tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post2801168904366918510..comments2024-03-19T08:42:45.690-04:00Comments on The Delaware Libertarian: Early Gary Johnson polling data: what it means and what it doesn'tSteven H. Newtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09097470960863103473noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-15585125982489888402012-05-17T14:44:51.591-04:002012-05-17T14:44:51.591-04:00I disagree with Mateusz Przewłoka on several point...I disagree with Mateusz Przewłoka on several points:<br /><br />- nominating Bob Barr wasn't pragmatic, it was stupid. We need an LNC that understands the difference and not one that believes that re-branding the party as Republican-lite is the way to win elections.<br /><br />- the division in the party over accepting matching funds goes way farther back than Harry Browne.<br /><br />- all taxpayers, including libertarians, are taxed to pay for the matching funds. the checkoff box on the tax return is a scam, as demonstrated by the fact that they raised the amount from $1 to $3 because to few taxpayers were checking it. if they really wanted the question to be meaningful, it would alter the amount of taxes you paid by $3. then we would have real data on how many taxpayers favor public funding of elections.<br />it would be best to eliminate the program entirely, but it is still foolish to refuse money that was stolen from people that support candidates and instead allow it to help elect our opponents.<br /><br />Refusing the money doesn't generate any publicity for our ethical position that government handouts are wrong. <br /><br />What I'd like to see instead, is for the LP to take all of the matching funds we can get, and then twice every election year, once during primary season and once during the general election all of our candidates who qualified hold a big press conference ceremony where they hand over giant "game show" checks of their matching funds to the treasury to pay down the debt, and challenge their opponents to do the same.tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06653459162258850269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-62586678530004727792012-05-17T13:27:29.233-04:002012-05-17T13:27:29.233-04:00I disagree completely. If taxation to support &qu...I disagree completely. If taxation to support "publicly funded" elections is theft, then I don't have any problem getting back as much of my money as possible in an effort to subvert the system.Steven H. Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09097470960863103473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-46895847433232690992012-05-17T13:21:55.064-04:002012-05-17T13:21:55.064-04:00Wouldn't it be a shame if the LP accepted matc...Wouldn't it be a shame if the LP accepted matching funds? I am a philosophical libertarian and the LP has been leaning towards pragmatism more and more since the departure of Harry Browne. I thought it was a shame when Bob Barr was the nominee last time around and if the LP accepts any government hand-out I will see that as a complete and utter defeat of the libertarian message.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06100163466963390707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-65640406096343583542012-05-05T12:36:30.060-04:002012-05-05T12:36:30.060-04:00An extremely good article with facts that closely ...An extremely good article with facts that closely reveal the Gary Johnson strategy. Gary Johnson has created an outline that will bring the LP into greater national attention than ever before and now it's time to get behind him and help him ring the bell of Liberty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893272060787897238.post-50637240125467817542012-05-03T21:13:21.978-04:002012-05-03T21:13:21.978-04:00If Gary Johnson is getting 6% in national polls co...If Gary Johnson is getting 6% in national polls conducted by a fairly well known agency like PPP, the so-called "Debates Commission" and the League of Women Voters will have to change their rules to exclude him.<br />Greater than 5% in a recognized nationwide poll was always the hurdle that LP candidates failed to clear.<br /><br />It will be fun to watch them try to explain why it's necessary to increase that number now that Johnson has succeeded.tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06653459162258850269noreply@blogger.com