1Declaration: Free Markets, Free People, Free Minds

I am sure that you have heard reporters, political pundits, and radio talk show hosts like Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz, Rush, and a number of others who have pointed to recent polling that indicates that 80% (Rasmussen poll) of Americans believe that the country is headed in the wrong direction as well as a majority believing that our best days as a country are behind us. Let me say that for all our faults we are still the greatest country the world has ever seen and I believe we are the greatest hope for individual Liberty and freedom to be spread ar0und the world.

Ongoing right now is the Democratic National Convention that will last until Thursday when Barack Obama is almost sure to deliver another one of his eloquent speeches void of substance but big on cliches . During this time we will also get to hear from Hillary Clinton and others who will most likely cover their quest for governmental controlled decision making in your health care choices. The Democrats won't tell you that it will be the governments decision with who will live and die based upon a checklist of survivability statistics but that is what it will come down to. We will also here the drums of class warfare beating loudly with the need for a fairer tax system that penalizes high achievement and awards laziness and irresponsibility.

Is it any wonder why more than 80% of Americans think we are heading in the wrong direction? We have almost $10 trillion in debt, a government that does not trust those it governs, and constant violations of the US Constitution. The 4th Amendment has been obliterated by the 16th Amendment.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment XVI
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Voters in nationwide survey by a clear majority want to hear Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bob Barr in the Presidential debates this fall. In a similar margin close to 50% want independent, Ralph Nader in the debates this fall as well. This is not a surprise with the poor choices offered by the two major parties, well known socialist Barack Obama and liberal leaning John McCain.

The people of this country deserve a quality choice this fall but unfair rules set down by the two major parties have made it increasingly difficult to get on the ballot and participate in a fair manner for independent and 3rd party candidates. The Presidential debates this as in past years are organized by a non-profit corporation, the Commission on Presidential debates that has set very high levels to be able to be included in the fall debates and therefore have a chance at being the next President.

Without getting in the debates the chance for Barr and Nader have virtually no chance to have a legitimate or fair chance to be included in the debates in the fall. If at no other time in decades, Liberty deserves a chance on the ballot this fall. The federal government is expanding beyond its constitutional limits, taxes are becoming overly burdensome, debt is expanding at such a rate that the country is swirling towards bankruptcy, and civil liberties are being eroded for expediency.

The voters deserve a fair choice in the voting booth to choose the best person for the job not the better of the worst that the 2 parties have to offer. Why be forced to vote for the "lesser of two evils" when better choices clearly exist? Why have such stringent and unfair practices in a country that is supposed to cherish Liberty and freedom of choice?

This country was founded on the idea of maximization of individual Liberty, freedom of choice, and a republican form of government that is supposed to ensure true representation. Why not include Bob Barr and Ralph Nader in the debates this fall?

To read more on this article view this Zogby news.
Click here to read other instances of 3rd party and independent candidates exclusions at BobBarr2008.com.

When deciding who to vote for this year I encourage everyone of you to look towards the Libertarian Party, what TIME Magazine has labeled in a recent article as A (Not So) Lunatic Fringe. The idea of libertarianism really became prominent during the Ron Paul campaign.

Maybe you haven't heard, but this is the year of freedom. First there was the Ron Paul revolution, in which an avuncular 10-term Representative from Brazoria County, Texas, raised more than $34 million as a pseudo-Republican candidate, garnered more than a million primary votes and outperformed Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson, all on the back of a get-government-off-my-back platform. Now there's the Libertarian Party, which sold a little bit of its hard-line liberty-loving soul in exchange for the most respectable candidate it has ever had: recently converted former Republican Congressman Bob Barr, who's polling nationally near 6% and could conceivably Naderize John McCain in a few key states and help nudge the presidency to Barack Obama.

Libertarian Presidential nominee Bob Barr offers fierce criticism to Barack Obama's forced public service proposal. I for one could not agree more.

'Americans are among the most generous people on the planet and excel at serving one another,' says Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party presidential candidate. 'Unfortunately, Sen. Barack Obama wants to turn service into a government requirement' by forcing middle, high school, and college students to work in federally approved jobs. 'But service must be an outgrowth of the heart to be life-changing for both parties. It isn’t possible to mandate generosity or coerce compassion,' Barr explains.

Everyone agrees that service is a wonderful gift from those with much to those with little. But we should not sacrifice the great value of voluntary service by turning it into a government requirement.

