Real Long Term Victor in 2008 May End Up Being Libertarians

In 2008 the Republican Party warned about what would happen and few believed. Major debt hikes, tremendous expansions of federal power at the expense of the private sector, increasing infringements upon natural rights were all mentioned and dismissed by the media and ultimately about 55% of the voters.

Few believed that Obama would be as radical as promised. Also few believed that the GOP would act radically differently. After all, its last few years controlling Congress were a virtual orgy of spending relative to what had come before. Conservative and libertarian voters stayed away from the polls, not seeing much difference between moderate Republican economic interventionism and what the GOP was warning voters about.

Now all predictions have come true and then some. A conservative country is led by a radical left winger and we are reaping the results.

Libertarians have suddenly seen their principles and beliefs grow into part of the mainstream political discussion. Ron Paul's demands to audit the Federal Reserve are being echoed by Republicans across the country, for example. Why is it a priority to expose the inner workings of the CIA, but not the Federal Reserve? Quasi-nationalization of massive companies frightens even centrists who are rediscovering the wisdom of balancing and restraining federal power. Even local authorities seem to have lost their minds, drunk with power. Consider the epidemic of local governments sending police to chase away children selling lemonade from stands because they lack the proper permits. Consider the way that schools now function effectively as part time minimum security prisons complete with mandatory random drug testing for certain groups.

America has changed for the worse and the people of this country associate every negative change with the expansion of the power of government. Voters and activists suddenly have turned from older issues and focused on saving the free market and the free society. Government power is unpopular. The time of libertarian political beliefs, championed by Republican candidates, is at hand.