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BUSH: Politicians and the media — 'those meddling kids'

Written by archive on August 11, 2016. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

Every time I hear a politician claiming their problems are due to the liberal, dishonest or sensationalistic media, it sounds like “Scooby Doo” villains bemoaning the fact that they didn’t get away with their silly scheme because of “those meddling kids.”

There are more liberals in the media than in other parts of your life because most media jobs require college degrees.

Even though only about a third of the American populace identifies as liberal or mostly liberal, the number for college graduates increases that figure to 44 percent. If you include people with post-graduate degrees, the number of liberals increases another 10 percent.

However, just because a larger percentage of journalists are liberal minded, that doesn’t make them unfair. And when these liberals are seen as being unfair because they use quotes and video clips of actual things candidates or elected officials do and say, it is hard to feel too bad for these public figures.

That is especially true for Donald Trump. He vanquished 16 Republican challengers primarily because every crazy thing he said was received by the media like Moses coming down the mountain with stone tablets.

Did Trump say he was going to build a huge wall across the border of Mexico?

Did he mock a reporter’s disability?

Did Trump say he was going to ban Muslims and end Muslim immigration?

Did Trump say how much he admires Vladimir Putin and say he is a better leader than Barack Obama?

Did Trump refuse to endorse Paul Ryan and John McCain for almost a week?

All of these things, and skirmishes with the Khan family, misstatements on foreign affairs and several other obvious gaffes in the post-convention period have been reported and tweeted repeatedly.

The same media that helped him flay his opponents is now turning the knife on Trump. Jeb Bush was repeatedly bashed as low energy by Trump during free media appearances. It vanquished Bush. Cruz faced the same attacks. Remember “Lyin Ted”? Trump did that to him during appearances on dishonest media outlets.

In his big economic policy speech in Detroit Monday, he showed the hypocrisy causing his house of cards to fall. Trump quoted work from the Washington Post.

You remember the Washington Post — one of the newspapers the candidate banned from his events for being dishonest, but you can fully rely on their analysis during this speech.

Trump said he was going to do away with executive orders if he is elected. He said that just after saying he was going to use an executive order to stop new regulations.

You won’t convince me that “the media” is biased against Trump. The media isn’t an amorphous blob that shares talking points each morning. FOX News is the media. The Wall Street Journal is the media. TMZ is the media. Thousands of people make up the Fourth Estate, and only about half of them would even identify as liberal.

The problem is that people in the media tend to have a pretty high standard for right and wrong, and when someone says something that is offensive or incorrect, they are more likely to point it out.

This doesn’t apply to Sean Hannity, but most other media members will. Trump is far from the first person to put his troubles off on the media being against him. Trump is facing double-digit deficits in polls three months before an election. Others have had a lot more on the line.

Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned 43 years ago this week after the press turned the heat up on him and his role in the Vietnam War. Agnew swore he would never resign, and blamed his issues on the media who he said were “out to get him.”

They got him.

He resigned a few months later.

His former boss, President Richard Nixon, met a similar fate thanks to those “meddling kids,” Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

Journalists don’t get a scoop if there is nothing in it. These media reports have to be true if the media outlets are going to remain credible. That is the difference between politicians and reporters.

If a reporter is wrong, they have to correct it.

Contact Kent Bush, publisher of the Shawnee (Oklahoma) News-Star, at kent.bush@news-star.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BUSH: Politicians and the media — 'those meddling kids'

HART: Analyzing Trump-onomics

Written by archive on August 11, 2016. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

Donald Trump, who can easily get distracted by picking Twitter fights with Rosie O’Donnell, got back on course Monday and gave a speech on his economic plan before the Detroit Economic Club.

After all that current economics has done to Detroit, he might want to continue his ''irony"' theme by giving his next speech on protecting the environment at the Flint Water Company.

Trump’s speech can be summed up this way: more for America, less for China and Mexico. He says, “We are going to be great again, the wall is going to be great, the best, the best; a beautiful wall and it's going to be fantastic. And did I mention great?”

It’s the type of detail economists can really sink their teeth into.

He drew contrasts between his economic vision and Hillary’s. He wants to make America great. She wants to make America Greece.

Trump’s instincts on the economy are mostly right. He wants to reduce regulations and cut taxes that drive companies overseas. Obama is the only president to fail to preside over even one year of 3 percent economic growth.

