After reading this article, I’m still in the Barr camp. I agree that it would be great for more emphasis on Fed policy and oversight. I think that indicates a deeper knowledge of economic theory and application to include the Fed in any economic considerations. I’m sure most (but definitely not all) Libertarians are fine with his economic views. His slightly more conservative social views are another issue, however.

Nobody ever reads the party platforms anyway, but activists are willing to draw blood to get them their way. It is probably the only aspect of American politics where ideas dominate.

He’s probably right considering that his site generally only recognizes Democratic and Republican candidates. However, when considering alternative political parties, he’s not quite right. As a Libertarian, I know that platforms occassionally are considered sources of ideas for negative attacks. And activists do their darnedest to make the platform represent the philosophy. Usually, alternative political parties and their candidates even express these ideas (often to their electoral deaths). I would say that this is the other place where ideas dominate in politics. But the general reluctance of people to vote for these idea-filled candidates gives us an insight to the American’s regard for the concept of ideas in politics.

As typical also for this time of the year, I am also railing on about the perception that we have a choice — a choice of two polished, professional politicians to vote for every year. While this angst is typically geared toward getting political parties on the ballot, my focus is now encompassing the plight of the lone write-in candidate whose votes get thrown out if they can’t complete a petition drive before the election (as is the case in North Carolina).

But even getting past the politics, I’m finding more and more that I’m not free. Getting past the existence of the government in my life, I am a slave. I look at where I’m at situationally. Who got me there? For the most part I did. How do I deal with my situation? Not well usually. I’m angry, anxious, exhausted, fearful, nervous, and depressed most of my waking hours now-a-days. I could live in an anarchist paradise, with only myself calling the shots for my life, but I still wouldn’t be free because of what I’m feeling and how I’m dealing with it.

As I reflect upon the true meaning of freedom, independence, and liberty, I’m reminded of the title of a book by 1996 and 2000 Libertarian Party Presidential nominee Harry Browne. It’s called “How I Found Freedom In An Unfree World“. I’ve read excerpts. It sounds like something we all start reading immediately as we not only reflect, but as we begin to realize what being free truly is. Hey, it’s Independence Day — what are you doing just standing there? Watching fireworks?!

Beyond that, though, as a Libertarian, it only backs up what I’ve been saying for years is the basis of the Libertarian Party’s hidden appeal and potential electoral strength. Libertarians don’t need to adopt positions of conservatives or liberals or move to the middle, since libertarianism is a consistent political philosophy that embraces what some would call fiscal conservatism or social liberalism. And what it amounts to — leaving individuals alone so they can live their lives the way they want — is much more easily marketable than the hodgepodge of arbitrarily deciding what part of your life you should want controlled by the political bureaucracy.

It’s appropriate that I have picked April Fool’s Day as the beginning of my official blogging career. I wholeheartedly belive that every fool should have the opportunity to present his or her case, no matter how stupid, boring or nonsensical. For some reason I usually find myself making this belief known when I’m signing petitions to get the Green Party on the ballot. This usually pisses off the person whose petition I’m signing, until I tell them that I’ve been involved with the Libertarian Party for the past ten years. Since I don’t have any problems with Greens (aside from the occasional ideological dispute), I’ve got to remember not to say that, or at least remember not to say it quite that way.

I’m not quite happy with the title of this blog, however. The “REAL” Johnny Crawford? Even though this is my first post, I’m certain that there will be a great deal of hyperbole, thought experimentation and Devil’s advocacy going on here. But I guess that actually is what the real Johnny Crawford is all about. No references to Mark McCain, the Rifleman or that other Johnny Crawford here. It goes without saying, though, that not everything posted here will be the honest Gospel truth of Johnny, but I sure hope it’s entertaining.