Forget the conspiracy theories and just ask yourself why this is possible. How could such a promising candidate with the will for serious change be completely ignored by all the major news outlets? And they say the media is Liberal...

That Badnarik has been all but hidden by the largest media outlets is a tragedy, although sadly not surprising. I've talked to countless people telling me that if "you're not voting for Kerry, then you're voting for Bush." This is the sort of ignorance that helps keep the two party system of lesser evils cemented. This ignorance, born of fear and sloth, unites with the assumption that authorities always tell the truth, thus weakening the voting public's ability to make reasonable decisions. At it's essence it is brainwashing. If you see and hear something enough, you become accustomed to its presence. When it's not there, or something new enters, you become uncomfortable. That's why certain interest groups don't let out the news that might bring disharmony to the all-powerful Two Party System!

Help stop the charade. Knowledge is freedom.

Most people are conditioned to resist such revalations. They dont believe it could happen. They are taught from the age of 5 that conspiracies are fantasies either scripted for tv shows or raved about by lunatics.

To alledge a conspiracy publically is to invite being branded a lunatic. To confide in friends about one is inviting marginalization.

They have played their cards well. Whatever they want they will get, until what they want becomes so blatantly unreasonable it causes mass awakening.

However, as techies we are still on the margins.
We are early adopters, minorities, intellectuals, or the young, or a combination of these. This makes us subject to attacks upon credibility, and easy elimination by our enemies with very little complaint from the "unaffected majority".

You witness the slow descent of neofascism upon our nation.

Though the majority of readers would not believe this post, i honestly dont care. I plan to flee at the right time, and allow those who dont care to be swallowed by the madness.

Wow. The first election related article I've seen posted here that actually has something intelligent to say.

There ARE some people out there that are beginning to turn around and not just voting for the lesser of two evils. But with the media working against us it'll be a long time before we make a difference. But one day...

Death to the two-party system! I am tempted to never vote for a Democrat or Republican again.

Me, too!
(And I haven't for a long time.)

Michael Badnarik for the libertarian party would likely be our president if the United States were intruduced to him more properly. He's not a millionaire, he's not a fashioned liar, he's not interbred with our current pre-tolitarian politics. He is a college professor and an avid follower of the constitution and its true intent for the american people. He knows the purpose of the government is not to own us, that we were meant to be a free society. The government is only allowed to protect us within its constitutional boundaries. Our current system is corrupt and our media outlets which are tainted by the two party system are only upholding this tyranny. In this America we have to maintain a personal responsibility for our decisions. NO ONE is going to tell you what they DON'T want you to know. What the government doesn't want us to know is that we have a viable canidate in Michael Badnarik. That Badnarik is the revolution we've all been waiting for. From simple things like being forced to wear a seatbelt, to the more grandure funding of government organizations put there to limit freedom and eliminate personal responsibility. He is against these things. He is against tyranny. He is for personal freedom and responsibility.

Anything you might want to know about him is at your fingertips. url is the libertarian party's home on the web and url is a revolutionary movement promoting "liberty in our lifetime".

If you're tired of the USA today, you CAN do something about it. Force America to pay attention and VOTE for BADNARIK!!

There are way too many people addicted to entitlements and government mandates for this country to ever go libertarian.

Whether it is corporate welfare or entitlements for individuals, people will not give them up until we pry them "from their cold dead hands."

you can "CAST YOUR VOTE" here (of course, it's a simulation only), and you don't have to be US Citizen: http://us-election.org/

and besides, on this site, Badnarik has 15% in Poland.

Would I be US Citizen, I would certainly vote for Badnarik. And for the Libertarian Party (www.lp.org) candidates in other runs (eg. for governors, to Senate, Rep. House, state legislatures, etc).

In Liberty,
Critto

I am a "Regular Guy". I read the papers daily, listen to NPR, read at least 5 or 6 blogs daily, have watched all of the "Debates" even the ones on C-SPAN for the Libertarian and Green Party canidates. So with that said, I am still going to vote for Kerry. Do I like every aspect of Kerry? No I do not. However unlike some people ( I know this is a flammable statement) I am a realist. I know that a 3rd or 4th Party canidate does not have a chance in hell to honestly make it. I like Michael Badnarik a lot. When I watched the debate I agreed with virtually every point or stance he made. However he WILL NOT BE PRESIDENT. Whether we the elite digirati like it or not he is a FRINGE canidate!!

Baby steps are needed. The libertarians need Money and lots of it. If you think that money is going to leave politics you are sadly mistaken. To beat the other parties you need to be able to play their game! Better than they can. So if you really want change in the form of a viable 3rd party, Get out your checkbook, ATM card, Cash, or Credit and give the man some money!!!!

I hate to say it but that will be the only way to get it done short of Civil War.

