Disaffected Sanders supporters still have an option in November
Did you #FeelTheBern? Sad that Bernie Sanders’ journey came to an end at the hands of the Democratic Party establishment? You still have a choice in November in someone who will defend many of the values which Sanders espoused during the last year. These are the top 5 reasons why Sanders voters should vote for Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson.
1. Corporate Welfare
Senator Sanders made a habit out of criticizing the “1%” who received taxpayer money. Sanders also often took aim at the Federal Reserve for its shady tactics in printing money at the behest of average Americans. Sanders once quipped: “The sad reality is that the Federal Reserve doesn’t regulate Wall Street; Wall Street regulates the Fed.”
Likewise, Governor Johnson opposed the 2008 bailout of the banks and is against any similar kind of federal stimulus. He has also indicated that he would support the audit and abolition of the Federal Reserve, saying the centralized banking system is an example of a “rigged game.”
2. Gay Rights
Bernie Sanders has supported equal rights for gay Americans for decades. Sanders held this forward during the campaign as one of his top credentials as a progressive. Sanders voted against both “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the “Defense of Marriage Act.”
Gary Johnson insists that government should stay “out of the bedroom,” supporting the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and favoring marriage equality. He and his running mate William Weld were both signatories of a 2013 Supreme Court brief supporting the right of gay couples to marry.
3. War on Drugs
The Junior Senator from Vermont makes his opposition to the War on Drugs clear. Sanders asserts that there are “far too many people in jail for nonviolent crimes” and that “the war against drugs has not been successful.” Further, he supports the legalization of marijuana.
Gary Johnson has made no secret of his opposition to the drug war and favoring of marijuana legalization. Prior to running for President this year, Johnson was the CEO of Cannabis Sativa, a company specializing in the sale of medical marijuana. He has not only repeatedly called for legalization of marijuana, but also a rethinking of the war on drugs as a whole. Johnson recently suggested that the war on drugs is a root cause of contention between Americans and the police.
4. Endless Wars
During his campaign, Sanders often pointed out his opposition to many conflicts in which the US has engaged, including Iraq. He points to the invasion as reason for the rise of ISIS, saying that “these invasions have unintended consequences.”
Johnson opposed the Iraq War from its beginning, and has stated that he opposed US involvement in Libya. Said Johnson, “The cost of those interventions has been tremendous, with too many of our young men and women of the military killed and wounded…and trillions of dollars spent ineffectively.”
5. Civil Liberties
Bernie Sanders repeatedly stands against the USA PATRIOT Act, stating that “It’s Time To End Orwellian Surveillance of Every American.” Sanders suggested that while Edward Snowden should be prosecuted, this should be done with leniency. He has in several years received a 100% rating from the ACLU.
Gary Johnson calls for the repeal of the USA PATRIOT Act and elimination of the NSA. Johnson also says he would consider pardoning Edward Snowden. When he was the Libertarian nominee in 2012, the ACLU gave him the best rating of any of the candidates.