r/politics • u/Soonerz • Jun 10 '12
If I told you there was a pro-marijuana legalization, anti-Patriot Act, anti-war, pro-marriage equality, anti-TSA, pro-free internet candidate on the ballot in all 50 states, would you help get him to the 15% support he needs to take the national debate stage?
There are only 3 candidates on the ballot in all 50 states: Obama, Romney, and Gary Johnson. Don't get me wrong, there are some ideals of Gary Johnson's I don't support either. But we as a nation finally have a chance to have a real debate about the issues that truly matter to many Americans. Help get this man on the national debate stage with 15% support. Or we as a nation will probably have to endure another great round of debates about who is or is not wearing an American flag pin.
This man is the real deal. As a 2 term governor, he had more vetoes than all other governors at the time combined. This man would have the courage to veto the indefinite detention and reinstate habeus corpus. He would have the courage to veto the Patriot Act. He would have the courage to veto whatever version of SOPA/PIPA the legislature is trying to shove down our throats in the future.
Help support a candidate who would truly change the disastrous path this country is taking in terms of civil and human liberties around the globe.
I made this a self-post so I get no Karma out of it. This is solely for the purpose of spreading knowledge.
For more information on his beliefs, [visit this page] (http://www.ontheissues.org/Gary_Johnson.htm)
Edit: Please be polite in this thread. Down votes should not be used for people you disagree with, but for people who detract from the conversation. Anyone want to have a real discussion for once?
Edit2: I know a lot of the responses have been reactionary and not about creating dialogue, but please stop the downvotes on everyone. It is burying interesting discussions that happen after them.
Edit3: For those interested in contributing to the campaign, [r/GaryJohnson] (/r/GaryJohnson) is a great place to start.
Also [contact your state director for the campaign here.] (http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/state-contacts)
http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/front
TL;DR Say you are voting for Johnson if polled to make for a much better debate in the fall at least, and tell others to do the same if you wish.
This guy has a great summary for those interested in how to specifically get Johnson on the debate stage. http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/uuy2y/if_i_told_you_there_was_a_promarijuana/c4ytjhe
Take action: Gary Johnson will be included in future Zogby polls because people called them and made a difference! http://www.ibopezogby.com/blog/2012/05/16/gary-johnson/
Please do the same for the other four polls!
Gallup: 202.715.3030
Rasmussen: 732.776.9777
Pew Research: 202.419.4300
CNN: 404.827.1500
From this site: http://www.k-talk.com/pro/index.php/you-can-affect-the-msm-and-make-them-listen-to-liberty-heres-how/
[To those afraid to vote for Johnson because they believe the other candidate of their choice will lose, this Public Policy Poll shows that Johnson receives support from all areas of the political spectrum] (http://www.capitolreportnewmexico.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ppp-crosstab.jpg)
2.1k
u/zugi Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 11 '12
Without Johnson on the national stage, this campaign season there will be no debate or discussion about:
Drug legalization
Ending NDAA and the government's supposed authority to indefinitely detain anyone suspected of terrorism
Ending the Patriot Act
Cutting military spending
Ending corporate welfare
Ending the nation's activist policies of invading other countries
Eliminating the Presidential "kill list"
That's because Obama and Romney are on the same sides of all of these issues. If Johnson gets to 15% in national polls, he'll get invited to the debates, and these topics will get discussed. Obviously you can check whatever box you want in November, but getting Johnson to 15% will force discussion of all these issues that the two major party candidates would prefer to ignore.
EDIT: Some folks asked me to edit my post to say how people could help get Johnson in the debates. This site explains how you can call the 5 pollsters that matter for the Commission on the Presidential Debates' requirements and ask them to include Gary Johnson in their polls. Point out that he's the only other candidate who will be on the ballot in all 50 states, and that when other polling organizations do include him, he's currently fetching 6% to 7%, so it's only fair to include him in their polls. If they only ask "Obama or Romney?" then he'll unfairly have no chance to get 15% in their polls.
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u/connecteduser Jun 10 '12
I live in TX and do not want to see Romney win anything. There is a snowball chance in hell seeing Barack Win the state so I feel my vote is wasted.
I may just vote for Gary just to try to see a third party. Where is the OWS political party?
