- Aug 27, 2008
- 18,450
- 1,823
- 205
It's been claimed on this board in the past that Gary Johnson is more of a libertarian than Ron Paul, but usually by those who aren't libertarians and probably have little to no knowledge as to what a libertarian actually stands for. This perception mostly comes down to Johnson being pro-choice which is popularly believed to be the libertarian position on the issue, despite the fact that there is no actual libertarian consensus on the issue. In another thread I was asked why I wouldn't vote for Gary Johnson, who I presume will win the Libertarian Party nomination for President, so I'll explain here so as not to derail that thread.
Johnson was great as Governor of New Mexico, and I thought that he was somebody that I could support for President, but after a while it became clear that he wasn't really much of a libertarian at all.
Johnson supports for the so-called "Fair Tax" as a replacement to the federal income tax. Now while I'm sure this would simplify the tax code, and I have no problem with that in an of itself, this is not a libertarian position. The libertarian position would be to eliminate the income tax, repeal the 16th amendment, and replace it with absolutely nothing. No Fair Tax, and no Flat Tax. The libertarian doesn't believe that the government has any right to the fruits of our labor, and is supposed to believe in limited government. Therefore the libertarian would essentially advocate "starving the beast."
Johnson has claimed in the past that we need Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRlGXuGHfrc]Governor Gary Johnson I would not close Gitmo.wmv - YouTube[/ame]
Now this really goes without saying, but a libertarian wouldn't believe that the government should be engaged in torture or indefinite detention. Now I remember that nearly a week after Johnson said this on Freedom Watch he put on his issues page that he would close Guantanamo Bay. Today the only mention I could find was this:
Foreign Policy
So Gary Johnson has essentially come down on two different sides to the issue of Guantanamo Bay, so who knows what he really believes?
Johnson has said in the past that he would be "uncomfortable" allowing a genocide to occur somewhere around the world, which essentially amounts to him wanting America to be the policeman of the world. Certainly to a lesser extent than say a Rick Santorum, but a libertarian doesn't advocate an interventionist foreign policy.
So that is why I won't be able to vote for Gary Johnson in the general election should be turnout to be the Libertarian Party nominee.
Johnson was great as Governor of New Mexico, and I thought that he was somebody that I could support for President, but after a while it became clear that he wasn't really much of a libertarian at all.
Johnson supports for the so-called "Fair Tax" as a replacement to the federal income tax. Now while I'm sure this would simplify the tax code, and I have no problem with that in an of itself, this is not a libertarian position. The libertarian position would be to eliminate the income tax, repeal the 16th amendment, and replace it with absolutely nothing. No Fair Tax, and no Flat Tax. The libertarian doesn't believe that the government has any right to the fruits of our labor, and is supposed to believe in limited government. Therefore the libertarian would essentially advocate "starving the beast."
Johnson has claimed in the past that we need Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRlGXuGHfrc]Governor Gary Johnson I would not close Gitmo.wmv - YouTube[/ame]
Now this really goes without saying, but a libertarian wouldn't believe that the government should be engaged in torture or indefinite detention. Now I remember that nearly a week after Johnson said this on Freedom Watch he put on his issues page that he would close Guantanamo Bay. Today the only mention I could find was this:
Individuals detained by the U.S., whether it be at Guantanamo Bay or elsewhere, must be given due process via the courts or military tribunals, and must not be held indefinitely without regard to those fundamental processes.
Foreign Policy
So Gary Johnson has essentially come down on two different sides to the issue of Guantanamo Bay, so who knows what he really believes?
Johnson has said in the past that he would be "uncomfortable" allowing a genocide to occur somewhere around the world, which essentially amounts to him wanting America to be the policeman of the world. Certainly to a lesser extent than say a Rick Santorum, but a libertarian doesn't advocate an interventionist foreign policy.
So that is why I won't be able to vote for Gary Johnson in the general election should be turnout to be the Libertarian Party nominee.