Check out what Libertarian Presidential nominee Bob Barr has to say about our energy policy and the energy policy of other candidates.

The United Nations is an overpayed and overhyped international organization that has failed to take action on many of the world's problems.

On this day in 1945 the U.S. and other countries signed the United Nations Charter. Unfortunately, “the UN has been an enormous disappointment,” says Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr. “The U.S. should push to roll back the UN’s functions and slash America’s financial contribution.”

Expectations for the UN initially were high: before the signing, President Harry S. Truman said “At no time in history has there been a more important Conference than this one.” Obviously, “President Truman had no sense of history,” notes Barr. “America’s constitutional convention always had a much better claim to that honor.”

Libertarian Presidential Nominee Bob Barr appeared on the Glenn Beck Show on June 25, 2008. Here is a excerpt from the interview.

“What I am doing, and what I intend to do though the remaining months of this campaign, is raise the issues that neither of the two major party candidates are raising. Questions and issues that go to the fundamental nature of why government has gotten so big, why its spending so much money, why its invading our privacy, why we are seeing court decisions like [Kennedy v. Louisana]. These are issues that are important to the American people, not the issues being discussed by Senator McCain and Senator Obama.” - Bob Barr

Barr now becoming a regular guest

Check out this interview of Libertarian Presidential Nominee speaking out on the erosion of personal liberties in contemporary American society and a lighthearted bit about his eye catching mustache. You can visit the site here.



To find out more on Bob Barr visit BobBarr2008.com.

Libertarian Presidential Nominee Bob Barr is the only real nominee for change from the status quo. John McCain and Barack Obama favor politics as usual in contemporary American politics. The two party system has hindered American choice and enlarged the size of the federal government in an attempt to keep others out of the picture. Bob Barr favors elimination of the IRS, replacement of the tax system with the Fair Tax, reduction in federal spending, balancing the budget, and personal choice. Barr's campaign platform is the Constitution of the United States.

Libertarian presidential nominee Bob Barr offers actual change. He has not only renounced the two-party system, the Patriot Act and the Defense of Marriage Act, he’s worked with the libertarian party, the ACLU and the NRA to undo decades of damage to our civil liberties.

There is much to be said for someone so entrenched in the system to not only admit wrong, but to take initiative in correcting it. This is not something we can say for John McCain or [Barack] Obama, both of whom voted to fund the war and extend the Patriot Act.

Unlike Obama or McCain, who Barr rightly calls a vote for business-as-usual, he is committed to addressing our dependence on foreign oil, the falling value of our dollar and the $58 trillion the two-party system would have our grandchildren pay off. Barr is the only major contender willing to do this by addressing the cause of these problems — not the pretend causes. Barr offers real hope and actual change by unifying us as Americans, as citizens with unalienable rights and a servant government.

The sooner we embrace this vision, the sooner it will be achieved.

Tonight Libertarian leaning Republican Ron Paul of Texas will officially end his campaign for the Republican nomination in what is really just a formality this evening. Reports indicate that Ron Paul will not endorse Republican nominee John McCain and will work towards getting Libertarian leaning candidates elected instead. Ron Paul will not seek election as an independent or third party candidate.

Ron Paul appeared on CNN this morning. He had this to say about Libertarian nominee Bob Barr.

John Roberts: Congressman, what do you think of Bob Barr? Does he faithfully represent the values of the Libertarian Party?

Ron Paul: I think so. It doesn’t mean that you can look at his voting record like you look at mine and say there was never any infraction. That doesn’t mean that he can’t represent these values. He’s saying the things he should be saying. He’s joined the Libertarian Party and he presents these views and he talks our language. So I do really believe that he can have a very positive effect in this campaign and let the people know that limited government is a very, very important message and that people will have a chance. That gives everybody a choice in the matter.

The War on Drugs has cost Americans billions of dollars since its inception in the 1970's, yet drug use remains high, perhaps higher, drugs keep getting into the country, and no signs of success have come to fruition.

Former supporter of the War on Drugs Bob Barr, Libertarian Presidential Nominee and former Georgia Congressman, has written an article in the Huffington Post. Here are a few excerpts from the story.

For more than three decades, the Libertarian Party and small “l” libertarians have done their part to prove to America that liberty is the answer to most of the problems that we face today. Over the past several years, I was one of the many people influenced by this small party.

Whether through the free market or by simply allowing families to make their own decisions regarding the education of their children, libertarians have taught us that liberty does truly work.

