voter/activist, so I’ve pretty much heard it all, unless you have a revolutionary new idea sure to garner electoral success for liberty in our lifetime.
I see you missed my point Gene.
You can choose to vote only on those matters, that doesn’t stop the two parties on voting on EVERYTHING else.
So maybe you wont choose to vote for either, but you will never stop them from getting their people in power and voting your stuff to their friends.
Sorry, Mr. Myers, but you’re delusioned if you think Independents (such as myself) are “dependent” upon the Republicans and Democrats. Here’s a bit of news: being registered to vote does not make it mandatory to vote for the candidates of one’s chosen party affiliation in the general election. Neither does the act of being registered to vote make it mandatory to even vote for a candidate at all.
There are registred Independents (here in California, it’s called “Decline to State”) who vote only on matters of issues such as taxes, same sex marriage, and bond measures.
While you are enjoying being a “somewhat influential member of the Libertarian Party”, it may behoove you to step back from praises of other LP’ers and look into the matter further.
I really liked JJM when he ran for Chair too. He deserved to at least win an at-large seat on the LNC, IMO.
I agree with this essay and think it makes many good points, but it should have been copy-edited before it was released; it has a bunch of errors in it.
I realize that might not be pure enough for some of y’all out there but it is a start down a path we wandered off of years ago.
John this is great but I have one minor comment. You might want to reference the Preamble to the Constitution when talking about the responsibilities of the government.
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
I really liked Myers when he ran for LP chair, and I’m even more impressed with this essay. This one should be on the national LP website, and sent to every LP candidate . Really hits the differences between the “power parties” and the LP.
Now also at
http://www.lp.org/blogs/mark-hinkle/why-libertarian
http://www.libertyforall.net/?p=4878
I have not met Mr Myers, but I certainly like everything I read about him, plus I like what he says on Facebook. I think, if he’s interested, he should be considered a very serious contender to be our Presidential candidate for 2012.s.
thanx Clay
positive trend!
Melty,
Look at the bylaws of the LP of Colorado and Texas, for instance. I believe both advocate or at least allow for Approval Voting by name.
great essay! …I haft ask about this part though:
“The Libertarian Party endorses many methods of ending the two party monopoly among them are Ranked Voting or Approval Voting.”
Where is there such an endorsement?
What’s Ranked Voting? There’re several kinds of ranking methods, most notably Instant Runoff, Borda Count and Bucklin.
For a while in the two thousand zeros the LP Platform had an endorsement for Instant Runoff in it. That’s gone, and for good reason.
I’m a fan of Approval Voting, but I know of no LP endorsement for it.
How about John Jay Myers for President?