That is a question people like to ask me because they know I love politics. My answer always sparks questions on my judgment or state that since I am not voting for the establishment 2 parties that I am wasting a vote, or am throwing the election to Obama or McCain for a candidate who has no possibility of winning. Well it is no clue when just observing my blog that I am endorsing Libertarian candidate and former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr for President of the United States.
Many of you may remember Bob Barr as a staunch conservative, perhaps the most conservative member in Congress during the near decade he served as a member of the House of Representatives. He led the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton, passed the defense of marriage act, was a staunch opponent of the War on Drugs, and voted for the infamous Patriot Act. Since 9/11 though Barr has reevaluated his positions realizing correctly the ever growing power of the federal government and the gradual erosion of individual Liberty and freedom of choice.
Bob Barr joined the Libertarian party in 2006 and has started his own company called Liberty Strategies in an effort to spread the declaration of Liberty around the country. Barr gained the Libertarian Party nomination during the Libertarian Party convention over Memorial Day with his message of less government, lower taxes, and increased individual Liberty. Barr's past success in elections serving in the US House has brought the Barr candidacy increased credibility and visibility that a third party candidacy needs.
Bob Barr and Wayne Allyn Root
The Message of Freedom and Liberty!
Taxes, the Economy, Government Spending, and Entitlement ProgramsBarr is a strong supporter of reducing federal taxes and has supported the idea of a nationalized sales tax like the Fair Tax, which I have provided in depth coverage on this blog. If we want to provide an economic stimulus for the US economy reduction in corporate and personal taxation is the way to go. Likewise Barr has also recognized the out of control spending by the US government and has stated that he will not sign a bill that will increase discretionary spending over the previous year adjusted for inflation. In a similar move Barr has called for a reduction in entitlement and welfare programs and subsidies.
Every area of federal spending can and should be cut. Entitlements must be reformed and welfare should be cut, including subsidies for business sometimes called corporate welfare. Military outlays should be reduced and pork barrel spending eliminated. Needless, duplicative, and wasteful programs, most of which have no constitutional basis, should be terminated.
Barr also supports separating government intrusion into the free markets because as is readily understood the only way to protect individual Liberty and create a prosperous America is through the application of free market capitalist principles free of the regulatory interferences that slow economic growth and stifle job creation.
Social welfare and entitlement programs must be reduced as current governmental programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security are heading towards financial disaster and cannot be saved. "With the latter two programs alone facing estimated total unfunded liabilities topping $100 trillion, the government will eventually face the choice of raising taxes by as much as 50 percent or defaulting on promised benefits, if we do not begin taking action right now." Barr supports privatized health care options and privatizing retirement accounts both of which are high on my list.
Energy PolicyAs a free market capitalist Barr has recognized the government is the primary group to blame for our high energy problems. Government regulation has prohibited utilizing our own domestic resources for energy production. Regulatory actions have also created extremely thick baracades on refining, nuclear power, and coal power all readily available and economically viable energy solutions in favor of biofuels that have inflated food price world wide and regulating what type of lightbulds you can and cannot use.
Obama says you should blow up your tires, McCain has been shakey on energy policy and still does not support drilling everywhere. Barr supports doing everything possible to solve the energy problem, which includes getting burdensome government regulations out of the way of energy production. Getting government out of the way is the first step towards lower energy prices.
Constitutional CommissionMuch in the same way that Ronald Regan created the Grace Commission to root out government waste and eliminate fraud and abuse Barr supports a constitutional commission. I have supported the idea of a 10th Amendment Commission or Constitutional Commission that would review all government agencies and programs on the basis of Constitutionality based upon the orginal meaning that the founders had intended.
The primary problem in our almost $10 trillion deficit is due to government growth and overreaching. Bringing the government back down to its constitutional limits through the implementation of a Constitutional Commission is the best way to eliminate waste, promote individual Liberty, and get the country back on a strong financial and economic footing.
Foreign InterventionAmerican foreign policy should emphasize swift, decisive and winning action against those who vowed would harm us. This means defense, not foreign intervention.
Foreign intervention is just another big government programing. The US needs to stop being the policing power of the world. Foreign interventions have left the American mainland at greater risk and cost great sums of money. Barr recognizes the best way to a peaceful world is not war but free trade and the free market. Free trade will uplift economic progress of the world at large decreasing animosity and promote Liberty worldwide.
Moreover, foreign aid has proved to be a drain on the U.S. economy while doing little good for the recipients. Aid is routinely used by corrupt foreign governments to oppress their people and enrich powerful elites. Foreign aid almost always discourages economic and political reform, while subsidizing nations which often work against U.S. interests.
ConclusionsI am not going to cover every policy issue of the Bob Barr/Wayne Root ticket because you can view them at
BobBarr2008.com. I will point out the underlying theme behind the Bob Barr candidacy and that is the promotion of individual Liberty, small government, and lower taxes. Big government programs have stifled our countries economic growth, hindered job growth, taken hard earned money out of the pockets of its citizens, eroded the individual liberties and freedoms the founders embraced when writing the Constitution, and resulted in the tremendous federal deficit that has placed our country at risk of control from foreign nations purchasing our debt. These are all topics I have covered continuously on this blog and continue to support.
If the American people will do a little thinking and a little research we will realize that government is at the root of many of the economic and social problems that we face today. Obama has promised change back to the failed socialist policies of the past that have stifled economic growth and job creation. McCain continues to promote big government Republican solutions of the past 8 years. Both candidates support wiretapping on US citizens. Democrats and Republicans hold equal wright on who is to blame for the problems we hold today. This is why I support Libertarian Bob Barr for President of the United States and self made man Wayne Allyn Root for Vice President.
When you ask me who I am voting for me don't bother telling me that I am wasting a vote or that I am helping the other candidate win by stealing away votes from your candidate. A vote must be earned and cannot be stolen from a certain political party or candidate because it is your private property. Your vote can only be stolen from you if you decide to vote for the lesser of two evils because you dislike the other candidate more. A vote is only wasted if you sacrifice your own principles.
When you go to the voting booth this fall vote take a moment and think what a vote for Barr could mean for you instead of upholding the status quo. The others may preach change but remember that Real Change requires actual change from the status quo and failed policies of years past. Barr is already polling in at double digits and some states and is a legitimate contender for President of the United States and your support will help change the American political system forever!
Make your Declaration for low taxes, more energy, less government intervention, maximization of individual Liberty, and a promotion of the only economic system that has created wealth: free market capitalism!
To find out more about Libertarian Presidential candidate Bob Barr and Vice President Wayne Allyn Root visit
BobBarr2008.com. You can also check for more information on my "The Time for Liberty is NOW: Bob Barr for President, a Real Choice" sidebar.
To join or find more information on the Libertarian Party and see who is running for your local offices visit
LP.org.