In short, when you concentrate money and power in the inefficient DC bureaucracy, wages and businesses cannot grow — thus our slow-growth "recovery."

There is plenty to be cut in government. Just in the fatty folds of the hundreds of agencies in Washington, there is probably 20 percent worth of cost reductions to be made.

Remember when the government shut down? Did anyone miss anything it did?

Hillary has the historic chance to ascend to the highest position of power for a person in a dress in Washington, but I’m not sure what her plan for the economy is. Maybe we can follow her lead and become a government official married to an ex-president.

We can then go on the lecture circuit, visiting companies we regulate and countries the U.S. government gives money to, and shake them down for $500,000 speeches.

Democrats run an envy-based economy. They rail against business owners who are “billionaires and millionaires” who pay taxes and hire workers. They want us to be more like Cuba, North Korea and Venezuela, countries which have no such billionaires who are not in government.

In fact, everyone in those countries checks the Democrat utopian economic goal of everyone making the same amount of money: $20 a week. That’s “fairness.”

In truth, Democrats are terrible with the economy. Instead of soldiers, Obama needs to send his economic advisers to destroy ISIS with pestering regulations and taxes. Democrat policies decimated Detroit; maybe we should try them on our enemies.

He does best for himself when he divides us into various aggrieved classes. The Democrats' plan for America’s economy would work great if only they could make resentment, envy and being offended pay more.

Obama and the Democrats' economic plan, which Hillary has to espouse, doubled the nation’s debt to $20 trillion in eight years. What Hillary promised in her DNC speech — including free stuff for folks if they will vote for her — will add another $1 trillion to our deficit. Dems talk about their concern for our kids while strapping them with trillions in debt.

Under the Democrats’ plan, this country has as much chance getting back in the black as Spokane's NAACP ex-leader, Rachel Dolezal.

Hillary says when she is president she will turn the economy over to Bill Clinton. Nothing says you are an iconic feminist leader like turning the checkbook over to your husband the first chance you get.

And the self-sacrificing, "great American" Bill Clinton will fight for us on the economy — as hard as he fought the draft board for himself during Vietnam.

Trump is smart to get back to talking about the economy and moving past the media-hyped gaffes of the last couple of weeks.

A libertarian op-ed humorist and award-winning author, Ron’s a frequent guest on CNN. He can be contacted at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @RonaldHart on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HART: Analyzing Trump-onomics

BROADHEAD: Make sure God is in the picture

Written by archive on August 10, 2016. Posted in columns, Opinion, your-voice.

Most people work hard in life. For some, having more than one job is a necessity. For others, two or three jobs are held so they can make more money to buy “stuff.” Others throw themselves into their work, because they believe it will bring meaning to their existence.

But working more than one job just to purchase “stuff” isn’t really worth it. In fact, there is much suffering because of that kind of mindset. There is too little time or energy left to spend with spouse, family, friends, children.

Tony Campolo, author and lecturer, told of something that took place in his home. One night, when his children were very small, his wife called him into the children’s bedroom. She pointed to them stretched out in their beds. He could see the angelic expressions on their faces and their peaceful innocence. His wife whispered in his ear, “Look long and hard, Tony, because they’ll never be like that again.” Years later Tony said he wished he had taken more time for such reflection.

Being overly busy causes us to miss truly important aspects of life. We can justify just about anything. But we cannot regain lost opportunities for relationships with the people who matter most.

If you have lost a healthy perspective in life, now is the time to reflect. Ask yourself if you are keeping busy by working in order to simply keep up with the neighbors, or to purchase items that others say will make you happy.

Ask yourself if you are feeling a restlessness or an emptiness that you are trying satisfy.

Honestly, the things we can acquire on this Earth bring only short-term relief. If you want a life-long sense of purpose and enjoyment, do this…

Make sure God is put into the picture. Everything in life begins to make sense when God is in the center. As Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, then all these things will be added to you.”

God put you on this earth to enjoy life. True joy comes from him. So seek it from God and you won’t miss a thing. When you have the joy of God in your life — a joy that comes in knowing him through his Son, Jesus Christ — you will learn to enjoy this life God has given you.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Make sure God is in the picture

SHANKLIN: Help your children avoid student debt burden

Written by archive on August 8, 2016. Posted in columns, guest, Opinion.

