Apr 22, 2004

Not Liberal - Libertarian!!!!

by Liberty and Power

George Will is normally a pretty insightful guy (if you can get over the smarmy-factor) when it comes to politics. But today's column from him on the political changes in Arizona either signal the onset of old age or serious denial on his part.

Why are Republicans losing their grip on Arizona? Is it because of some Democratic conspiracy in the desert? No. The state has always been and now remains one of the most LIBERTARIAN in America. All Arizona's competitiveness shows us the immense dissatisfaction libertarians now have with the Bush administration. It's a self-inflicted wound by the GOP, which did not have to actively antagonize us, and one they may pay a high price for in November.

Are many libertarians considering a vote for John Kerry? I for one am. Kerry seems to be about as scary as Bush on many dimensions, most notably his traditional left wing views on the market. But Kerry does have a much stronger record on civil rights (i.e. unlike Bush he believes in at least a few of them) and I'm far less concerned about a Kerry presidency if it was constrained by a Republican Congress. How will the massive throngs of millions of libertarian voters (ok, that's called sarcasm folks) going to vote in November? Most won't, but in a country so closely divided it's time to consider flexing a little electoral muscle where possible.