Barr Defines Libertarianism July 3, 2008
Posted by mande_wilkes in : Presidential Politics , 13 comments
AND THEN DEFIES IT
By Mande Wilkes
FITSNews - July 3, 2008 - In a recent appearance on Fox News, Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr explained why he embodies libertarian principles - we’re just not sure he understands what those principles are.
As we see it, libertarianism is at its core about personal autonomy, that God-given right which has been under attack by politicians who insist that they know what’s best for each one of us. Bob Barr appears to agree, declaring that libertarianism represents the fight “to shrink the size of the federal government.”
But Barr has an odd method of tackling that goal, and anchor Chris Wallace pointedly called him out on his questionable commitment to individual freedom from expansive governance. One by one, Wallace highlights freedom-limiting legislation that Barr helped pass, revealing the Congressman’s voting record to be inconsistent with his declared libertarian paradigm. (more…)
Ledbetter Lowdown July 2, 2008
Posted by fitsnews in : Presidential Politics , 11 comments
ANOTHER REASON FOR HILLARY SUPPORTERS TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN?
By Mande Wilkes
FITSNews - July 2, 2008 - Apparently more interested in form over substance, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama isn’t practicing what he preaches with regard to workplace equality.
According to a report by the Secretary of the Senate, men are overrepresented among Obama’s staff and the average male employee makes $6,000 more than his female counterpart.
This data has been released amid Obama’s recent support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, a bill which sought to relax time limits for sex discrimination suits. Though the bill eventually failed, Obama voted for it - a fact which he incessantly repeats as part of his effort to court Hillary Clinton supporters.
In fact, Obama spoke just last week in New Mexico about his commitment to workplace equality and his support of the defunct Lilly Ledbetter bill. (more…)
Libertarian Rising July 1, 2008
Posted by fitsnews in : Presidential Politics , 16 comments
PARTY SUES TO PUT BARR ON THE BALLOT
By Mande Wilkes
FITSNews - July 1, 2008 - The Libertarian Party has filed court actions in Ohio and Tennessee in a last-ditch effort for the party’s presidential nominee, Bob Barr, to make it onto the November ballot.
Both states have particularly strict preconditions for appearing on their ballots. An Ohio law, for example, mandates that candidates have to come up with a list of 20,000 supporter signatures. Of course, this law only applies to candidates outside of the two major political parties - those candidates for whom the requirement is especially onerous.
This certainly seems unconstitutional on its face, so bravo to the Libertarian Party for stepping up. The laws are obviously enacted in the face of the fear that a third-party candidate could yield undue influence over an election.
‘Undue influence’ is our way of saying it, not theirs - they wouldn’t be that straightforward - but make no mistake, that is the concern. There’s been a lot of buzz lately about the possibility for Barr to take votes from Republican John McCain, leading to a Democratic win. Not that Barack Obama needs any help, but whatever. (more…)
How Effin Sweet … June 27, 2008
Posted by fitsnews in : Presidential Politics , 9 comments
… NOW LET’S ASK THE ELEVENTY KABILLION DOLLAR ANTI-PC QUESTION
FITSNews - June 27, 2008 - So the victorious Barack Obama and the vanquished Hillary Clinton are getting together to show a little Democratic unity … in a town called Unity, no less.
Quick - somebody call Rick James!
But seriously, what is it with Democrats and over-symbolism? Yeah, yeah … we all know Bill Clinton was from “a little place called Hope.” But he was also from a little place called “Hot Springs” … just ask Gennifer Flowers.
Anyway, the goal of all this heart-warming unification is to try and bring in as many of those “bitter” white middle class people who voted for Billary back into the Jesus … sorry … the Obama fold. That way Obama can presumably beat Republican nominee John McCain, who is running like crazy to the middle of the political spectrum in an effort to scoop up as many of those bitter white middle classers as he possibly can.
We hate to break it down this elementally, but in any other year Republicans would get their asses handed to them this November … and according to our own Mande Wilkes they may still get their asses handed to them.
There’s just one “eleventy kabillion dollar question” lurking over all this that nobody seems particularly eager to ask … or answer … (more…)
Red’s Got The Blue June 24, 2008
Posted by fitsnews in : Presidential Politics , 5 comments
REPUBLICANS PROCEED WITH CAUTION - SHARP LEFT TURN AHEAD
By Mande Wilkes
FITSNews - June 24, 2008 - It’s been a rough couple of years for the Republican Party, and by most accounts the tush-kicking is only going to worsen.
Once equal parts red (Republican) and blue (Democrat), the picture of American politics has been painted with a new brush, splashing the country in blue with only tinges of red. Call it hype, call it momentum, call it the tipping point - whatever the reason, it’s the Democrats’ season.
Some states which were previously Republican hotbeds - like South Carolina - have simmered down, making room for a blossoming progressive sentiment. And many areas that were once solidly red are now purple at best, a shift that is emblematic of the battle that John McCain will face this fall.
How hard will McCain have to fight? (more…)
Yo-Bama Is The World June 18, 2008
Posted by mande_wilkes in : Presidential Politics , 23 comments… AWWWWW
By Mande Wilkes
FITSNews - June 18, 2008 - An international survey has revealed that the worldwide opinion of Barack Obama is very similar to our domestic opinion - namely, that he is the freakin’ messiah.
Virtually untested in foreign policy matters, the world has faith in Obama despite of - or maybe because of - his amateur status. Of the 24 nations surveyed, 21 believe that Obama, not GOP nominee John McCain, will “do the right thing regarding world affairs.”
Though the world has obviously thrown its weight behind Obama, the truth is it’s just ready for some new blood in the White House, as twenty of the countries surveyed said that a new president will positively impact world affairs.
Internationally, people hope that a new president will focus on energy and environmental reforms, a more lenient foreign policy, and an end to the Iraq War. The Iraq issue is where Obama shines, giving the world hope that the war will finally come to a close … of course domestically attention has shifted from the war to the economy. (more…)
What Will All The Crazy People Do Now? June 13, 2008
Posted by fitsnews in : Presidential Politics , 8 comments
RON PAUL ENDS HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION
FITSNews - June 13, 2008 - As much as we readily associate ourselves with the libertarianism espoused by soon-to-be-former GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, we couldn’t get past the fact that his supporters (well, with a few exceptions) drove us absolutely crazy.
Seriously, it’s unhealthy to get that interested in politics, people. And while we know most of them were just high as kites and didn’t know any better, it was still a little creepy. Anyway, the question now is what are all these potheads going to do now that Paul is officially out of the race:
Paul’s announcement came on the first day of the (Texas) Republican convention, a time to unify and invigorate grassroots supporters.
“With the primary season now over, the presidential campaign is at an end,” Paul wrote in a letter posted on the Internet. “But the larger campaign for freedom is just getting started.”
We continue to believe that Paul will ultimately endorse Libertarian Party nominee Bob Barr, but it remains to be seen whether the “Ralph Nader of the Republican Party” will have an adverse impact on GOP nominee John McCain’s chances come November. It also remains to be seen whether those baked beans Sic Willie is currently shoveling down his throat (for breakfast, no less) will have an adverse impact on our office air quality come fifteen minutes from now.