It’s not so easy being a college kid these days. The job market for recent graduates has been shaky while, at the same time, students are leaving school with more debt than ever before.

If you have children who will someday be attending college, should you be worried?

You might indeed have cause for concern. Americans now owe more on student loans than on credit cards, according to the Federal Bank of New York, the U.S. Department of Education and other sources.

For the college class of 2011, the most recent year for which figures are available, the average student loan debt was about $26,500, according to the Institute for College Access and Success’s Project on Student Debt.

This type of debt load, coupled with the struggles to find a well-paying job commensurate with their education, is causing many recent graduates to get off on the wrong foot in terms of developing savings and investment strategies that could help them throughout their lives.

So, what can you do?

If you want to help your kids pay for college, you may want to consider a 529 plan. When you invest in a 529 plan, all withdrawals will be free from federal income taxes, as long as the money is used for qualified college expenses. (However, non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to ordinary income tax plus a 10 percent penalty on the earnings portion.) Contribution limits are high, and, contributions may be eligible for a tax deduction or credit for residents in certain states.

A 529 plan, while valuable, is not the only college savings vehicle available. You may also want to consider a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which, like a 529 plan, can generate tax-free earnings if the money is used for higher education expenses. However, a Coverdell account’s contribution limits are much lower than those of a 529 plan. You could also establish a custodial account, known as an UGMA or UTMA, which offers some tax benefits and no contribution limits.

Nonetheless, while these vehicles may help you save and invest for college, they may also divert resources that you might have used for other financial goals — such as a comfortable retirement.

Of course, it’s not an “either-or” situation — there’s nothing stopping you from contributing to a 529 plan, Coverdell account or custodial account along with your 401(k) and IRA.

Clearly, though, it will take discipline and perseverance on your part to save and invest for both your children’s education and your own retirement.

Like everyone else, you don’t have unlimited resources. But you do have another ally — time.

The earlier you begin investing for education and retirement, the greater your chances of achieving your goals in these areas. And by understanding how your goals interact, you can work to make sure you don’t inadvertently derail one when saving for another.

Avoiding the student loan “debt trap” while still making progress toward your retirement savings will require creative thinking — and both you and your children may have to make some sacrifices along the way.

But the ultimate goals — a college degree that isn’t one big IOU and a comfortable retirement — are worth the effort.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Help your children avoid student debt burden

CROSE: Summertime pests are out in force

Written by archive on August 8, 2016. Posted in columns, guest, Opinion.

Crestview schools are back in session starting Wednesday, so please drive carefully to ensure our students have a safe year.

Judging by the weather, summer is still in full swing; it is still hot and humid outside. Unfortunately, summertime pests are still with us: flies, mosquitoes, ants and copperhead snakes, as is the two-legged type of snake — scammers looking for ways to defraud and steal our hard-earned money.

I have lived here many years and still haven't figured out the solution to summer flies. Unfortunately, I am not quick enough to kill them with a fly swatter, so I rely on sticky fly strips and my husband, Jim, to swat them.

Imagine my popularity with Jim when we found ants in our bed, courtesy of my feeding the cats their canned food on the bed and then putting the used cans in a bag next to me on the floor to take out the next day.

It didn't take the ants long to find those seemingly empty cans, nor did it take them long to begin to bite me in earnest. (Note to self: put the empty cat food cans outside in the trash if you don't want to be a yummy treat for the ants.)

I really itch, but at least they aren't fire ant bites.

Here's another warning. Some of our fellow church members who live in the country have been finding copperhead snakes in their yards. Carefully watch where you walk, and be aware of any areas in which your children and pets play. Cautiously walk these areas first to make sure they are snake-free.

About those other "flies": I just received a bulletin from the IRS stating that the summer has brought out scam artists who are once again using robo-calls and leaving threatening messages for immediate payment of back taxes.

Some messages request you call back and verify your tax return information. Do not call them back and give out any personal information.

The IRS never demands immediate payment over the phone and never in the form of gift cards or iTunes cards.

If you receive a threatening call demanding payment or saying an arrest warrant will be issued or some other dire consequence, immediately hang up and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Summertime pests are out in force

BUSH: Why would anyone run for president?

