Okay, Barack Obama is no libertarian, but his election helps the cause in several ways. by John Wingspread Howell
(libertarian)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
We libertarians are political curmudgeons. If politics were food, we'd be Mikey from the old commercial. Mikey didn't like anything that was put in front of him. If he ate it, it had to be just right.
Like Mikey, we spit out just about everything the political world has to offer us. We are quick to not only criticize but damn to hell any other viewpoint, philosophy, or politician who is not narrowly vetted as one of us. We are quick to dismiss people and ideas with labels such as socialist or statist or neocon. I am as guilty of this as the next person, but we need to lighten up.The glass doesn't always have to be half empty. So as we take inventory of our status as a party (Libertarian), a movement (libertarian) and a nation,it is important to push ourselves to look for the half-full aspects at least for five minutes.
Barack Obama is not Lenin or Castro and I would venture (though time may prove me wrong) not LBJ, JFK, or FDR. He doesn't appear to have a libertarian bone in his body, but his election has already hastened some of our objectives and may bring us closer to several more. There are at least ten reasons why this is true.
10. Bye-bye McCain; Bye-bye McCain-Feingold.
Obama's ability to raise massive amounts of money, primarily from small donors on the internet, seems to spell the end of public funding and perhaps also, campaign finance laws.
9. Good-bye Affirmative Action.
The election of Barack Obama as first minority President of the United States, against a white man, by a decisive margin, puts the issue of affirmative action to bed. Whatever you think about this man, he beat the Man all by himself to win this race, first by beating the Clintons and then the party of Bush and Rove. This isn't election by quota. This is the triumph of a classic underdog by grassroots effort, scratching and clawing, willing himself to win without excuses or special favors.
8. We (Americans) have proven we can practice what we preach.
Strictly in reference to the historic nature of what's been done, we've shown the rest of the world, (and ourselves) that everything we say about liberty and justice for all is true, that it can work in the real world, and it does work, it has worked. Now can we move on?
7. Any triumph of liberty is a triumph for liberty.
If we are the party of liberty, we are the party of liberation. The liberty we seek and strive for is the opportunity for anyone, regardless of race, gender, creed, or sexual orientation to achieve the heights of success. Any such achivement is a victory for liberty and the libertarian movement.
6. The Republicans are coming apart.
The dramatic Obama victory has got the Republicans pushing each other under the bus, elevating finger pointing to a whole new art. The Bush abuses and distortions of the role of government, coupled with their blatant and casual disregard for sound fiscal policy by any definition, have many key Republicans speaking out loud about jumping ship. Dispatch the LP Coast Guard.
5. Sarah Palin remains to claim the righteous remnant.
An Obama victory puts what's left of the GOP soundly in the hands of Sarah Palin for 2012. Any non-Christian Right Republicans who haven't already bailed, will walk out of the convention that nominates her. Perhaps we should have a membership booth just outside the door.
4. Now the socialists can hang themselves.
It is likely that on the economy, the new President will over-reach. The Democratic super-majority in both houses will over-reach. The American people will push back. The economy's a wreck but a majority of Americans do not want socialism. The pendulum will swing back quickly. Think Hillarycare for the economy.
3. He may be a socialist but he's not a facist.
It is safe to say that the Patriot Act may not be safe under a new administration. It is almost certain that the trend of trimming back our liberties in the name of security is halted if not reversed under the new regime.
2. The express train has arrived at Baghdad Station.
We are told we'll be out of Iraq in 16 months. We should give him the benefit until proven otherwise. There may be a detour into Afghanistan, but Iraq should be on life support. What libertarian won't be happy about ending a war? Or half a war.
1. The world may be a safer place.
After years of being the nation the world loves to hate, it seems the election of the first African-American President has got much of the world suddenly feeling warm and fuzzy about the United States. That can't hurt the prospects for peace and it can't help the likes of Bin Laden who would prefer to have "W" or McCain or any neocon in the White House as a recruiting tool for suicide bombers.
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Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2008-11-16 09:59:52
Hi John, I found your article to be quite interesting. I have some questions, comments and tangents to offer. In no particular order even though they are numbered...
1. Observation: Using terminology coined during a particular snapshot in human history to describe or define current events is not a strong position. I'm not criticizing you on this, it is a fact of human nature. We look back at previous events and try to compare and contrast them with events unfolding today. That is good. Trying to shoehorn observations made today into a lexicon derived by inhabitants of a time gone by is where the communication problems start. Using terms, even very common terms, such as Fascism, Socialism, Nationalism, Conservatism, Liberalism, etc. has become a means of denigrating an opponent rather than setting a framework for discussion. Your value judgement between Socialist and Fascist beg the question of what you mean by those words. According to wikipedia, both Obama and McCain would qualify for both labels but few people see it that way because they are using their own filters to decide what those terms mean.
This is especially true when trying communicate across lifetimes. One man in his 80's suggested we not use labels but talk about specific principles so the different connotations each individual has about those labels doesn't obscure our reasons for discussing common principles. For instance, rather than using the word "conservative" to describe a political and cultural paradigm, we refer to an unnamed group who supports Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Limited Government, Free Enterprise and the right to defend the other four principles against all threats, both foreign and domestic.
2. Tangent: The man who made this suggestion said the older generation doesn't understand "neocon" or "progressive" and they have different understandings of conservative, liberal, socialist, etc. He also thought McCain lost because of Vietnam. I'm almost 50 years old and Vietnam simply doesn't enter my though process when whether I can vote for a candidate or not. I think most people my age and younger place far less emphasis on Vietnam that the older generation expects or believes we do. For me it was just a segment on the evening news that included weapons, shouting and a body counter.
