The Election - where are we going
Published Brownsville Herald - June 1, 2008
Memorial Day weekend was a big one for me and not only because I am a proud Veteran. My Political Party held its National Convention in Denver as well. My health problems didn’t permit me to attend this year. The State Libertarian Executive Committee however, did name our Local Cameron County Vice-Chair, Judge Ben Neece as a delegate, as well as one of our newest eligibles, B. Adam Neece, son of the popular Judge. On his return Adam, who celebrated his birthday on May 22, described this as one of his most exciting birthday presents, ever. In addition to substantially clarifying the National Platform, electing a new slate of National Committee leaders the Party also elected Bob Barr a member of the National Libertarian Committee, and former Republican Congressman from Georgia as the Libertarian Party’s nomination for President. I have also heard really good comments from other folks on the delegation who complemented both our delegates and appreciated the new perspective on Immigration policies, border issues and veterans’ needs that were passed on. I want to thank them both for supporting the political process and letting the rest of us know of the importance they place in working toward finding the best future President. Over the last several months, I have heard radio talk hosts and commentators complain that they are unhappy with the two major political parties and were searching for viable alternatives. Most of the “third party” possibilities have been perceived as too extreme on one issue or more. Then the predictable result where the candidate perceived as the “least worst” was elected. Voters were told not to “waste” their vote on someone who “could not” win; which also resulted in the winner receiving an unrealistic signal from the electorate as to what the national focus should be.
The “Third Largest” Party has taken advantage of its posture of fiscal responsibility and social tolerance and the intense passions they developed, to evolve into the party that could debate their issues without a personal or moral focus. A skill in the use of Robert’s Rules of Order has made allies out of former enemies. In previous years nearly all the “third parties” including Libertarians were considered radical and were thought to require all their policies to be accepted at once or not at all. In working actively during just the past few years an influx of different views and a distaste for being berated for having different thoughts in other parties, I have seen new thoughts come to the forefront and become accepted that could never have survived in a larger bureaucracy. This evolution has made working for “We the people” a real goal rather than just something to say. In the last few years more and more folks have felt abandoned by their traditional party of choice who no longer seem to be the party of small government or “the working man”. I formerly, participated in both the Democratic and Republican Parties during my lifetime but came to believe that the party I thought I knew, and had the same goals, would never pursue the issues I found important because they were not in the immediate interest of the party insiders and that those insiders were the only ones that knew what was good for everyone. Smaller parties have benefitted substantially when skilled candidates long stymied in the big party hierarchy; have found new young parties that provide that new breath of hope for the future. Now there are young parties that have evolved to the level of sophistication that enables them to assimilate the benefits. After watching the recent Primaries in the “big two”, and seeing the Republican / Democrat crossover voting and “chaos” it is very unclear who is voting for whom and where any advantage might be. What is clear however are the specific goals and directions that the smaller parties are advocating and the value of the message that a vote will make in advocating that issue. Further, the chaos that has become a part of life with the big “two” has brought a younger more involved electorate in parties like the Libertarians. What can happen? With stronger interest in the “Third” party, even modest voting could motivate the potential “major league” winner that still needs a few more electors to offer an accommodation in policy direction or leadership to secure the needed electors in the “Electoral College”. Additionally, the public would also become more aware of the direction the folks want our nation to go rather than the direction the political spinmeisters want you to believe.
I want to encourage you all to rethink the folks that your parties are nominating to guide our future to something better. Are the described goals really better? Is it possible to accomplish the goal within a time frame that will permit a solution. Lastly, one must consider who will decide who pays the costs – there are always costs. Do you want to be on the same team with folks who are dealing with? If not look for other parties and other candidates