But of course - there's always a counterpoint
This one from John Hospers - a founder of the Libertarian Party and it's first presidential candidate. Unlike Andrew Sullivan I haven't read much (well... any) of his writing, but given his status as a founder of the LP, I'm inclined to give his opinion some credence.
He too acknowledges that Bush hasn't been a godsend for us who are in favor of limited governance:
George Bush has been criticized for many things -- and in many cases with justification: on campaign finance reform (a suppression of the First Amendment), on vast new domestic spending, on education, and on failing to protect the borders. No self-respecting libertarian or conservative would fail to be deeply appalled by these.
But, he contends, Kerry would be far worse. In direct opposition to the presumably similarly politically inclined Sullivan, Hospers fears that:
The election of John Kerry would be, far more than is commonly realized, a catastrophe. Regardless of what he may say in current campaign speeches, his record is unmistakable: he belongs to the International Totalitarian Left in company with the Hillary and Bill Clintons, the Kofi Annans, the Ted Kennedys, and the Jesse Jacksons of the world.
...
Presumably he and a small cadre of bureaucrats should rule the world, via the U. N. or some other world body which will make all decisions for the whole world concerning private property, the use of our military, gun ownership, taxation, and environmental policy (to name a few). In his thirty-year career he has demonstrated utter contempt for America, national security, constitutional republicanism, democracy, private property, and free markets.
When stated that way, it is indeed frightening - and this is not inconsistent with the principles I believe Kerry holds dear. Of course, Kerry actually being able to accomplish all these things is a dubious possibility, particularly since he will likely be saddled with opposition in both houses of the legislature. Regardless, the idea of a president who holds this type of international supergovernmental power in high esteem and abhors the lack of control that the state has over free markets is indeed a frightening thing to contemplate.
He too acknowledges that Bush hasn't been a godsend for us who are in favor of limited governance:
George Bush has been criticized for many things -- and in many cases with justification: on campaign finance reform (a suppression of the First Amendment), on vast new domestic spending, on education, and on failing to protect the borders. No self-respecting libertarian or conservative would fail to be deeply appalled by these.
But, he contends, Kerry would be far worse. In direct opposition to the presumably similarly politically inclined Sullivan, Hospers fears that:
The election of John Kerry would be, far more than is commonly realized, a catastrophe. Regardless of what he may say in current campaign speeches, his record is unmistakable: he belongs to the International Totalitarian Left in company with the Hillary and Bill Clintons, the Kofi Annans, the Ted Kennedys, and the Jesse Jacksons of the world.
...
Presumably he and a small cadre of bureaucrats should rule the world, via the U. N. or some other world body which will make all decisions for the whole world concerning private property, the use of our military, gun ownership, taxation, and environmental policy (to name a few). In his thirty-year career he has demonstrated utter contempt for America, national security, constitutional republicanism, democracy, private property, and free markets.
When stated that way, it is indeed frightening - and this is not inconsistent with the principles I believe Kerry holds dear. Of course, Kerry actually being able to accomplish all these things is a dubious possibility, particularly since he will likely be saddled with opposition in both houses of the legislature. Regardless, the idea of a president who holds this type of international supergovernmental power in high esteem and abhors the lack of control that the state has over free markets is indeed a frightening thing to contemplate.
posted by soulpole66 at 1:51 PM
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