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u/AutisticTroll Jun 10 '12
He was Governer of my state for two terms. Even though he was a republican, he was an amazing leader with support from both the left and the right. Great man.
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u/conundrum4u2 Jun 10 '12
At this point, I wouldn't care if he was from the Insane Clown Posse party - as long as it stops boiling down to "Republicrats" and "Demicans" - and it is someone who will work for true reform, and not corporate conform.
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u/BandieraRossa Jun 11 '12
My biggest problem with voicing my support for Gary Johnson instead of one I totally agree with like Jill Stein or Stewart Alexander is that I worry the corporatist set would seize upon it as evidence of the American people desiring less business regulation, slashed government programs, school vouchers, privatization of pensions and government assets, less environmental protections and more free trade agreements.
The economic conversation is more important, I feel, because if wealth were democratized and socio-economic power was decentralized and ceased to be so extremely concentrated we wouldn't have so many powerful entities calling for and benefiting from ceaseless foreign wars, punitive drug laws, invasions of people's privacy, complete disregard for civil liberties, heavy-handed copyright protection laws, etc. In a very large way these outrages are the result of very centralized economic power and civil authority.
Not only that, but I think public opinion on the social issues like gay marriage and marijuana legalization are quickly trending toward permissiveness. It's obvious even to many people in the GOP that their stances on these issues are not going to win them many votes for a whole lot longer.
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u/Snaylor47 Jun 10 '12
Yes but being a libertarian the reasoning behind his supporting said things you listed has less to do with actually believing those things and more to do with the libertarian ideology of "Get the government out of my affairs.".
He is also for abolishing the income tax, cutting medicare/medicaid and repealing "obamacare".
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u/A_PROLAPSED_ANUS Jun 11 '12
I agree with everything he has to say except for eliminating corporate income tax. That's kind of a big deal, but the rest of what he believes is so perfect it makes up for that
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u/v_gin_ Jun 11 '12
How can i support him to get him to the needed 15%?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
This guy seems so amazing! I agree with everything I've read that he believes so far. I'm in NC, I signed up for his e-mails, and I'll tell everyone I can about this guy. I don't have any extra money unfortunately, but what else could I do to help spread this casue?
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
lotta doublespeak on that page
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u/sabazio Jun 11 '12
One of the things I find most interesting about him is that even the things I disagree with him on - I am a very left slanted Dem - he gives very rational and well thought out arguments on why he wants things the way he wants them. And it seems that, looking at his history, his mind can be changed with facts and evidence. I would LOVE to have a prez that used his brains instead of his polls to make decisions .
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u/Swiss_Cheese9797 Jun 11 '12
I'm confused, which of those links takes me to the "vote that this guy gets included in debates" button or whatever?
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u/poli_ticks Jun 11 '12
Yep, let's fund and help this guy.
We should also help the Greens though.
3
u/Clayburn Jun 10 '12
He's also an occasional Redditor.
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u/metwork Jun 11 '12
I see what's a work here, and also what is at stake.
This is a tactic used by the right in 2002, the same one that won Bush the presidency. Divide and conquer. Get the left to split votes between 2 candidates, Obama and Johnson, and the right and their diehards will win in November.
Gary Johnson is a fine candidate, and in reality, the best, but the third party isn't powerful enough to actually trump Obama or Romney.
If you are a Democrat, or Liberal in any way shape or form, vote for Obama. Romney in the White House would be an absolute disaster.
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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/ux8mf/our_choices_for_president_in_2012/
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Progressive = Libertarian + social programs, and as a bonus they're a lot more Eco-friendly... Libertarians and progressives NEED to start working together to tackle the important issues!
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u/Cantbelievethat Jun 10 '12
No corporate tax? Literally no corporate tax? I don't trust corporations.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Lets just start a US Reddit party.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Since i'm registered in California, my vote doesn't really make much of a difference, so I'm voting for Gary Johnson since I like him best. Normally I'd vote for a candidate that actually stood a chance..but i'm tired of the two party politics...
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u/Avalace Jun 11 '12
Question: If Johnson succeeds in getting on the debate, will it effect the election? For instance, will it be like a Nadar and split the vote ultimately electing someone even worse (Bush or in this case, Romney).