In stark contrast, when government attempts to solve our societal problems, it tends to create even more of them, often increasing the size and depth of the original problem. A perfect example of this is the federal War on Drugs.

Today, I can reflect on my efforts [as a federal prosecutor and HOR member] and see no progress in stopping the widespread use of drugs. I’ll even argue that America’s drug problem is larger today than it was when Richard Nixon first coined the phrase, “War on Drugs,” in 1972.

While it is clear the War on Drugs has been a failure, it is not enough to simply acknowledge that reality. We need to look for solutions that deal with the drug problem without costly and intrusive government agencies, and instead allow for private industry and organizations to put forward solutions that address the real problems.

One such solution was presented to me recently by a libertarian friend and supporter, Glenn Jacobs.

Glenn is a very unique guy with a very unique job. To say Glenn is a “big guy” or “intimidating” is an understatement. He gives people nightmares… literally.

Each week Glenn, who stands nearly seven feet tall, walks into a wrestling ring under the stage name “Kane” to beat other large men for sheer entertainment purposes.

[…]

It was speculated that Chris had murdered his family and committed suicide in a steroid or “roid” rage. While it is unclear how much of a role drugs played in Benoit’s actions, and whether mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) may also have been a contributing factor, it was clear the WWE had some serious problems within its organization.

In the wake of the tragedy, the head of the WWE, Vince McMahon, and its other leaders looked internally to recognize these problems and address them. Although in the two years before Benoit’s death, dozens of wrestlers had been suspended, gone to rehab, or been dismissed under the WWE’s recently adopted “Wellness Program,” the WWE strengthened its drug policy further, re-emphasizing that its policy wasn’t merely a document, but the internal laws of the company that would be enforced.

[…]

While there may be some employees of the organization who may not like random drug tests or being thrown on a treadmill for an EKG, they have the choice of finding a new employer.

That’s the beauty of this libertarian solution. It does not take government intervention or our tax dollars. It also does not force anyone to do anything, as it only requires voluntary action and decisions.

An interesting development in the Presidential race. Christine DeLay, wife of former House Majority Leader is supporting Libertarian Bob Barr for President. This is obviously an interesting position for the wife of a former GOP political leader. Discontent is strong among conservatives with John McCain because of positions on immigration, violations of the 1st Amendment (McCain-Feingold), energy policy, and a number of other positions. John McCain is clearly an honorable man who has served his country more than any person should have too and has earned my deepest respect for his sacrifice.

Tom DeLay will vote for John McCain but the former House Republican leader said his wife, Christine, is planning to vote for Libertarian presidential nominee Bob Barr.

“I’m trying to convince my wife not to do that,” the Texas Republican told editors and reporters at The Washington Times on Friday. “She said it publicly yesterday.”

Mr. Barr’s candidacy is an issue conservatives appear to be grappling with since he won the Libertarian party’s nomination on the sixth ballot at their May 25 convention in Denver. Early polls suggest Mr. Barr could draw small but significant support in key states such as Georgia and North Carolina, potentially complicating the electoral picture for Mr. McCain, Republicans’ presumed presidential nominee.

Clearly John McCain still has much work left to do to solidify the conservative base around him.

To read the entire article in the Washington Times click here.

To view the video click here.

There is one other person that all Americans should seriously consider in the upcoming election. The man I speak of does not have the tacky cliché's like 'hope' and 'change' to fool voters and bring attention away from their own dangerous policies that will limit people's freedom of choice, that will increase entitlements that seek to enslave people to a life of unhappiness, and that will move us further from the protections against government that our founding fathers created for us.

The man I speak of is Libertarian Presidential Nominee Bob Barr. Bob Barr is a former Republican Congressman from Georgia from 1995-2003. He led the impeachment trials against former President Bill Clinton and has spoken out against big government for well over 2 decades.

On June 6th Bob Barr spoke with conservative radio and television pundit Glen Beck for a full hour on his policies.



To find out more information on Libertarian Presidential Nominee Bob Barr, please visit BobBarr2008.com.

Remember that real change requires change that does not revert back to the failed policies of the past. Real change requires actual change!

According to Politico.com's article the Warner-Lieberman Climate Security Act is dead at least for now being defeated by a vote of 48-36 with some noteable absences that would have pushed the bill to passing by a margin of 52-36. John McCain, Teddy Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, and Barak Obama would have likely all supported the bill.

