HealthyLivingOPSomewhere In, Tennessee USA4,775 posts
Monday, May 12, 2008 WASHINGTON - Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr launched a Libertarian Party presidential bid Monday, saying voters are hungry for an alternative to the status quo who would dramatically cut the federal government.
His candidacy throws a wild card into the White House race that many believe could peel away votes from Republican Sen. John McCain given the candidates' similar positions on fiscal policy.
Barr, who has hired Ross Perot's former campaign manager, acknowledged that some Republicans have tried to discourage him from running. But he said he's getting in the race to win, not to play spoiler or to make a point.
"I've heard from Americans from all walks of life ... they want a choice," he said at a news conference in Washington. "They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us."
Barr first must win the Libertarian nomination at the party's national convention that begins May 22. Party officials consider him a front-runner thanks to the national profile he developed as a Georgia congressman from 1995 to 2003.
If he wins the White House, he said he would immediately freeze discretionary spending in Washington. He also would begin withdrawing troops from Iraq and consider slashing spending at federal agencies such as the departments of education and commerce - as well as at overseas military bases.
The former U.S. attorney also said he would strictly enforce immigration laws.
"This notion that government owes something to people just because they're here does not resonate with me," he said. "This is not a charity."
Barr, 59, quit the Republican Party two years ago, saying he had grown disillusioned with its failure to shrink government and its willingness to scale back civil liberties in fighting terrorism. He has been particularly critical of President Bush over the war in Iraq and says the administration is ignoring constitutional protections on due process and privacy.
While in Congress, he was a persistent critic of President Clinton and was among the first to press for impeaching the former president. He helped manage House Republicans' impeachment case before the Senate.
He lost his seat to fellow Republican Rep. John Linder in 2002 after a redistricting. He then opened a lobbying and public affairs firm with offices in Atlanta and outside Washington.
Hey... Maybe he would choose RON PAUL for Vice President???!!!
"Hey... Maybe he would choose RON PAUL for Vice President???!!!" QUOTED FROM ABOVE
Hope springs eternal....at this point anything, anyone that could inject some spark of life in the daily scripted see-saw tiffs between Clinton and Obama would be a welcome intermission in this ceremonial futility campaign and election. And to think, I've just found the secret reasons for the Republicans promotion of moving US jobs, and corporations out of the US to other countries; its their secret plan to control the immigrants from taking the jobs of deserving Americans; controlling immigration by not having any jobs here for them and therefore they will stop trying to swim rivers, scale barbed wire fences or hide in trucks filled with other illegals and all their drugs. They will have no incentive to come to the US! My Gawd, dat Bush iz smarts! %D
1, 2... 1, 2, 3, 4, Ow! Eddie: People moving out, people moving in. Why, because of the color of their skin. Run, run, run but you sure can't hide. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Vote for me and I'll set you free. Rap on, brother, rap on. Dennis: Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the...(preacher.) And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the...(teacher.) Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation. Ball of confusion. Oh yeah, that's what the world is today. Woo, hey, hey. Paul: The sale of pills are at an all time high. Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky. The cities ablaze in the summer time. And oh, the beat goes on. Dennis: Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul. Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon. Politicians say more taxes will solve everything. Melvin: And the band played on. So, round and around and around we go. Where the world's headed, nobody knows.
Oh, great GoogaMooga, can't you hear me talking to you. Just a ball of confusion. Oh yeah, that's what the world is today. Woo, hey, hey. Eddie: Fear in the air, tension everywhere. Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas. Dennis: And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation. Melvin: And the band played on. Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors, Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills, Hippies moving to the hills. People all over the world are shouting, 'End the war.' Melvin: And the band played on.
Great GoogaMooga, can't you hear me talking to you. Sayin'... ball of confusion. That's what the world is today, hey, hey. Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya. Sayin'... ball of confusion. That's what the world is today, hey, hey. Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya. Sayin'... ball of confusion.
alabamabebeBanks of the Warrior River, Alabama USA4,404 posts
HealthyLiving: Monday, May 12, 2008 WASHINGTON - Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr launched a Libertarian Party presidential bid Monday, saying voters are hungry for an alternative to the status quo who would dramatically cut the federal government.
Barr, 59, quit the Republican Party two years ago, saying he had grown disillusioned with its failure to shrink government and its willingness to scale back civil liberties in fighting terrorism. He has been particularly critical of President Bush over the war in Iraq and says the administration is ignoring constitutional protections on due process and privacy.
Sounds good, so it's never going to happen. Heck, I might just vote for him anyway, out of the choices we have, who cares?
HealthyLivingOPSomewhere In, Tennessee USA4,775 posts
solitare: "Hey... Maybe he would choose RON PAUL for Vice President???!!!" QUOTED FROM ABOVE
Hope springs eternal....at this point anything, anyone that could inject some spark of life in the daily scripted see-saw tiffs between Clinton and Obama would be a welcome intermission in this ceremonial futility campaign and election. And to think, I've just found the secret reasons for the Republicans promotion of moving US jobs, and corporations out of the US to other countries; its their secret plan to control the immigrants from taking the jobs of deserving Americans; controlling immigration by not having any jobs here for them and therefore they will stop trying to swim rivers, scale barbed wire fences or hide in trucks filled with other illegals and all their drugs. They will have no incentive to come to the US! My Gawd, dat Bush iz smarts! %D
He's about as smart as a dead mouse!
