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Title: Libertarians Should Hope for Clinton Versus Bush in 2016
Source:
Reason
URL Source: http://reason.com/archives/2015/05/10/clinton-versus-bush-in-2016
Published: May 10, 2015
Author: Sheldon Richman
Post Date: 2015-05-10 11:30:46 by Hondo68
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Keywords: obviously opportunistic, void of principle, delusive phantom of hope
Views: 6206
Comments: 23
The more I think about the coming presidential election—it’s not unreasonable to ask why I think about it at all—the more I am convinced that the best contest for libertarians would be Hillary Clinton versus Jeb Bush. Why? Because all we libertarians would need to do is point to the ballot and ask, "Here’s our argument against politics. Need we add anything?" What could better illustrate the bankruptcy of the political system than that race? What better way could there be for us to capitalize on the presumed disillusionment, especially among young people, with the Obama years? You wanted hope and change? Here’s what it got you. The stale politics personified by these two uninteresting, dynastic power-seekers couldn’t be better suited to driving home our point that the status quo is too firmly entrenched to be challenged effectively from within. I’m not saying that’s a timeless law of nature, but it seems to be the case at present. If someone knows a way to change that quickly, please let us know. A Clinton v. Bush contest would have all the excitement of a snail race. Again, that’s good for the advocates of liberty. Is anyone really going to be excited about these two? I guess a few people will think having a woman elected president is worth any cost. But really—Hillary Clinton? She’s so obviously opportunistic and void of principle, so ready to say whatever she needs to say to assemble a winning coalition. When she tries to sound like a progressive, I feel I’m watching a Saturday Night Live sketch. She has none of her husband’s ability to feign sincerity. Does anyone really believe what she says? I think the only honest statement that could come from her would be, "I want power. Now!" And Jeb Bush—I can barely conjure up a mental image of him; that’s how memorable he is. What does he believe in? It’s a silly question. He believes he ought to be president. I realize the bar is low, but the other candidates in the race would be more interesting, even if in a screwball way. Bernie Sanders against Rand Paul would have more spectator value—maybe. It would depend on which Rand Paul we got. Rand Paul in an anti-interventionist mood, tearing into the Nobel Peace Prize-winning president for perpetual war and execution by drone without due process (with Americans among the victims), would be a welcome sight. But the pressure of coalition politics will keep that Rand Paul under wraps, even if a hint is dropped now and again. No wonder his father looked despondent at the campaign kickoff. On the Democratic side, I fear we won’t get 100-proof Sanders. He is in a position to go after Clinton from the left on both foreign and domestic policy, but indications are that he will confine his assault to the domestic side. I’d love to see him spell out Clinton’s record of support for war—she helped make Libya, Syria, and beyond the disasters they are today—and her suspicious reticence about the civil-liberties violations committed by the Obama administration. [She was willing to criticize George W. Bush on that count.] But what if Sanders calculates that the public doesn’t care enough about foreign policy or surveillance, and instead focuses entirely on economic issues, where from a libertarian perspective he’s a mess? That would be a shame because Clinton should be seen for the hawk she is. She is vulnerable on the domestic side, of course: her notorious ties to Wall Street are juicy targets for someone like Sanders, and she deserves to have this dirty linen put on full display. But Sanders is boxed in by his modest—yes, modest—agenda, which calls merely for more regulation by Washington bureaucrats rather than a radical elimination of the deeply rooted government privilege that characterizes the American political economy. [Markets do regulate themselves when privilege is absent.] He seems unfamiliar with the principle of regulatory capture. How many failures of "reform" must we experience before people like Sanders finally get the point? Sadly, a great opportunity will be lost to teach Americans that the problem is the corporate state—the long-standing government-business alliance—and that the solution is the radically freed market, not better regulators. We can empower bureaucrats or liberate people. It’s not really a tough choice. I suppose Rand Paul would make "crony capitalism" part of his campaign too, but we can’t expect him to propose a thorough rooting out of corporatism. Further, since he supports increased military spending, he encourages expansion of the trough at which major corporations feed. So at best his message would be murky and uninstructive. Another opportunity forgone. So I’m leaning toward the position I opened with. Let’s have the two stalest, most forgettable people imaginable run for president in 2016. Suffering through that race will either convince people that needed radical change won’t come from the electoral system, or if that is too much to swallow, it will convince them that the candidate gatekeepers must be exiled so that fresh thinking—read: libertarian ideas—can have a shot for a change. Wouldn’t a few months of Clinton and Bush be worth it?
