Libertarian Candidates Oppose Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Obamacare

Dear Fellow Libertarians,
Having trouble finding clarity, truth and common sense in the sea of commentary addressing yesterday’s Supreme Court’s health care ruling?
Here’s what some Libertarian candidates have to say about it.
Libertarian presidential nominee and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson issued this statement in response to the Supreme Court ruling:

“It has been clear for a while that we need a new President and a new Congress. Now it appears we need a new Supreme Court.

“Whether the Court chooses to call the individual mandate a tax or anything else, allowing it to stand is a truly disturbing decision. The idea that government can require an individual to buy something simply because that individual exists and breathes in America is an incredible blow to the bedrock principles of freedom and liberty. It must be repealed, and Congress needs to get about doing so today.

“There is one thing we know about health care. Government cannot create a system that will reduce costs while increasing access. Only competition and the price transparency that competition will bring can accomplish the imperatives of affordability and availability. Whether it is the President’s plan or the Republican prescription drug benefit, the idea that anyone in Washington can somehow manage one of the most essential and substantial parts of both our quality of life and the economy is, and always has been, fundamentally wrong.

“We can never know how many Americans are out of work today because of the uncertainty the monstrous health care law has caused. The Court has done nothing to remove that burden.

“Nothing about today’s decision changes the basic reality that it is impossible to eliminate deficit spending and remove the smothering consequences of federal debt without dramatically reducing the costs of Medicare and Medicaid. And neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have given the slightest hint of willingness to do so.”

Libertarian Dan Cox for U.S. Senate of Montana, who’s running in a high-profile race that could determine the balance of power in the senate, said:

“Chief Justice John Roberts (a Republican President George Bush appointee) cast the deciding vote that declared Obamacare constitutional. For years the argument has been that we need to vote Republican, so we can get good Supreme Court justices. I guess that theory has been blown wide open. It is a very sad day for America when the Republican majority Supreme Court is openly trying to destroy the Constitution.

“Don't worry though Mitt Romney is going to save us? Really? The father of Romneycare is going to save us? Did you know that Romney is standing next to campaign signs that say repeal and replace Obamacare? Is that what we want? Do we really want to replace Obamacare with Romneycare? I don't think so.

“We need to stand together against these unconstitutional Democrats and Republicans. Liberty needs your vote more than ever.”

Libertarian Andrew Ian Dodge for U.S. Senate who’s running in a six-way race in Maine against a Republican and Independent former Maine Governor Angus King (who endorsed Barack Obama) issued this statement:

“The SCOTUS decision to uphold Obamacare deals freedom and individual liberty another hammer blow. It allows the federal government to penalize American citizens via taxation if it disapproves of our behavior and upholds the largest tax hike in recent American history.

“Republicans are as responsible as Democrats for this sad day. Sending yet another republican senator to D.C. will not help matters. And sending already declared Obama yes-men masquerading as independents will not help either.

“There’s only one way to restore freedom: Vote Libertarian!”

Click here to see the list of 2012 Libertarian candidates. Check back frequently - more candidates are being added to this page every week.
Yours in Liberty,
Carla Howell
Executive Director
National Libertarian Party

P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party with a mission to give voters a choice to downsize Big Government, to do so in the most humane way possible, to greatly reduce taxes, and to slash high government spending. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can simply make a contribution.

P.S.S. Click here to receive emails from the Gary Johnson for President campaign.

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The National Libertarian Party issued the following statement today:

Supreme Court Obamacare Decision Highlights Why a President Romney Would be More Dangerous than President Obama

A President Mitt Romney would not undo ObamaCare. He’d make it permanent.

The Supreme Court Ruling on ObamaCare does not matter. It will make little difference to America in the short run, and no difference in the long run.

Why? Because almost all elected Republicans and Democrats are Big Government politicians – in all things – including health care. After this Supreme Court decision, they will get back to work expanding government involvement in all things – especially health care.

One thing could make things worse. Electing Republican Mitt Romney President.

Why?

Republicans fiercely oppose, and often defeat Democratic Party attempts to massively expand government involvement in Health Care – such as HillaryCare.

But Democrats usually vote for Republican Party legislation to massively expand government’s role in Health Care.

Republican President George Bush’s $1.1 Trillion Government Prescription Drug Program was voted into law by Republicans and Democrats.

Republican Governor Mitt Romney’s Massachusetts state government expansion into Massachusetts health care – RomneyCare – was voted into law by both Republicans and Democrats. With virtually no resistance.

A Republican-controlled House of Representatives and US Senate would oppose Democratic President Barack Obama’s health care proposals.

But a Republican majority House of Representatives and US Senate would support and vote for a Republican President Mitt Romney’s Big Government health care proposals. And most Democrats in the House and Senate would, too.

What Republican Governor Romney did to Massachusetts’ health care, a Republican President Romney would do to America’s health care.

A President Mitt Romney would not undo ObamaCare. He’d make it permanent.

A first-term President Mitt Romney would be far more dangerous to small business, the private sector, and taxpayers than a lame-duck President Obama – no matter what the Supreme Court decided.

