Just a thought...

[dakotawitch]

...if I were a McCain supporter, after viewing his performance last night and over the last week, I would be running to vote for Ron Paul or a third-party candidate.

I don't know that, if I were someone who basically agreed with Republicans on social or financial issues, that I would be frustrated enough with McCain to completely switch sides and

Comments

[spiffystuff]

My fam decided to vote libertarian after McCain voted for the bailout

[dakotawitch]

I wish there was a way I could get hard numbers on how many people are taking this step, especially in places like my home state of South Dakota. There's a strong libertarian streak that runs through even the Democrats there, and I'm curious how many will make the choice to vote libertarian rather than Dem. As I said, I've got a special antipathy for Barr, though I'm intrigued at the idea that a guy who introduced federal legislation to ban an entire religious group from the military is now running on the ticket of a party that espouses personal liberty. Either way...if you can't get 'em over to Obama, at least get 'em away from McCain :)

[spiffystuff]

Yeahhh, I think the "party" that best describes my views are "libertarian democrats" (or Democratic Freedom Caucus)
I would be libertarian but I think the government needs to regulate the market to keep other parties from imposing distortions (monopolies, trusts, etc), and I like a certain amount of progressive recycling. Plus I'm very pro-environment and think it needs special protections, but *reasonable* ones that work with people and not against them (ie, the current Endangered Species Act makes it in people's best interest to preemptively destroy habitat before endangered species can re-colonize :P

Health care I'm ambivalent on... I think socialized and (regulated) capitalist systems both have pros and cons; but I think the current system is the worst of both words and needs to change. Obama's plan seems more solid than McCain's.

[dakotawitch]

Indeed. I come from a family that is much like what you describe, and many in my part of the country are the same way. We basically don't like government intervention unless it's either military (and then for only good reasons as a last resort) or if it's benevolent -- as in regulating the markets, regulating healthcare, etc. At the same time, most of us are pro-2nd amendment (NRA family here), prohunting, and pro-small government. I think alot of it's cultural -- rural state with less than a million people. My partner and I were talking about it last night, actually -- I'm very pro-2nd Amendement, but I don't see the necessity for me to have a handgun in my apartment in Dallas. When we move out to the country and have a 40acre spread, then, sure, there'll be a shotgun behind the door :) I've found the sportsmen and women in my home part of the country (and here in Texas) to be some of the most pro-environment people I've ever met. It's an odd mix to folks who live in culturally different areas of the country, but it works.

[spiffystuff]

One of many reasons I love Obama is that he seems so intelligent, pragmatic, and respectful of other people's viewpoints!

2nd amendment, I do differ, I would actually be interested in mandating concealed-carry to be allowed everywhere public. (private places, like bars, conventions, etc, ought have a "gun check" because it's only reasonable not to bring them where sensibilities might be impaired or passions inflamed)
I don't think the 2nd amendment applies to, say, tanks and warheads, but besides hunting I believe handguns can be very valuable for personal defense. The police, usually, *cannot* act until after a crime has been committed. While I think martial arts is generally better for self defense (cannot be taken away from you or used against you, more options available like "controlling" your opponent vs injuring them) the fact is that even if guns were outlawed, dedicated criminals could still obtain guns, somehow, and even the best martial artist cannot counter a gun out of reach. If the police are allowed them, I want to

[spiffystuff]

Errr, sorry, handguns are obviously not good for hunting, I meant firearms in general!