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I am fed up with disrespectful and un-American behavior on the
part of some candidates for our highest office.
Just when you think Candidate Trump has violated every ethical standard
he could possibly violate, he finds a way to sink to a lower level. His disrespect for American hero John McCain
several months ago was inexcusable, and now he has decided to pick a fight with
the family of another American hero.
Captain Humayun Khan, US Army, served in Iraq. Captain Khan, son of immigrants from
Pakistan, served honorably. He was
killed in action and received the Bronze Star for heroism.
Now Candidate Trump has publicly disrespected the family of this
fallen hero. He spoke against them because of their Moslem
faith, and antagonized them because they had the courage to call him out for
being divisive.
It doesn’t get any worse in America than disrespecting the
family of a soldier who gave his life in defense of this country.
Many Republicans have disavowed Trump’s comments. Some have apologized for him. Some
have expressed outrage. But most
continue to support his election to the office of President. That is hypocritical.
It is time for Republicans with ethics and patriotism intact to
disavow this demagogue. Candidate Trump
has no respect for anyone – not for American heroes, not for the American
people, not for his own supporters, not for You. In my opinion, an informed American who votes
for Candidate Trump after the disrespectful
way he has treated these and other honorable Americans is not a patriot.
The candidate of the other major party also is no patriot, no
friend of our military, and not a virtuous person. Both major political parties have nominated
ethically flawed candidates.
Once, long ago, I was a Democrat. I left that party when they began caring more
about winning elections than doing what
was right for our country. After many years
as a dedicated Republican, I left that party for the same reason.
Today both major parties have abandoned honor, virtue, and moral
courage. Their patriotism, such as it
is, is hollow, worn for show and effect.
Their ‘courage’ is bravado and bluster.
Neither of the two major parties (or their candidates for president)
shows any sign of putting the best interests of our nation ahead of the
political party (or themselves).
It is time for Americans of honor and goodwill to look elsewhere
for leaders of competence and integrity,
to leave the major parties, to regroup around a candidate of character who shares many of the
highest values of both right and left. I have come to this conclusion: the ethical
choice this year is the Libertarian Party.
Some of you will have issues with one or another part of the
Libertarian platform. That is to be
expected. After all, do you agree with
every opinion of your preferred major political party? Think about this. The essential founding principle of the
Libertarian Party is individual freedom.
The very name of the party is derived from the word “Liberty.”
Whether or not you agree with each and every Libertarian
position, your vote for Libertarian candidates Gary Johnson and Bill Weld will
be:
- a vote for experience, integrity, and ethical leadership;
- a vote to disarm the most extreme partisans of left and right,
- a vote to stop cronyism and entrenched corruption;
- a vote to end the culture of entitlement on display by the
political and economic elite of both parties;
- a vote to terminate the reign of a dysfunctional two party
duopoly that thinks this year’s
candidates are the best we can do.
A few of you may think voting for a third party candidate would
be “throwing away” your vote. Not
true. It is your prerogative to vote for
a candidate you support. To vote for
someone you don’t support just because he or she is the lesser evil is throwing
away your vote, particularly when there is another option.
What are you trying to accomplish with your vote? Are you trying to save America from Hillary Clinton? At what price? From Donald Trump? To what end?
Either of the major party
candidates will, if elected, be a political and ethical catastrophe.
I do not choose to lend my support to either of the corrupt dysfunctional
candidates headlining this election. I
will be voting for the only political party that is uncorrupted by power: the
Libertarian Party. I will be voting for the
only presidential candidate on the ballot nationwide that can truthfully be described
as a person of virtue: Gary
Johnson.
Be honest with yourself, at least. Are you truly satisfied with your choice of Republican
or Democrat? Are you planning to vote
for someone, or against someone? Before
you make your final decision in this contest which might decide the essential character
of America for generations to come, you owe it to your nation to give serious
consideration to all your options.
Gryphem
