Politics

An Elective Despotism

by Sheldon Richman February 21, 2005

Before American politicians lecture others on the virtues of representative government, perhaps some self-examination would be in order. The United States unquestionably has the trappings of representative government. Americans vote for officeholders on a regular basis, and these officeholders, in theory, vote on issues with their constituents’ interests in mind. From the outside it ...

Democratic Relativism

by Sheldon Richman December 1, 2004

It occurred to me recently that the American political system is even worse than I thought. Before the abstract discussion, lets look at some particulars. When First Lady Hillary Clinton held secret meetings in order to formulate the Clinton administrations plan for medical services, the Republicans exploded with rage. Secret government! they shouted. Nefarious elitism! Conservatives overflowed with venom. Republicans ...

Im Free Because I Voted, Right?

by Jacob G. Hornberger November 1, 2004

In the wake of his reelection, President Bush has announced that he remains committed to bringing democracy to the Middle East, which includes the indefinite military occupation of Iraq. In the presidents mind indeed, in the minds of most public officials in America democracy is freedom. So, given that I voted in the recent election, ...

How Conservative Is George W. Bush?

by Anthony Gregory October 13, 2004

Given that so many conservatives have come out in favor of George W. Bush, who supposedly isnt as bad as John Kerry, an important question arises: Exactly how conservative is George W. Bush? Bush has expanded the welfare state and increased discretionary spending at a faster rate than any president since ...

A Modest Proposal – Let’s Allow Negative Voting

by George Leef October 1, 2004

Election years are filled to overflowing with political pitches beseeching voters to cast ballots for a particular candidate. And many people do, although often with scant enthusiasm. Choosing between the lesser of two evils is a commonly heard complaint among voters. During election campaigns, one also is apt to receive political ...

The Election Isn’t about Vietnam

by Sheldon Richman September 24, 2004

What a topsy-turvy election! One candidate chose to fight in Vietnam. One candidate avoided it. So which candidate is supported by opponents of the Vietnam war? As I said, topsy-turvy. We hear lots of people say that the election should be about terrorism, Iraq, Medicare, Social Security, the budget not about a war that ended 30 years ago and what ...

In Support of Voting

by Jacob G. Hornberger September 22, 2004

As one who refused to vote for some 20 years, I wield a credential in the debate currently taking place in libertarian circles as to whether people should vote or not vote. (See a sampling of the vote vs. no-vote articles below.) I vote in favor of voting. The reasons I didnt vote for all those years were the ...

Freedom, Hope, and Fear: The Paradox of Vietnam, Part 3

by Rosalind Lacy MacLennan September 20, 2004

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 A frightened 10-year old schoolgirl stared shyly at me. We stood outside the War Remnants Museum in front of children’s crayon drawings of bombs dropping from U.S. aircraft on burning villages and palm trees. “Hi, yes, I’m an American,” I said, speaking softly to her in English she didn’t completely understand. Then ...

Freedom, Hope, and Fear: The Paradox of Vietnam, Part 2

by Rosalind Lacy MacLennan September 15, 2004

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Some backpackers said they preferred understated Hanoi to the raucous attack of venders, the capitalism in Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. I enjoyed the bartering, the drivers who surrounded and harangued me. Told that many hawkers would exaggerate tales of suffering to get a better price, I felt the ...

Freedom, Hope, and Fear: The Paradox of Vietnam, Part 1

by Rosalind Lacy MacLennan September 13, 2004

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Since the breakdown of Marxist state planning in 1985 and the introduction of free-market reforms in 1986, the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has unleashed a tiger. Free enterprise will not be stopped. Capitalism is respected now for good reason. People are not starving. But police presence hovers. This ...

The Bush Betrayal

by James Bovard August 27, 2004

As we defend liberty and justice abroad, we must always honor those values here at home. George W. Bush, October 28, 2003 George W. Bush came to the presidency promising prosperity, peace, and humility. Instead, Bush has spawned record federal budget deficits, launched an unnecessary war, and made America the most hated nation in the world. Bush ...

A Divisive Campaign Would Be Welcome

by Sheldon Richman August 9, 2004

That was cute when Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry started his acceptance speech by snapping a salute and saying he was “reporting for duty.” Cute, but not quite truthful. If he becomes president, we will be expected to carry out his commands. It’s only in democratic folklore that government ...