"Democrats seem to be basically nicer people, but they have demonstrated time and time again that they have the management skills of celery. They're the kind of people who'd stop to help you change a flat, but would somehow manage to set your car on fire. I would be reluctant to entrust them with a Cuisinart, let alone the economy. The Republicans, on the other hand, would know how to fix your tire, but they wouldn't bother to stop because they'd want to be on time for Ugly Pants Night at the country club."
--Dave Barry

My last post mentioned the late Barry Goldwater, and now an interview portrays prominent Democrats speaking favorably about the former liberty-minded U.S. senator and presidential candidate.

So perhaps Democrats are following through with the strategy of courting libertarian voters, while neoconservatives -- who "despise libertarians" -- attempt to "fear and smear" their way into the dark hearts of authoritarian voters.

Indeed, earlier this year such a Democrat contacted me. He incorrectly took my comments during a radio program (MP3 file) (at about 0:40 to 3:28) explaining the LPUtah's spoiler strategy to mean that I was "urging Libertarians in swing districts to vote for Democrats."

I replied to Justin "Always be sincere, even if you don't mean it" Banks that I am not
encouraging Libertarians in swing districts to vote for Democrats, but I am encouraging center-right voters -- especially "South Park Republicans" -- in swing districts to express their opposition to Big Government Republicans by voting Libertarian, thereby expressing a preference for smaller government.

Confirming my suspicions about the naivite or intellectual dishonesty I've experienced from many self-identified Democrats, Justin hasn't shared my reply with his fellows thus far.

Across the country, I do see the effort by some Democrats to cozy up to the freedom philosophy as a good thing.

But in Utah, neither Democrats nor Republicans have done nearly enough to deserve libertarian votes.

Libertarians prefer to champion liberty, not simply change the name of the party and the persons responsible for looting us and placing more restrictions on our freedom.

And insofar as swing races in the 2006 election are concerned, I want Libertarian voters to stay home and I want libertarians betrayed by Republicans to come home, either by voting for Libertarian candidates or not voting at all.

But if you want to be left alone by a government that refuses to leave you alone, consider mailing in your ballot or going to the polls to vote Libertarian.

Because Libertarian candidates offer voters a clear choice for smaller government, fewer taxes, and more freedom; not a bipartisan echo of business as usual.

Yours in liberty,

Rob Latham, Chairman

Libertarian Party of Utah

P.S.: Last week the audio version of the concluding chapter of For a New Liberty, by libertarian economist Murray Rothbard, was posted online. (MP3 file)

Over the past few months, I've enjoyed listening to an old acquaintance Jeff Riggenbach narrate Rothbard's classic. You can download the entire book, in chapters, here.

And you can thank the Ludwig von Mises Institute for making such content available with your support, here.