The libertarian party's platform.

Pros: I think his comments on civil liberties, the draft, the rights of the accused, and other social issues resonate with me more strongly then what I'm hearing from other candidates. There are some interesting ideas in here about criminal justice.

Cons: The emphasis on Gun Control is totally out of place. That is not the most important issue on the table today. Furthermore, he shares the blind faith in privately funded institutions being "always better" then government organizations that the republicans have. In some cases this is very true. In others, there are problems. Show me someone who operates a private charity and thinks welfare would work as a private charity. I'll show you someone who should go ahead and start a privately funded welfare program. There is nothing stopping you, and if its effective people might adopt it. It would reduce the need for the government programs gradually. Fact is it won't be effective, and that cuts to the heart of the problem with the libertarian philosophy.

The libertarians let their ideas override reality. People know that some of this stuff won't work, and so the whole party comes off as a bunch of kooky radicals rather then a serious alternative. The fact is that most people in this country don't like either the fundies or the socialists. If the libertarians were willing to start from the middle and push things out in their direction based on practical experience.... If they were willing to operate government programs until alternatives are proven... If they could provide a truly moderate presidential candidate.... If...

[ Precisely. I like a lot of the Libertarian platform too. But as you say, it ends up looking like "GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS! Oh, and no government funded anything." Too bad. -k]

Michael Badnarik - Libertarian for President