Bob Barr: Why the Libertarian Party?

[Equity213]

I have that exact same lamp, wierd.

[Welker541]

The two party system is total bullshit. This country is about freedom and liberty. Where is that mentality today?

[christo930]

This idiot isn't a libertarian. He fought hard to increase the war on drugs, wrote legislation to bar districts from voting on the matter. He wrote a bill to block gay marriage etc. He's a christian right nutburger and I am sorry I voted for him 2008.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930

A lot of people realize what you just said and Libertarian mastermind Wayne Allyn Root has stole the Libertarian leadership from bob barr. Wayne woot 2012Q

[christo930]

@Stephthatackle Unless Ron Paul runs as a republican, my vote is going to the libertarian party.

Do you know of any stats on left leaning vs right leaning libertarians? I agree with every social libertarian views and most economic views of libertarians, but I think social safety nets are important. The libertarian test scored me as a slightly left-leaning libertarian.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 What do you mean by social safety nets? As in medicare and other social programs?

[christo930]

@Stephthatackle By social safety nets I mean things like food stamps and cash assistance and medicaid for uninsured children. Social security and medicare could have been great programs, but the gov fucked up by spending all the money.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 There was a time before social " safety nets"..A very good time. People need to learn how to depend on churches and supportive family again. And whether a child is covered or not he will not be denied service..And what do you mean by ' spending all the money'? We still pump lots of money into medicare..it was a failure from the start and it can not be reformed, must be ended. So to sum it up: Safety net = The church, Family.

[christo930]

@Stephthatackle And during that time there was more poverty and more property crime. Not everyone has a family or a family wealthy enough to help and some people don't want help from a church. If I ever need help, I don't want to have to sit through a service or something like that to get my help. I also think that churches should have to pay taxes like everyone else. The Catholic church alone avoids billions in property tax alone.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 Sir, watch what you say, your two opening claims regarding poverty and crime were both false. And 1. your ignorant for thinking you can pick and choose who you want help from and 2. private organizations should be opened to help with the poor, also. Do you have any idea how much feed the children, PETA, SVAW, goodwill, Melwood,salvation army etc collect from generous Americans? Churches are considered charities, so they don't have earnings like a person or a corporation.

[christo930]

@Stephthatackle No they weren't. My two opening claims are both correct, look them up. The poverty rate was much higher than it is today and than it was when social safety nets were started and so was property crime, especially if you adjust it for drug prohibition. Churches should not be considered charities, they should pay taxes like everyone else. Another thing, it is illegal to keep you tax exempt status and make political statements and churches, including the catholic church, do everyday.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 i have looked this up on numerous occasions as you are not the first socialist democrat I have argued with. I assure that you are indeed mis-informed.Welfare started because WW2 men left and women back then could not provide for there families..not because of poverty rates. Back then the workfield was dominated by men so everyone had jobs (up until the historic closure of over 5000 banks)and the only people in need of Government assistance were the mentally or physically dis-abled.

[christo930]

@Stephthatackle I am a libertarian, not a "socialist democrat" whatever that is supposed to be. You are wrong. Poverty rates were very high before social safety nets came along, especially for the elderly.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 I think we will have to disagree on the poverty rates. But realize this, In 1920's the poverty rates fluctuated between 15-20% Similar to today..thats BEFORE welfare. In 1940 after the welfare system was implemented Poverty is recorded at fluctuating between 10 to 15%, closer to 10 then 15, I will admit. Worth my money? Not quite. It's not the case of "is it effective" When you take other peoples money and give it someone else..well no shit it's going to be effective.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 The case is 'who can do it better' Private or the government? The answer is private charities. And you will maybe say " Where were the charities back then" Well in the 30 and 40's during the world war nobody was just coasting through life, they barely could feed there own families. Times were rough. But nowadays people donate like there is no tomorrow...Look at some of these charities and you would say " why would someone want to support this?" Thats america..we will always help

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 And the number of people with physical and mental dis-abiilities where high because of the lack of medicinal advancing during this period. So you can be sure that before the great depression the only needing government help where the forementioned groups, and you need to realize that the whole libertarian way of thinking is if there are more jobs, that will fix a lot of things.

[christo930]

@Stephthatackle I agree that it will, but there are no jobs right now. Even the cooked gov number is over 16%. Even during the "roaring 20's" the poverty rate was high and poverty was deep (in other words, the poor were REALLY poor). Homelessness was a huge problem.

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 woah woah! you got me fucked up then..if were talking about ' now ' then I don't think we should cut ANY program in our borders, Keep EVERY SOCIAL PROGRAM AVAILABLE OPEN. We have to cut out foreign aid before we do it on our own people. This libertarian ideology is a movement, nothing I say goes hand n hand with todays america...

