Three Reasons To Vote For Bob Barr In 2008

Beginning Friday, October 3, and continuing through Friday, October 24, I intend to be positive, and provide three reasons to vote for each of the four best known candidates for President. Friday the 3rd: Independent candidate Ralph Nader. Friday the 10th: Libertarian candidate Bob Barr. Friday the 17th: Republican candidate John McCain. Friday the 24th: Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

Bob Barr, Libertarian

According to the Libertarian Party's official web site, "The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. Our vision is for a world in which all individuals can freely exercise the natural right of sole dominion over their own lives, liberty and property by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office, and moving public policy in a libertarian direction." The party is described on its site as "The Party of Principle" and touts three primary goals: "Smaller Government, Lower Taxes, and More Freedom."

Bob Barr was nominated by the Libertarian Party as its nominee for President in 2008. He is a former Republican Congressman from Georgia, who served in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.

Based strictly on data from his 'Barr for President' official web site, the following are three reasons to vote for him on November 4:

#1. The Iraq War. Barr considers that the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq were "... two separate mistakes, which collectively have cost thousands of American lives and hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars." He supports a rapid exit, without an announced timetable.

His analysis is that "The Iraqi government has come to rely too heavily on American forces to maintain control of its country, and our U.S. taxpayer dollars to artificially support its economy. A continued U.S. presence in Iraq emboldens both insurgents and terrorists, and discourages the Iraqi government from taking control of promoting peace and prosperity in Iraq."

#2. Foreign Intervention & Foreign Bases. I'll let Barr's words speak for themselves: "America should not be the world’s policeman. The American purpose is to provide a strong national defense, not to engage in nation building or to launch foreign crusades, no matter how seemingly well-intentioned."

#3. Property Rights & Eminent Domain. Barr states that "Private property should not be seized absent an overwhelming public interest, including actual use by the public — and even then only with fair compensation that truly reflects the value of the property. Allowing governments, at any level, to confiscate property without a compelling justification represents a serious attack on fundamental liberty."

Barr refers to the U.S. Supreme Court's 'Kelo' decision in 2005 as one of the worst decisions in modern times. On June 24, 2005, CNN reported on the Kelo v. City of New London (Connecticutt) decision:

"In a victory for cities, a divided Supreme Court concluded Thursday that local governments have the authority to seize private land and turn the property over to private developers for economic development.

Government's authority to condemn land for public use traditionally has been used to eliminate slums or build highways, schools and other public works.

But Tuesday's 5-4 ruling found that local officials can use their "eminent domain" power to condemn homes in a working-class neighborhood for private development in hopes of boosting tax revenue and improving the local economy."

One wonders... if the coveted land had been, say, a private golf course owned by members who lit their cigars using $100 bills... would the developer have been as successful in court... or even have tried to take the land in the first place?


Next Friday: Republican Party candidate John McCain