The "other" Candidate

[voguy]

Good opinion piece, and spot on with the points.
LINK TO STORY - Opinion

5 Reasons To Vote For Gary Johnson As President
Be Libertarian with me and lets make America sane again.
Stephanie Manning

Don't know who former Governor Johnson is? Well here's a little summary about the libertarian candidate. Gary Johnson was the Republican governor of New Mexico from 1994-2003. Before venturing into politics, Johnson was an entrepreneur and business man, similar to the current GOP candidate, Donald Trump. He started his own construction business which later became one of the largest construction companies in the state of New Mexico. What is so interesting about Johnson is his veto record. As Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson vetoed a total of 750 bills that were proposed. This is more vetoes than any other governor in United States history. You may be thinking, "well, I don't want a president who vetoes everything," but hear me out. Johnson cut taxes 14 times while in office and he never once raised them. When he retired from his office in 2003, the state of New Mexico was one of only 4 states with a completely balanced budget. He also has one of the most successful job creating records of any US governor. After Governor Johnson noticed the fall of the Republican party, he knew there was no way he could be a Democrat. Gary Johnson was, and still is socially liberal, while fiscally conservative. This is what the Republican party used to be. Now, these ideals are referred to as Libertarianism. The Libertarian party is the only party, other than the Republican and Democratic parties, whose nominee is guaranteed to be on the ballots in all 50 states. Yes, you read correctly. There will be three presidential candidates to chose from. Here are some reasons why you may want to vote for the Libertarian candidate this election.

1. When it comes to social issues, Gary Johnson agrees with Bernie Sanders 73% of the time.

Do you believe in a woman's right to chose, the legalization of marijuana or gay rights? If so, Johnson is the candidate for you. With Bernie Sanders slowly, but surely losing the Democratic nomination, you may believe that your only option is to vote for Hillary. I'm here to tell you that you have another option. Johnson believes in a small government. This means that the government would have no say in what you do with your life. He believes that as long as no harm is coming to others, American citizens should be able to act as they please. While agreeing to legalize gay marriage in all 50 states. he also has said that he believes churches should have the right to deny performing these marriages. Quite frankly, Gary Johnson doesn't care if you get an abortion, smoke weed, or are homosexual. We have bigger problems to worry about.

2. He knows how to create a balanced budget.

Are you concerned about the 20 trillion dollars the US owes in debt? I sure am. That's why I am voting for Gary Johnson. Governor Johnson was able to create a balanced budget for the state of New Mexico as well as cut taxes. His business-like approach to economic issues is much more effective than a political approach. Johnson has already stated that his first act in office will be to create a "truly balanced budget." He has also pledged to veto any legislation that will involve deficit spending. Compared to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, Gary Johnson's economic plan is much more practical and well thought out.

3. He wants to cut government spending in all the right places.

One of the major ways Johnson wants to cut spending is to decrease the incarceration rates in the US. This country spends more money on imprisoning criminals than any other country. Johnson believes that the government has criminalized too many aspects of people's personal lives. Gary Johnson says "the failed War on Drugs is, of course, the greatest example. Well over 100 million Americans have, at one time or another, used marijuana. Yet, today, simple possession and use of marijuana remains a crime — despite the fact that a majority of Americans now favor its legalization." Another way Johnson plans to cut spending is by increasing retirement age and cutting funding to the welfare system. He also wants to privatize social security and healthcare to take the economic pressure off of the government while giving American citizens more choices in how they live their lives. Along with this, Johnson plans on eliminating all federal agencies in order to decrease our nation's debt.

4. His foreign policy is on point.

To sum it all up, Gary Johnson's foreign policy is centered on the idea that we do not need to get involved when it's none of our business. Unless one of our allies has called upon us for help or if our country is in danger, there is no reason for us to waste American lives or money on fighting wars we have no business fighting. Johnson wants to "repair and reinforce" our relationships with our allies and use them to our advantage. In all reality, his plans for foreign policy are quite simple...protect our citizens and our way of life. That's all he really cares about.

5. He actually has a plan to lower taxes while still decreasing the national debt.

Johnson says "Today’s federal tax code does all the wrong things. It penalizes productivity, savings and investment, while rewarding inefficiency and designating winners and losers according to political whim. For far too long, tax laws have been used not just as a means to collect needed revenues, but as a weapon with which to manipulate our behavior, create and destroy industries and fulfill politicians’ dreams of social engineering. The result is a tax code that is more than 70,000 pages long enforced by a government agency with almost 100,000 employees. It is nothing less than a massive deployment of government force on our lives, our finances and our freedom." He plans to totally do away with tax subsidies and the double taxation on businesses while implementing a single consumption tax. This will give Americans more freedom to do what they want with their money. Gary Johnson's tax plan is supported by many famous economists.