Written by archive on August 8, 2016. Posted in columns, guest, Opinion.

After watching the two major-party conventions and the aftermath from each, many Americans find themselves wondering how they ended up with these two candidates for president.

It’s simple. They chose them.

Somehow, the candidates other people vote for always seem to become the party’s candidate.

Then, good people who believe in their party more than the other — despite the candidate’s name on the ballot — are left to make excuses for every crazy thing the less unfavorable candidate believes, says or does.

So, with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton dominating their foes, you have to ask why no candidates ran that were better.

Think about it. Would you run?

From the beginning of time, there has been negative campaigning. People even ran a negative campaign against Jesus. Matthew records them saying, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”

American politics has also always been rough.

In 1804 — less than three decades after the Declaration of Independence was signed — Vice President Aaron Burr killed former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton in a duel after a feud between the two boiled over. The duel helped kill the Federalist Party, too.

Burr’s political career was ruined.

Eighty years later, the country’s political discourse hadn’t evolved much. Republicans of 1884 nominated James Blaine, who had been involved in several scandals and alienated a big portion of his party including the Mugwumps. If his third wife had been featured in a nude lesbian photo shoot, it would have been almost identical to 2016.

His opponent was also scandal ridden. Stop me if this sounds familiar. Grover Cleveland hadn’t destroyed 30,000 emails. However, he had been accused of fathering a child out of wedlock — a child who bore his last name and for whom he paid child support. Blaine’s supporters were instructed to chant “Ma, Ma, where’s your pa?” at rallies and parades where Cleveland campaigned.

When Cleveland won the election, his supporters began responding with “Gone to the White House! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

Does that sound familiar for this year’s Democratic candidate? Hillary Clinton’s husband could have fathered a child with another woman while in the White House.

Everyone who knows anything about Bill Clinton knows that nude photos may not exist, but his White House briefings sometimes didn’t happen with him wearing briefs.

As bad as our history is, our present isn’t much better.

Thanks to the internet and a 24-hour news cycle, that negativity has never been more pervasive or more destructive. That’s why you end up with less than stellar candidates. The good candidates don’t want to run and subject themselves to that.

Ted Cruz isn’t even a good person, and I feel bad for him because Trump called his wife ugly and said his father killed John F. Kennedy on national television.

Trump and Clinton are beating each other up constantly. They are doing such a good job that a huge portion of the electorate is wishing they had other options.

However, if you think a large number of people are going to support a third-party candidate, you are wrong.

Yes, Clinton and Trump have massive unfavorable ratings in polls. Because of that, many of your friends on Facebook and Twitter find themselves believing that a third-party candidate like Gary Johnson of the Libertarians or Jill Stein of the Green Party have a real chance this year.

That is not the case.

If either of them developed enough traction even to get included in a debate, they would become the targets of horrible press attacks as well. The money is unlimited, and you would find out things about them you never knew — some of them might even be true.

Everyone knows that Libertarians favor marijuana legalization. That’s kind of their calling card.

How do they feel about harder drugs? Do you know that many Libertarians believe that prostitution is a victimless crime? Trust me, even if your wife is a Libertarian, you better not try that excuse if what happened in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas.

Before the dark money groups were finished, Stein would be called anti-environment and Johnson would be accused of climbing mountains to dodge taxes.

To be a top candidate in 2016 requires a person to be emotionally bankrupt. Narcissism and megalomania are prerequisites to survive the horrific campaign tactics and personal attacks that are now just part of the job.

We shouldn’t wonder how we got candidates this bad. We should wonder how we got any candidates at all.

Kent Bush is publisher of Shawnee (Oklahoma) News-Star and can be reached at kent.bush@news-star.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BUSH: Why would anyone run for president?

MOLLETTE: What Republicans can learn from the Olympics

Written by archive on August 8, 2016. Posted in columns, guest, Opinion.

The Olympics are big news these days. We are excited to see how many medals Michael Phelps and all the athletes will bring home. From soccer to swimming to basketball and so much more, this is such a great world event.

Hopefully, for a couple of weeks, Americans can rally behind our athletes and experience unity and national pride.

The teams who do well in Rio de Janeiro will be the teams who are unified. Unity means working together, helping each other, speaking well of each other and to each other.

