Not my best work...

My pre-election piece:


I despise politicians. Because they win a popularity contest they have the hubris to believe that they have the right to control our lives, limit our liberty, and take away our property.

That’s why I’m voting straight-ticket for the Libertarian Party this election, including a vote for presidential candidate Michael Badnarik. Badnarik is not a career politician; he’s an ordinary citizen who is fed up with what the government is doing to this country. Unlike the politicians running for office, Badnarik promises to respect the right of every citizen to make decisions for his own life, to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and to live in freedom.

Badnarik offers a refreshing change from the major party candidates. Unlike the Republicrats, Libertarians believe that tax money does not belong to the state, but to the people who earned it. Thus Libertarians seek to drastically reduce the size of the federal government by limiting its function to its constitutional responsibilities then returning the money saved back to the people.

In contrast, under the Bush administration non-defense spending has grown by 25%, the fastest growth in over 30 years. The response from the Kerry campaign has been to call for even greater increases totaling trillions of dollars. Both candidates have promised to increase spending, cut taxes, and balance the budget, something that is physically impossible. There is only one word for such promises; they’re called “lies”.

Unlike President Bush, Badnarik knows he is not god. He believes that marriage is a legal contract and a spiritual promise between adults, something that no mortal man has a right to interfere with. Instead of discriminating against unpopular minority groups for political advantage, Badnarik will uphold the American promise of freedom for every individual.

Unlike Senator Kerry, Badnarik knows he cannot avoid economic reality. The Social Security system has $26 trillion in unfunded liabilities, a burden our generation will have to bear. Instead of addressing the issue, the Kerry campaign has avoided it, inviting economic disaster. The younger generation has no choice but to vote for candidates like Badnarik who seek to privatize the system.

Four more years of either Bush or Kerry is unacceptable. Both will continue to spill American blood and fortune upon the desert sands of the Middle East while curtailing our civil liberties at home. However, as Commander-in-Chief Michael Badnarik would pursue a foreign policy of peace while preserving civil liberties. A Libertarian America would seek friendship and trade with all nations, but entangling alliances with none.

As Americans, freedom is our birthright. It is enshrined in the highest law of the land, our Constitution, which protects the rights of the individual against the power of government. If we wish to hold on to the free republic we have been given, we must vote candidates into office which respect our rights and will uphold the Constitution. The Libertarian Party is our only choice for a free, peaceful, and tolerant America.