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P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party with a mission to give voters a choice to downsize Big Government, to do so in the most humane way possible, to greatly reduce taxes, and to slash high government spending. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can simply make a contribution.

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Dear Libertarian Supporter,
On Monday, June 25th at 5:00 P.M., we asked you to donate to our ballot access drive and to take advantage of a $10,000 matching money offer from a generous Life Member of the Libertarian Party.
You did!
During the first 24 hours, 93 of you donated $10,042, which allows us to replenish a total of $20,042 for our critical ballot access drives.
Thank You!
But that was just the first step. We need more help now. Funds are still desperately needed. States are calling us for help, and we don’t want them to fail.
Please help us help them.
Please donate to Libertarian ballot access now.

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Dear Libertarian Supporter,
We’re already over 60% done with petition drives to put our 2012 Libertarian Presidential ticket on the ballot from coast to coast.
Our Libertarian petitioners are working like there’s no tomorrow. Because there isn’t – for ballot drives. If we fail to get enough signatures in a state by the legal deadline, we’re out. Off that ballot. No second chance.
Our petitioners are getting the signatures in the remaining states. New York, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Alabama, Kentucky, and West Virginia. And others.
But we’re running out of money to pay these costs.
A Life Member of the Libertarian Party is willing to help.
He will match every dollar you donate to put the LP on the ballot for 2012. For our Presidential Ticket. And a number of state Libertarian Party candidates.
If you donate $1,000 today, he will match it with his $1,000 donation. Double your impact for liberty.
If you donate $500 right now, he’ll match it with another $500.
If you give $250 for LP ballot status, he’ll match it with $250 more.
Our Life LP member will match every dollar you give now. Up to $10,000.
Do you want a huge bang for your Libertarian Party donation? Matching Money gives it to you.
Want even bigger bonus benefits?
Your donation + the $10,000 Matching Money moves us closer to coast to coast Ballot Status for our 2012 Libertarian Presidential Ticket.
Which dramatically boosts news coverage of our Libertarian Candidates. All of them. Federal, state, and local.
It draws in tens of thousands of new LP inquiries – and thousands of new LP members.
PLUS new volunteers and donors to support our LP candidates and campaigns.
PLUS new supporters and voters for our LP candidates and campaigns.
Your donation today will accomplish this – and more.
Will you please help us get New York, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Alabama, Kentucky, and West Virginia on the ballot? Several other states may need our help as well.
Let our generous donor double your donation – with his matching money.
Will you donate $1,000? He’ll match it with $1,000.
Will you please put in $500 right now? He’ll match it with another $500.
Will you give $250 for LP ballot status? He’ll match it with $250 more.
Or you can donate $150 or $100 or $50. Every dollar will be matched.
Will you donate today by clicking here -- and please place this text in the Comment box at the bottom so it gets credit for matching funds:

"Ballot Access Matching Funds"

Thank you for helping. And thank you to our generous Life Libertarian Party Member for matching your donation.
Yours for freedom,
Carla Howell
Executive Director,
Libertarian Party

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LP Press Release Gets Legs

Dear Fellow Libertarian,
Below is a partial listing of web sites and publications that picked up our press release opposing Rand Paul’s endorsement of Mitt Romney.
The press release also stimulated a sizable bump in traffic, inquiries and donations to both the Libertarian Party and the Gary Johnson for President campaign.
Yours in liberty,
Carla Howell
Executive Director
National Libertarian Party

Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/11/rand-paul-hemp-ron-paul-mitt-romney-libertarian_n_1587679.html?ref=elections-2012

MyFox (picked up by MyFox affiliates nationwide)
http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/18746579/libertarian-party-says-rand-paul-betra
yed-father-with-romney-endorsement

Politico
http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/06/libertarian-party-rips-rand-paul-125707.html

Media ITE
http://www.mediaite.com/online/sen-rand-paul-endorses-romney-libertarian-par
ty-accuses-him-of-betraying-his-fathers-principles/

Daily Paul
http://www.dailypaul.com/238778/libertarian-party-rand-paul-betrays-his-father-s-principles-endorses-mitt-romney

Newsroom America
http://www.newsroomamerica.com/story/253555.html

Atlantic Wire
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/06/ron-paul-supporters-are-fuming-mad-rand-paul/53336/

Raw Story
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/06/09/rand-pauls-romney-endorsement-draws-heavy-fire-from-libertarians/

Prison Planet
http://www.prisonplanet.com/libertarian-party-says-rand-paul-betrayed-father-with-romney-endorsement.html

Democratic Underground
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002792823
FITSNews.com
http://www.fitsnews.com/2012/06/12/libertarians-bash-rand-paul/

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P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party with a mission to give voters a choice to downsize Big Government, to do so in the most humane way possible, to greatly reduce taxes, and to slash high government spending. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can simply make a contribution.

