I was a Republican throughout my entire adult life until a couple of years ago, when I sickened of the party’s hate for immigrants. I spent the last couple of years as a Decline to State voter, and quite frankly I thought I would stay DTS forever. However, I have learned in the past year that the Libertarian Party is a great match for who I am today, and last night it was my pleasure to officially join the Libertarian Party, at a California Libertarian Party reception held at my friend Tony Bushala’s beautiful home in Fullerton. Thank you to the Bushalas for hosting this event and for providing a delicious dinner and a keg full of Stella Artois for our guests!
The event was attended by many of my good friends, including businesswoman Irene Ibarra, who ran for the SAUSD School Board this year, and John Seiler, who is pictured above, at my right. There were quite a few Libertarian Party officials there including Beau Cain, who is pictured above, at the left, and who serves as the Libertarian Party State Secretary; and Zander Collier, the Southern Regional Vice Chair. Our State Chairman, Kevin Takenaga, also flew down from the Bay Area to join us.
There were also a few very well known local Libertarian electeds and candidates, including Don Patterson, who received more votes as a Libertarian congressional candidate than any of our other local candidates, and Norm “Firecracker” Westwell, from Huntington Beach, who was reelected to the Ocean View School District’s Board of Education and who is running now for the Huntington Beach City Council. Costa Mesa City Council candidate Nick Moss was there too. He received almost two thousand votes on Nov. 4 with a $25 budget!
So why am I joining the Libertarian Party? Some will say, that party has no chance to win, and in most cases that is true. However, I believe that we are witnessing the self-inflicted end of the Republican Party. If they continue to pursue a religious agenda, akin to the dreaded Talibanis in Afghansitan, then they will eventually become nothing more than a third party. Similarly, their continued animus for Latino immigrants has already put Barack Obama in office. Now the GOP is pushing away young people – and once they become Democrats, or independents, they will likely stay that way for life.
So are the Libertarians a reasonable alternative to the suicidal Republicans? I fervently believe so. And I am not alone. Earlier this year my friend Steven Greenhut, (who attended our reception too) who is an editorial writer for the O.C. Register, quit the GOP and joined the Libertarian Party. The aforementioned John Seiler, who used to work with Greenhut and now runs his own blog, did the same. So I am in good company!
On an issue that is near and dear to my heart, immigration, Libertarians believe that the system is broken. What we need is to allow more folks to come here legally. You may read more about the Libertarian approach to immigration at this link.
In general, “Libertarians believe the answer to America’s political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade as prescribed by America’s founders,” according to the Libertarian Party’s website.
Do I agree with every single Libertarian notion? Of course not. But overall this party is a good fit for me. My goals now will be to help bring more Latinos and young people to this party. Look at what the Democrats in power here in Santa Ana and up in Sacramento have done. They overspend so much that we have a $28 billion dollar deficit in Sacramento and a $28 million deficit in Santa Ana. The GOP is not an alternative for Latinos – they generally hate us. But the Libertarian Party will welcome Latinos with open arms – and I will make sure of that.
The California Libertarian Party states on its website its commitment to be “Socially Tolerant and Fiscally Responsible.” If you are interested in joining the California Libertarian Party, click here. If you want to change your registration to Libertarian, click here.
Was great hanging out with you and everyone last night. Welcome aboard. 🙂
“If you are socially tolerant and fiscally responsible, you are a Libertarian!”
Dontcha think that is a bit of an overgeneralization?
Well, they sound pretty good. Trouble is… can they get any of their candidates ELECTED?
Red Vixen,
We have a ways to go, and I will be focusing my efforts on setting up Libertarian groups at local colleges and on Latino outreach.
I think in time this party will grow as it is very appealing, especially to young people who have grown up with the Internet and “South Park.” They already don’t trust the red and blue parties!
Art,
I am liking the Obama part of the democrats right now. Will have to see if he can fulfill what I think he is promsing in the way of wise fiscal choices and a return to constitutional ethics. I like the fact that he is putting in place a variety of capable individuals and a lot of those spots are not taken up by the old guard of democrats.
I like his “no drama, Obama” approach. It’s like we have the coolest, most capable player of the whole game on our team. I am enjoying the moment for now.
Good luck to you, Art. Maybe if you’d had some decent funding and some official campaign machine, you could have gone all the way in SA.
Red,
I am liking what Obama is doing too. He is quite an inspiration. I do take issue with what the Democrats are doing in Sacramento and in Santa Ana, but perhaps they will learn a thing or two from Obama.
I think that the Libertarians will be growing at the expense of the Republicans and will also absorb some DTS voters.
As for my campaign, it was a last minute effort and we did what we could with very little. I am glad to have it behind me. And very glad to be back blogging as that remains our biggest tool for change in Santa Ana.
*** reply ***
Yes we can and do get elected.
I am a proud Libertarian and I was just re-elected, without opposition.
http://reelectfirecracker.com
We are making progress by building our base from the bottom up. I urge you join us.
Warmest regards,
ELECTED Libertarian in your backyard,
Norm Westwell
Trustee for the Ocean View School District
ovsd.org
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Red Vixen Says:
November 17th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Well, they sound pretty good. Trouble is… can they get any of their candidates ELECTED?
Hey Firecracker! Nice to see you here, don’t be a stranger. We always need more HB voices.
Sounds good man.. I have always admired and respected the Libertarian Party. I myself am a socially tolerant and fiscally conservative, libertarian leaning Republican. I think the Libertarian Party and the new generation of GOP’ers who tend to be a bit more socially tolerant, will be able to do great things together.