October 17, 2008
Don't Vote Barr, That Will Encourage Them!
The Libertarian Party must be destroyed. It is the only hope for little-l libertarians to have any voice in politics. Professor Reynolds considers voting for Bob Barr and asks readers to help with his tactical conundrum.
Every two years, I get a little less interested in a party that seeks to win elections with nine percent of the vote. This year, my disinterest has solidified. I read the Reason Magazine cover story on Bob Barr, and while he still seems an unlikely and overly convenient big-L lib, I recommend the interview highly. Rep. Barr is bright and serious.
The problem, I have concluded, is that "us nine percenters" have zero chance of electing our own candidates. But, 4.5% engaged, active and serious voters in each major party could push their compatriots, significantly, to more liberty advancing positions. Folks like me could continue to push the GOP away from reflexive opposition to gay rights and acceptance of religious involvement in the public sphere. Liberty minded Democrats could oppose confiscatory taxation, overregulation, and push for freer trade.
We'd be a lot better off bringing both parties toward liberty, instead of providing more colorful, enigmatic fodder for the next edition of Brian Dougherty's Radicals for Capitalism.