Do you think that Libertarians are going to breakaway from the Republicans

[La_Serpiente]

Poll question: Do you think that Libertarians are going to breakaway from the Republicans

This has been on my mind for quite a bit. The Libertarians would never want a large social program like the Democrats. However, they are obviously disgruntled with the Bush administration. He invaded Iraq, there is the Patriot Act, the Steel Tarrifs, and the massive deficit spending.

So what do you think. Will the Libertarians breakaway en masse to their own party, stay with the Republicans, or go to the Democrats?

[tedoll78]

1. Here's what I tell my GOP relatives:

The GOP can no longer claim to be the party of smaller government with a straight face.

Non-security/defense spending has gone UP in the past three years more than it did in ALL of Clinton's 8 years!!!
(they hate it when I use facts like that..)

[liberalcapitalist]

2. I hope I can convince them to join us

http://www.godhatesbush.com

George W. Bush: Uniting Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Natural Law, and independents to oust him!

One of George W. Bush's mottos on the 2000 campaign trail was that he was a "uniter, not a divider." Remember when he first emerged in the media as a "compassionate conservative," a moderate Republican? He was supposed to unite Republicans and Democrats for the bi-partisan good of the country.

Has this occurred?

Even with September 11, the Bush Administration has been unable to find much common ground among the two parties. Instead, they refer to any and all who criticize them as "traitors" or at the very least "un-American." But perhaps Bush's legacy as a uniter will be fulfilled after all, as Democrats, Libertarians, Greens, Natural Law, and independents unite to throw him out of office.

Libertarians: Libertarians believe in small government. The Republicans also claim to be for small government, though the current administration has created the largest deficit in the history of the country! While a Democratic president would not adhere to a Libertarian philosophy of bare-bones government, the front-running hopefuls have pledged to balance the budget. Therefore, I would argue that the Democratic Party more closely resembles the economic philosophy of Libertarians than does the Bush Administration.

But where the Democrats share the most with Libertarians is on social issues. The American notion of "conservative" and "liberal" is so corrupted that Libertarians, the true conservatives, would be painted as leftist radicals for their social agenda. Libertarians are supreme advocates for civil liberties, and the separation of church and state. This agenda comprises a full one-half of the Libertarian platform. So while Libertarians may vehemently disagree with the Democratic economic philosophy (while I argue that it still is better from a Libertarian standpoint than Bush's policies), they are far closer in agreement to Democrats than Republicans in terms of civil liberties. The Patriot Act alone should encourage Libertarians to oust Bush at all cost.

My plea to Libertarians is that you please assist other independent thinking Americans in ousting Bush. While you may disagree with Democrats and liberals, you must also concur that the majority of us have reached our opinions through the same study and analysis that you pursued to arrive at yours. Bush's lies and wrapping himself in the flag of Christian America has threatened our civil liberties, and if allowed to continue, he will eventually create an America where Libertarianism will not be allowed to compete in the marketplace of ideas. Though I, as a liberal, disagree with many tenants of Libertarianism, I also recognize its many virtues. And while I don't begrudge you your 2000 vote for Harry Browne, we must unite in 2004 to oust Bush at all costs!

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. I think they are beginning to realize that they ARE the third party.

They need to be out in the open where we can keep an eye on them, and where they can stop diluting the Democratic platform.