Poster Comment: The "anybody but x" crowd is already looking for candidates worse than Jeb or Hillary. Maybe Donald Trump and Rachel Maddow?
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DonkeyHotey/Flickr
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 20.
#4. To: All (#0)
That's because the Libertarian Party is closer to the libtard party than a Conservative party. That's why our radical libertarians spend more time picking on the (R)'s than the (D)'s. It's the main reason why I registered independent... I can't get past the narcotic loving, criminal sympathetic libtard crowd... that would rather cut their tongue out than post an article that demonizes welfare.
I'd like to see you cite an article, - posted by any libertarian at LF, --- that instead of 'demonizing welfare', supports welfare. Can you?
Show me one article you've posted that specifically demonizes welfare... just one. Ops... You can't. I rest my case.
I'd like to see you cite an article, - posted by any libertarian at LF, --- that instead of 'demonizing welfare', supports welfare. Can you? Your space case? Over the last 15 years of posting here, LP and FR, my opposition to welfare statism is well established. So is your support for big brother type statism. -- I rest MY case.
15 years of opposition, and you can't post one example? Sounds like SPIN. Post one example... Just one article over 15 years, that SPECIFICALLY demonizes welfare. You still can't. Dont post back without a cut and pasted example.
5.0 WELFARE 5.1 The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services should be abolished, leaving decision making on welfare and related matters at the state, local or personal level. All Americans have the right to keep the fruits of their labor to support themselves, their families and whatever charities they so choose, without interference from the federal government. 5.2 All able-bodied Americans have the responsibility to support themselves and their families.
It's rather interrsting that you supposedly hate government so much... but never found the ambition to post ONE article demonizing welfare, specifically. You are inconsistent. You either just hate cops... or you're a libtard. Which is it? Time to confess
Some things are so obvious they don't have to be pointed out to most people. Then again,you are a product of your environment,and thinking for yourself was punished instead of rewarded. Welfare is NOT the business of governemtnt. it is the business of organized religions,charities, and individuals. Most people,even those who don't like it,understand this to be true without having to be told.
#22. To: sneakypete (#20)
Your line reminded me of a discussion from years ago, at FR: --- --- I grew up in the midwest at the tail end of the city or county 'poor farm' system. It was a blend of a private & local government safety net system, developed before social security. If you were broke & homeless, and displayed it, -- you had the option of moving on, - or going to the poor farm to work at caring for the counties infirm & elderly indigents. - You were not allowed to wander the streets as a beggar. The governments involved provided the land & infrastucture, but the 'inmates' and private charities did the rest. -- It DID work fairly well, if memory serves. Although I'm sure the system was overwhelmed by the depression, and then killed by various welfare schemes. 75 posted on 3/21/2002, 1:59:04 PM by tpaine
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestLibertarians Should Hope for Clinton Versus Bush in 2016 Source
#5. To: GrandIsland (#4)
I can't get past the narcotic loving, criminal sympathetic libtard crowd... that would rather cut their tongue out than post an article that demonizes welfare.
#7. To: tpaine (#5)
I'd like to see you cite an article, - posted by any libertarian at LF, --- that instead of 'demonizing welfare', supports welfare.
#9. To: GrandIsland (#7)
I can't get past the narcotic loving, criminal sympathetic libtard crowd... that would rather cut their tongue out than post an article that demonizes welfare.
Show me one article you've posted that specifically demonizes welfare... just one. Ops... You can't. --- I rest my case.
#10. To: tpaine (#9)
Over the last 15 years of posting here, LP and FR, my opposition to welfare statism is well established
#11. To: GrandIsland (#10)
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-rlc/721810/posts
#13. To: tpaine (#11)
#20. To: GrandIsland (#13)
It's rather interrsting that you supposedly hate government so much... but never found the ambition to post ONE article demonizing welfare, specifically.
Replies to Comment # 20. Welfare is NOT the business of governemtnt. it is the business of organized religions,charities, and individuals.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 20.
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