Why I Left Politics-as-Usual

Why I left Politics-as-Usual

By Cameron Ventura

                The day that Gov. John Kasich withdrew his active campaign for the President of the United States, my whole idea of politics faced a whirlpool of questioning and criticism. I was forced to accept that there wouldn’t be a Republican or a Democrat candidate who stood for small government, fiscal responsibility, liberty, and positive immigration reform. Essentially – I wouldn’t find a candidate who aligned even remotely with my idea of good government. That is when my perspective of what was ideal in a candidate and in a party began to transition.

                As we are now in arguably the most polarized social state since the Vietnam War, the idea of any true majority backing the same platform is less and less likely. This is why the GOP can have 12 drastically different candidates who each garnish a fairly substantial following. We can no longer agree on what is “best.” Enter the Libertarian party.

                As I asked questions regarding the role of government I began to see that the consistent factor throughout history is how we don’t need the government to make legislation regarding every aspect of our lives. There is great value in only creating regulations where regulations are necessary. For all of my Christian sisters and brothers out there – there is freedom in realizing that regulating sin is no more holy than not regulating sin. Whether or not a nation decides they will punish sin doesn’t change the morality of its people. Freedom exists in stepping back and allowing people to make their own choices with God, the Holy Spirit, and the consequences to be enough – we don’t have to add legal reprimands.

                The Puritans outlawed sin to a much greater extent than we do currently and history tells us that rather than this creating a more holy community it bred more lies, deceit, and hypocrisy. The Christian ideal shouldn’t be a country that outlaws all sin. The Christian ideal should be a country that fights for your freedom to make your own choices and stands by you through whatever the Father chooses to use to teach you.

                This is why I have embraced the Libertarian platform. I believe Gov. Gary Johnson is the best thing for our country right now. I believe legalizing marijuana, defunding excessive governmental programs, limiting governmental terms, turning NSA’s focus away from American citizens, returning Education to the state and local level, allowing adults to purchase and keep firearms, pulling back international intervention, and introducing a flat tax is a fantastic direction in which to move.