This means having a good spirit, a good attitude and relaying manners and congeniality. This stuff helps teams win.

Division and animosity divide and defeat. The latter is what we see so much of in America.

Democrats have had their share of diversity with emails, controversies, and the many people who have supported Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton.

The Republican Party takes the cake this year in division. If Trump loses the election — polls indicate that could happen — it will be because Republicans just simply will not find a way to embrace and help each other. Even the Bible teaches us that a divided house cannot stand.

Division has always existed as a part of life. This is certainly one reason we have two major political parties and additional parties such as the Libertarians and others. We are divided and have different ideas. Counties divide over issues, as do states. We divide on healthcare, guns, military, welfare and much more. We divide on religion.

There is too much resentment, finger pointing and hate in religious groups today. However, the churches and groups who have embraced love and unity are doing well.

Division ends multiple marriages today. People find it easier than ever to walk away from marriage. Many people will go through two or three marriages and more before life is over.

While often there is no other way than divorce, generally it doesn't spell prosperity. Many never financially recoup one divorce, and then to add other divorces seldom spells lasting financial security. However, of course, it is better to divorce than to destruct — or so it seems.

Why can't we all just work it out and get along?

We cringe when we see sports teams hassling among themselves; unable to play together and win.

We cringe when we see Trump, Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney and these big boys act like babies.

Please get over it and grow up. Pull together, play as a team and at least make your party proud.

There is one key rule to any success in America: unity. Enough people have to pull together to make victory happen. When enough people get on the same team, pulling in the same direction, success and victory will happen.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: MOLLETTE: What Republicans can learn from the Olympics

NITZEL: Cowboys the focus of Family Library Time event

Written by archive on August 8, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Don your boots and hat and join Cowboy Bruce at Warriors Hall on Aug. 23 for singing, poetry, trick roping, and the art of the bull-whip!

The 2B Ranch Wild West Show will begin at 6:30 p.m. and lasts about 45 minutes.

This free Family Library Time event is designed for ages four and up. Younger siblings are welcome.

Registration is not required. Please visit 2branchwildwestshow.com for more information and call 682-4432 with questions.

The event's sponsors are the Crestview Public Library and the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative.

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NITZEL: Cowboys the focus of Family Library Time event

HUBBUB: Readers' thoughts on Main St. drinking, Bob Lynn's death

Written by archive on August 4, 2016. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

Featured comments from discussions on www.crestviewbulletin.com and our Facebook page:

Readers shared their thoughts on the death of Crestview’s Bob Lynn, and bars on Main Street.

TOP COMMENT

LET’S MAKE MAIN STREET THRIVE

Allowing a bar to open downtown does not mean that Main Street will turn into a "beer garden.” It simply means that it will bring more people downtown and allow the area to thrive.

Do the people who "don't want it to become a beer garden" even participate in anything downtown? Prior to Pokemon Go becoming all the rage, Main Street was dead after 5 p.m.!

Look at Palafox in Pensacola. It has numerous restaurants, bars, art galleries and stores, and it is thriving!

Is it too much to ask to be able to provide an area like that here in Crestview?

I'm not asking for strip clubs and casinos; I'm simply asking for a classy bar for people to be able to socialize and listen to music.

I think when people hear the word bar they automatically think drunk fools and bar fights, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

… Let's make Main Street thrive, and bring a new vibe to the area!

LINDSEY SEXTON BLANCO

BOB LYNN: A GREAT MAN

Mr. Lynn was a mentor to many people and (an) ambassador to the city of Crestview, and didn't ask for a dime.

When I was president of the Crestview Quarterback Club I've seen him donate more than most of the business in town and turn around and make sure we had enough to cover what we needed to get the kids, and would try and donate more.

He had the biggest heart for the kids in the community and the military.

Great man — surely going to miss him around town with that smile and laugh.

WADE HUTTO

SAD TO SEE BOB GO

Our community lost one of the last true homegrown members of Crestview that loved and worked hard to make our little metropolis better!

I'll never forget him, as he was one of my favorite teachers, and how he dressed as Santa Claus every year just for the kids; for being the voice on Friday nights at football games, working on countless projects for the community, and always being a good friend to my family!

