Longhorn Libertarian

Last post - infomercial debut

2006-11-30T21:33:00.000-08:00

Well folks, this will be my last post.

For my final project in ALT MEDIA, I made a video about libertarianism...enjoy.

Thanks for reading.

MADD...

2006-11-21T22:19:00.000-08:00

One of my loyal readers pointed this article out and I wanted to repost it.

Its a perfect example of how freedom can be lost. usually, the actions that strip us of our freedom initially set out to protect us.

DRAFT?

2006-11-19T20:40:00.000-08:00

I was going to break down the whole military issue at a later time. However, I thought I would leave this article as food for thought.

Later, I will break down, from a former NCO's POV, exactly why this is a terrible thing. Its violation as a principle of Libertarian thought is obvious.

More on Abortion

2006-11-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Currently, the SUPREME COURT is debating certain types of abortion.

Some of these proposed changes cold really affect the state of abortion in our country and the right of a woman to choose.

We need to stay aware of this.

Abortion

2006-11-13T20:18:00.001-08:00

Abortion....the anti personnel mine of politics.

I personally believe it should be legal...a woman's body is a woman's body. However, like most of the country, there is a difference of opinion within the Libertarian party.

SPREADING THE WORD

2006-11-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

Libertarians made major gains in the state. Seems the word is getting around.

Still, four more years of Rick Perry :( What is up with Texas governors and big hair (Richards and Perry)

Election Results

2006-11-08T06:42:00.001-08:00

Well, the DEMS won the House and maybe the Senate, leading to the next best thing for a Libertarian...gridlock. This way, no one can get anything done, there, by definition, leading to smaller government.

Also of note, here is what the Brits are saying across the pond.

GO VOTE

2006-11-07T04:47:00.000-08:00

GO VOTE...or DONT BITCH.

Taxation because of the WRONG representation.

2006-11-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

The whole idea of a budget surplus is STILL driving me crazy.

The government needs to be held accountable for the amount of money they take from us. If they take to much, they shouldn't be allowed to keep it.

Any othr organization that has a budget "surplus" usually ends up getting prosecuted!

We need a practical look at taxation.

BUDGET SURPLUS

2006-11-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

Nothing pisses me off more than hearing about a budget surplus.

Doesn't this just mean that the government over charged us?

LEGALIZE IT

2006-10-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

One of the solutions to lower crime wold be to legalize WEED.

CRIME

2006-10-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Crime seems to be an issue that has fallen on the wayside lately, but it still is an issue that can drastically affect our society.

Sadly, BATMAN is not real, so we must look to other options.

The LIBERTARIAN party has a comprehensive look at crime: its roots and possible solutions.

TEXAS LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATES

2006-10-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

We are gonna go to a new topic next time, but first I wanted to provide information on TEXAS LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATES.

I know it seems like a wasted vote on the surface, but the more people are willing to think outside the box, the more true changes in government can be made.

ELECTION

2006-10-16T16:02:00.001-07:00

The election is just around the corner.

Get out and vote. Gay marriage is a hot topic again, with the idea of a Constitutional Amendment to ban it all together.

Even if you don't care, think about this. The US Constitution is a positive document...it liberates American's, not binds them.

If we let is start telling us what we CANT do, what next?

Dont let the Xian Right win.

ELECTION

2006-10-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

Leave it to the Brits...

2006-10-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

A British web site posted an article that really supports one of the main reason Libertarians support gay marriage...the economics involved. Evidence from studies conducted in the US find that gay marriage will help economic growth.

MASS RIDES RHODE ISLAND

2006-10-03T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Governor of Mass. has allowed Rhode Islanders to get married. Its an interesting issue because Rhode Island has refused to leagalize the unions.

Perhaps this is how the laws will get changed in this country...one rogue state at a time?

Scott Bidstrup

2006-09-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Just read this essay by Scott Bidstrup. He does a pretty fair job at breaking down the argument for Gay Marriage.

Adam and Steve

2006-09-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Gay marriage. Wow, has there been a more hotly discussed domestic issue in the last few years.
I for one am in favor of gay marriage. For a couple of reasons.

First, financially, it doesn't seem right to not allow all sectors of American society the same benefits of marriage that men and women have. There are certain tax advantages that come with gettin' hitched and why should those not be offered to same sex couples. Lower taxes is the goal here, no matter how you get to that goal.

Second, the idea of a couple living together for 20-30 years, then not being allowed in an ICU if a partner is sick or dying just breaks my heart.

Third, this isn;t a moral issue. Some will say men and women can't get married due to thier particular religious POV. Who cares? The government has to make decisions based on what is equitable to all and the marriage of two dudes doesn't really affect Mr. and Mrs. Southern Baptists, unless they want it to. This is America, jack. We are SUPPOSED to be able to do what we want to be happy. So, if two dudes sweating all over eachother gets them off, not my deal, but roll with it.

