Registration for FL-19 closes on January 4th. So far we have a mixed bag of big party candidates and 2 'independents'. So how's it shaping up? by Larry Warrick
(libertarian)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
In my last commentary on the declared candidates for US House of Representatives (Florida 19 special election on April 13) I found the local 'DC Works For Us' candidate Edward Lynch severely lacking. With Mr. Lynch, I have 'trust issues'; "There are a lot of Republican buzz words in his literature. The same buzzwords his Republican counterparts were using in 2000 and 2004 - not a good omen."
Canadian by birth, Curt Price is a veteran police officer, small businessman (security services) and oath-keeper. According to his website:
"I am the son of a shoe salesman, and I've lived the American Dream.I don't come from wealth or privilege. I come from a background of hard work and a fervent belief in this exceptional country where people can pick themselves up by their bootstraps and far exceed those who are simply seeking a handout."
"I am running for Congress because I am gravely concerned by what I see going on in Washington. Spending is out of control. Congress has abdicated its responsibility to hard-working Americans, and it must stop now As a regular guy who cares deeply for our country, I invite you to join us in the fight to take back America."
I heard that, loud and clear. Mr. Price pulls no punches in making sure we understand that he wasn't just there last spring and summer, he was listening. He wants it to stop, and stop now. He wants his country back. I smell TEA party candidate, and it is strong and sweet.
On the issues:
Economics
"I will vote no on any bill that increases the Size, Cost, Reach And Scope of the federal government." (Emphasis original)
Education
"There is no mandate in the United States Constitution for the central government to organize and manage the education of American citizens."
Energy
"[Y]es, we must "drill here, drill now."
Government Spending
"Put simply, here's my plan: if any bill increases the: Size Cost Reach And Power of the federal government, I will resoundingly vote "NO" (sic) (Emphasis original)."
Healthcare
"Just as companies like Amazon and Walmart lower prices as a result of competition, we must do the same in the healthcare market. When there is demand, companies either adjust to meet the needs of consumers, or they go broke."
Illegal Immigration
"The rule of law must be upheld, regardless of the circumstances." "Solutions to the illegal immigration crisis begin with enforcing our borders and national sovereignty."
Life
"We always, as a nation, must constantly strive to preserve and protect life."
What's not to like? Unlike the subject of my previous commentary, who speaks of these things but writes of others, Curt Price keeps a consistent line in word and deed. His comments would have been ridiculed as 'fringe' or 'tinfoil hat wearing' in election years past. Ron Paul's 2008 campaign changed that. What we're seeing here is the emergent Republican mainstream whereby the 'left-right' paradigm of smoke and mirrors is revealed in all of its ugly nakedness and guys like Curt are pointing the way.
There's more:
Military and Veterans' Affairs
"I am dismayed by the treatment of US Navy Seals who recently captured a high-value terrorist target in Iraq and are now facing court-martial for alleged assault."
Unfortunately, he totally ignores the events at Ft. Hood and the plethora of other 'issues' facing our military and its leaders. Taken in context, the fate of 3 Navy SEALs who may or may not have slapped a prisoner around pales in comparison (egregious thought it is).
Second Amendment
"[T]he Founding Fathers knew exactly what they were doing when they wrote the Second Amendment, which protects all law-abiding citizens as an individual right. The Second Amendment guarantees the protection of all other amendments, and the United States Constitution."
Taxes
"As Americans, we appreciate the value of hard work, initiative and determination. Let's make sure our government does too."
I like these comments on guns and taxes. Taken together (Accidental association? Who knows), they make it clear that Mr. Price understands government exists at the behest of the governed, as do laws and taxes. The second amendment is indeed the 'enforcement clause' of the constitution and popular (populist?) law enforcement has been lax for way too long. If elected, will this ex 'beat cop' from South Florida bring the enforcement we need?
National security
"As a police officer I confronted the unpleasant realities of life on a daily basis from drugs to gangs to prostitution. On a much larger scale, Global Jihad is an unfortunate reality that demands our constant vigilance and will to fight. If we want to avoid another 9/11 here at home, we must protect American interests and allies all around the world. There is no other option." There's more.....
Middle East
"As an ally and a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, I firmly believe in Israel's right to defend itself, and its worthiness of our full support. Our national security hinges upon our willingness to accept these hard truths and work with our allies to combat radical Islamic terrorism."