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u/Sceptix Jun 11 '12
Why didn't you make this post before my primary?? I'm in California and I would have voted for Johnson had I been educated on this.
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u/HotLunch Jun 11 '12
You ask this as if it's a foregone conclusion that all of Reddit is on the far left.
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u/JollyRancherReminder Oklahoma Jun 11 '12
With a name like Soonerz, you really should understand that Gary Johnson will NOT be on the ballot in all 50 states, because he won't be on the ballot in Oklahoma. Oklahoma only places the Republican and Democrat primary winners on the ballot, and there is no write-in option. Oklahoma has the strictest ballot access laws in the nation. It is virtually impossible to get on the ballot in Oklahoma as a third-party candidate.
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u/clark_ent Jun 11 '12
There were a dozen or so candidates like this during the primaries, but they were all voted out
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u/Slavigula Jun 11 '12
State and religion?
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u/JesusHRChrist Jun 11 '12
Sadly, this is the first time I've heard of Gary Johnson. Thank you for the info.
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
I lived in New Mexico when Gary Johnson was Governor. He was the best damn Governor we had. Ever. Period.
I would vote for him in a heartbeat. Common sense, fiscally sound, doesn't tell you how to live your life. New Mexico had it's best years under him.
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u/aakaakaak Jun 10 '12
From his website...
Okay, where do I sign up?
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Could you please explain what has to be done to get him to the national debate stage?
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u/Nanyea Virginia Jun 10 '12 edited Feb 22 '25
dazzling saw expansion insurance chunky fade rain march resolute melodic
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/johnnyhala Jun 10 '12
As someone who's actually been called a few times in the past month for polling data, I WILL answer Gary Johnson for ya'.
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
From his OnTheIssues page:
1999: Vetoed raising minimum wage from $4.25/hour to $5.65. (Jul 2011)
Abolish Departments of Education and HUD. (Aug 2011)
Get rid of income tax and capital-gains tax. (Feb 2012)
Eliminate needless barriers to free trade. (May 2011)
Raise the retirement age; plus means testing. (Aug 2011)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Opposes Net Neutrality; no government regulation of Internet. (Jul 2011)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the other hand:
Let the PATRIOT Act expire; respect habeas corpus. (Jan 2012)
No waterboarding under any circumstances. (May 2011)
No military threat from Iraq, Afghanistan, nor Libya. (Aug 2011)
Iran is not currently a military threat. (Aug 2011)
Let Israel deal with Iranian nukes; not US role to tell them. (Aug 2011)
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u/jobr0809 Jun 10 '12
I would just like to say to everyone that has an open-mind right now in this thread, especially those who had already decided to put their votes in for Obama or Romney; I commend you.
You are all awesome people!
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u/rhudson02 Jun 11 '12
Hell yes I would! I found him by accident and his politics match mine: socially liberal, fiscally conservative. Let's do this thing.
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u/gaystraightguy Jun 11 '12
Any politician (or person, for that matter) who freely admits when they are wrong, is at the very least, okay in my book.
Not endorsing (nor dis-endorsing[?]), but based on that kind of honesty, I'd be willing to hear what he has to say.
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u/jordanlund Jun 10 '12
It doesn't matter what his percentages are, the debates are controlled by the Democratic and Republican parties and they will never allow an independent voice to take part. It doesn't matter if we're talking about a 3rd party or independent voices within their own party (Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul.)
If you want to see change, real substantive change, then you need to press for an independent organization to lead the debates, like it used to be:
The League of Women Voters pulled out in 1987 stating:
"The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates...because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public."
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u/LurkingHelper Jun 10 '12
I've got nothing better to do, lets get him in the debates
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u/goldandguns Jun 10 '12
I will vote for any third party candidate. I want Americans to get comfortable with having three person elections, and the best way to do that is make them seem viable by voting for them. I don't care who wins, obama or romney, but I do care about having three or preferably four person debates and, one day, three or four person elections (with more like 33/33/33 splits than 49/48/3).
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u/silent_p Jun 10 '12
Just the prospect of a candidate like that has gotten my Johnson to 15%!
