FreedomWorks Interview w/ Gary Johnson

[Christian Liberty]

Well, of course, if you get passed the tediously irrelevant discrepancy in presentation between him and Ron then it becomes very easy to recognize he's a chip off the old block.

But I'm pretty curious what does The Judge get wrong on state's rights, I don't know his stance on it. I assumed he was a huge advocate for states rights.

Judge Napolitano thinks that gay marriage is a Federal level civil rights issue, not a state issue, citing Loving v Virginia (Which is wrong anyway as far as I understand the constitution) as precedent. Regardless of what you think of SSM, constitutionally it belongs to the states.

Isn't Block an anarchist?

Yes. But he argues that while States do exist, there is nothing wrong with the Federal government repealing an anti-liberty law at the state level, even if doing so is unconstitutional. IIRC, Rothbard differed from him and claimed EVERY centralization of power is wrong, no matter the purpose.

Me? Well, its different for me since I'm not an anarchist, but I go with what the constitution currently says. The 2nd amendment protects the right to bear arms. There is no similar law protecting drug use. So even though both should be legal, one could be banned at the state level but not the other.

Never been much of a GJ fan. For all his touting, I'm sure the vast majority of folks on this board know more about libertarianism than he does. Also, I have to laugh at the folks calling GJ to the 'left of all Democrats on social issues'. Lol. What is that even supposed to mean? Oh, I guess left = bad in your etymology, therefore, his positions are bad. What sort of juvenile argumentation is that. Would you call Mary Ruwart, bad? Me?

I support full legalization of all substances.
I support full autonomy of all individuals (no matter age).
etc.

I must be Lenin incarnate! 'Social Conservatives' (Read; you Paleo's), just do not understand that rights do not cease to exist, just because you are young, and that Parent's actually do not own their off spring, and that an individuals is of their own propriety, not yours. Sometimes, I just wonder...Anyways, I'd feel 'meh' if he ran for Senate. Amash, for example is vastly better. I don't care what label you had to attach next to your name to get elected, I only care about what values and principles you express and act upon.

Where we get that "left of all Democrats" is him saying it himself!!!

Gary Johnson was the one who said it, not us. We all think the right/left paradigm is dumb.

 

[Sola_Fide]

There hasn't been a good Libertarian candidate since Harry Browne.

 

[compromise]

I don't remember Gary saying to invade Uganda but he was definitely soft.

Gary, upon being asked whether he supported Obama's limited intervention in Uganda:

“Based on what I know, yes,” Johnson said, indicating his support for the mission to capture Kony.
“Based on what I understand about it, that arguably this is the worst terrorist group that’s been on the planet for the last 20 years.”

Then he says he wants to go even further than Obama and advocates a full invasion:

"Well Congress passed the legislation to authorize us intervening, Obama signed the legislation and then eight months later we have an advisory force that goes in,” he said. “I think if I would have signed the legislation that I would have had plans to immediately ask for a volunteer force and gone in and wipe ‘em out."

I think this just shows how limited his understanding of foreign policy is. Joseph Kony has never, ever been a threat to US national security, is barely active anymore and is not supported by any government, so what exactly would the US be doing there? Wasting billions patrolling an impenetrable rainforest and being the policemen of the world, just to get this guy so we can then hand him over to ICC, which we're not even a member of?

 

[supermario21]

Jungle warfare is even worse for our military than the Middle East is.

 

[The Free Hornet]

Regarding "Marriage Equality" Gary is wrong for two reasons. First of all, it was never the place of FedGov to legalize interracial marriage anyway.

FYI, AFAIK, the only thing Feds can do is enforce the constitution (the "Full Faith and Credit" clause):

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

www.usconstitution.net/const.html?ModPagespeed=noscript

So if Mississippi says a man and a horse can get married, the other states are obligated to accept so long as in conforms to, "the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved". This is how DOMA is unconstitutional. For whatever reason, GJ doesn't always frame arguments using the constitution, despite coming to the correct conclusion often.

The secnd reason Gary is wrong is that interracial marriage and gay marriage aren't really comparable. And interracial marriage doesn't involve changing the dictionary.

Neither involves "changing the dictionary". This is why use you the word "marriage" in all instances. If there was a different word, you would use it. There isn't, deal with it. This is just a talk-radio style bullshit argument. If you had a different, better word, it would spread like "internet", "blog", et cetera. But you don't, so STFU already.

As for abortion, I get that this one is controversial, but I actually see pro-life as being the more libertarian position. Most libertarians who are pro-choice have something more philosophical to base it on than "More liberal than the Democrats."

You might want to consult those who know better. Or the LP platform itself.

1.4 Abortion

Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.

www.lp.org/platform

Their position falls on the side of a smaller government. It is NOT pro abortion. If you have a problem with somebody's medical choices, use your own money/resources and/or force and be prepared to defend your actions in court.

 

[Brett85]

Gary, upon being asked whether he supported Obama's limited intervention in Uganda:

Yeah, to me Gary is basically just a liberal who happens to have a few libertarian leanings on some economic issues. Most of his views don't seem to be any different from the average Democrat in Congress.

 

[compromise]

Yeah, to me Gary is basically just a liberal who happens to have a few libertarian leanings on some economic issues. Most of his views don't seem to be any different from the average Democrat in Congress.

Regardless, Gary would be a strong ally in the Senate if he ran...he really needs to man up and stop being an egotistical douchebag. If he's really as good as he claims (he'll never bring any bacon home ever), that'd instantly make him a rising star within the GOP.

 

[Brett85]

Their position falls on the side of a smaller government. It is NOT pro abortion. If you have a problem with somebody's medical choices, use your own money/resources and/or force and be prepared to defend your actions in court.

The small government position and the pro liberty position isn't always the same.

 

[PaleoPaul]

The small government position and the pro liberty position isn't always the same.

It's a step in the right direction, though, especially considering how expansive the government is these days.

 

[gwax23]

Id support him if he decided to run for Senate just to have more libertarian (or libertarian leaning) views in Congress. With that said he has the charisma of a dry sponge and doesnt come across as a very intelligent person or someone who could sell our ideas really well (or at all)


Hes delusional if he thinks he compares with any of the Pauls in terms of libertarian popularity.

 

[I<3Liberty]

Contrary to what some people think, being pro-choice and a libertarian is possible. You might disagree with it, but it doesn't make them a 'disgrace' or whatever else. I know Ron believe's being pro-life is essential to being a libertarian, but I don't think he would denounce those who are anyway.

Gary was actually for more intervention than Ron Paul. He wanted to ban it after quickening of the fetus. He also clearly stated that he doesn't support it and was all for counseling beforehand and parental notification. He just said he didn't believe it should be anyone else's say before quickening. A lot of people just hear him say "I'm pro-choice" in some of his bigger appearances, but in his Google+ talks and some of his YouTube videos he goes into much more detail.