While the Republicans may not need the Libertarians, they certainly need to listen to their stance. What I heard last night from people interviewed during election coverage is the same thing I've heard all over the place "I want to have the government be fiscally sound but I also want liberty." Social conservatives (Republicans) are against the later, and Democrats against the former, which caused a lot of plugged noses when ballots were being dropped by people who are not complete partisan cheerleaders. I heard "I want to have my gay friends get married, but I have to think about the economy for my childrens future, so I'm voting for Romney." I also heard "I want our government to be fiscally sound, but as I women I can't vote for Romney because of what he may do with birth control and abortion." Instead of some of those votes, the Republicans could have had them all. All they have to do is stop with their social conservative message. They need to get rid of all of the idiots yelling about how women deserve to be raped, or that they can control when they conceive. They need to stop trying to ban abortion, and stop trying to play games with birth control (ban the morning after pill anyone?) They need to stop trying to push Christianity into the public square via prayers and crap like creationism. Rather, they need to start endorsing liberty. Think of it as "Libertarian light." You don't have to go the full legalize all drugs route, but you need to legalize weed. You don't have to slash all regulations (that'll lose left leaning voters), but you should look at some really stupid ones and get rid of them. Hell even playing the 'strong military' role differently would be immensely helpful. Rather than say you're going to build a bunch of expensive ships for no reason, tell the truth and say we already have the strongest forces on land, sea, and air that this planet has ever known and we can do just fine with what we have. Rather than beat the drums of war, talk about non-military solutions to problems. As is social conservatives are seen by many as vile garbage, and rightfully so. Hell just look at the threads they generated today! One calls all Obama voters whores, and several are based on race, then there are all of the "I'm leaving" threads. For people who don't care about race, want to help women, and love their nation, you sure as (*)(*)(*)(*) wouldn't guess that by glancing at our forum. Frankly people don't care for old Christian morals to be imposed on them, especially by people who act like nutcases. Drop it. Get rid of this moral righteousness BS and start fighting for small government, fiscal conservative, and liberty. Become Americans again and you can win. Keep going the same route and you'll win too, but only when the president does such a horrible job that you win by default because the bar is set low. The fact that you all just lost to Obama should give you some pause because that bar was pretty (*)(*)(*)(*) low and you guys didn't come close.
This is true yes. I believe there are social issues that are relevant, but the religious right doctrine (contraception, gays, marijuana, etc) is outdated and nonsensical.
I'd be curious as to what percent of voters even know who Gary Johnson is, let alone his stance. I didn't see one ad for him. Were I not a Libertarian, it's likely I wouldn't have paid any attention to him.
Everyone that I work with still didn't even realize the idea that more than two people were on the ballot for president. That was today, after the election. When I mentioned the other options available. They just got this stupid look on their face like they couldn't understand the question.
The problem is that libertarians and libertarian candidates are not doing enough to promulgate their belief system in a way that is amenable to the general populace. Of course, there are institutional obstacles to advancement, but they are not the real issue. We have a great message, we just need to package it better and find better ways to disseminate that message to the populace.
It's pretty bad. Third parties need better representation; it's the best way to get some change. This election was a sham. The two candidates were so similar it didn't really matter who won. Yes there would be some changes, but the general course of the nation would remain the same as it has over the past 12 years.
I can't disagree. A big part of the problem is the initial reaction of people. You say you want less law and it seems most people suddenly think you're for legalizing murder. There's also this whole idea that Libertarians are insane because they want less regulation and law, as though humanity never survived before those laws and regulations. It can be a hard sell when you're dealing with idiots and people who are unwilling to listen, which is why I think 'Libertarian light' would be the best method. Still makes some major changes just because of the point we are at, but nothing so major as to have an large, objectionable effect.
I never did figure that out. How can you claim small govt, when you want it to regulgate your life? Better to let everyone do what they want to do, then try to restrict them.
Well, I think Rand Paul is about as close we're going to get to that ideal so maybe we should just concentrate on him and holding him accountable.
That's mostly because the third party vote is split, but also because the D's and R's have gotten a lot better at hiding third parties altogether.
I don't give a (*)(*)(*)(*) about gay rights, abortion, birth control, prayer in school or any of that other stuff. It's all a matter of choice to me. This is America, we all pretty much have it. The GOP IS COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH!!! Get things done, solve the problems with the economy, protect American jobs don't ship them over seas. Ron Paul was the only repugnican I had reason to listen too. Maybe they should put him up there. I noticed how he was treated during the debates. That's not going to happen.
Add to this list abortion. Republicans have a gender gap. They can't argue this. Women voted Democrat because they were afraid of losing their right to an abortion. The social conservatives will cost Republicans election after election.
