This morning, Mitt Romney announced his selection of Paul Ryan to be his running mate for the Republican Party's presidential run in 2012. It was one of the final moves left to Romney in his presentation of his campaign to the American public. Following that decision, now it is left to the American people to examine and ponder their coming decision vote in less than 90 days. The choice is now laid out before them: Barack Obama and Joe Biden, or Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, each set of candidates coming with their own party baggage and history, each coming with their own political histories and policies.
Which ever of the two political parties you closer adhere to, although I don't think its wrong to assume most of you reading this are probably not Democrats, people always seem to want a third option. Maybe it's because they're tired of the establishment (who isn't?) or maybe they don't feel represented well by polarized partisan debates, people yearn for an alternative, something to latch onto. Perhaps the establishment seems controlled or influenced by the same sources, so people want something fresh and unspoiled.
One of the more widely known third parties is the Libertarian Party, which calls for small government. If you remember, Ron Paul was their candidate in 1988. This year, their candidate is former Republican Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico.
I don't know that any of the things people look for in third parties are really true about the Libertarian Party, but certainly they would like to be that alternative for people. The main line of their political philosophy is anti-big government. They do not want the government prying into or disturbing their lives in any way. While this is certainly a view many can grab onto, their ideals are not entirely attractive to everyone.
Their policies are well outlined in this video:
Whatever you think of Gov. Johnson and the Libertarian Party, but it is an alternative to the main political parties. If you views toward the establishment GOP have soured as of late, or over the past 20 years, then maybe Gary is your man.
Maybe not, but there you go. I don't necessarily agree with a lot of what he says, but then again I disagree with Romney too. At least I've still got 87 days to decide. Maybe Ron Paul will stick around until then.
I should say that I do not think Libertarians are very Tea Party-esque, but I wanted to share the option that will be on the ballot.
Comments
'Braveheart' quotes aside, you shouldn't be too eager to jump to conclusions that lead to war, civil or otherwise. You still have an opportunity to vote and participate in the national discourse that can influence the direction this country goes in.
Well
Are you gonna trade safety and security for your freedom?
Opps you already have
Pessimist are us
I too took that oath as a 2nd Lt USN way back in 1969
I have watched our rights disappear slowly over the past 50 years.
I believe we pasted the point of no return in on August 15,1971 [guess what happened that day]
You want freedom , Remember the price
The tree of freedom must be watered with the blood of Tyrants and Patriots from time to time
Like in the movie Brave Heart
Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!
Ever hear of the straw that breaks the camels back
voting lessor of 2 evils delays the inevitable crash by slowing the decline [how to boil a frog]
I would rather see the civil war that the slow destruction of my nation by Authoritarian socialists
your point is why a lot of people feel reluctant to vote third party. its why i don't think its really a good idea. despite that, I have heard people express a weariness with the 'lesser of two evils' scenario they feel they see every 4 years. I guess i just have learned to expect and accept such a scenario.