Progressives have been sent a message

No more socializing!

The country is tired of big spending, big programs, redistribution, unemployment, taxes, and over-reach in general.

It's too bad Hoffman didn't win, but the other two elections, with McDonnell and Christie winning, and Hoffman's good showing, send a clear message -- the resistance has just begun. The country is fired up and the independent movement is growing.

We'll see how the Republican Party reacts. Republicans have a chance to become the limited government party, but, first, the moderates have to get on board. It's good to see libertarian influence having an effect, but if the party splits down a statist/limited government line, there could be a big battle ahead, and if the big money goes toward the statist-leaners, there will support for a third party -- even if a third party doesn't have a chance. People are not in the mood to be sold out again.

However, the real question is -- how will Democrats act? Will the Democrats unite under progressivism, or will they split, too? It's going to be interesting.

Third party arising?

http://rsmccain.blogspot.com/2009/09/roger-stone-third-party-possible.html

Smitty at The Other McCain points to video by Roger Stone regarding the possibility of a third party. I have heard many people claim that a third party is impossible. When "many people" claim something is impossible, it usually means it's about to happen.

Cowardly Companies

Years ago, after my conversion from yippie anarchist railing against the military/industrial complex, expanding my mind with everything but reason, to an objectivist with a libertarian philosophy modeled after the basic principles of classic liberalism, I was disillusioned to find some companies actively sought protection from competition by establishing government connections. I was never naive, but it always seemed a cowardly thing to do, and a rather stupid thing to do, given the possibility of politicians being swayed by the best and most rewarding lobbying efforts. I mean, if you're going to compete for government favors, why not compete in the market, which is much more rational and easier to determine the standards which have to be met. An interventionist government can change the rules overnight, and those once in favor can be out of favor for no good reason except current political pressures.

I've always understood that many businesses have been forced to lobby when restrictive regulations put them at risk, but I've never understood why there hasn't been more brave efforts from the private sector to get government out of the economy. The Republican Party has been held up as the resistance to government interference, but the Republican Party has been just one of two avenues for businesses to receive favors, not a force to tear down the system of government intervention and protectionism.

I have a feeling that if independents form a third party, its leadership will need to come from the private sector, business people with vision and political knowledge. No one who has been in Washington D. C. for long is capable of being the revolutionary necessary to affect real change. In a sense, this is what's called for, a battle in the political realm between those in the private sector who want a limited government and the statists of both major parties in Washington who defend the current system.

The problem is that most people in the private sector don't want to have anything to do with politics, but heroes and heroines may be called forward if the economy is at risk of nationalization on a broad scale. I would like to see a third party rise which is solidly set on defending the private sector and limiting the power of government -- a party with a comprehensive plan for privatization of all the responsibilities government is unable to effectively handle. This would be an amazing corrective for the current statist movement. The Libertarian Party has failed to accomplish this, because they've been so divided and marginalized. I think we need a fresh approach -- a fresh set of ideas laid out comprehensively to privatize what government has destroyed, and to limit government to the responsibilities it does best.

But, first, enough businesses have to believe in the free market and competition.