Yes, This is a Welcome intermission and I for one am extremely glad to Welcome it!!!
HealthyLivingOPSomewhere In, Tennessee USA4,775 posts
Mastic... I am not placing the quote of the "Ball of Confusion" song here, but it is to it in which I refer.
Amazing... that song was out in the 60's! It sure does seem to apply TODAY!! Looks like the U.S. has been a mess of confusion for quite some time now. Thanks for reminding us of this song. I always liked it back in my Hippy days, of course I am still a "Hippy", just a little older and wiser.
I have noticed lately that many of the songs from 'back then', bring on a very clear meaning of the message on world affairs today. Many of the bands expressed this then. They could "see" when many others could not.
HealthyLivingOPSomewhere In, Tennessee USA4,775 posts
alabamabebe: Sounds good, so it's never going to happen. Heck, I might just vote for him anyway, out of the choices we have, who cares?
Well dear, I care and I believe he is a much better choice and it just may be a way to get Ron Paul in the Whitehouse too! Still don't know if Ron would join up with him. Ron says he is staying with the Republican Party and not running on an independant ticket. We will see. It could get very interesting! Lets vote for him anyway... at least we will have a clear conscience that we voted against the crooks!
alabamabebeBanks of the Warrior River, Alabama USA4,404 posts
HealthyLiving: Well dear, I care and I believe he is a much better choice and it just may be a way to get Ron Paul in the Whitehouse too! Still don't know if Ron would join up with him. Ron says he is staying with the Republican Party and not running on an independant ticket. We will see. It could get very interesting! Lets vote for him anyway... at least we will have a clear conscience that we voted against the crooks!
Thanks for your responce girl!
I meant who cares between McCain and either Obama or Hillary. As an Alabamian once said long ago, there's not a dime's worth of difference between a Republican and a Democrat. I didn't agree with him at the time, but I'm beginning to.
It would be nice if these guys would throw their hats into the ring a little earlier in the election process. I'm sure money is a factor but by the time they start it's so late they are completely overshadowed. Barr is as qualified and probably more qualified than any of the other three choices we have at the moment but I don't believe he will make a dent this election. If these guys get some momentum going then perhaps our 2 party system can be improved. I think it's a great time to do just that because I suspect over the next 4 years, regardless of who is elected and regardless of the feel good promises made, things are not going to get any better. We do need more alternatives than the two choices we currently have.
HealthyLivingOPSomewhere In, Tennessee USA4,775 posts
alabamabebe: I meant who cares between McCain and either Obama or Hillary. As an Alabamian once said long ago, there's not a dime's worth of difference between a Republican and a Democrat. I didn't agree with him at the time, but I'm beginning to.
HealthyLivingOPSomewhere In, Tennessee USA4,775 posts
Sparky55: I can't argue with that. It is a mindset we have sometimes. With that in mind, if he gets some momentum I'd be willing to vote for him myself. Ofcourse, I need to actually look at him first even though I consider myself a libertarian
I have only recently begun reading on him. Not near enough, mind you, but I have read some. Will have to do some research and now I have good ideas for future threads!
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WASHINGTON - Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr launched a Libertarian Party presidential bid Monday, saying voters are hungry for an alternative to the status quo who would dramatically cut the federal government.
His candidacy throws a wild card into the White House race that many believe could peel away votes from Republican Sen. John McCain given the candidates' similar positions on fiscal policy.
Barr, who has hired Ross Perot's former campaign manager, acknowledged that some Republicans have tried to discourage him from running. But he said he's getting in the race to win, not to play spoiler or to make a point.
"I've heard from Americans from all walks of life ... they want a choice," he said at a news conference in Washington. "They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us."
Barr first must win the Libertarian nomination at the party's national convention that begins May 22. Party officials consider him a front-runner thanks to the national profile he developed as a Georgia congressman from 1995 to 2003.
If he wins the White House, he said he would immediately freeze discretionary spending in Washington. He also would begin withdrawing troops from Iraq and consider slashing spending at federal agencies such as the departments of education and commerce - as well as at overseas military bases.
The former U.S. attorney also said he would strictly enforce immigration laws.
"This notion that government owes something to people just because they're here does not resonate with me," he said. "This is not a charity."
Barr, 59, quit the Republican Party two years ago, saying he had grown disillusioned with its failure to shrink government and its willingness to scale back civil liberties in fighting terrorism. He has been particularly critical of President Bush over the war in Iraq and says the administration is ignoring constitutional protections on due process and privacy.
While in Congress, he was a persistent critic of President Clinton and was among the first to press for impeaching the former president. He helped manage House Republicans' impeachment case before the Senate.
He lost his seat to fellow Republican Rep. John Linder in 2002 after a redistricting. He then opened a lobbying and public affairs firm with offices in Atlanta and outside Washington.
Hey... Maybe he would choose RON PAUL for Vice President???!!!