Op-Ed: So Long, 'Party of Principle'

We remember the days when the Libertarian Party elected principled individuals like Harry Browne, Michael Badnarik, and Ron Paul as the party's presidential candidates. These were noble men who adhered to the party's unique non-aggression axiom.

This axiom is a simple pledge that any person joining the Libertarian Party must agree to, thus stating that they "do not advocate the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals." No other party has such a stipulation when joining.

Many great men and women have become members of the party because they vehemently believed in this principle and they subsequently voted for presidential candidates that felt the same way.

But alas, the party that has touted themselves as the 'Party of Principle' has actually strayed from their principles and began sliding down the slippery slope towards statism. They have elected Bob Barr as their presidential candidate in order to gain popularity and press coverage for the party, thus making a deal with the devil to trade principles for a few extra percentage points in the November elections.

Here are a few things that any libertarian should know about Mr. Barr:

- Bob Barr supports intervention in Iran and South America. He also praises George Bush's surge in Iraq.
- Bob Barr favors a national sales tax.
- Bob Barr voted for the Patriot Act and favored reauthorization of that act.
- Bob Barr supports the War on Drugs
- Bob Barr regards Google as a major threat to intellectual property, and wishes to use government force to restrain the company.

Make no mistake about it: Bob Barr will not win the presidency and any true libertarian should not support his campaign which is the final nail in the Libertarian Patry's already closed coffin.

It is now time to bury the party and say our final words. Oh, 'Party of Principle' we bid you adieu. You will be missed, but not mourned, as we will always remember what you at one time were. Farewell!