First nationally televised third party debates

[Skjellyfetti]

Also, the first debates I'll try to watch.

Trump! Clinton! Is that all there is? No. Fortunately, we have other choices.

A recent poll shows that if the election were held today, 11 percent of Americans would vote for a Libertarian, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. That's surprising, since last election Johnson got just 1 percent of the vote.

This year, he's doing better, probably because Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton hold the highest percentage of "unfavorable" reactions from voters in more than 30 years. I assume the Libertarian total will go higher, since most poll respondents had no opinion about Johnson. They probably don't know who he is.

They can learn more by watching my Fox Business Network show April 1 and April 8. On those days, I'll air a debate among the three leading Libertarian candidates. They are Johnson, software businessman John McAfee and The Libertarian Republic founder Austin Petersen. The Party will choose its nominee at the Libertarian convention in Orlando, Florida, over Memorial Day weekend.

What a relief to hear libertarian views after months of hearing Clinton and Trump talk about reducing Americans' liberties.

Clinton wants to raise taxes, curtail gun rights, force us all to pay for inefficient "green energy," impose new regulations on just about everything, etc.

Trump wants to increase spying on American citizens, put a giant wall between the U.S. and Mexico, start a ruinous trade war, etc.

Libertarians want limited government, one that doesn't mess around in your personal life or try to run the economy.

Gary Johnson suggests immigrants to the U.S. just first undergo a background check to make sure they aren't criminals or terrorists, and then prove they have employment and can pay their taxes. He'd get rid of the complicated quotas the U.S. has on who can come here from which countries and in which professions—a bureaucracy that takes the best and brightest immigrants years to navigate.

Johnson has a track record. The governor cut red tape and the number of government workers in New Mexico. He vetoed 750 bills and used a line-item veto to cut thousands of other items. He lowered New Mexico's taxes and balanced the budget while remaining popular with voters. Running as a Republican, he was elected to a second term in that Democratic state.

Now, as a Libertarian presidential candidate, he warns "the idea that we can somehow balance the federal budget without cutting military spending and reforming entitlements is fantasy."

John McAfee calls government "corrupt" and "technologically illiterate." He says he'll push a policy of "privacy, freedom and technology."

McAfee says, "Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make." He's had a few brushes with the law himself, including an arrest for driving under the influence, so he knows what it's like to be in the government's crosshairs.

Like economist Milton Friedman, he says that we can't have open borders and a big welfare state—so McAfee says get rid of the welfare state and open the borders, so long as immigrants submit to being documented.

He wants to reduce government's domestic role to policing disputes and otherwise let people engage in trade, including drug sales. He says our military role overseas should be reduced so that we interfere less in the affairs of other nations.

Austin Petersen, like many libertarians, describes himself as "fiscally conservative and socially tolerant." He proposes a 1 percent spending reduction in all government programs and a simple flat tax, and he would let young people opt out of Social Security.

Like Johnson and McAfee, he wants to reduce immigration bureaucracy, the drug war and military interventions. Unlike some Libertarians, Petersen says he is pro-life.

You might be surprised to hear that there is division among Libertarians on issues like abortion. This Friday and next you can watch how these candidates handle the differences.

On Facebook and Twitter, viewers told me they want to know how Libertarians would reduce the welfare state, defeat terrorism and help workers cope with changes caused by global trade.

I'm sure the Libertarians' answers will make more sense than those we hear from Trump and Clinton.

http://reason.com/archives/2016/03/30/a ... e-for-2016

[AZGrizFan]

"socially tolerant"....lol

WTF does that even mean?

[89Hen]

Who knew they even existed?

[89Hen]

BTW, anyone want to wager on him getting 11% of the general?

[GannonFan]

BTW, anyone want to wager on him getting 11% of the general?

I got the under!

[AZGrizFan]

He's got my vote. Had it last election too.

[89Hen]

He's got my vote. Had it last election too.

So you're the one.

[AZGrizFan]

He's got my vote. Had it last election too.

So you're the smart one.

Yep.

[andy7171]

He's got my vote. Had it last election too.

So you're the one.

I'm one of the 32 from Maryland.

[Ivytalk]

You CS guys all bitch and moan about the lack of choices for voters, and how abysmal and corrupt the two major parties are. Want a third party? Put your fucking money where your mouths are and (a) watch one of these debates and, better yet, (b) work to elect Libertarian candidates at the local and national level. BTW, the Libertarian candidate for Congress here, who got about 2% of the vote in 2014 (including mine), is very good. Otherwise STFU.

[89Hen]

libertarians are fine, Libertarians suck

[AZGrizFan]

You CS guys all bitch and moan about the lack of choices for voters, and how abysmal and corrupt the two major parties are. Want a third party? Put your fucking money where your mouths are and (a) watch one of these debates and, better yet, (b) work to elect Libertarian candidates at the local and national level. BTW, the Libertarian candidate for Congress here, who got about 2% of the vote in 2014 (including mine), is very good. Otherwise STFU.

I love it when old lawyers talk dirty...

[Ivytalk]

You CS guys all bitch and moan about the lack of choices for voters, and how abysmal and corrupt the two major parties are. Want a third party? Put your **** money where your mouths are and (a) watch one of these debates and, better yet, (b) work to elect Libertarian candidates at the local and national level. BTW, the Libertarian candidate for Congress here, who got about 2% of the vote in 2014 (including mine), is very good. Otherwise STFU.

