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Maggie's avatar

I was living in one of the least-swingy states in the country at the time (NY) and I did feel that disaffected and 3rd party seemed like a way to make my overall displeasure with candidate quality known to the powers that be. I do think that HRC was a morally compromised candidate (attitude about the email scandal, dismissive of criticism, enabled husband to treat women poorly) and felt like both parties were asking me to tolerate a rotten candidate because the other candidate was worse. Frankly, I thought Gary Johnson was dim, but admired Bill Weld. I do in retrospect view it as a silly decision, akin to perming my hair. Had I lived in say, PA at time I think I would have held my nose and voted for HRC.

I think like a lot of people, I find core concept of libertarianism to be appealing (live and let live!) but it's leading advocates are totally unwilling (unable?) to wrestle with the inherent contradictions. Libertarianism, like "small government conservatism", doesn't seemed particular attuned to the needs of the moment: banks collapsing, trains derailing, Ukraine war, school shootings. I do still admire the commitment to classical liberalism that you in some hardcore Libertarians. The ones that get worked up over extrajudicial police killings and free speech issues and gay rights.

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Patric R Brayden's avatar

Thanks for the full airing.

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