Independent Abilene

The purpose of this blog is two-fold: first, I wish to provide facts that many Abilenians may not know; facts that could change the way they feel about city government, taxation, and civil liberties. Second, this blog will serve as a sounding board for my own Libertarian opinions--and your opinions, too, of any stripe. Together, let's make Abilene a better place.

Monday, September 04, 2006

Libertarian Candidates

I don't wonder why Libertarian candidates don't get voted into office here in Abilene. They are not too impressive on paper and in interviews as the polished and well educated candidates for the Rebublicans and Democrats. Hmmm....what to do.

posted by Cole @ 7:04 PM  

5 Comments:

  • At 10:29 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    "Hmmm....what to do."

    Donate your time and rhetorical expertise as a speech writer?
    Run for office?

     

  • At 11:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I know you heard of the old saying, those who can... do and, those who can't... teach. But what you may not have heard is, those who can't do or teach... blog.

    Yes Cole Run, it would be the best education you could ever have (short of having someone shoot at you).

    There are some hurdles that you would have to overcome.

    First and perhaps most importantly, you would have to develop a strategy that educates the public on what it means to be a Libertarian while at the same time not allowing your campaign being about educating the public.

    Next, you would have to understand that politics in Texas is a full contact sport and not a symposium.

    Finally, you would have to come to terms with the fact that in Texas the Libertarian Party can never be a viable political party. The Republicans won't allow that and the Democrats just don't care.

    But of course, I could be wrong.

    Steven Hernandez

     

  • At 11:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I have been called many things and, yes "shortsighted", is perhaps the mildest thing ever written about me. The truth is, that Republicans don't want Libertarians to succeed even though it might be in their best self-interests. I refer you to CD22. The Republicans had an opportunity to support their only other alternative, but instead of supporting the Libertarian candidate with whom they have much in common, they have chosen to support a multi-named write-in candidate. The Republican write-in candidate has little chance of winning.

    If that in your opinion doesn't suffice as anecdotal evidence then I refer you to my former congressman. He was and is nicknamed Dr. No. He was the former presidential standard bearer for the Libertarian Party. He switched sides..er labels, and became a Republican. I won't bore you with the details, but basically he got full support from Republicans after his switch. He may spout what I can only assume are libertarian ideals but, he votes with his party.

    I really didn't understand your last paragraph, but please don't think that I dislike young master Cole. I do not know him as well as you but, I do like him. I do think that we would disagree on about 99% of all things political. I can not say that what he believes in is meant to be anything but protective of the country in which I, he, and perhaps you love. I do however respectfully disagree with you in that Lincoln said it better, " a government of the people, by the people, and for the people." I have not done much recent research on Austin city council elections, but I do congratulate you on having such a large amount of friends.

    I am uncertain as to what you meant in your last sentence. Did you mean to say that Cole should consult a sensei, or that I should. If you meant to say that I could teach, you are so right. Since 1986, I have been involved in mostly local elections. There was a six year period when I was honored to have worked to elect every member of the city council. I worked very hard to change the outcome of a local state representative race. I have worked on state senate races and coordinated a U.S. senate race for my county. I was elected to the student government at what is now Texas State University. At the time, I was the second highest vote getter in in almost twenty years. That year I also coordinated the election of the student body president and vice-president as well as seven other student senators. I have even run for city council in my own right. Yes, I could teach. I could teach you how to win and how to lose. I leave you with this bit of wisdom Shayne, in politics as in life character can't be taught.

     

  • At 4:46 PM, Blogger WonkosBud said…

    Well said Shayne :) Though I am a red blooded, good old fashion, American boy; (in other words a Democrat), I like your attitude.

    Steven

    P.S. It seems to me that the repubs(Cheney) shoot their own.

     

  • At 1:07 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Mr. Bennett,

    My second post today...the other on your personal blog.

    Truthfully, there haven't been very many articulate Libertarians in recent history, and the few that have come around - paging Ayn Rand - come off as intensely crass and self-absorbed. That, I believe, may be a natural side effect of Libertarian philosphy. Saying "let me determine my own destiny and make others determine theirs" eventually translates into social and economic Darwinism. If the Church (or mere good will) was enough - IN ACTUALITY - to combat this, it might make sense to have a Libertarian gov't. Unfortunatly, I don't think that's the case. And most of America doesn't either. That may explain why Libertarian politics remain on the sideline (or in academia).

     

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