I love it when old lawyers talk dirty...

I just pretend it's a settlement conference.

And watch that "old" shyt.

[UNI88]

So you're the smart one.

Yep.

I've voted for Johnson and Barr.

And 89, I've been calling myself a small l libertarian since Slick Willie was POTUS.

[kalm]

Yep.

I've voted for Johnson and Barr.

And 89, I've been calling myself a small l libertarian since Slick Willie was POTUS.

Both of those guys make sense to old klammy. I'd lump Buddy Roemer in with this group as well.

[Pwns]

The real question is how can you see Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on your ballot and not vote third party? Unlike 2008 and 2012,I could vote third party with zero guilt.

[JohnStOnge]

The paradox I face is that though I'm a Libertarian I rarely have Libertarian candidates I can vote for because the Libertarian Party platform takes a "pro choice" position and most of the time Libertarian candidates go with that. I could deal with Ron Paul's position. His position is that the issue should be left to the States. I think that's the correct position.

But Gary Johnson has taken that inane "viability" position. Can't vote for him.

[BDKJMU]

Article mentioned what Johnson would do about "immigrants", but didn't say whether that was illegal or legal, which is night and day..

[Skjellyfetti]

Article mentioned what Johnson would do about "immigrants", but didn't say whether that was illegal or legal, which is night and day..

Q: What is your view of the immigration issue?
A: Hispanics who immigrate care about their families like other Americans care about their families. They're living in poverty in Mexico and can come to the US and do a lot better.

Q: By--according to some--taking away jobs.
A: They work the lowest-paying jobs. And they are taking jobs that other Americans don't necessarily want. They're hardworking people who are taking jobs that others don't want. That's the reality.

Q: Would you open the borders and make it easier to immigrate legally?
A: My vision of the border with Mexico is that a truck from the United States going into Mexico and a truck coming from Mexico into the United States will pass each other at the border going 60 miles an hour. Yes, we should have open borders.

Q: Many Americans fear the flood of immigrants that would follow.
A: They would become taxpayers. They're just pursuing dreams---the same dreams we all have. They work hard. What's wrong with that?

http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Gary_Jo ... ration.htm

[AZGrizFan]

The paradox I face is that though I'm a Libertarian I rarely have Libertarian candidates I can vote for because the Libertarian Party platform takes a "pro choice" position and most of the time Libertarian candidates go with that. I could deal with Ron Paul's position. His position is that the issue should be left to the States. I think that's the correct position.

But Gary Johnson has taken that inane "viability" position. Can't vote for him.

Really? So after ALL your spouting off and drivel, you're really just a single issue (and STUPID issue at that) voter?

[AZGrizFan]

Q: Would you open the borders and make it easier to immigrate legally?
A: My vision of the border with Mexico is that a truck from the United States going into Mexico and a truck coming from Mexico into the United States will pass each other at the border going 60 miles an hour. Yes, we should have open borders.

Perhaps we should work on that concept at the CANADIAN border before we open the Mexican border....but I do agree with him fundamentally.

[houndawg]

The paradox I face is that though I'm a Libertarian I rarely have Libertarian candidates I can vote for because the Libertarian Party platform takes a "pro choice" position and most of the time Libertarian candidates go with that. I could deal with Ron Paul's position. His position is that the issue should be left to the States. I think that's the correct position.

But Gary Johnson has taken that inane "viability" position. Can't vote for him.

Tough to be a one-issue voter.

Feel the Bern, John, for the good of your immortal soul.

[Ivytalk]

Article mentioned what Johnson would do about "immigrants", but didn't say whether that was illegal or legal, which is night and day..

Q: What is your view of the immigration issue?
A: Hispanics who immigrate care about their families like other Americans care about their families. They're living in poverty in Mexico and can come to the US and do a lot better.

Q: By--according to some--taking away jobs.
A: They work the lowest-paying jobs. And they are taking jobs that other Americans don't necessarily want. They're hardworking people who are taking jobs that others don't want. That's the reality.

Q: Would you open the borders and make it easier to immigrate legally?
A: My vision of the border with Mexico is that a truck from the United States going into Mexico and a truck coming from Mexico into the United States will pass each other at the border going 60 miles an hour. Yes, we should have open borders.

Q: Many Americans fear the flood of immigrants that would follow.
A: They would become taxpayers. They're just pursuing dreams---the same dreams we all have. They work hard. What's wrong with that?

http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Gary_Jo ... ration.htm

That quote dates back to 2001, jellybelly. Before 9/11. Read the small print in your own link. Isn't he marginally tougher on illegals now, with some type of 2-year pass to get their act together?

[Grizalltheway]

http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Gary_Jo ... ration.htm

That quote dates back to 2001, jellybelly. Before 9/11. Read the small print in your own link. Isn't he marginally tougher on illegals now, with some type of 2-year pass to get their act together?

Are you saying his positions have "evolved"?

[Ivytalk]

That quote dates back to 2001, jellybelly. Before 9/11. Read the small print in your own link. Isn't he marginally tougher on illegals now, with some type of 2-year pass to get their act together?

Are you saying his positions have "evolved"?

Glacially. But I'd still vote for him over Trump.

Cone to think of it, I'd vote for you over Trump!

#NeverTrump