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For Immediate Release

June 8th, 2012

Libertarian Party

Contact: Carla Howell, Executive Director
The Libertarian Party issued the following statement today:

Rand Paul Betrays His Father’s Principles, Endorses Mitt Romney

Why Ron Paul Supporters Need the Libertarian Party

When Dr. Rand Paul ran for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, many of his fund-raising appeals were sent to the donors and supporters of his father, Congressman Ron Paul. They were designed to convince Ron’s supporters that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. That Rand was, like his legendary father, a steadfast champion of liberty.
But no true libertarian, no true friend of liberty, and no true blue Tea Partier could possibly even consider, much less actually endorse or approve of, the Father of Obamacare, Big Government tax and spender, Republican Mitt Romney.
Especially the son of Ron Paul, who has no excuse.
Especially a medical doctor, who has even fewer excuses.
Earlier this year, Rand Paul showed his willingness to sell out his supporters when he called higher federal government spending a “spending cut” – Orwellian language used routinely by Big Government Democratic and Republican politicians.
Sorry, Senator Paul. An increase is an increase, whether it’s a big increase or a really, really big increase in federal government spending.
Rand Paul had a list of excuses for his endorsement of Mitt Romney for president. For example, he claims that Romney will support auditing the Federal Reserve, oppose SOPA legislation which impairs Internet freedom, allow construction of the Keystone Pipeline, and support the REINS Act which would require Congress to vote on major new regulations.
But as Sherlock Holmes would note, it’s the dog that didn't bark that proves Rand Paul made a devil’s deal with Big Government Mitt Romney.
It’s what Rand Paul did not say that Mitt Romney will support that tells us what we really need to know.
He did NOT say that Mitt Romney would cut federal spending.
He did NOT say that Mitt Romney would never raise taxes.
He did NOT say that Mitt Romney would end Obamacare.
He did NOT say that Mitt Romney would bring the troops home from Afghanistan like Rand’s father has promised to do again and again.
Because a President Mitt Romney would NOT do those things.
Which is why Republican Mitt Romney is unfit to be president.
Vote Libertarian – the only political party that embraces the same core value as Dr. Ron Paul: Liberty!

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P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party with a mission to give voters a choice to downsize Big Government, to do so in the most humane way possible, to greatly reduce taxes, and to slash high government spending. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can simply make a contribution.

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For Immediate Release

June 5th, 2012

Libertarian Party Says Gov. Walker Made Right First Step

Bring Government Labor Contracts In Line with Private Sector Compensation

WASHINGTON – The Libertarian Party supports measures taken by Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin to curtail collective bargaining rights of state unions in his bid to cut the state budget deficit. But it’s only a first step.
Government employee labor contracts in Wisconsin, like most made between unions and federal, state and local governments in the United States, are inherently illegitimate. Fulfilling their demands, therefore, is not obligatory.
“Governments and unions have an incestuous relationship in this country,” said Libertarian Party Chair Geoffrey J. Neale. “Politicians pass laws forcing millions of government employees to pay union dues while handing out lucrative government employee contracts. The unions pour money into the re-election campaigns of those politicians. Everyday taxpayers and workers are left holding the bag.”
A judge must recuse himself when adjudicating a case where he has a financial interest in one of the parties before him. Libertarians assert that, likewise, a lawmaker who takes campaign donations from contractors, unions or anyone else who profits from taxpayer money should not be allowed to vote for handing out government largesse. Nor should those who profit from government be allowed to donate to political campaigns.
But lawmakers routinely allow this conflict of interest, passing laws to mandate the terms of labor contracts and signing those contracts, rendering them invalid.
A valid contract is one where all interested parties agree to the terms of the contract. When elections can be bought by those who profit from Big Government, the taxpayers have, at best, weak representation. Yet they’re expected to foot the bill.
“To call such contracts ‘non-discretionary’ is a sham. Taxpayers never gave their consent to pay for labor union contracts that dish out high wages, generous benefits, and retirement packages worth two to fives times what private sector workers get for doing the same job,” said Chair Neale. “This keeps taxes high and promotes recklessly high government overspending. It’s also fundamentally unfair.”
The Libertarian Party calls for re-writing these contracts to bring government worker compensation in line with that of comparable private sector workers and to eliminate unnecessary and duplicate jobs that drive up government spending.
On June 5th Gov. Walker faced a recall election prompted by protests against his 2011 Budget Repair Act, which increased public employee contributions toward pensions and health coverage and restricted union powers of collective bargaining and dues collection.
While this was a move in the right direction, it’s only a start.
According to a study by the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation, before the Budget Repair Act, Wisconsin state employees received total compensation (salary and benefits) about 29 percent higher than comparable private sector workers. After the act, the compensation premium remained at about 22 percent.
“The Wisconsin vote is an indication of whether Americans want to go the way of Greece -- or do the right thing and start to bring government employee compensation down to earth before the U.S. becomes insolvent,” said Neale. “This will move money out of government coffers and back into the private sector where it belongs and where it will be invested in small businesses that create sustainable, private sector jobs.”

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P.S. If you have not already done so, please join the Libertarian Party. We are the only political party with a mission to give voters a choice to downsize Big Government, to do so in the most humane way possible, to greatly reduce taxes, and to slash high government spending. You can also renew your membership. Or, you can simply make a contribution.

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