Appeal to Republicans
and Independents
and Independents
The republican platform is similar in many ways to our own. Primarily we want smaller government and lower taxes. Sure we differ in a few areas, but by and large, most libertarians have roots in the Republican Party and if we had to choose between the two, we would choose them. We became disenchanted over the years not so much because of their platform, but because of their actions.
Freedom-loving conservatives claim they want less oppressiveness and intrusion into their lives, yet republicans have voted for larger government. They have increased welfare and taxes and caved on meaningful social welfare reform. Why? Like democrats, republicans also want to be reelected. The fact that nearly half of all Americans do not pay income taxes today weighs heavily on their voting decisions. A freeloader's vote is just as valuable to them as that of a hard working taxpayer. What about the resulting predictable and inevitable decline in the nation's wealth and prosperity? Well they could argue that it is what most people wanted, they proved it with their vote, so we gave it to them.
Libertarians have not had the chance to be corrupted in this way. It could be that we may also vote contrary to our platform and justify the growth of an irrational and destructive dependent welfare state if we believed that our re-election depended upon it. We don't know that yet because we haven't had enough in office to form any conclusions.
Most libertarians would agree that it isn't so much the republican platform that we oppose so strenuously. Parts of it sure - but we all don't agree with every aspect of our own party either. It is the republicans themselves who've disappointed us by abandoning their platform by their actions and votes in congress.
By changing your party affiliation, you will show the republicans that they need to change their ways. The big-government democrats will continue to ignore or belittle us as the right-wing whackos. Republicans on the other hand may see this as a repudiation of themselves, a threat to their existence, and move back to the right where they belong.
Continue to vote republican if you must. Vote your conscience. Libertarians sign no blood pact demanding allegiance to their party candidate. Personally, I held my nose and voted for the liberal John McCain for President because of the two who had any chance, he was the least offensive to me. Some of my libertarian buddies disagree with that.
Change your party affiliation so that your republicans will realize that there are a lot of us out here who want genuine conservatives in office who stay true to their beliefs. We don't want candidates who place an "R" next to their name for expediency. We want issues addressed and the law of the land to prevail, not the modern-day mob rule mentality that is a disgraceful bastardization of our nation's founding principals.
Some republicans are legitimately libertarian leaning conservatives. Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Herman Cain and Sarah Palin come to mind - but there are more and more today. Regardless of party affiliation, we need more candidates like these to be unwavering, and proud to consistently vote their conservative values. If the registration numbers of libertarians increase, we just may force the republicans to move back to the right and offer more of the candidates conservatives want. Competition works. The democrats may not understand that, but we do.
Appeal To Republicans:
If you are a republican and disgusted with your party but have allegiance to them, help them find their way back to you by making this affiliation change. A true libertarian does not care who is in office, or from what party. We only care what they do when they get there. Increased libertarian registrations will cause the republican national committee to notice that they've gotten very lost and are losing market share. They will have to take notice that there are a great many freedom-loving Americans who are still on the "right" path. They will be forced to change because of a legitimate fear for their own extinction. Vote for them if you want, but register libertarian.
If you think your registration won't matter, remember there has never been a single drop of rain ever determined to be responsible for any flood.
Appeal To Independents:
Maybe you are a disgruntled former democrat or republican - or maybe you never registered and are just an ordinary conservative who doesn't wish to be identified as such. As a group, no one knows what you stand for. If you believe in smaller government, lower taxes, individual responsibility and freedom, change your affiliation to libertarian. Let the candidates know how we want to live our own lives through your registration. When it is time to vote, vote your conscience.
And you independents, if you believe your party affiliation won't make a difference, - there once was a camel with straw on his back who thought he was OK, then suddenly collapsed ... - or something like that.
Appeal to Social Democrats:
Think about the benefits to you and your family that might arise from adopting our "live and let live" philosophy, or consider moving to Europe where you will be much happier. We plan on taking our country back.
Christopher M. Barra, M.S. Change Your Party Affiliation to Libertarian
Chair, Escambia County
Libertarian Party
Freedom-loving conservatives claim they want less oppressiveness and intrusion into their lives, yet republicans have voted for larger government. They have increased welfare and taxes and caved on meaningful social welfare reform. Why? Like democrats, republicans also want to be reelected. The fact that nearly half of all Americans do not pay income taxes today weighs heavily on their voting decisions. A freeloader's vote is just as valuable to them as that of a hard working taxpayer. What about the resulting predictable and inevitable decline in the nation's wealth and prosperity? Well they could argue that it is what most people wanted, they proved it with their vote, so we gave it to them.