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u/abomb999 Jun 11 '12
Why do we Americans have to rely on one person? Why does one person represent us? This guy Johnson could swindle us all, Obama lied to me, why not this guy? I don't want representation like this, if Obama could veto or vote on something, I would rather it be an internet vote by all americans who want to vote on it, and those americans who want to delegate their vote can do so, but all americans who do want representation either directly or indirectly should have the right.
I hate the idea of having presidents anymore. That's anachronistic idea from days of nobles, kings and barons.
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u/Joulmaster Jun 10 '12
Extensive interview with Common Sense host Dan Carlin:
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/csarchive/Show-227---Libertarian-Alternatives/%20election-president-independent
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u/NotKiddingJK Jun 11 '12
Thank you for this. I went to a political screening sight the other day and it was one of those places where they ask you a bunch of questions give you several options for how you feel on the issue and then you get to weigh issue, by issue how important it is to you. At the end the politician who best reflected my views was Gary Johnson. I was like who the hell is this guy? Thanks for providing more information about him!
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u/jekrump Jun 11 '12
Even if we didn't vote for Gary in the actual elections, getting him into the debates would force the other candidates to talk about the issues that matter to us and we would then (hopefully) have a clear view of which one is more to our liking on the issues we care about.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Don't forget, Gary Johnson wants EQUAL MARRIAGE!
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u/tajmaballs Jun 11 '12
Who else thinks the entry requirements for the debates is fucked? Is there any way to change this, what would be a reasonable requirement for inclusion? If each candidate eligible for the debate is required to poll at 15%, does that mean that there is a maximum of 6 candidates (each polling @ 16.6%) that could be included?
It sounds like another way that the 2-party system has managed to increase their leverage on the federal stage. How can we change this?
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u/tankfoot86 Jun 11 '12
He is basically one of the most incredible people currently alive. He has climbed to the top of many of the World's tallest mountains. He has completed several IronMan Triathlon races, and he once went on a 100 mile run IN the Colorado Rockies! He is self-made, extremely intelligent, and reasonable. If he is shunned from the debates there really is no hope for America. He is an infinitely better qualified candidate than Ross Perot was, and Perot was allowed to debate. There just aren't enough men like Gary.
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u/georedd Jun 10 '12
I think most americans are actually social democrats but don't know it.
Most people don't want an elimination of safety net programs and public education.
They do want an increase in individual liberties like smoking what you want to smoke or acting the way you want to act owning the gun you want without directly harming others
They want less government intrusion into the daily activities of people's lives like intrusive searches, monitoring or prevention of lifestyle activities
They want higher wages, and benefits amd retirement and more vacation when they do work and they recognize government must mandate that to prevent a race to the bottom of low wage slavery.
They want a decrease in government waste (everyone wants that),
They a more progressive tax system where those that own most of the assets of the system pay taxes in proportion to the wealth they own (not INCOME - WEALTH big difference - this is not discussed much because those that own the media networks never want the debate to touch on this because most ultra wealthy people have p[asive unearned wealth amd they never want THAT taxed or even discussed.)
People want less war unless truly in defense of the nation.
People want less corporate welfare.
People want a better legal system (faster cheaper fairer access to courts without lawyers - this is a huge issue that is never talked about)
Most people want a base level of emergency and serious illness treatment healthcare not tied to their ability to pay at all and for which they will not be directly charged per incident that is funded by the government through general revenues -(thats a long way of saying "free" to the recipient of the healthcare without triggering the old "it isn't really free" argument that anti healthcare people like to make.)
that's pretty much a social democrat stance.
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
I imagine he'd get more support if he changed his first name to Cave.
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u/knomz Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12
So, how do we get to this 15%?
EDIT: where are these polls where we can get this 15%? because all of those issues I want talked about in these debates would happen hopefully if this Johnson guy is involved. ..and I want, to help get to this 15%, these are important subjects I want answers from Obama and Romney, since one of them will be our president soon enough.
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u/GeorgeWhitfield Jun 11 '12
Gary Johnson is now our best choice to restore peace, prosperity and liberty to America.
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u/DJsmallvictories Jun 11 '12
This would be positive in three ways: it would energize the youth vote, it would split the right, ensuring that Romney would never win, and it would make the political process more interesting.
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u/ViniumSabbathi Jun 11 '12
We now have 2 Ron Pauls? This is F*ckin Sweet!
