Never Gary Johnson: He’s Not Conservative and Not Even All That Libertarian - James Spiller

[Rad]

"In fact, Johnson inherited a debt of $1.8 billion and left a debt of $4.6 billion, a rate of increase unmatched by the 22 governors in either party who have filed for presidential primaries in the past two decades, with the exception of Governor Tom Vilsack (D., Iowa) in 2007. During every year that Johnson, as he says, balanced the budget, he added to the debt."

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/articl...-conservatives

I know the article in question is from a questionable source. I also haven't really researched the man so don't shoot the messenger just yet. I just thought you all may want to take a gander at something not Trump.

[fisharmor]

I thought his ONLY libertarian credential was that he cut spending and dialed back government in NM.
If he doesn't even have that.......

[afwjam]

Gary Johnson nearly tripled both spending and debt, especially bad when compared to neighboring states which did not do as bad and had real population growth. In addition to not understanding Libertarian principles, his fiscal record as governer was horrible.

[phill4paul]

Haven't read the whole article but one exception I take is pundits referring to tax breaks as subsidies. I'm for tax breaks. I think everyone should be. N.C. has lost a lot of business opportunities to Georgia because the state gov. ended the tax break it was giving the industry.

[fisharmor]

Anyone else familiarize themselves with the other candidates? Here's one with Kevin McCormick, Darryl Perry, and Mark Feldman. All three are quite interesting... McCormick answers several questions pragmatically by saying basically "I'm running to get spending under control first and all other issues second", Perry is a microsecessionist, and Feldman openly called Trump an $#@! twice on TV.

[phill4paul]

Anyone else familiarize themselves with the other candidates? Here's one with Kevin McCormick, Darryl Perry, and Mark Feldman. All three are quite interesting... McCormick answers several questions pragmatically by saying basically "I'm running to get spending under control first and all other issues second", Perry is a microsecessionist, and Feldman openly called Trump an $#@! twice on TV.

I don't have two hours to watch at this time. I really wish there had been more candidates on stage at the Fox/Stossel debate. I'll mark for later viewing. Thanks!

[nobody's_hero]

Haven't read the whole article but one exception I take is pundits referring to tax breaks as subsidies. I'm for tax breaks. I think everyone should be. N.C. has lost a lot of business opportunities to Georgia because the state gov. ended the tax break it was giving the industry.

Georgia at the same time was expanding tax breaks. The thing is that you can still play 'pick winners and losers' by playing with the tax code, so in a way, I can kind of see how some people see them as subsidies. I mean, say I've got a business already established in Georgia, but my competitors from out-of-state get tax breaks for relocating that I can't get (because I'm already here), that doesn't sit well with me.

[jkob]

#NeverTrump
#NeverHillary
#NeverGary

who are we allowed to vote for again?

[erowe1]

#NeverTrump
#NeverHillary
#NeverGary

who are we allowed to vote for again?

Wouldn't it be awesome if one of these years they held an election and nobody showed up to vote?

[Origanalist]

Wouldn't it be awesome if one of these years they held an election and nobody showed up to vote?

It would be glorious.

[heavenlyboy34]

#NeverTrump
#NeverHillary
#NeverGary

who are we allowed to vote for again?

#noonebutverminsupreme2016

[undergroundrr]

#noonebutverminsupreme2016

#neververmine

Ponies are pure pork.

[heavenlyboy34]

#neververmine

Ponies are pure pork.

Pssh. Like everyone else out there (with a realistic chance of winning) doesn't have a boondogle planned. Might as well have a boondogle that we can enjoy and get free energy from.

[timosman]

Johnson is an "alpha" male:

[undergroundrr]

Johnson is an "alpha" male:

That was pretty funny.

[Krugminator2]

The thing that bothers me most isn't that Gary has marginal libertarian credentials. It is that Gary thinks his positions are strongly libertarian. He doesn't know enough to be able to understand and debate alternative views.

He still should be the nominee by default but I much prefer Mark Sanford or Mitch Daniels to this guy and his running mate.

[torchbearer]

#NeverTrump
#NeverHillary
#NeverGary

who are we allowed to vote for again?

#NOTA

[dean.engelhardt]

I plan on voting for Johnson again, but I would like to hear Johnson's response to the article. If tax breaks are being considered as spending (heard of this before) these numbers are not credible. Polling in double figures, DNC and RNC are going to spend millions to make him look bad.

Trump is a p$%#y is a good slogan!

[cajuncocoa]

Pssh. Like everyone else out there (with a realistic chance of winning) doesn't have a boondogle planned. Might as well have a boondogle that we can enjoy and get free energy from.

Who doesn't want a pony?

[spudea]

You can't take credit for tax cuts or tax subsidies when you fund the government with debt. Debt is a tax.

[torchbearer]

The future will be powered by zombies.

[nikcers]

#neververmine

Ponies are pure pork.

Yeah but all of his offensive policies aren't part of executive powers he would get as a president. He would just be good on policy X Y Z, that he does have power over as a president, and Policy A B C, that you don't agree with he wouldn't be able to do it anyways.

[69360]

I think it's time to put away the impossibly nuanced positions. We have a LP candidate who I think everyone can agree is a good guy and not a criminal like the 2 major party candidate. He's polling double digits. He's a former governor with name recognition likely to be joined on the ticket by another former governor. This is a huge deal. There are cracks showing in the 2 party system.

[Root]

Johnson is an "alpha" male:

Out of ammo.

[Root]

If we enter an alternate reality more bizzaro than Frontrunner Trumprunner and Johnson landed in the white house... I have the most confidence that he would actually put an end to this ridiculous drug war.

[jkob]

The reality is that the Libertarian candidate is not going to win this cycle but Johnson/Weld would receive more votes than any LP candidate in history and could maybe get matching funds for the party in the future. Gary has a slim chance at sneaking into the debates too. McAfee and especially Petersen don't have a chance at either. Gary isn't a bad person, he's certainly better than Bob Barr. I don't see the point of voting at all if nothing good comes from it, just helping Hillary win would be sickening.

[afwjam]

The reality is that the Libertarian candidate is not going to win this cycle but Johnson/Weld would receive more votes than any LP candidate in history and could maybe get matching funds for the party in the future. Gary has a slim chance at sneaking into the debates too. McAfee and especially Petersen don't have a chance at either. Gary isn't a bad person, he's certainly better than Bob Barr. I don't see the point of voting at all if nothing good comes from it, just helping Hillary win would be sickening.

I ask you how is Johnson going to perform if he got in the debates? What evidence do you have that the other two would not make the debates?

[Feeding the Abscess]

If we enter an alternate reality more bizzaro than Frontrunner Trumprunner and Johnson landed in the white house... I have the most confidence that he would actually put an end to this ridiculous drug war.

I don't. He doesn't want to legalize drugs harder than marijuana. He's said as much numerous times.

[TheTexan]

I don't see the point of voting at all if nothing good comes from it

Something good always comes out of voting.

It's usually a sticker but sometimes there's candy.

[TheTexan]

Johnson is an "alpha" male:

Haha he called Trump a pussy. LMAO!

Presidential elections are awesome I wish we could do this every year