- A TP Counterfactual
- Counterfactual Racial Switcheroo
- Needs Speed Metal
The mid-term elections are coming up. The internet is clogged with everybody’s sweaty, incoherent, chest-clutching, babble-spit. Why not mine?
The whole election season gives me a headache, but then again, that could be the wine. Mainly, I’ve learned that this one candidate in Delaware is most definitely not a witch, nor is she for any kind of witchery. I know this because she’s said so. Repeatedly. Campaign promises have sure changed since I was a kid. 
They actually mean it.
So I’m not a Tea Party fan, whatever. I can appreciate some of their complaints. But if they were only interested was limiting the Fed and shaping up our fiscal situation, they’d be Libertarians. The LP is all over that stuff. They have an actual political platform and everything. They get their point across clearly and boast a strong tradition of intellectual honesty.
But the Tea Party aren’t Libertarians. Well meaning or not, they need to grow up. You don’t get to ramble about historic, sacred principals and then endlessly equivocate when asked to spell things out. My gut says Libertarians could probably balance the budget, too. I bet the LP wouldn’t jaw about Tort Reform as the be-all solution to the health care system and squeal “all better!” 
I’m not averse to different ideas, because America is constantly re-inventing itself. Maybe someday I’ll vote for a Libertarian candidate. I certainly have before; maybe that’s why the Tea Party annoys me. They remind me of myself as a child, thinking myself bad-ass for listening to some crap-ass glam rock band like Slaughter. Then I’d meet some kids who listened to speed metal while cutting themselves.
Those kids are the Libertarians. They’re hardcore for liberty. They won’t just cut other peoples’ benefits. They’ll cut their own. Until it hurts. I may not agree with them, but they have my respect.
But don’t worry, Tea Party, they’ll keep their government hands off your medicare. It will be very easy when there isn’t any.
Footnotes
: Also, apparently you can say the most bewilderingly crazy things and be treated like that music prodigy from Shine.
: Sorry guys. Malpractice expenses are less than 2% of health care costs and stable. Good summary piece: Would Tort Reform Lower Costs?
I’m still convinced that the LP has done more to hurt Libertarians than anything else. By pulling themselves out of the mainstream parties they’re no longer the moderating influence that they once were.
As for the Tea Party embracing Libertarians, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Very interesting link, Al. Thanks for adding it.
It’s very telling, at least from that little nook of the internet. I remember being proud that they were the party of principle, but I’ve come to understand that it doesn’t matter if you’re principled if you’re completely irrelevant to the conversation. The author seems to understand this, but is clearly frustrated at what can be done.