Shots Across The Bow

Political Shift Approaching...

I mentioned this briefly in a comment at SKBubba's place, but I'm seriously considering leaving the Republican Party, and joining the Libertarians.

Actually, to be more accurate, I feel like the Republican Party is leaving me. I believe in a small government, limited in scope and power. Unfortunately, neither of the major parties agree with me on this. Their answer to every problem seems to be bigger, more intrusive government.

• People are poor--expand welfare
  
• People are sick--socialize healthcare
  
• There are people who don't like us out there--expand internal security
  
• People are reading things that we find offensive--expand censorship
  
• Kids are hanging out--raid parties and parking lots
  
• Pop music sucks--regulate indie music out of existence
  
• Your religious views offend me--prohibit public exhibitions of faith
  
• He doesn't like me because I'm (gay, black, hispanic, female, transgendered)--pass hate crime legislation
  
• Drugs are harmful--put a tenth of our population behind bars
  
• People get hurt--regulate all risky pursuits.
  
• I don't feel so good---take a pill and sue somebody.

At some point, you have to say enough is enough!

The only difference I see between the left and the right is which of my freedoms they want to steal first. I thought reps were the party that respected the limits of the constitution; instead, they appear to have adopted the tactics of the left, and are ready to 'interpret ' it to suit themselves. I didn't like it when Clinton did it; I don't like it when Bush does it.

Now I have to figure out how to be a libertarian, without letting the extreme left takeover. I've heard all the arguments about how voting for a third party candidate allows the opposition to win, and there is some validity to that. Libertarians generally pull more from republicans than from democrats, and I think this is because many find themselves in a position similar to mine; they feel abandoned when the actions of their party contradict it's core principles. Government has expanded under every administration, regardless of which party controls which branch. So how do I say "Enough!" and have it heard?

Maybe the only solution is to cost the rpublicans an election or two. If they need my vote, amybe they'll listen to my concerns. If not, then more people who think like I do will leave, and the Libertarian Party may become something more than a spoiler, despite how the system is rigged against them.

On the other hand, which is worse, creeping socialism, or a full on charge towards it?

Posted by Rich at December 12, 2002 4:32 PM