Before the flames begin, think about what I am saying. Read it carefully. This is MY OPINION. however I think that if you are somewhat objective you can see the logic.


Michael

Excellent post acranum.
I disagree with you, but you are one of few who state that opinion without needing to hurl insults at 3rd party supporters.
I do see the logic.

My Opinion ??

Voting 3rd party IS revolution.
The first attempt at a PEACEFUL revolution.
It could happen, as long as we don't allow ourselves to be convinced that it's not possible.
Think for yourself.
Vote for who you BELIEVE in.
THAT'S revolution nowadays.

I WILL be voting for Badnarik on Novenber 2nd. Bush and Kerry both suck!

acranum: "I like Michael Badnarik a lot. When I watched the debate I agreed with virtually every point or stance he made. However he WILL NOT BE PRESIDENT."

Most certainly if everyone likes him and doesn't vote for him because they are "realists" he will never be president. I understand your logic and its that logic that will keep us within a two party system. Sadly, your "realist" mindset is why I said he wont be president. The only way we can convert the unbelievers is by getting enough votes to get people like you to take that necessary "risk".

It's too bad not everyone sees the benifit of using their true voice.

So, does this Badnarik guy have an album out? What label is he on?

umm, ok MaeveWest,

firstly, I did say this was MY opinion. Secondly, again MY opinion, I am a realist; If you are a betting person I would lay odds with you that Michael Badnarik will not end up being the president... Care to bet?

And thirdly if you read on in my post I present a viable option that if followed would ensure that people like Michael Badnarik start having a fair shot at becoming president.

Finally in closing I have to say that in my opinion Michael Badnarik will not get my vote because he does not have enough people or money to effect change, Kerry does.

Note its My Opinion.

Michael

PS i am glad however that you are going to vote.

"Whether it is corporate welfare or entitlements for individuals, people will not give them up until we pry them "from their cold dead hands.""

Didn't you say you were on disability?

The crux of the matter is that people tend to take one of two philosophies with regard to voting. There are those we could call the "idealists", who would vote for the libertarian, and there are those we could call the realists who would vote for Kerry, even though he's not a 'savior' of sorts. The idealists think of voting in a warm fuzzy way. They think about conscience, making political statements, sleeping at night with a sense of dignity.

The realists know that if everyone thought like an idealist, that we could actually effect some change and have a choice other than the two nerds up for president. But knowing that doesn't help, because being a realist, they also know that only one of two people will become president. They know that warm fuzzy conscience voting, while noble, will not get the warm fuzzy candidate elected and at worst, will give us the worse of two evils. And while you, the idealist, spend the next four years strokin yourself thinking about how you "did the right thing", the rest of us will have to suffer with four more years of Bush. Ask yourself if a political statement is worth four more years of Bush. The fact that there are only two candidates that have the power to garner their own votes is clear indication that the democratic system is already flawed/corrupted. Since the system is a bunch of hosshit, your vote need not be ideal. You might as well think about what your going to end up with and vote in a way that matters in this election.

Holy !@#$ Fobix,

I was trying to restrain myself and reply in a manner that was civil so as to not cause a flame war.

Your analogy is spot on! While brusque it is exactly the situation.

Michael

The problem with third and fourth party candidates is they wait till only months before the elections to try to introduce themselves and by that time it's too late. If they really want people to know who they are they need to start way ahead of time. Get themselves into the spotlight. And another thing... if you're as big a supporter of them as you say, then YOU push for them to be in the spotlight. Bug your local news about doing articles on them, interviews, etc. If enough people become interested in what they are saying then the pressure will be on.

"I've talked to countless people telling me that if "you're not voting for Kerry, then you're voting for Bush." This is the sort of ignorance that helps keep the two party system of lesser evils cemented."

Untrue.. a vote for Badnarik is a 1/2 vote for Bush. Plain and simple. Unless the person voting for Badnarik was going to vote for Bush then the vote for Badnarik is a 1/2 vote for Kerry, which let's face it would be a good thing.

im voting for Badnarik... the more votes third party gets the more money they get from campaign finance..

Here is the debate Oct. 6 with Badnarik, Peroutka, Cobb, and Brown (from C-SPAN).

Open in Real Player
rtsp://video.c-span.org/project/c04/c04_rwh101004.rm

fobix: "And while you, the idealist, spend the next four years strokin yourself thinking about how you "did the right thing", the rest of us will have to suffer with four more years of Bush. Ask yourself if a political statement is worth four more years of Bush."

i would vote for bush if i were a "realist"... keep talkin... maybe u'll convince me...

fobox: "The realists know that if everyone thought like an idealist, that we could actually effect some change and have a choice other than the two nerds up for president."

If you're not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem. Your statement is logically illogical. You are saying, for example: I know anti-freeze will make me sick but I like the taste and choose to drink it anyhow. You choose one evil over the other.

