Elections and Politics

Overview

In those rare cases where government involvement is just and necessary, fair and transparent elections ensure the voice of citizens is heard and obeyed.  Without just election processes, corrupt government officials will consolidate power and strip citizens of their inherent rights and liberties. 

Today’s election laws, including campaign finance and ballot access regulations, serve to increase the corruption in the status quo.  Current candidates and activists have unreasonable hurdles to discuss, advocate, and vote on important issues. 

Term limits are essential to ensure unjust power cannot be consolidated in the hand of government.   Government jobs should be limited in a way to inspire dedicated citizens to hold office rather than professional politicians looking to benefit from the work of private citizens.

Opinions

I’m an anarchist.  Elections are great for private clubs.

Walter Block, Loyola University New Orleans

The best way to prevent voting excesses – campaign donations and the like – is to make voting completely unproductive.  If government has no bouquets and perks to dispense, no one would run for office who did not have a sense of public duty.

Term limits should be a part of the Constitution (by amendment).  Ballot access should be much more “accessible” than it is today.  Political parties were not part of the Founding Fathers’ conscience, although they all recognized factions after the government started operations. 

Richard Timberlake, University of Georgia

Ballot access should not be restricted by excessive fees or filing requirements.  There should be no restrictions on campaign finance or spending.

Dave Nalle, Republican Liberty Caucus

Laws restricting the ability of Americans to participate in the political process by supporting the candidates of their choice or lobbying on behalf of specific issues violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.  Campaign finance reform is a distraction from the real problem: the size of government.  If the federal government were limited to its few constitutional functions, politicians would not be able to dispense favors to special interests so those interests would lack an incentive to dump millions into influencing elected officials.

Congressman Ron Paul, (R-TX)

Politics in the problem, not the solution.

Doug Casey, Casey Research

Criminal behavior and fraud in ballots, voting, and financing are felonies and should be prosecuted with the maximum penalties.

David Littmann, Mackinac Center for Public Policy

Voluntaryists reject all activities which lend support to and legitimize governments.  Therefore, they reject  third parties such as the Libertarian Party, voting, and legislation as ultimately incompatible with libertarian goals.  Voluntaryists support non-political strategies such as non-violent resistance, homeschooling, and creating alternative free-market institutions, and seek to delegitimize the State through education.  Voluntaryists advocates the withdrawl of  cooperation and tacit consent on which state power depends. 

Carl Watner, The Voluntaryists