Why I support Gary Johnson and Bill Weld
You know the arguments. Clinton was (at the very least) careless with emails, lied under oath and she is on the take from banks and corporations. Trump is a self-serving, egomaniacal, petulant, child who lies, cheats, and panders to the lowest common denominator. Experts abound say his economic and foreign policies will kill the country. Given the choice, it’s Hilary in a landslide; because while she’s become untrustworthy she’s eminently more qualified. #NeverTrump
I’ve never been overly concerned with politics and I’m somewhat embarrassed to say I don’t often vote. Part of me feels guilty about it; taking for granted the freedoms we have and disrespecting those who have given or would gladly risk their lives for the privilege.
For me, and I think for those like me, this year is changing that. The quite middle majority (define the middle however you’d like — politically, socially, economically) are starting to speak up against the polarization and separation manifesting itself in our political process. The upside is it’s given rise to another option where common sense, compromise and humility now have a voice and it’s Libertarians Gary Johnson and Bill Weld.
I’m not a Libertarian, I don’t agree with everything on their platform, and I’m not 100% decided they’ll get my vote, but I do want to see them in the debates. This is the year, more than any before, a third party candidate can win the election.
They have proven track records as Governors. Socially liberal and fiscally conservative. They believe in the greatness that American is and don’t have to scare you into believing we’re doomed. They want to balance the budget and examine every option because they’re not beholden to party platforms. They are the calm to the Trump’s crazy and the transparent to Hillary’s corrupt. And I believe closer to being the voice of the people more than either party or candidate. If you didn’t see it, here’s a link to their Libertarian Town Hall on CNN.
It’s all why I believe they can bring the country back to the rational middle where common sense and compromise live. Just listen to this Bush/Regan debate from the 1980 Republican Primary. They would be a couple bleeding heart liberals by today’s standards. It’s indicative of how far from the middle the parties have drifted and their divisiveness has slammed the breaks on progress.
Our democracy was created on the two party system, but as we’ve seen it’s still a process controlled and manipulated by a few. Fortunately our democracy also allows safeguards and we can give ourselves another option to consider.
Do yourself a favor and get know them, see what they’re about, and at the very least support them getting to the debates if you have the chance. Principals and beliefs are important but they shouldn’t force you into making a bad decision, especially when there’s another choice.
