August 1, 2016

The Big Government Libertarians

Johnson and Weld are making it harder for conservatives to choose them.

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson is somewhat of an enigma for conservatives who are looking Libertarian instead of settling for the primary two presidential candidates. Johnson had a reasonably conservative tenure as governor of New Mexico, and is considered fiscally conservative and socially tolerant. But he’s created questions for any conservative giving him a look with some recent answers to questions.

Johnson declared that religious liberty is “a black hole.” In fact, of laws protecting it, he explained, “If we allow for discrimination — if we pass a law that allows for discrimination on the basis of religion — literally, we’re gonna open up a can of worms when it comes to stopping discrimination of all forms.” Granted, his argument is that such laws are unnecessary because the First Amendment protects religious liberty, but he also says it’s the federal government’s job to stop discrimination “in all cases.” We’re not sure how he squares that circle when the Rainbow Mafia is out to discriminate against any Christian baker, florist or photographer who declines to participate in a same-sex wedding. Religious liberty laws protect those businesses from forced coercion. That’s not discrimination on the part of those businesses — it’s freedom of conscience.

Some 24 hours later, Johnson — well, technically his running mate William Weld — stepped in it again. Asked what kind of judges they would pick, Johnson started off well enough: “Really, there are going to be no litmus tests. … [We’re] going to appoint people that look at the Constitution of original intent.” But then Weld started in. “Steve Breyer has been a good justice,” he said. “Merrick Garland, I think, would have been a very good pick.” Breyer has voted to trample the Constitution at nearly ever opportunity, while Garland is Barack Obama’s attempt to look moderate and serious while actually moving Antonin Scalia’s seat far to the left. If they are examples of what Johnson-Weld think are “originalists,” then beware.

In reality, the pair seem to be more concerned with picking off Bernie Sanders supporters than wooing conservatives. Indeed, if this is the face of the “Libertarian” Party, conservatives should want nothing of it.

Who We Are

The Patriot Post is a highly acclaimed weekday digest of news analysis, policy and opinion written from the heartland — as opposed to the MSM’s ubiquitous Beltway echo chambers — for grassroots leaders nationwide. More

What We Offer

On the Web

We provide solid conservative perspective on the most important issues, including analysis, opinion columns, headline summaries, memes, cartoons and much more.

Via Email

Choose our full-length Digest or our quick-reading Snapshot for a summary of important news. We also offer Cartoons & Memes on Monday and Alexander’s column on Wednesday.

Our Mission

The Patriot Post is steadfast in our mission to extend the endowment of Liberty to the next generation by advocating for individual rights and responsibilities, supporting the restoration of constitutional limits on government and the judiciary, and promoting free enterprise, national defense and traditional American values. We are a rock-solid conservative touchstone for the expanding ranks of grassroots Americans Patriots from all walks of life. Our mission and operation budgets are not financed by any political or special interest groups, and to protect our editorial integrity, we accept no advertising. We are sustained solely by you. Please support The Patriot Fund today!


The Patriot Post and Patriot Foundation Trust, in keeping with our Military Mission of Service to our uniformed service members and veterans, are proud to support and promote the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, both the Honoring the Sacrifice and Warrior Freedom Service Dogs aiding wounded veterans, the National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, the Folds of Honor outreach, and Officer Christian Fellowship, the Air University Foundation, and Naval War College Foundation, and the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

★ PUBLIUS ★

“Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!” —George Washington

Please join us in prayer for our nation — that righteous leaders would rise and prevail and we would be united as Americans. Pray also for the protection of our Military Patriots, Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please lift up your Patriot team and our mission to support and defend our Republic's Founding Principle of Liberty, that the fires of freedom would be ignited in the hearts and minds of our countrymen.

The Patriot Post is protected speech, as enumerated in the First Amendment and enforced by the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, in accordance with the endowed and unalienable Rights of All Mankind.

Copyright © 2024 The Patriot Post. All Rights Reserved.

The Patriot Post does not support Internet Explorer. We recommend installing the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome.