The Libertarian Problem

Primary season is here in the great state of Georgia. The television ads are getting brutal and smiling politicians are putting the polish on their lip service. Tuesday will determine which Republican and which Democrat will square off this November in the general election. In Georgia, we have a third candidate from the Libertarian party by the name of John Monds. From what I've read, John Monds is a good guy. He seems to have grounded principles and passes the idealogical purity test for the revolutionaries amongst us. I agree with 99% of what Mr. Monds is campaigning on and I honestly believe he would make a fantastic Governor if circumstances were more favorable to his governing philosophy.

That brings me to the title of this entry, The Libertarian Problem. The Libertarian Party believes so strongly in it's message of limited government and maximum freedom that it doesn't bother with petty, smaller races. I have never seen a Libertarian run for my city council, for mayor, or for the Georgia House in my district. They seem to believe that they're too important to serve in such a small capacity. That, to me, is bitterly annoying. It showcases the very elitism that I despise liberals for. How well could a Libertarian Governor serve with zero Libertarians in the General Assembly? Sure, he might get 75% of the Republicans to go along with his proposals, but that's still not enough. The Governor is limited by our state constitution. He can't be a dictator and just magically enact his proposals. He needs a good majority of like-minded assemblymen. The fact is that reality would make him an ineffective Governor if he were to be elected, but let's not assume that there is even a remote chance that will actually happen. I haven't seen one John Monds commercial. I would have no idea who John Monds is if I didn't actively search out some campaign literature. I guarantee you that when I go to his website in a few minutes, I'm going to find a campaign message on legalizing drugs.

*Update: Yep. Nailed it.*

I don't understand Libertarian absolutism when it comes to drugs. Yes, I agree that if it's not hurting anyone else's physical person or property then it shouldn't be illegal, but drugs are not the focus of today. Georgia has a 10% unemployment rate and is, without a doubt, the most pressing issue we face. Talking about the war on drugs makes one seem so disconnected from current issues that even reasonable people start to wonder where in left field this candidate came from. To Mr. Monds' credit, the drug issue isn't exactly front and center on his website, but it's not really an issue at all for the vast majority of us who aren't in jail for smoking weed.

The steadfast refusal of the Libertarians to build a base before reaching for the throne will continue to net them around 5% of the vote every election cycle. They seem so disconnected from reality that they don't see the damage they do. Libertarians are a net loss for those of us who treasure their liberty enough to compromise a little. Spare me the "I'll never compromise my liberty!" speech, please. If this election turns out to be a nail biter and the GOP candidate loses within the margin of what John Monds wins, then he is certainly to blame for being so arrogant to believe he could of won in the first place. A GOP loss in the range of the aforementioned means one thing: a Democrat Governor. Chances are that Roy Barnes wins the Democrat nod and his campaign staff couldn't be more pleased that there might be enough 'principled' Libertarians to detract enough votes away from the GOP candidate to put his tubby ass back in the Governor's mansion. I call it the Ross Perot effect (or Ralph Nader effect, if you so desire) Third party candidates fuel the passions of minority constituencies but remain unelectable. If John Monds were running in the GOP primary this Tuesday, then he would get my vote, but, like it or not, a Republican or a Democrat will be sitting in the Governor's chair come January.

I used to be naive. The first election that I was able to vote in, I voted for Harry Browne. He struck a chord in my heart and mind that free men cannot be free with the chains of a zealous federal government hanging on their shoulders. Although it was Florida where the shit hit the fan, I couldn't help but feel that I almost helped elect President Al Gore. The damage Al Gore would have done to my liberty would of been far worse than had I voted for George Bush even though he wasn't in lock step with my ideology. People who ascribe to Libertarian leanings should consider getting involved in the Republican primary. We have a couple candidates that might surprise you with how much you have in common. Yes, we might have to deal with some social right policies that are ridiculous, but that's better than fiscal left policies and teacher's unions running the Gold Dome. We, as Georgians, would be well served to band together and make sure that a wingnut like Roy Barnes doesn't get four years to force union demands down our throats while simultaneously taxing us into oblivion. One can be principled and reasonable at the same time. Voting for John Monds is neither.