Libertarians have not had the chance to be corrupted in this way. It could be that we may also vote contrary to our platform and justify the growth of an irrational and destructive dependent welfare state if we believed that our re-election depended upon it. We don't know that yet because we haven't had enough in office to form any conclusions.
Most libertarians would agree that it isn't so much the republican platform that we oppose so strenuously. Parts of it sure - but we all don't agree with every aspect of our own party either. It is the republicans themselves who've disappointed us by abandoning their platform by their actions and votes in congress.
By changing your party affiliation, you will show the republicans that they need to change their ways. The big-government democrats will continue to ignore or belittle us as the right-wing whackos. Republicans on the other hand may see this as a repudiation of themselves, a threat to their existence, and move back to the right where they belong.
Continue to vote republican if you must. Vote your conscience. Libertarians sign no blood pact demanding allegiance to their party candidate. Personally, I held my nose and voted for the liberal John McCain for President because of the two who had any chance, he was the least offensive to me. Some of my libertarian buddies disagree with that.
Change your party affiliation so that your republicans will realize that there are a lot of us out here who want genuine conservatives in office who stay true to their beliefs. We don't want candidates who place an "R" next to their name for expediency. We want issues addressed and the law of the land to prevail, not the modern-day mob rule mentality that is a disgraceful bastardization of our nation's founding principals.
Some republicans are legitimately libertarian leaning conservatives. Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Herman Cain and Sarah Palin come to mind - but there are more and more today. Regardless of party affiliation, we need more candidates like these to be unwavering, and proud to consistently vote their conservative values. If the registration numbers of libertarians increase, we just may force the republicans to move back to the right and offer more of the candidates conservatives want. Competition works. The democrats may not understand that, but we do.
Appeal To Republicans:
If you are a republican and disgusted with your party but have allegiance to them, help them find their way back to you by making this affiliation change. A true libertarian does not care who is in office, or from what party. We only care what they do when they get there. Increased libertarian registrations will cause the republican national committee to notice that they've gotten very lost and are losing market share. They will have to take notice that there are a great many freedom-loving Americans who are still on the "right" path. They will be forced to change because of a legitimate fear for their own extinction. Vote for them if you want, but register libertarian.
If you think your registration won't matter, remember there has never been a single drop of rain ever determined to be responsible for any flood.
Appeal To Independents:
Maybe you are a disgruntled former democrat or republican - or maybe you never registered and are just an ordinary conservative who doesn't wish to be identified as such. As a group, no one knows what you stand for. If you believe in smaller government, lower taxes, individual responsibility and freedom, change your affiliation to libertarian. Let the candidates know how we want to live our own lives through your registration. When it is time to vote, vote your conscience.
And you independents, if you believe your party affiliation won't make a difference, - there once was a camel with straw on his back who thought he was OK, then suddenly collapsed ... - or something like that.
Appeal to Social Democrats:
Think about the benefits to you and your family that might arise from adopting our "live and let live" philosophy, or consider moving to Europe where you will be much happier. We plan on taking our country back.
Christopher M. Barra, M.S. Change Your Party Affiliation to Libertarian
Chair, Escambia County
Libertarian Party
DISCLAIMER: The following opinion is solely that of Christopher M. Barra, and does not necessarily represent the views of the Libertarian Party.
Libertarians sometimes like to delude ourselves into believing that we are completely independent of the thought process of the two major parties. We point to differences in our philosophy compared to that of republicans in particular. We don't bother much to try to distinguish ourselves from social democrats because it is obvious that we are diametrically opposed to Marxist agendas. This attitude hurts us, is just not accurate, and it is damaging not only to the party but to the nation as well.
Libertarians sometimes like to delude ourselves into believing that we are completely independent of the thought process of the two major parties. We point to differences in our philosophy compared to that of republicans in particular. We don't bother much to try to distinguish ourselves from social democrats because it is obvious that we are diametrically opposed to Marxist agendas. This attitude hurts us, is just not accurate, and it is damaging not only to the party but to the nation as well.