My heart is sad to see you go, but I know you’re in a much better place! I love you, Bob, and will miss your smile and your sense of humor!

NIKKI STEPHENS SWEATT

LYNN MADE CRESTVIEW BRIGHTER

Mr. Lynn taught me in school. I have a special place in my heart for him. My prayers are with everyone who knew him and everyone who loves him. He made this community brighter and he will be missed.

SABRINA KNOST

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Readers' thoughts on Main St. drinking, Bob Lynn's death

HART: Which candidate will Libertarians help – or hurt?

Written by archive on August 4, 2016. Posted in columns, more-voices, Opinion.

This is an odd election year, one where voters fear Hillary Clinton is lying about what she will do, and are afraid Donald Trump is not.

The only third party on the ballot in all 50 states this year will be the Libertarian ticket of former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson. Libertarians are polling at about 10 percent; if they can get to 15 percent, they can get into the debates with Hillary and The Donald.

That would be a game changer.

The #NeverTrump-eteers and the #NeverHillary folks now have a legitimate third-party choice: an appealing Libertarian option occupying the middle of the huge gulf between these two flawed candidates' ideologies. You can now #FeelTheJohnson.

In a year when 40 percent of voters say they are independent, and both Republican and Democrat candidates are at historically unfavorable numbers, it might be time to consider Libertarians.

MAKING THE CASE

Why must you choose between a left nut and a right nut, when you can have the Johnson?

Johnson is a proven leader who was called “America’s boldest governor” by The Economist because he actually tried to do something about school choice. He vetoed more than 700 spending and regulatory bills and left New Mexico with a $1 billion budget surplus.

The policies of minimal government, individual responsibility and fiscal responsibility of the Libertarians appealed to me. We have historically been housed uncomfortably within the GOP, but Libertarians have about as much power in the GOP as the Log Cabin Republicans.

With his anti-immigration and protectionist populist leanings, Trump isn’t very Libertarian. Actually, the Libertarian Party should appeal more to disenfranchised Bernie Sanders supporters.

Libertarians have long been pro-gay marriage (they do not care what consenting folks do as long as they don’t try to do it to us), pro-choice, against the wars of choice in Iraq and Afghanistan, against Gitmo, and against the failed federal “War on Drugs,” which means pro-prison reform.

They also did not want to bail out the big banks, another leftist chant.

EXPLAINING LIBERTARIANISM

If you think about it, Libertarians have been correct on pretty much everything, but being right in politics gets you nowhere.

If disaffected Democrats are true to their main ideals, they should vote Libertarian. But Democrats today seldom vote with intellectual honesty. Most are party operatives who are takers, not makers; they want others to pay their way, and a leftist, nanny-state government is their means to do so.

We differ from Democrats in other areas: We like lower taxes, balanced budgets and the Second Amendment. We know that government is not the answer to every problem.

To explain Libertarianism, I always say, “Smoke all the crack you want, but don’t expect us to pay for your rehab or not shoot you if you try to steal our lawnmowers.”

The closest thing Democrats had to authenticity was Bernie Sanders, the “revolutionary” who, like every great revolutionary when defeated, immediately endorsed his opponent and told his followers to be quiet and do what Hillary says.

Democrats destroy their opponents personally; they do not win on workable or better ideas. They ascribe evil to those who disagree, all under the pretense of being "tolerant."

‘FAMILY VALUES’?

The place where Republicans get it wrong is that they espouse minimal government and maximal personal freedoms, except in the areas of your personal life, where they like to legislate what you can do.

Libertarians believe: Be as socially conservative as you want to be, just don’t force it on me. Let’s agree that you do not know what is right for me and I don’t know what is right for you. Freedom to choose is the key.

The GOP’s hypocrisy astounds me. At the “family values” RNC, you had Donald Trump, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh and Rudi Giuliani, all of whom I like, but they had about a baker’s dozen of ex-wives among them.

The RNC must be a great place to meet your fourth wife.

Libertarians should appeal to #FeelTheBern liberals who were cheated by the DNC, or to anyone else wronged by Democrats.

Ron Hart, a libertarian op-ed humorist and award-winning author, is a frequent guest on CNN. Contact him at Ron@RonaldHart.com or tweet@RonaldHart.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HART: Which candidate will Libertarians help – or hurt?

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