The polls show that Johnson already has 11.5% of America's vote, and most people don't even know who he is yet. This is more support than a Libertarian nominee has gotten in the history of the political party's participation in the presidential election and this number is rising everyday. In the past, the Libertarian nominee has barely gotten 1% of the vote. For the first time in history, a Libertarian actually has a shot at winning the presidential election. What is stated in this article is just a small amount of what Gary Johnson has to offer. Instead of having to chose between the worst of both parties, lets make America sane again by electing the best of both parties. Be Libertarian with me. You wont regret it.

Stephanie Manning is a psych major with a sociology minor. Traveling is my passion. I'm a proud sister of Alpha Omicron Pi. I live and breathe recruitment.

[kbot]

Voted for Johnson in 2012 - couldn't stomach another Obama turn and already been down Romney Road, so......... Cal it a protest vote, but I will most likely vote for him again this go-'round

[Riddick]

[Doka]

I would register as a Libertarian, in a flash, but they have no power, no one pays attention. It may change, Trump is the one who has taken the "bull by the horns" he has thick skin, to take on being the most hated, and maligned person in the world and the most feared. He finally got every ones attention for better or worse, in that light he created his own power, no one else had the guts to take it All on. But humans are so fickle , they have a tendency to turn on even those who might give them exactly what they wanted in the 1st place. No matter what anybody says, he has OPENED a door for others as well as for himself. Are we to be the ones that closes that door?

[Riddick]

[voguy]

I would register as a Libertarian, in a flash, but they have no power, no one pays attention.

But at times you have to vote by conviction rather than to postulate your vote. When faced with voting for one of the two evils, I would rather vote for none and go third party. Too many vote thinking the inevitable will change.

[Riddick]

[Riddick]

[Riddick]

[Riddick]

[kbot]

I would register as a Libertarian, in a flash, but they have no power, no one pays attention.

But at times you have to vote by conviction rather than to postulate your vote. When faced with voting for one of the two evils, I would rather vote for none and go third party. Too many vote thinking the inevitable will change.

[Doka]

I would register as a Libertarian, in a flash, but they have no power, no one pays attention.

But at times you have to vote by conviction rather than to postulate your vote. When faced with voting for one of the two evils, I would rather vote for none and go third party. Too many vote thinking the inevitable will change.

................................

Having and living by your convictions is a wonderful thing and to be admired. But one always needs to know the consequences of said convictions. Giving your vote to someone who has no chance in the game , is a vote given directly in favor of what you "say" that you "really do not want". It would seem to me, far more honest and worthy of said convictions if you just voted for Hillary, in protest, and live with the consequences. In this case, the out come is the same. Like Hillary's justification, "she just didn't know better" therefor not responsible for her actions. I think I am going to use that one, next time I get caught speeding and see where my conviction gets me?

[voguy]

Having and living by your convictions is a wonderful thing and to be admired. But one always needs to know the consequences of said convictions. Giving your vote to someone who has no chance in the game , is a vote given directly in favor of what you "say" that you "really do not want". It would seem to me, far more honest and worthy of said convictions if you just voted for Hillary, in protest, and live with the consequences. In this case, the out come is the same. Like Hillary's justification, "she just didn't know better" therefor not responsible for her actions. I think I am going to use that one, next time I get caught speeding and see where my conviction gets me?

So in any contest we should have just two choices? Isn't that why we're in the problem were in now?

I wouldn't write Johnson out of the mix just yet. He is gaining popularity among a core group of Bernie supporters, as well as those in the republican party who think Trump is batshyt crazy. When you stack up those stats you see there is about 31% of the expected vote. I think if Johnson, and the Libertarian party, could muster the money for national ads there would be far more than that who would vote for him. The only thing he doesn't have that Clinton and Trump have is the war-chest of funds from supporters.

Regardless, I don't think I can vote for Hillary, and Trump might be a good Secratary of Treasury but he's not presidential. I happen to think that my convictions, and the consequences they bring, will be better in voting the Libertarian ticket. And I refuse to sit out because I can't vote for the lesser of two evils.

I'm reminded of a friend who was on a jury which ended up sending an innocent man to prison because he, and the other jurors just wanted to get it over. They just wanted to cast a vote, and leave. Had they looked at the evidence and taken the time a many wouldn't have lost 9 years of his life and a marriage. Sometimes not taking your vote seriously can lead to bigger consequences.

[Doka]

I suppose I am stuck thinking about the dynamics of the Ross Perot run in 1992. I still think it made enough difference to give the nomination to Clinton, just my opinion . Plus the fact, Perot had his name on the ballet , he still only came up with 18%. Another minor issue no one is paying much attention to Johnson except older disgruntled voters he would need one heck of a surge of some group of voters ? To even make an impression.

[Riddick]