SnakeRiverLib

The only outlet that I will use to express political thought through the election is this venue.   No more shares, no more reposts.  I will continue to read, and continue to think, at least while it is allowed, and then privately will continue to think, afterwards.  With the exclusion of Gary Johnson from the debates, very little will change in this year when change was really possible. Why do I say while it is allowed?   Let me quote the 1st Amendment to the Constitution; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. All of these are under assault.  While I would agree that the 2nd Amendment protects the 1st, is it any surprise that both are in trouble?   Freedom of Speech ?  The universities of the nation used to be bastions...

Hillary is past her "Weekend at Bernie's" event.  She has referred to a significant number of the American Public as "deplorable".  Throwing the race card so early is a clear sign of panic.  1,700 emails are poised to be released by Wikileaks.  They know what is there, and they have said it is very bad for her.  Right now she is running the prevent defense, trying to make it to election day with a lead.  Problem with that?  It may already be too late. I have not embraced Trump, and still take my libertarian stand seriously, but I wanted to write a moment to clarify that I understand why people would support Trump.  It makes sense to me.  Supreme Court justices, Obamacare.  Iran Treaty, trade policy, and on and on.  He is infinitely better than Hillary, make no mistake.  If he doesn't have any gaffes between now and the election, I suspect he cruises to victory. I have written on the problems that someone with a purely const...

Sorry for the quip lead. Fifteen years ago, the world changed.  Or rather, how we interacted with the world, and with ourselves changed.  Nineteen terrorists, LEGALLY passed through security at Boston, and JFK, to give a whole new meaning to Hijacking aircraft.  Previously, hijackers made demands, took the plane somewhere and landed.  No more will that assumption happen. We did what the terrorists wanted.  We were terrorized.  We knee jerked.  Some was perhaps necessary, most was not, and that is how they succeeded.  We gave up freedom. Sure, we whipped them in Afghanistan,  didn't get Bin Laden, but drove the Taliban out, and eliminated Al Qaeda in that land, or drove them underground.  We destroyed their camps, we eliminated their ability to communicate. I will not judge those in power for their actions overseas after beating Al Qaeda.  It is wrong for anyone today to do so.  Especially since it was all done with full...

The Commission of Presidential Debates, governed by the DNC and the RNC have set a threshold of 15% support to get on stage.   While I think that any party that is on the ballot in all 50 states should have a say as to who debates, I want to leave that aside for a moment, as there is something far more dark lurking. So polls have Johnson anywhere from 7-11% nationally.  If you break down by state, Johnson polls over 15% in 10 states, and over 10% in 42.  That is not insignificant, especially if one looks at the intermountain west, which is crucial for the two parties.  In many of those states, Johnson is nearing 20% or better.  Why does that matter?  Simple.  Red states like ID , UT ,  WY , and AZ are in play.  Blue states like CO , NM , and NV are also in play.  I think NM is a goner for Dems , and UT is looking very hard at Johnson.  Only a couple of these states and we are throwing the election to the House of Representati...

So, as the minimum wage in DC is on its way to $15.00 an hour, what are the results so far?  It is estimated that almost 1,400 jobs have been lost due to the increase.  So those that are still working are probably grateful.  Those that aren't, well,  you know.  Results don't matter.  "we meant well" is the mantra for the left.  This is different than Seattle, where those that did manage to keep their jobs are now asking for fewer hours so that they can stay on the assistance that they HAD been receiving.  I thought that was the purpose of the minimum wage increase, was to eliminate that need. Donald is accused of being racist.  Hillary is corrupt.  Can't say for certain the answer for the first, but definitely know that the media have gone full in for Hillary to the point that they are not even pretending to be objective anymore.  I have no love for the Donald, but he is saying and doing the right things, sort of.  Gary Johns...

As a review, Gary Johnson tried to lean on the Mormons being shafted by the governments of Missouri, Illinois, and the United States as a reason why government should be able to limit religious freedom.  Big mistake for someone that needs to win a traditionally VERY red state. So, let me offer some advice to the Donald.  I speak as one that has gone over to the Libertarian side, and watched the LP nominee go right past the principles of the LP to the "Fiscally moderate, socially liberal",  statist world. Mr. Trump.  Let me first state that I was impressed with your speech today on your vision of the government role in the economy.  I do not believe that tariffs are the answer, but I also don't think that selling out to other nations is the way either.  Free trade should prevail. You have made some very strong statements on immigration.  Some of them were obviously wrong headed, and you have taken a few steps back from that.  So I will only...

So Gary Johnson does a mea culpa in the Deseret News, regarding his intolerance of religious freedom.  He espouses the "fiscally conservative, socially liberal" mantra, which is different than Libertarian.  He has missed the point.  And he completely misses the fact that the Mormons were consistently harassed, and persecuted, and in one state, ordered to leave, or die.  Of course, Mormons are very on edge about anyone that wants to let the government run roughshod over a religion that does not conform with the government point of view.  Governor Johnson apparently is aware of the need to get Utah, which is reachable for him if he can figure this one out.  Note to Governor Johnson, the support you have gotten from many is due to the ideal that government doesn't make decisions for individuals, or businesses.  Remember, leave me alone and I leave you alone. With Senator Sanders out of the race, we are not hearing about socialism in the Nordic countries...