[Stephthatackle]

@christo930 And churches provide food for homeless, housing for homeless, baby supplies for struggling mothers, medical service for poor people all while preaching the word of God.. We don't want to penalize them for doing whats right. Thats another problem with america..we always want to penalize the good guy. from small bussines owners to rape victims to charities to even soup kitchens for christ sake! 

[christo930]

@Stephthatackle Churches spend a very small % of their income on charity. You are also ignoring all the fraud going on in the churches. Look at the mega churches and the faith healers. Just these 2 categories are billions of dollars and a great deal of corruption, using church money and assets for for-profit businesses. It even went to congress at one point and of course they held a kangaroo court where nobody got in trouble.

[TJ2029]

Barr '12

[fisharecoming]

@TJ2029 ron paul dude....

[fufuberry5]

the Libertarian, as much as I admire them can't win for some reasons. 1st the electoral system pushes them out of contention. I also think their economic views would lose alot of potential votes such as the elderly with Medicare. But I support Republicans on the basis that they are the closest to the Libertarian ideal. And I agree with most of the grassroots conservatives.

[Fader18100]

Damn straight hairylegs25!

[ihavereturnedagain1]

Legalize Freedom: Vote Libertarian

[kornfreak34]

The Repulicans and Dummycrats are so afraid to "allow" a Libertarian to the debates. They are afraid Americans will be impressed with what they hear. Our day will come, and there will be a Libertarian in office.

[abdishtar]

While I prefer Ron Paul, so right! Libertarians forever!

[GoLuckyOops]

Go Bob Barr! The two party system is unfair! America is founded on freedom, GO LIBERTARIAN PARTY WOO WOO!

[GoLuckyOops]

F&%* you! lol... conservatives vote for more government overspending and more government chosen bureaucracy just like the republicans (at least the compassionate conservative portion, of the retarded recent "republican" party). Libertarians stand up for your rights, wake the hell up. Freedom works, democrats vote for overspending just like the compassionate conservatives. 'Overspend how' is the actual debate they hold. Not IF overspend. Libertarians are very pro America Constitutional ideals

[kitycalifornia]

this scum bag is mystical conservative.

[Hairylegs25]

Truth be told, Libertarians need to tell off all the Neo-cons and regain control of the Republican party. They need to call out all the fake Republicans and seriously start kicking teeth in and knocking heads together.

Libertarians have the right message. Libertarians are what the Republican party USED to be--so why not take it back, man??

Call out all those posers and cash-whores and be VINDICTIVE about it! You have the American people on your side.

[Paulsur]

@Hairylegs25 Republican are lesser statists. Progressives are greater statists. libertarians are antistatist. Why would I ever want to be part of a political party of statists?

[ri9fk]

bob barr is a fucking idiot who never stood for any libertarian principles.

[BHE396]

I wouldn't go that far, but yes, I'll agree with you that he probably wasn't the best candidate for the LP.

[mercuryrulz]

i think its a shame that the dems and reps are the two main parties with people and parties like barr and the libertarians.

barr should have got more votes than Nader because nader is a joke, and unlike the libertarians, his party isn't really helping at all.

[deadbabyserpent]

What party? Ralph Nader ran as an independent this last time. And Bob Barr is John Boehner on Adderall. Bob Barr seems just as blue blooded and heartless as any Republican or Democrat.

[mercuryrulz]

thats the point dipshit!

and i take adderall you fucker!

[deadbabyserpent]

Really. I can't tell.

[adzug]

u can tell me

[megamule064]

bob barr for 2008 for some real change!!!!!!

[megamule064]

Bob Barr for president

[bumbumdeebum]

who cares about the green party and the libertarian party? i mean really! WHO CARES?!?!? thats why we have democrats and republicans... the ones we should worry about

[Pazrayna]

I care! And I count dammit!

Surprisingly Green Party supports decentralized Government also. Although I disagree with their party platform on many things, that's one thing I agree with. And that's one thing the Republicans and Democrats are messing up I believe.

[ForZeFatherland]

A lot of people care,

But the media doesn't

[BarrRoot2008]

BOB BARR 08! VOTE FOR REAL CHANGE!

[mbh76]

Visit Virtualgalt com

[FlowCell]

When I registered to vote, I registered as a Libertarian by writing it in under "other:". I'll be writing Bob Bar's name in on the ballot, to, since I live in Oklahoma.

I am now an officially registered Libertarian voter. I will no longer be burdened by the decaying elephant carcass.

[wgm72]

I was actually going to switch from republican to libertarian until reading what they stand for they said they were ok with the sexual and relationship practices of every person, so it means they are ok with homosexuals, well I guess its no need to switch from where I am then anyway.

[KarateKidX]

so you realized that they're actually in favor of non-intervention in all personal aspects of daily life, and not just the ones you, yourslf approve of?

