RR> Remember, both candidates have essentially told the 
 RR> 3,000,000 members of NRA and GOA to go moisten a rope. 
 TS> Even Clinton admitted the NRA likely influenced 20-
 TS> 30 million voters.  
 
The exact numbers aren't the point. The point is that both parties think they 
don't have to please the pro-gun faction. I'd love to see them get taught a 
lesson but I ain't betting the ranch and dog on it.
 
 TS> Think we can pressure the NRA to exert itself to 
 TS> help get Harry treated fairly?  
 
In a word, no.
 
 RR> In 1992, a year when everyone was fed up with 
 RR> the way things are, the 
 RR> Libertarian candidate didn't even manage to get a half 
 RR> million votes nation-wide. 300,000, if I recall. Even 
 TS> That was the first LP candidate who qualified 
 TS> nationally, was it not?  Marrou seemed like a 
 TS> bright guy, but as a Chemical Engineer from Alaska, 
 TS> his public speaking skills and persona weren't 
 TS> refined as a public figure.  Browne looks good on 
 TS> camera, as has a quick wit while speaking.  
 
But who will see him? CNN only draws +/- 1.5 ratings for its top show (Larry 
King) and I don't expect him to push anyone but Perot - who still couldn't 
get elected despite plenty of exposure. People just aren't going to abandon 
their life-long parties in sufficient numbers.
 
 TS> Are you suggesting libertarians become Republicans 
 TS> as opposed to Libertarians?  
 
In the same way the socialists took over the Democratic Party. They didn't 
give up their philosophies or goals but put themselves in a position to 
actually get the power to achieve them.
 
 TS> Most of the real power is in Congress, which many 
 
Which is what I have always maintained.
 
 TS> Better to say "No" to bad Bills than fund a bogus 
 TS> perpetual "war" on arbitrarily selected drugs 
 TS> designed to create political prisoners and empoyer 
 TS> politicians with a costly never ending challenge.  
 
Quite true within limits but this is THE thing that scares the fertilizer out 
of J.Q.Public. Talk of legalizing drugs (impossible in a practical sense), 
prostitution, elimination of entitlements, etc. will send them screaming into 
the distance away from the LP. You can't even get most to listen to why the 
Brady Law was idiotic.
 
 TS> The Tax Code is still the central issue to most Rights debates.  Cut 
 TS> out the IRS, and enough other things, like BATF, 
 TS> political prisoners, assaults on non-mainstream 
 TS> religions, etc. would be cut way back for lack of 
 TS> funds if nothing else.  
 
Again true, but most people are more interested in "getting" the rich 
"capitalists" than in real reform. There is zero chance of getting through 
the media machine, through the brainwashing of the educational system, the 
lack of economic savy, and, most importantly, illogic, before November. Maybe 
if we had a decade, but we don't.
 
Those who don't exercise their franchise in a realistic manner will be ruled 
by those who did, rightly or wrongly.
 
In terms of our rights this may be the most important election of our 
lifetimes. If we back candidates the general public will never back we might 
as well vote for cartoon characters.
 
The same 43% who put Clinton in before will vote for him again. The 
Republicans will get at least 25% for Dole. What does that leave for "other?" 
Remember Perot, too.
 
I'm shopping for a nice clothespin for my nose. At least get Clinton out or 
deny him a "mandate."
 
--- Maximus 2.01wb
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