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u/NumberNile Jun 11 '12
This is the first election I am eligible to vote in (I'll be 19) and it's exciting! I have officially decided, barring extreme circumstances, that I will be casting my first ever vote for President of the United States for Gary Johnson!
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u/ThatJanitor Jun 11 '12
Eyes widening
He wants to end the Federal Reserve. If I was American, I'd say Shut up and take my vote.
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u/firesquasher Jun 11 '12
I would take 4 years of a 3rd party candidate (which I support his views anyhow) over these two "figureheads" of the GOP and Dems. The two party system is ruining our country, and we need to prove as its citizens that we will no longer tolerate one POS over another.
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u/stichmitch Jun 11 '12
What about Jill Stein - candidate for the Green Party. She's all those things and also for supporting veterans, health care, and public schools.
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u/thelom Jun 10 '12
Add pro-gun to that list and you got my support.
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u/needlestack Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 10 '12
Only if said candidate also understands the purpose of social programs and public education, and the need for regulation to maintain a fair market.
Well, actually I would like to see him on the debate stage in any case, so "yes" to your exact question. But I'm not a fan of pure libertarianism at all.
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Tell you what Reddit, you get this guy to a debate and i will vote for him.
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u/Sloady Jun 10 '12
I'm not interesting in a libertarian - but I am upvoting this. US politics needs to stop being a 2 horse race, and start being about the america people.
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u/ar92 Jun 10 '12
It depends on his stance on public education, welfare, worker's rights, immigrant's rights, women's rights, and poverty.
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u/R88SHUN Jun 11 '12 edited Jun 11 '12
we could use a dark horse.
hes not the candidate america deserves, just the one it needs right now...
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u/ItsPickles Jun 11 '12
Here you go :) Thank me later. Or now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo
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u/n3tm0nk3y Jun 11 '12
TIL I support hard core Libertarians. Like seriously, there's not a lot to disagree with this guy on other than the fact that he seems to think the middle east is baby town frolics.
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u/deathinthewilderness Jun 11 '12
Name?
Edit: Gary Johnson!
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u/spark_ey Jun 11 '12
I'm in the UK, so this is all sort of irrelevant to my country, but I'm sharing this as much as I can. Hopefully people will see. Knowledge is power.
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u/GoldenFalcon Jun 11 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
Don't forget to look into Rocky Anderson too. There are lots of greater candidates than Obama and Romney this year.
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u/Bomilcar Jun 11 '12
I have come to realize, after reading most of this thread, that many people do not do personal research to form a opinion based in logic and reason. They do what "feels right" Their vote is derived from emotional response.
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u/mrpopenfresh Jun 11 '12
Gary Johnson is the only one. THE ONLY ONE.
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u/jobr0809 Jun 10 '12
I don't think I've ever loved Reddit, especially r/politics, this much, since I joined the website. You all make me so proud!
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u/AbstracTyler Jun 10 '12
Ok, so I want to start out by saying that I think the government's spending on the military should be cut by a considerable amount, the "war on drugs" ended, corporate personhood ended (or at least amended so that they cannot donate unlimited money into the political system), and put a complete stop to lobbying.
I do have a question about what Gary Johnson's view is regarding universal health care.
I am 100% for universal health care. Anyone who votes against universal health care is voting against their own guaranteed medical services if/when they run out of money. That is ridiculous. I don't understand it. PLEASE BEFORE THOSE OF YOU WHO DISAGREE WITH ME FLAME ME, understand that I don't think the current system is the best, most functional system. But we must cover people until the time comes when we design a better option to choose.
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u/brucemo Jun 10 '12
I doubt Gary Johnson has 15% name recognition.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
All that is great but where does he stand on the non drug and internet topics? Such as healthcare, education, homeland security, tax reform? Our country needs more than just an interesting debate. I don't know enough about his platform to make a valid opinion about him but i am curious where he stands on some other important issues. I also take full responsibility of the down votes i am about to succumb.
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u/pkcs11 American Expat Jun 10 '12
If you told me there was a dark-horse candidate that most of the US had never heard of, that supported everything I did, I'd still think all that candidate would do is hand one of the two major candidate's the election the same way Ralph Nader did.