[shanklinmike]

Throw those homos in jail! Chain them up and kill them! Why can't homos just go and die right? How dare people come out wanting different sex organs....THEY DESERVE LESSER TREATMENT! Let's not vote for peace and prosperity, but instead to discriminate against homos! All they do is turn more people homo and have AIDS sex all day right? We should put them in containment camps also and force the Bible down their throat. A true Christian doesn't judge! That's why I won't say anything about you!

[2connection]

The Libertarian party is no different than other parties in that there is no 1 law on this, its made up of individuals with a Variety of Views, just as dem and repub parties and not everyone agrees on everything , which is Natural and Normal

I am a Principled Constitutional Conservative, and i believe that the Libertarian Party is a superior alternative to the corrupt dishonest dems or repubs.

BOB BARR FOR PRES

[CH3MIS7RY]

wgm72...ultimately it's YOUR choice to agree or disagree and take action over same-sex marriage, etc.

the libertarian party takes the SENSIBLE position that the federal government has neither the moral authority nor the power/right to pass legislation (or amend the constitution, god forbid) that defines marriage.

[sanddemon51]

If only men like Bob Barr, Ron Paul, and Ralph Nader could get together and bring us back to a Constitutional Government void of corruption, deceit, and truth.

[peepnklown]

Barr: The odd thing is the libertarian 'change' is not really change at all...its going back to the basics: the principles of our founding republic.

Chuck Baldwin = Theocracy

[fleisch09]

Amen to that

[CH3MIS7RY]

agree peepnklown...as a card-carrying libertarian...barr has got my vote, no doubt. say no to mcbama...there's some real "CHANGE"

[riffrhino]

i dont like any of the candidates but if i were to vote, i would vote for bob because relative to the other candidates,a warmonger and an all talk black man, he i think is most qualifyed. unless of course its mcain and romney then ill vote for them. nobody is going to like what happens anyway because everyone thinks this or that but nobody gives a shit about the little people and what they have to say. move to canada or shut the fuck up.

[riffrhino]

this nation along with politics is fucked up at this point. no matter who is nominated some asswipe is going to complain and bitch but enevitably will accomplish nothing. all of the candidates at this moment are worthless. the next president will have some of the hardest obstacles to overcome and none of the candidates are strong enough for the position.

[Magicguy15]

I do not trust you Mr. Barr if you were part of the C.I.A. and have a CRAPY voting record then no one should trust you! We needed MARY RUWART or RON PAUL! I hope that you don't run next year and I pray that you are not the next president!

[bobkenstien]

I find it vaguely amusing that libertarian party members actually think that they can afford to brutally disagree with their own party's decisions. People, the margin for error is much smaller in the LP than it is in the GOP or the Democratic Party. If your favorite candidate didn't get nominated, tough shit. I think, at least, that Barr is a thousand times better than McCain, and ten thousand times better than Obama.

[ronpaulguy2008]

Guys like Barr are the ones we need to come over to our side. I voted for Harry Browne and Badnarik and every Libertarian who has run at all other levels for the last 12 years. If Bob has converted from the dark side good for him. He could serve as a example for those who are still caught up in the lie. Barr is fighting against his own pot bill in DC right now with MMP. He is no saint but maybe he has seen the light. Stranger things have happened.

[heywoodjablohme]

I'm voting for Wayne Root, an actual Libertarian. Sorry Bob, the LP doesn't need someone who authored the DOMA, or a drug warrior representing it. We don't need a former prosecutor who doesn't understand jury rights. We don't need a former CIA man who thinks that drug interdiction in Colombia is constitutional or moral. You may be willing to disavow those positions (which you haven't yet), but until you do, you have no business running as a Libertarian.

[murphycline]

Root is now Barr's VP.

[wilburjr]

The libertarians could find a good song called 'America is Over Now' @ wilburjr-thanks.

[kpings]

Agree this video only starts to address why Libertarian. However, a quick search of his other statements will provide additional convincing background and insights.

One added point, I find some of the "libertarians" who have joined in the last 5 years to think they are the real libertarians and to resist "new" members. Moving states, I find libertarian resistance to my participation in my new state. As a 25+ year libertarian, I question the motivation of resisting new members.

[MLIRBlur]

Even though I support Barr, I must say he could do a bit better job of explaining why he's a member of the party. Heck, he's part of LP leadership! More and more LP members seem to be going against his prospective campaign because they don't trust that he's a Libertarian. I think there's some substance to this; however, the party cannot pass up an opportunity for electoral success such as this. I would call upon other candidates such as Phillies, Kubby, and Root to pull out and become platform

[MLIRBlur]

consultants for the Barr campaign. Barr's the man for the party, but he needs to work on fine tuning his connections to Libertarianism.