You're entitled of your opinion and so am I. Whether I'm an "idealist" or a "revolutionist" I view your "realism" as a chosen and followed ignorance.

America's founding fathers were "idealists". Their dreams brought you the freedoms you have today, the very same vision that's being torn apart. You're entitled to your opinion, but remember, you wouldn't have it here if it weren't for "idealists".

Maevewest wrote: If you're not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem.

That's always been a poor ultimatum. I'm not currently contributing solutions to the world hemorrhoid problem, but neither am I making people's affliction worse. The thing is, the best solution to the "problem" is getting Bush out of office and being a realist is the most effective way to solve the problem. So in effect, I am doing more to solve the problem by using my vote as a tool to effect change.

"I know anti-freeze will make me sick but I like the taste and choose to drink it anyhow."

More accurately: I know anti-freeze will make me sick but it's less poisonous than arsenic. There's a gun to our heads: choose one.

Your metaphor would be: I know anti-freeze will make me sick but I'll imagine a better world while someone feeds me arsenic.

I have nothing against "idealists", but it is only through "real" effort that we can get back to a state where we can be idealists at the polls (or anywhere else) again. Our founding fathers were indeed idealists, but the idealist state they attempted to create doesn't exist right now. Our current system is based on greed, money, and corruption, not "liberty and justice for all." The best way to get Jefferson's vision back is not to act "ideal", but to act in a very real way with a vote that matters, in this election, here and now. I agree, it is disheartening to think we must use our votes to effect change rather than express our principles. But these are trying times, and if our soldiers can sacrifice their lives to insure our safety, then I sure as hell can look beyond my "ideals" for an election or two in order to make my vote count, instate change, and get them the hell home.

Mroop:
"Didn't you say you were on disability?"

Not a crime.
Neither is collecting life insurance on the death of a loved one.

Fobix,

I was going to voice exactly your thoughts but decided against it. This topic was originally to express to people that there are alturnatives to the main 2 party system. I think that people understand that there are other choices, perhaps not the ones you and I would really vote for. But some people the ones you and I call "idealist" need.

I think at this point I would be happy if all of the registered voters would just vote and make themselves heard regardless of who they vote for.

Now please understand I also believe that Bush is the worst thing that could have happened to us. It is truly amazing to see the state we are in, in just 4 years. granted 911 happened and that is some of the cause. I would say though that most of the negative aspects have come from the Bush Administration.

So please people get out and vote, lets make ourselves heard this time!!!

Michael

Fobix: "But these are trying times, and if our soldiers can sacrifice their lives to insure our safety, then I sure as hell can look beyond my "ideals" for an election or two in order to make my vote count, instate change, and get them the hell home."

Then you shouldn't be voting for Kerry because he's going to leave the troops there and said he would continue the war. He just says he'll do it "smarter" but doesn't define what "smarter" is. I suppose maybe he'll just use his Vietnam tactics and just befriend the terrorists.

George...Badnarik is on the Libertarian label...his newest single...FREEDOM..Why Not Give THAT a Shot? Screams....and those guitar solos....Santana eat your heart out...

but I kid Badnarik....

Badnarik and I both lived in Austin, both were involved in computers (he's a programmer) and both are libertarians...actually, I'm more of a non-violent anarchst...but, am I voting for him? No. And I am angry at this two party nonsense for it. To me, King George the Cowardly is SO dangerous to this country, that if there was a choice between a slug and him...the slug has my vote.

I don't want the draft coming back (at 51, going on 52, not for myself), don't want continual war for another 4 years, and don't want our economy to continue to go down the tubes and our deficit to grow more.

To me, at this point, being totally practical, a vote for anyone else than "Long Devil" (Kerry's S&B name) is a vote that doesn't directly oppose Bush.

Better an informed ,intelligent poster with a physical disability, than King George the Cowardly, with a mental disability in the White House, with his finger on the button that could start WW III.

Though I'm closer to being a libertarian than anything else, I am ideologically opposed to several of Badnarik's positions. In fact, I had a long argument recently with a Libertarian congressional candidate about whether the income tax is constitutional (it is - clever wordplay aside, the 16th Amendment was properly ratified by 3/4 of the states then admitted to the union); and whether the government would have to regulate the quality of narcotics once they were legalized (of course it will; the government regulates the quality of just about every food or medicine we consume, and I'm generally glad they do).

More importantly, I think it is necessary to have high taxes on the rich to keep the power they derive from their wealth from becoming so disproportionate to mine that their market control threatens my freedom to choose what products I will buy. Consider the power that the wealthy music industry has to make it more difficult for independent artists to market their wares as compared to pawns of the labels.

In short, while I generally agree with the libertarians on getting the government to leave me alone, I also want a government that reigns in the power of the super-rich - which is a goal more fervently sought by the Dems, the Greens, and Nader.

mroop:
"Didn't you say you were on disability?"