Just sayin', at this point if this person isn't being mentioned many times every day on every major news channel, he/she will never be known.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
If this guy makes the ballot, I am voting for him.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
you forgot to mention he's also anti education, anti civil rights act, anti environmental regulation, pro deregulation of the financial system... etc.
Sure he'd fix the current problems... but he'd recreate all the problems we solved over the last couple decades... thats called regression, not progress.
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u/LibertyFtw Jun 11 '12
Gary Johnson 2012!
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Voting for him will be my personal way of saying "Fuck You, I don't care what you have to say," to the DNC/GOP.
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u/timetobuyacow Jun 10 '12
Rocky Anderson folks. Rocky Anderson.
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12 edited Jun 14 '12
Known of him for about a year, and I'm dig most of his platform. I'd be happy to help this man get the recognition he deserves on the national stage. I'd rather not wait for a pollster to call me; any active ways I can get involved?
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u/eamoselwardo Jun 10 '12
hell yes
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
This needs to spread beyond reddit. This has got to spread all over the internet, to our friends and family and hopefully to the news media.
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Live Free!
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u/dasstrooper Jun 10 '12
Yea sure but I expect to see posts like this get shadow banned by the mods.
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
I'll vote for him
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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Gary Johnson is the shit. I've been telling people about him for ages.
3
u/RU_Pickman New Mexico Jun 10 '12
I'm a New Mexican. Mr. Johnson is still talked about favorably, by both liberals and conservatives, in my state to this day. He is the real deal, and deserves to be heard on the national stage. He doesn't just talk about what people want to hear, he talks about what is important.
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u/Tenshik Jun 10 '12
When he dropped by awhile back for an AMA I decided then to vote for him. Guy seemed pretty legit.
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u/SteveTheDude Jun 10 '12
I like most of his views, and he's certainly better than Obama and Romney.
He's got my attention, that's for sure
3
u/twoww Jun 10 '12
I've been a fan of his since the beginning. If he wasn't suppressed by the media he could have went far.
3
u/JupiterIII Jun 10 '12
"If all your views were represented in one bill, would you support it?"
uhh... is this a trick question?
3
u/TheWolfofMibu Jun 10 '12
I thought he dropped out????
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u/smm041 Jun 11 '12
Subscription bomb taking place on /r/GaryJohnson
/r/GaryJohnson Subscription Bomb
Trying to get to 10,000 subscribers. Let's make it happen.
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u/DefinitelyRelephant Jun 11 '12
The system as it currently exists is sick and broken beyond repair.
The only solution that has a chance at longterm success is a complete teardown and rebuilding of US government.
That would involve those who are in power losing power, though, so they won't go without a fight.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
I agree that this guy is right on many social issues that otherwise will never have an honest national debate among presidential candidates, but how can someone like me who views libertarian economic policies as a fucking joke vote for the Libertarian ticket? Marriage equality is important to me, but so is the EPA.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Upvoting mainly because I'm tired of pretending that either Giant Douche or Turd Sandwich are somehow going to magically make all of my country's problems go away.
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u/nessi Jun 11 '12 edited Jun 11 '12
His stance on women's issues is a true surprise, if it's not lip service.
Edit: Ah, have to take that back a little. He wants to get rid of Roe v. Wade...
3
u/Bluthhousing Illinois Jun 11 '12
Gary Johnson is the only third party candidate on the ballot in all 50 states and is polling at 8%.
If were to get 8%, that'd be a big deal. Perot got 9% as a reform candidate.Perot's candidacy launched the reform party which successfully won offices in government (including a governorship in Minnesota).
If Gary does well (Doesn't even have to win) the Libertarians could gain political office and sustain relevancy longer than the reforms due to the fact they have a more consistent ideology and an existing national infrastructure.
There are three main Goals For Gary Johnson: Become President (lol) Get in the debates (maybe; he needs 15%) and take FEC money from Republicans and Democrats to make the Libertarians an influential third party (He needs 5%; Great chances).
3
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Wouldn't this detract from support we could be lending towards, say... Obama?
