Topic: Political Parties
The Disenfranchisement of Liberty The decline of the Republican party and a hope for an empowered Libertarian movement.by a Theologian
(Libertarian)
Monday, February 4, 2008
As we approach Super Tuesday as a nation, I have not given up hope. I have come to an understanding that the rebirth of liberty may have to wait another four years.
I have identified myself as a republican since I voted in my 8th grade mock election. I no longer hold that position. I find the Republicans as repugnant as the Democrats now. I believe there is a fairly large segment of the population who believe in the same way I do.
I believe that children should be raised by parents, not daycare, and a single income should be able to support a family. I believe that government is bad at everything it gets involved in, and should not be involved in charity. I believe in the theory of Just War. I believe health care is not a right, but giving free healthcare to those in need is a virtue. Government should not be involved in virtue. I believe Roe v. Wade decimated States Rights. Government shouldn't legislate morality. I believe government shouldn't license marriage - my marriage is between me, my wife, and God - not the state. I believe all plants are created by God, and imbibing products made from plants shouldn't be illegal. I believe that education is a parental responsibility, not a birth right. I believe in creation, and I don't want to be coerced through taxes to support institutions I disagree with. I don't want to coerce others to support institutions they disagree with. Government shouldn't be involved in stem cell research - at all. Market forces work.
These beliefs are at the heart of liberty. The issue isn't the issues. The issue is taxes, power, rights... freedom to believe and allow others to believe and support who and what they want to. When government supports stem cells, they take away freedom from those who disagree. When government sets up public schools, they take away freedom from those who disagree. When government outlaws gay marriage, or drugs, or passes out a social security check and tax my income... they take away freedom.
So I'm done with the Republican Party. Yes, I'll register Republican when needed, to support liberty in an individual. I'll vote for individuals that stand for these principals. But I will not vote party over conviction. The party of John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Huckabee is not a party I believe in. They will not get my vote.
The Republican Party is done. They have lost their way... I believe irredeemably so. They abused the trust and power we gave them. It is time for a purging, a new party, a new America. With the nomination of John McCain, the republicans will split. The power will shift to the Democrats, and the Republicans will scratch their heads and wonder what went wrong. Hopefully by the time the next election rolls around the Libertarians will be a party with power. I just hope America can survive a four to eight year Democratic rule.
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 5 thumbs so far
2008 a Theologian, all rights reserved.
Published: Monday, February 4, 2008
Last modified: Monday, February 4, 2008
The views expressed in this
article are those of a Theologian only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. a Theologian is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Marriage is a basic civil right. For the truth about gay marriage check out our trailer. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: www.OUTTAKEonline.com
"I believe that children should be raised by parents, not daycare, and a single income should be able to support a family." So are you against people's rights to choose daycare and two paychecks? Because most people make this sacrifice in order to live a better lifestyle.
No - I support economic principles that allow for the former choice to be more viable. American economics is designed around the latter idea. Many families view the two incomes as a "necessity" now - if we had sound economic policies then one income would be plenty, and getting a "better lifestyle" from two incomes would actually happen. As it is, one income is barely enough. It shouldn't be.
Posted By: patrick henry
Date: 2008-02-04 11:56:22
STATIST
Did you pass basic reading comprehension in grade school? Another good argument against no child left behind.
The point is that most shouldnt have to work two jobs, that most should not have to give up their responsibilities to a govt. Govt regulation is what causes all of these problems. LOOK at FEMA! Tell me the govt can do it better than others. NGOs provide most of the relief for Katrina not the FED.
"Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again hoping for a different result"
LIBERTY or DEATH
"I believe that government is bad at everything it gets involved in, and should not be involved in charity. I believe in the theory of Just War. I believe health care is not a right, but giving free healthcare to those in need is a virtue"
I believe this is a cop out. I believe if you look back in history, no one ever volunteered out of "virtue" to do much of anything for the poor except sneer at them, give them some food and put them to work in horrible living conditions.
I believe that your beliefs are yours and you are welcome to them but that when we start deciding on how our tax dollars are spent, everyone deserves a say. YOU believe all of that, I believe something else, but becuase I don't believe what you believe, and beucase YOU say that "These beliefs are at the heart of liberty" then somehow I am "wrong".
You are correct... especially when it comes to "the poor". We have been in a War on Poverty since 1964, and with countless billions spent, we still haven't beat it. Here is a bit of a look in the mirror. How much do YOU give (percent wise) out of YOUR hard earned money voluntarily to the poor?
The thing about liberty is that it says you should give any amount you choose - and not be coerced into giving a penny more. I suspect most people fall into the category that the government is looking after the poor, so they don't have to. To be honest, it is time for the government to stop giving to the poor, give us our money back, and allow us to have the satisfaction to give that money ourselves.
Here is a challenge for you. Find a poor person. Anonomously drop $100 in their mailbox. If that doesn't float your boat, sponsor a kid from Africa, or even adopt one of the many foster children here in America.
Once you personally have taken those steps, come back and tell me how good a job Government does with your money. If the poor really matter to you, you will want as much money in your pockets to spend on them as you can get.
Theologian - Have to come to your defense buddy. You sum up very well my own beliefs and values. Don't let that troll get to you, no need to mention names. You are not alone in your convictions. A good, concise post and very well stated.
I already DO that, Theologian. I've actually travelled to Africa with the Peace Corps, I donate about 10% of my income yearly to night shelters, the Goodwill, and to the poor people in my community. I've sponsored several children from South America and Africa, and I've organized my church and another church to take up collections doing more of that.
You, of course, are still missing the point. You are generalizing from self, and assuming that all the people who support Ron Paul will act as you do. They won't, and since Libertarians are supposed to be such fans of history, you should KNOW they won't.
The reality of the situation is that "wars on poverty" are so much useless twaddle. Dismantling welfare has nothing to do with helping the poor. Making health care availble to all poor people, making basic medical care available and easy to get to, improving public transporation with federal funds when the city and state won't raise taxes or get off their ass -- these are the things I speak of. You can hand most poor people money but that doesn't get them back on their feet.
Government jobs programs, combined with government education initiatives and vocational schools, would help poor and homeless people more than your generosity or mine ever could. The government acting to limit welfare to those who show a strong effort at getting back on their feet and giving tax breaks to businesses who make an effort to employ and aid the poor would help.
Your method assumes people will help the poor -- but in case you haven't noticed, most people are too preoccupied to even care what happens to their own nation, much less poor people. If that is what you choose to believe, then so be it. But don't state your points and beliefs as if they are facts.
I agree with Derac and find that 90% of the people I meet on the street feel the same way. To be so called 'logically' attact for simply stating truths fron a loving heart and a watchful eye is repugnate. Some people must FEEL that they just have to go after the "Christian". And, by the way... I can tell you pay tithes. And I'll bet you know the difference between "Tithes and Offerings". Some people don't know the difference but think that they do. They same people ridicul mis-spelled words and attack the messenger but can't touch the message. That or the message touched them and now they feeeeel they have to fight back. Smarmy. Very smarmy words from a 'logical' point of view. What you said was in no way belittling of any position that I and others can see. Keep up the excellent posts and points of view. We agree!!
Want to comment on this
article? Leave your comment here. Your email address is
required to track your comment. However, we will neither
publish your email address nor distribute it to other
organizations or persons. The only reason we might use
it would be if we needed to contact you regarding your
comment. All comments are subject to our
terms of use policy.
2008 a Theologian, all rights reserved.