Friday, June 27, 2008

Campaign for Liberty

Everyone should give this a look. Ron Paul may seem a little crazy at times, but it is because he puts it straight. He tells how it is and what will really change our country, which is not the status quo.

Campaign for Liberty!!!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

You Really Don't Have To...

As I've been considering the 2008 Election and trying to decipher the moods of the people around me, I've got one thing that stands out in my mind that I desire to say. You don't have to vote for Obama or McCain. For years the American political system has run as a two-party system. Intersting to note that during that time, on the politcal continuum, the two parties have come closer together and even overlaped or switched sides on occasion. (Here's an example.) Over the past few presidents and congresses very little progress has been made, unless you count a larger deficit as progress. Our quite large federal government has caused our nation to stagnate and now we enter a recession. The thing that I find most humorous is that people still look to products of that federal government to fix things. All over the political scene there are cries of "Change!!!" and we REALLY want it. Why then, do we continue down the same path from which we so desperately desire change? Are we really glutonous for that type of punishment? Do we realize that WE have allowed our political system to become the monster that it is?
I apologize for the rant. Every once in a while I must give in to my true feelings. And I guess that is what I hope to inspire in people. There is no need to brand ourselves Blue or Red. Many times we think that because we normally vote for Democratic candidates, that means we must be a Democrat, and even when a Democrat comes along that we don't agree with, we still vote for that person just because of our voting history. I found this aritcle by Glenn Beck this morning and while I realize that he is quite conservative, the premise of the article is sound for people of any political persuasion. What do you personally believe? How do you feel about specific political situations? Do you believe the death penalty is wrong? Do you feel that government programs such as Welfare or Medicaid are beneficial to society? Do you feel that there should be fewer gun laws? WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL OPINION? Not that of your parents or spouse or best friend. And especially not of the guy squawking at you from the TV screen. Take the time before you vote to think about what you truly believe. Go online and take a political ideology quiz (though not 100% accurate, they can give you an idea of where you stand).
I personally believe that a two party system causes stagnation and impedes the greatness of our nation. We need the opportunity for a third or fourth or fifth party candidate to actually have a shot at leading our nation, or being a member of Congress.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

A Long Time Coming

This blog has been a long time in the making for me. From a very young age I became interested in politics. Over the years I have varied in my personal political beliefs, ranging from conservative to liberal, even semi-socialist at times. The more that I have thought about my own political beliefs in the past few years, and especially with the upcoming Presidential election, I've realized that my views on government are libertarian in nature. I don't want to give a huge lecture on libertarian beliefs here, though that will partly be the purpose of this blog, but it basically involves returning to the Constitution as our governing document. The Constitution was written as a safegaurd against a large Federal government and too much government intervention. The United States governement has stuck its hands in places where it has no right to stick them.
So, this election season, I have decided to play a proactive part in helping people realize the need to return to the Constitution, and the form of government set up by the Founding Fathers of our nation, who I believe were inspired men who knew well what could happen to our country. I hope you will all join me in this venture as we discuss politics in general, some libertarian views (including the Libertarian candidate for President, Bob Barr), and the Constitution and Founding Father.

(The title of the blog and the quote come from a speech given by Patrick Henry that helped give start to the American Revolution and the United States of America.)