A Look in My Mirror

I went to the early voting place yesterday.  For the first time I voted my conscience rather than practicality. I voted almost straight ticket Libertarian.  The only one I didn’t vote for was the person running for Senate.  I have been impressed by Dole, so I stayed with her.  Yes I know some of you will be happy, some will be sad.  Many will say I threw my vote away.  In this world and with the choices we have, though, I was not happy with either candidate or party.  Real change would be if a third party, especially one that stands for personal liberty and responsibility, were to be elected.  Given the fact that both mainstream candidates supported the “bailout” and both seem to want to continue to expand the power of the federal government, neither share my view of limiting government and returning responsibility to the people or the states.  I do not agree with everything the Libertarian party stands for but I have come to believe that neither mainstream party represents my views at all.  Since there are not a lot of Libertarians running, though, some races I did have to choose from Democrat or Republican.

I am tired of people wanting the government to run their lives.  The government seems happy to step in an oblige.  I want people in office who will say, “No, its your responsibility to find what you need.  We will not give it anything to you just because you scream for it.”  I obviously am not heartless.  If there are people, which I know there are, who truly can’t fend for themselves, than we need to help them.  But, I believe that private entities in the community should be the driving force for that help, not Washington.  Neither party seems to believe that any more.  Not that one of them didn’t stop believing that in the 1930’s.

Is my vote just wasted.  No, I truly believe that this may help create a basis for change in the future.  Libertarians need to start winning ballot recognition and keeping it.  Once they are permanently on the ballot then they will begin to be invited to debates.  In NC Mike Munger was invited to too gubernatorial debates.  We need to see a national push for presidential debate representation.

Change, true change, comes gradually.  Sudden events that seem to force change really force compromise, which is not change, it is repeating the status quo in a new way.  For real change to come to Washington we need new ideas.  Neither party offers new ideas.  There are only the old ideas dressed in new clothes.  One day I hope they will be exposed, like the emperor was.  For now, we must be patient.  Change will come.