Another one into the fold ...

WASHINGTON

A former Georgia congressman who helped spark President Clinton's impeachment has quit the Republican Party to become a Libertarian, saying he is disillusioned with the GOP on issues such as spending and privacy.
Bob Barr, who served eight years as a Republican congressman before losing his seat in 2002, announced Friday that he is now a "proud, card-carrying Libertarian." And he encouraged others to join him.

"It's something that's been bothering me for quite some time, the direction in which the party has been going more and more toward big government and disregard toward privacy and civil liberties," said Barr, 58, a lawyer and consultant living in Atlanta. "In terms of where the country needs to be going to get back to our constitutional roots ... I've come to the conclusion that the only way to do that is to work with a party that practices what it preaches, and that is the Libertarian Party."
Barr said he has no plans to run for office. In his new role as the Libertarian Party's regional representative for the South, he will help promote the party's message and recruit candidates, he said. Barr helped manage the House Republicans' impeachment case before the Senate in 1999.

During his time spent in Congress, Bob Barr was an advocate of smaller, less intrusive government ... EXCEPT that he was a devout drug warrior. Its gonna be mighty interesting to see how he squares the drug war with his new role as a Libertarian.

Vi

Yes I agree, it will be interesting also to see how this plays out via MSM!

^^^hahaha
Nobody knows who Barr is.....My problem is I remember him from the original Crossfire with Buchanan and Braden....at least I think that's where I first noticed him.....and his lips!

Wavels ...

If you remember, when Barr was defeated for reelection, the guys on the old CW site all cheered about it. They only considered Barr's opposition to marijuana. Barr consistantly spoke out for a less intrusive federal government. But, Barr was blind to the fact that the government's war on marijuana was CAUSING the government to be more intrusive. *lol* So ... like I said, its going to be very interesting to see/hear how he squares the WOD with libertarian principles.

Vi

Yes, indeed, that is what I enjoyed about Barr's appearances on the cable talking head shows. He consistently demonstrates the need for downsizing government and getting it back to basics.
Now it seems to me he will have to forgo the abject foolishness exemplified with the War on Drugs!
No libertarian can support this ill-conceived war, as it is contrary to the Party’s most basic philosophy

I, myself, would like to see ALL drugs legalized yesterday.....
It is 95% of the current officeholders who represent both corrupt parties....dems and repubs....who wish to maintain this insane state of Drug War.
Time to throw the bastards out...

I'm with you, Wavels ... but what about drugs like Crystal Meth?

My feelings are ... make it legal, but then hold people personally responsible for their own rehab and resultant medical problems.

Vi

^^^I agree.....

Vi I simply think that the very laws created to restrict legal access to any substance, by default, create more of a problem than the pre-existing "drug problem."
Because, after a drug is made illegal, an entire underground economy blossoms which pays no taxes. The illicit nature of these markets spawns all sorts of true criminal behavior, which is much more dangerous than the banned substance could ever be. Loads of crime is caused as a direct result of people forced to pay inflated prices for their fixes!

IMO, drug addiction should be treated as a HEALTH problem, not a legal problem! The addict should bear the costs

IMO, drug addiction should be treated as a HEALTH problem, not a legal problem! The addict should bear the costs Well said, the crystal meth thing is very close to my situation and it's not only the cost that's the problem. Meth addicts lose all signs of responsibility. My step-daughter has 2 beautiful kids and could care less about them. I know she probably cares, but she doesn't have the responsibility to follow through and show them! When she is high, she doesn't want to be around them as they bring her down with their needs. The only time she comes around is when she is coming down and she is as mean as a den of rattlesnakes. Meth is basically a deadly poison. If you do too much, you die. with the ingredients being used to make it (Battery acid being one), it is a dangerous and very harmful drug. I can't see making it legal unless they would clean it up and make it pure. The main thing with the drugs is the responsibility factor. If a person can maintain their own (and their kids) existence without outside help, then I'm all for it! Otherwise we would undoubtably have a nation of junkies and speed zombies! Even pot smokers need to be responsible. They ought to have a whack his pee-pee type of punishment for slackers!

"They ought to have a whack his pee-pee type of punishment for slackers!"

But instead, we've come up with the brilliant idea of producing government agencies that have become enablers through the welfare state.

Coke, Crack, and Crystal Meth is used in epidemic proportion in this country. I think most of us would be suprised at how many of our fellow workers, friends and those around us use this shit on a regular basis. Heroin too.

Vi

There's a ton of nasty addictions out there. From what I understand, chewing tobacco is one of the hardest addictions to give up.

Vi