I am disabled. I did not say I was getting any disability payments. In fact I am not. I rely on family charity. Your tax dollars are safe.

Further, I am not against welfare, or disability, and I am not even against government-provided health care (with certain qualifications). But I do question that the federal government should be involved in these things. I believe that federal one-size-fits-all solutions do not really fit any state very well. The funding and control of welfare, broadly defined, should be kept as close to home as possible.

In any case, my purpose was to point out that the libertarian party does not have a hope, because, for better or worse, America has become very dependent on these programs.

"So, does this Badnarik guy have an album out? What label is he on?"

I take that as a congenial reminder that we're politicking instead of 'musicking' or boycotting.

And the libertarian party pulls in its usual 1.5% nationwide. Sorry, but I gave up on the libertinians years ago. They foment vice, not virtue, for what is freedom without responsibility? Bush + a Republican Senate + a Republican House = goodness. Some of us are fairly darn happy here in the South.

The two party system has its flaws, but so does any other system. Frankly, I'm just glad we don't have to put up with coalition governments. That's what you get with a multiparty system. You know what else you get? In Europe, the party bosses pick the candidates! We have primary elections here in most of the country - so the people get to pick the candidates.

I don't mind the two party system. I'm perfectly happy to be a Democrat.

:-:~ Phantom

The two party system is the "essence" of a democratic system ,as it forces co-operation. A citizen to be heard HAS to become active , such as what the neo -conserves have done. If a citizen is truly liberal ,and needs to be heard ,that person will have to listen to their fellow citizens . If a leader then motivate and organize fellow constituants - such a s the right wing neo - conserves have.Democracy in action , the majority rules weather you are part of the majority or not.
If the country is going in the wrong direction - it is up to the majority to provide corrective navigation.For the good of all.We are an entity as a whole .

This is a battle of will .The stronger wills are what have historically dominated all lands and nations -both good and bad .The constitution was generated to give some help to the "good" ,as what inevitably happens as history shows ,was that power corrupts , and the more power = more corruption.The founding fathers have been the most progressive on the concept of democratic government.

Our constitution and Bill of Rights in the United States of America is the framework upon which free citizens of the United States , build a "more perfect union ".It allows us to discuss and attemp to both purse freedom , happiness and challenge ideas,while at the having a framework to hold the existing will of the People in place.

Our constitution and Bill of Rights in the United States of America is the framework upon which free citizens of the United States , build a "more perfect union ".It allows us to discuss and attempt to both pursue freedom and happiness, challenge ideas ,and at the [same time ] have a framework to hold the existing will of the People [safely] in place.

I want to run for President. :lincoln: That would be a great smiley.

Chris.

Although I do not believe a Libertarian or Constitution Party candidate can win at this time because of the "Lessor of Two Evils" mindset, I did vote for Mike Peroutka of the Constitution Party. I also have given money to both Libertarian and Constitution parties. I believe that America is heading towards a cliff and that neither Democrats or Republicans are willing to work for "We The People." I do not agree enough with the Libertarian Party to vote for its candidate, I do support the Libertarian Party in what it is doing and I do spread it message. I am more in line with the Constitution Party http://www.constitutionparty.com . I will continue to support both Libertarian and Constitution Party as long as I still have the freedom to speak out.

If I were a musician, I write a song about the Libertarian and/or Constitution Parties and post it online. Music is a great way to reach people. This is one reason the cartels and government work so hard to keep the indies in check. This is the situation...

Microsoft + Oracle = Software Cartel
Linux, MySQL, Mozilla, and thousands of other Open Source projects are in the process of knocking the software Cartel down to size, We are winninf here in some areas and catching up in the rest.
http://www.linux.com http://www.sourceforge.net, http://www.freelink.cx


RIAA + big record labels = Music Cartel
Dmusic, p2p software and other site which allow independent music to be shared is scaring the hell out of the Music Cartel. It is as powerful a force as Linux is to the software cartel. http://www.dmusic.com

Democrats + Republicans = Political Cartel
We actually have affected change in the politcal arena. Remember the Reform Party? I bet the Republicans do. We are in a fight for our freedom and very possibly our lives in this country. As I see it, it make no difference at all whether a Democrat or Republican is in office because each is destroying our country in one way or another. Clinton: gun bans, NAFTA, GATT, Waco, permanent "Most Favored Nation" status with Red China ...
Bush: Patriot Act, DCMA, Induce act, National ID's, deficits more imports from slave labor countries ... I can go on and on with the abuses.
http://www.constitutionparty.com http://www.lp.org Its time we start fighting the political cartels and take our country back!!! We win win if we start fighting.

Cyberscan said, "If I were a musician, I write a song about the Libertarian and/or Constitution Parties and post it online"

It irritates me when musicians use their positions in the entertainment industry to promote their own political interests.

Chris.