A look at the Libertarians

By Kevyn Bowling

Since we are in the thick summer heat of election season, I feel that some column space should go to a party that is neither right nor left. The Libertarian Party, founded in 1971, proclaims itself to be the third largest political party in the land of Uncle Sam. The party is based on the principles of smaller government, more individual freedom, and more personal responsibility. The ideals are a throwback to Ralph Waldo Emerson's “Self Reliance.” The slogan on the libertarian website read: “Smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom.”

The party's stance on most issues is that the federal government should not have a stand on most issues. They argue for state's rights over federal government rights because that is what the Constitution declared. One could equate Libertarians to very religious people who believe that what the Bible says is the final word; it is not open to interpretation. Libertarians are like this, except it's about the Constitution, not religion.

Bob Barr, the former Georgia Republican congressman, is the party's presidential nominee. He is most famous for being one of the leaders in the impeachment process of Bill Clinton. Now he is known for his protest against the Patriot Act, which he initially voted for. Barr was also the congressman in the movie “Borat.” (Borat fed him cheese then told him the milk that made the cheese came from Borat's wife.)

Barr hopes to be to McCain what Nader was to Gore in the 2000 election. Barr hopes to pick up Republicans disgruntled with the GOP who just can't close their eyes and check the box for a Democratic candidate. The Libertarian party has never claimed more than 1.1 percent of the vote in a presidential election. The year that happened was 1980, when Libertarian-leaning Ronald Reagan won in a landslide over Jimmy Carter.

The Libertarian party also hopes to obtain many of the million-plus votes cast for Congressman Ron Paul this primary season. Paul ran for president on the Libertarian ticket in 1988. He and Barr are the only two Libertarian candidates to have ever been elected to something. Barr is more charismatic than Paul, but Paul has a more devout following. The Libertarians changed their website format to be similar to Paul's after the success Paul had raising money for his campaign.

Remember to always vote even if you do not like any of the candidates. If worse comes to worst, put your own name down. Every vote cast against someone makes it harder for that person to gain the majority of votes needed to capture the majority. Sometimes you do not vote for someone to win, you vote for someone else to lose.

To read more about Libertarians and their views, visit their website at www.lp.org. The Alabama Libertarian party website can be visited at www.al.lp.org. The Alabama site also has the World's Smallest Political Quiz on the “About Libertarianism” page that will show you what party your political beliefs are most closely associated with.