(Part 2 of a 3-part series on the 2016 election.)
In Part 1, I described why it’s important for me to vote for an alternate party. Here I’ll get into actual policy reasons why I support the Libertarian Party national candidates–Gary Johnson for President and Kent McMillen for U.S. Senate.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…
All Men are Created Equal
This is foundational to me as first a Christian and also as a Libertarian. Because I believe that everyone is equal, I believe that everyone’s most basic rights deserve to be protected equally. This is government’s purpose, and I believe Johnson’s and McMillen’s platforms most closely reflect that.
Life
Here is where I’m probably going to make people from all sides angry. But I’m a Libertarian, so I’m used to that–here goes. When I say, “pro-life,” I mean it much more comprehensively than just anti-abortion. I believe that protecting life is the highest calling of government. That’s why we shouldn’t send troops into harm’s way for endless wars and nation-building. It’s why we need police trained to deescalate situations, not armed to go to war with their own communities.
Specifically on abortion, I will vote for Johnson because he’s the most pro-life candidate on the ballot. I don’t buy the line that Trump is suddenly pro-life. He literally changed his position three times in one day, after being loudly pro-abortion for years. And nothing about him tells me I should trust him. Further, his misogynistic comments and defense of his own sexual assault bragging help to enable the demand for abortion (I believe it’s as much about men as women). And Clinton’s support for expanding abortion (even abandoning the “safe, legal, and rare” policy) is completely abhorrent to me. At least Johnson’s position of allowing abortion up to the point of viability of the fetus is a moving target given medical advances (it’s already gone from 30-some weeks down to 20-some weeks).
Regarding military intervention, both Johnson and McMillen will oppose using our military for purposes other than defense. They also believe that the war on drugs, which all too often pits police and their communities against each other, is a failed policy that needs to be brought to an end, treating the drug problem as a public health problem rather than a criminal justice problem.
Because of these policies, I believe these Libertarian candidates are the best candidates for securing the right to life.
Liberty
If Libertarians aren’t good on protecting liberty, we’re in trouble. Libertarians have long sought to keep government out of places where it doesn’t belong. Regarding marriage, the LP is the only party that affirms the Biblical view that marriage is not the federal government’s to give or take. Similarly, the LP is the only party willing to take the Fourth Amendment seriously and be willing to end the mass surveillance foisted on us by the Bush and Obama administrations.
Pursuit of Happiness
I take the pursuit of happiness to be about ensuring a level playing field. Again, the issue of the War on Drugs and mass incarceration come up. These, combined with the results of slavery and Jim Crow, have created a situation that keeps down poor communities, and especially people of color. Ending the War on Drugs would be a big step toward addressing this.
Sensible immigration reform (removing barriers to legal immigration) also allows legal ways for immigrants and refugees to enter the country.
Fiscal responsibility also factors in, here. Balancing the budget and reducing the debt ensure a healthy economy for the future. Restructuring the tax code to a fairer, simpler system would save money and create a more level playing field for all.
Aside from the policy reasons, the Johnson/Weld ticket brings the most executive experience as well as offering a reprieve from the constant scandals that have followed both Clinton and Trump–and will continue to follow them into the White House if elected.