3. Suggestion: You made many assertions but gave very little rational to support them. I'd be curious to hear how you define the events you say have already happened (Triumph of Liberty?) and also how you expect some of the future things to be accomplished. (McCain-Feingold, Affirmative Action)
4. Question: Why does it matter where our troops are deployed? Obama is not anti-war, he just has different priorities on where to spend borrowed money liberating people from the burden of sovereignty. Obama is an empire builder, he wants to make a global empire. He know you can't bake a cake that big without cracking a whole bunch of eggs. Unless Obama changes to a foreign policy such as Ron Paul advocates it makes little difference where our troops are making the world safe for democracy. Since they are going to be performing the same role no matter where they go, I think it would be cheaper to leave them where they are. Trouble will come to them in a steady stream and that is the goal of our foreign policy so why spend money moving them around?
5. Personal peeve: I don't like being included in "We the people" when it is used to ascribe responsibility for an outcome I had nothing to do with. All I see is that enough of "the people" care more about appearances and feeling good about themselves than they do about the consequences of the policies the candidates they elect will cause them to suffer. Bad policies are bad policies regardless of the skin color of the person who advocates those policies. I think it is cool that the Democrats have finally "proven" they are not racist. They have caught up to where conservatives have been for over 40 years. Still, all of the openly admitted bigots I know are yellow-dog Democrats and none are Republicans.
6. Republican Party: Yes, the party is coming apart (Hooray!) and the liberal party leaders are scrambling. Sara Palin? Who cares? She is the last of the neocon-led GOP candidates. While the leadership scrambles to pretend nothing is changing there is also a wave of libertarian Republicans taking over county chair positions, precinct and district captain positions. These people will form a wide-based and unified influence on the direction of the party. Too bad LP members can't be part of this effort.
This work started the day after the elections and is gathering momentum here locally faster than we expected. We thought more people would be burnt-out but instead, they see the opportunity and are stepping up to make it happen. Some folks are tired of talking about it, finally. I only hope it is enough. We have 4 years to spread our roots and exerting pressure on the liberal GOP leadership. Better watch out LP, these people's fathers infiltrated the GOP, they may land in your party this time. From all appearances they have a good toe-hold already.
7. The Pendulum Paradigm: Do we really want the pendulum to swing back? Let alone quickly? The problems facing our country are only going to get worse over the next 4 years. I think the desired effect, burying socialism for all time, will take a world crushing correction. I'd like to see Obama preside over the entire ride to hell while we are busy re-purposing the tool that is the GOP to build a more principled government as we arise from the ashes in 8-16 years.
If the pendulum continues to swing, I think that means we haven't reached the bottom yet.
8. The world a safer place? For whom? For how long? At what cost? How do you measure the relative safety of the world? This sounds like pure Democrat propaganda to me. As long as they control the power of oppression they can make the world very un-safe for anyone who disagrees with them. But I suppose it is probably safer for those who benefit from the oppression. Are they who you think the world will be safer for? If so, I agree. What an embarrassment to the working man when his celebrities and elected officials and wealthy elite are uncomfortable in foreign countries.
Thanks for bringing up some stimulating topics. -Jahfre Fire Eater
Hi John, nice article. very positive outlook and I am glad we can at least give the guy a fighting chance. McCain really offered basically more of the same although he would have been a better alternative than Bush in 2000 and 04, I think. I think he morphed to get the nomination, I mean he used many of the same advisers who demonically destroyed his reputation to pave the way for emperor george in 2000, what does that tell us? and, it is a HUGE thing to have a person of color in the WHITE house. other than Kennedy[Irish, catholic], every president has been White, AngloSaxon, Protestant. Keep it up.
I appreciate many of the hopeful ideas in your article, but I have to speak up whenever anyone addresses the war on terror as an actual event as portrayed by the government and media and most academia. The FBI admits Osama is not even a suspect. There is no evidence, never was. The Oct 2001 "confessional video" from Afganistan has been declared a fake by experts. Architects and Engineers for 9/11 truth.org have presented a slam dunk case that all THREE buildings that day were controlled demolitioned.
I do not believe the Libertarian party can win if we play the game according to rules that compromise truth and justice and benefit tyranny. Following the socially acceptable path of standing behind the lie that is 9/11 and the war on terror that is robbing us of our constitution, will one day leave us lookiing back and wondering where we failed. Embracing one of the biggest lies of human history is not the proper path for a party of liberty. (If you are not aware of the overwhelming evidence that bears out this view of 9/11, a llittle due diligence can go a long way on this subject. May I recommend any of the recent books by David Ray Griffin. or email me and I'll send you info: linelites at bellsouth.net).
I don't fault Ron Paul for his answer to Carl Cameron at the SC debates when Carl asked him to disavow himself from those who doubt the official 9/11 tale. Like everyone, I knew he would have been crucified had he admitted to his own serious doubts about the 9/11 attack. (I have friends who have talked with Ron Paul and have told me he as acknowledged such doubts in private, plus he is on a variety of 9/11 truth dvds, I can't imagine him not being aware of the utter sham that is the official story). I don't fault him....but looking back, knowing he was going to be shut out by the corrupt power structure anyway, where would we be today had he told the truth and at least expressed cause for concern given the extreme disconnect betweeen fact and findings? I suspect we would be on the path and a little closer to home.
If we allow ourselves to be buffaloed by the 9/11 war on terror lie, we can hang it up now. It is designed to reshape the world in an image totally antithetical to liberty and self sovereignty. Anything but truthful refutation puts us on the side of tyrants.
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