Dang! And he was doing so well! Drugs/gangs and prostitution may well be unpleasant realities. They are still realities. These 'realities' have survived the expense of trillions of Federal dollars and uncounted lives on both sides. This, also, must stop. Without drug prohibitions there would be no gangs. It is legal prohibition that drives up the price of recreational drugs and makes trafficking and marketing so profitable; the profits fuel the formation of street gangs/organized crime syndicates and so the downward spiral continues. Al Capone would have died a petty criminal had it not been for alcohol prohibition. Drug use and prostitution are only illegal because the government says they are. When two parties enter into a voluntary transaction, it is nobody's business but theirs, however immoral it may be. It's ironic that our representatives in government can advocate for federally funded murder of the unborn, yet prohibit 'victimless crimes'.
Secondly, how, in all honesty, can a candidate advocate fiscal responsibility and constitutional government on the one hand, and then throw it all away in some misguided attempt to 'police the world'? Is this some ploy to 'play to the base'? Say one thing now and do another later? That loud thud was the sound of all credibility coming to a sudden stop as it hit the concrete. To argue for limited constitutional government and then advocate for an aggressive foreign policy is an oxymoron. You can't have both, and rightfully so.
Curt Price is having the same problem most other so-called Republicans are struggling with. On the one hand, they are desperately pitching the populist limited government / fiscal responsibility platform for all it's worth. Then they find out that they have to pay attention to their Lords and Masters in the military-industrial complex who are, after all, using our government provided tax money in attempts to place them in positions of influence, whereby they will be duly provided with more of our tax money. Obama freely admits that he 'owes these unions'. At least he's honest about it. Anyone who accepts the Republican Party dollar is accepting that he owes the likes of Boeing and Northrup Grumman, and they, like the unions, expect to be paid. Democrats and Republicans: Two sides of the same coin that never should have been minted.
Sadly, I have to conclude that Mr. Price is the same kind of Republican we are already battling in our own government. As distasteful as it is, we must assume that, if elected, our wishes will come a distant second to those who are providing his platform. Yet another big government Statist. Shame.
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Posted By: Ross Williams
Date: 2009-12-31 09:11:06
Larry, I find it difficult to believe you answered the questions honestly in getting your star at the top-most point of the chart.
You have a spurious and subjective notion of what 'libertarianism' is if you, in fact, call yourself one. "Libertarianism" which idolizes a vague and undefined "liberty" is indifferentiable from anarchy. Libertarianism only requires following the philosophical guidelines set down legitimizing the form of government being used ... and following them rather strictly.
Following those rules strictly does not include supplanting them wholesale, or freely including new ones that you feel "ought to have been used", or wildly re-interpretting existing rules to the degree that they don't run afoul of your personal beliefs.
Those are so ... cliche. You read, above, like some sort of schizophrenic, unsure-of-yourself, half-Democrat, half-Republican who is very comfortable playing the standard games with the Constitution that the Democrats and Republicans have been playing with it for years.
Rights not specifically granted to the feds are reserved to the states or to the people. The Constitution does not grant the feds the authority to annoy and harrass citizens with privacy-invading requirements [and indeed the 4thAm severely constrains their ability to do so even when it is called for -- and which both Democrats and Republicans ignore when it is convenient for them to do so], and most states are forgoing their opportunity; nor does the Constitution define when life begins. Ergo, your backhanded slap at abortion rights ["murder of the unborn"] is insupportable apologism for tyranny from someone who goes to great lengths to whine about how the Constitution ought to be adhered to. Your obligatory paean to "federally-funded" abortions doesn't soften the blow.
Furthermore, among those duties the Constitution does lay out for the federal government is foreign relations, military shenanigans, and determining who our friends really are. There is nothing in the Constitution which supports pacifism over expansionism [so you can take your "and rightfully so" axiomatic begged question and can it], nor does the Constitution support isolationism at all.
"Policing the world" is not contrary to the Constitution; it may be contrary to military doctrine, strategic realities, tactical ability or budgetary allowances, but it is not contrary to the Constitution. If We The People, through our elected representatives faithfully doing our will, wish to police the world and charge us to do so, then there is nothing in the Constitution to stop it.
Apart from your ideological issues, there are basic, garden-variety issues of your [non]understanding of the world around you. Specifically:
Without drug prohibitions there would be no gangs. ... Al Capone would have died a petty criminal had it not been for alcohol prohibition.
The short answer to this is: BZZZZZZZZT!
Gangs predate drugs and will long outlive their prohibition. Gangs are a testament to the inate human proclivity to form associations and collect as much power and material wealth as possible. In doing so they will use, as the vector, whatever presents itself ... including basic staples of life -- food, water, shelter -- entertainment, and governmental authority itself. Drugs are simply a popular current vector; otherwise they are irrelevant.
Other gangs deal in trafficking of [untaxed but legal] cigarettes; control of [legal] gambling; control of [untaxed but legal] alcohol.
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