Seriously, we need to not be limiting oursleves in a nation where millions (sorry, Mr and Mrs Baptists, some were gay) of soliders have died to ensure we have freedoms.

besides, who wouldnt want to be invited to a gay wedding. WHAM! playing in the background...talk about an affair to remember.

DICK ARMEY

2006-09-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

Dick Armey...or is it Vagina Navy (uh oh...here I am on some watch list now) had some things to say re social security reform.

Armey is not necessarily stating what should be done to reform Social Security. Rather, he at wants the people to force politicians to address the issue during the next election.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/19/AR2006091901569.html

The Left on Social Sec.

2006-09-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

Arrrgggghhhh! Ah, Howard Dean. That guy rocks.

So, since I posted an article with the Republican ideas aboutSocial Security, I thought I would throw what Howard Dean has to say on the subject.

You will see that, he is not infavor of privatizing social security because it will apparently leave Americans behind and cost the US trillions in debt. He doesn't allude to where those numbers come from, he just throws them out there to scare people.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/08/dean_on_social.php

Now, I am not gonna just bash Dems on this blog, just this particular issue. As I stated before, most people straddle the two parties on issue to issue....this one I just lean a little to the right on.

Social Security article

2006-09-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

Well, the BUSH administration has put forth the idea of individual accounts for retirement. They are half baked, in many ways. They are voluntary and not your whole amount may be invested.

Interesting, but still not good enough. Remember, it is YOUR money.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/social-security/

Social Security...i don't feel secure...

2006-09-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM

I am going to start here because, well, why not.

Depending on who is in power, the out party will make claims that Social Security will go bankrupt. For historical context, the Republicans made these claims when Clinton was in office. They scoffed when Clinton claimed to have fixed the problem by simply raising the age limit.

Now, the Republicans seem less urgent about fixing it while the Dems claim it will not be solvent. They agree it is in bad shape, but disagree on the severity or the longevity of how long it will last.

The Libertarian view is very simple and clear: it is your money, why not let you keep it.

The social security system will fail. It doesn’t take a math major (I am not one) to see that more people are going to be taking out than are putting in.

Instead of relying on a government agency to protect your future, every American should be allowed to invest in their own financial future.

The facts are simple…the money you could invest, taken from what you would be putting in Social Security, could earn more interest in a secure, low yield mutual fun. And it would be there, and not run the risk of being swiped by the government to pay for war or corn subsidies.

I know some will say “what about those who aren’t smart or responsible to invest their money and have nothing?”

That’s what private charity’s are for. America is a place where you are to succeed or fail on your own ability and ingenuity. If you don’t, then the rest of the country should not be compelled to pay for their misfortune.

There is a larger issue here…as the government controls your money, they can control you.

Are you or aren't you

2006-09-06T15:06:00.000-07:00

I am not a guy who normally lkes those online quizzes. Wait a minute, yes I am. But this isn't one of those "list 30 things about you" quizzes.

Instead, the Libertarian Party website has a quiz based on political ideaology.

It is very short and, while it won't convert you to the party right away, it may enlighten you to the fact that few people are really as liberal or conservative as they think they are.

I took the test years ago and it really opened my eyes.

So, take a second, do the test and let me know how it turns out....

http://www.self-gov.org/quiz.html

Intro

2006-09-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

So, I have to start a blog for my RTF344M class. We had to pick a social issue to create media about throughout the semester.

Now, a lot of you who know me will realize that this is hard for me. Not to be politically minded, which I am (right Will???). But in the creation of media, especially in my narrative work, I try to keep politics out of it. I believe in film being an escape and don't want to turn off a section of the audience.

So, I had to search for an issue. I am generally speaking, an open minded guy and can see both sides of an issue. This can’t be said of most people. So, I decided that one issue isn’t enough, but instead, I would explore my general world view.

This lead me to discussing my political party of choice. I am a former Republican, but currently a registered Libertarian.

Now, the question begs be asked ‘why associate yourself with a party that will never win.’ People have asked me. By best friend is a staunch GOP guy (although not a radical right type of guy) and my brother in law is a Texas Democrat…maybe THE Texas Democrat. The see politics as a game and being a Libertarian is like being an Aggie. The chances of winning are slim to none.

So, why? Because I believe that ‘you’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.’ So, even if you lose, you shouldn’t compromise your beliefs. And neither of the two major parties fit my beliefs very well.

Republican ideas of small government and letting the people do their thing appeal to me. But, they counter themselves by wanting to dictate morality and some of the civil liberty issues.

Democrats are way off…they want the government to provide EVERYTHING and they want to take all my money to do it.

So, I took my beliefs of small government, strong national defense, pro-choice and pro-gay marriage and shopped around. I came up with Libertarians. I don’t agree with everything they stand for, but at least they are TRULY tolerant of other ideas.

More to follow….