The news is not all good though. This bill will likely come forward once again next year with a much for favorable situation. As Dick Morris points out in a recent column for Rasmussen Reports the Senate this year will likely slide into a large Democratic majority and possibly a veto proof majority. Even without a veto proof majority passage of the bill is very possible unless Libertarian Presidential nominee Bob Barr can stun everyone and take office because both Barak Obama and John McCain support this bill.

The bill did come up against opposition from some Democrats from states with large industrial and mining operations like Louisiana and Ohio who said the bill would result in job decreases in their states for little impact as the jobs would be moved overseas where the legislation would have no impact. The bill could have negative consequences because of more lenient pollution legislation elsewhere in the world as compared to current regulations in the United States.

The bill has come forward at a bad time with high gas prices and the fact that higher taxes would be placed on energy if this act were to pass.

To finish reading this article click here.

About the Lieberman-Warner Bill

To view some of the consequence on this bill please see recent commentary by Libertarian Presidential nominee Bob Barr or some of my recent articles: (1) A Government of Special Interests, by Special Interests, and for Special Interests, (2) The American Left: Just Not Getting It.

Take Action

Take this time to visit the Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less petition. It takes only 30 seconds to join nearly 400,000 other Americans who have voiced their opposition to this bill and consequentially for government to get out of the way and allow drilling.

Then take another 10 minutes to email your representatives in Washington and let them know of your concerns for this bill and for the future of America if it is passed.

Make your declaration!

Hillary Clinton wins PA by 10% or over 214,000 votes with 96% of votes counted. This is great news for most Republicans as the race continues and the constant attacks of democrat on democrat will continue for the next few weeks and possibly months. Separation of the Democratic Party is increasing as recent polls have suggested the 26% of Clinton supporters would vote for McCain in the fall over Obama (the future nominee of the Democratic Party) and 13% would not even show up. A similar number of Obama supporters would be in the same boat if Clinton were to get the nomination.

Clinton has narrowed the popular vote lead down to around 500,000 tonight. 2 weeks from now when North Carolina and Indiana vote no real change will really occur. Obama will win North Carolina and Clinton will win Indiana making for a wash and continuing the primary further on into late May and into at least early June. Then comes the real entertainment.

Hillary will try to get Michigan and Florida delegates seated and will make an argument that the momentum in the election has changed and the she not Obama will be the stronger candidate because she has won the most important states, possibly tied the popular vote, and won the biggest states for the nomination. Momentum will likely be on her side but she will have to take a substantial number of super delegates to get the nomination something I don't expect to happen.

Obama will make the argument that according to the rules set forth that he has won the nomination, received the most popular vote (although a tie is possible), and most importantly has won more pledged delegates. If the nomination is taken from Obama, the Democratic Party will be irreparably damaged with major constituencies alienated.

The next few months should be fun. McCain is in good position right now. The one possible spoiler for McCain though is the Bob Barr factor, possible and likely nominee of the Libertarian Party, who recently polled in at getting 7% of the vote. Keep in mind he has had no national campaign yet and his numbers would likely increase due to alienated conservatives looking for a place for their vote. The one positive for McCain though and one that could potentially erase the Bob Barr factor is the Ralph Nader campaign. Recent polls have indicated that up to 17% of the Democrats would consider voting for Nader if their nominee does not get elected.

McCain is in solid position right now but he must capitalize on his strengths and minimize his weakness. This is an unusual situation though as McCain's expertise is foreign affairs where a very unpopular war comes into play. In order to win McCain must minimize his focus on the war and create a viable exit strategy that would allow for a further reduction in troop deployments. Americans as a whole want troops out but they want victory. This will be McCain's strength. McCain must create a strategy for exit of Iraq while still pushing for victory. Further, McCain must define what victory is and how it will be reached so troop levels can be drawn down in his first 4 years in office. If he can do this McCain should be able to minimize the affects of an unpopular war and the unpopular Republican President George W Bush and go on to win the presidency.

Secondly, McCain must pick a solid choice for VP that would help reintegrate alienated conservatives. The pick should be from a state that would not normally be Republican or one that is right now a draw. The pick should also be recognizable nationwide and preferably help McCain minimize his weakness's. The best pick would be a popular governor that is knowledgeable about economics.

McCain can win but he must stay positive, create an exit strategy, define victory and a plan to achieve that victory in his first 4 years in office, and pick a solid VP that would minimize his weakness's and reintegrate disenfranchised conservatives. McCain must act resolutely during the democratic infighting.