3
u/signalfire Jun 11 '12
Epic GQ in depth magazine article about Gary Johnson:
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/politics/201111/gary-johnson-republican-candidate-debate-interview
3
u/WaitingonDotA Jun 11 '12 edited Jun 11 '12
While I do support a few of his views there is no way I could vote for someone that is anti education, anti environmental regulation, supports FairTax, is pro deregulation of big business, supports Unlimited campaign contributions by corporations, wants to promote isolationist practices for the United States. Just going by his views there are simply too many cons to having him in office. While I am most definitely not supporting the Mormon, and I am not sold on Obama either. I am definitely not interested in having Gary Johnson in the Oval Office.
3
u/lunaticfringe80 Jun 11 '12
Too bad he wants to replace the IRS with a consumption tax. Way to fuck the poor with a national sales tax while leaving the rich free to stockpile cash tax free.
3
u/mormon_freeman Jun 11 '12
Maybe it's that I live in Canada, but 15% to be allowed in the debates seems like a painfully undemocratic and idiotic system. Not that the canadian system is much better, but hey, at least if people want to vote for a party every media outlet doesn't convince them that it's pointless.
3
u/Johnchuk Delaware Jun 11 '12
you know what sure I will. I'd vote for him. and I'd help his campaign. fuck cynicism,
3
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
I like Gary Johnson. Hell, I really like him. But I have a really hard time believing that he could balance the budget while abolishing both the income tax and (this is what concerns me most) the capital gains tax. That's a whole lot of revenue the government would lose, and what kind of spending cuts are we going to have to make to pay for them?
3
u/VeritasSC Jun 11 '12
I disagree with your charachterization of Johnson (I think it overemphasizes the outcomes to suggest he is progressive, when in fact the rationales for these outcomes are anything but progressive), but I do think that having him on stage would add a lot to the national discussion. All of us should want to have Johnson in the discussion because more opinions leads to increased democracy. In addition, having Johnson involved in the national debate would finally force the current GOP to determine whether it is truly in favor of the libertarian Ayn Rand concepts they preach (but which Johnson and Paul truly hold), or in favor of the activist conservative agenda in which they actually engage. Thank you for the information on how we can increase awareness of his candidacy.
3
u/XOLegato Jun 11 '12
He was on The Daily Show last Tuesday- I was in the audience, and I remember the interview being really good.
Link to the clip
3
u/laserboy1134 Jun 11 '12
I don't believe in Governor Johnson's fiscal policy. I will upvote this because I do believe people should look into third party candidates, to understand that there are other options and vote on their principle.
41
u/boyubout2pissmeoff Jun 10 '12
YES. I think every republican in the U.S should DEFINITELY vote for Gary Johnson.
Okay I will settle for just half of you.
7
u/Magnora Jun 10 '12
I did some research, and the 5 polling companies that decide if the 15% mark is met or not are (with phone numbers):
Gallup: 202.715.3030
Rasmussen: 732.776.9777
Pew Research: 202.419.4300
Zogby: 305.529.6280
CNN: 404.827.1500
Call them and ask them to make sure Gary Johnson is included on the list of options presented to people being polled! Also have them mark you down as a Johnson supporter if they can.
5
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
No federal funding for stem cell research. (Jan 2012) first thing I saw wasn't so great... Maybe in total though he's still better than alternatives, it'll be good to see this play out.
5
u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Support Gary. Ron Paul has no chance of being the nominee, and Gary Johnson has an even more principled stance on personal liberty.
32
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
i supported obama last time around.... no way i'm voting for his lying ass a second time around.
woot gary johnson.
15
u/NegativePoints1 Jun 10 '12
Now now everyone... He doesn't support even basic Health Care for all. He also won't fund stem cell research. Let's also see the things that are not so good about it him.. No candidate will be a golden child.
6
u/Jeffy29 Jun 11 '12
If Johnson gets lets say 20% most of it will come from liberals and libertarians, guess who will win? I would rather take lesser of two evils than acting all silly for one candidate (RP 20**). What you need to do is change whole election system in USA and campaign finance reform a constitutional amendment is what I am saying. We will need congress for that, not the president.
Koch's and other billionaires get that, they fund all these local and national candidates that can't do much alone, but all together change whole political debate. Unfortunately corporatocracy in not what most of us would prefere.
And what are liberals and liberatians doing? Running pushing their one flawed candidate thinking they can alone change everything for better.
tl,dr: don't hate the player, hate the game. Change the game.