Can "V.E.T.O." Really Work?

Independent Political Report carries the interview from Front Page Mag. with Wayne Allyn Root, the 2008 Libertarian nominee for for Vice President and potential Presidential candidate for 2012. V.E.TO. stands for "Vote Everyone of Them Out". He refers to Incumbents who have made themselves, instead of citizens, the center of their universe. Citing a litany of grievances and touting his book, “The Conscience of a Libertarian: Empowering the Citizen Revolution with God, Guns, Gambling & Tax Cuts”, Root gives an example in this question & answer:

His ultimate answer: "I believe it will take a third party coalition of Conservatives and free market, limited government Libertarians to take back America."

But wait a moment. To build a movement of Conservative-Libertarian ideals to return America to her founding virtues, would require a new thinking in both camps. Seems like for the sake of unity, this was attempted once and Bob Barr rejected the notion of compromise as diluting the principles of Libertarianism. In fact, to repair the schism among libertarians themselves, and yes even conservatives, would be like rebuilding two bridges broken in a variety of places in order to get all the cars back on the highway. Root refers to his book for details on how this is to be done, and one wonders if it's really possible, even practical. Forget the purists trying to compromise their beliefs for a watered down all for one and one for all. The litmus test for the Ls is a guarantee not to use force to effect social or political change, and the conservatives may be asking about the dearly held right to life issue.

Realizing the disenfranchisement of the American voter, Root wishes to seize upon an ever increasing independent movement, stating : "A recent Gallop Poll shows that conservatives form a majority in all 50 states. This is the Libertarian-Conservative limited government coalition that I plan to build to become the Ross Perot of 2012."

"FP: What is the classic story you tell in your book and on your many FOX News Channel appearances about the failure of government?

Root: In Nevada we have a unique approach to sin- legalize it, regulate it, and tax it. That gives the citizens personal freedom, and more importantly, relieves the burden on taxpayers. We have legalized gambling and legal brothels."

Can this really work? Don't expect conservatives to flock to a new America, based on legalizing some big don'ts we have, especially telling conservatives to legalize drugs, gambling, brothels, and whatever other sins are on the libertarian hit list. These are too many bridges to fix at one time for a broken down infrastructure, and I fear too many principles forsaken for the sake of unity. Voting out every incumbent..ok. But what are we really voting in its stead? We just went through an anti-Bush vote and look what we got. And I don't want to read a book to tell me how to do it better, especially if it means capitalizing on the legalization of our baser side and asking conservatives to legalize prostitutes. Libertarians already suffer for this stigma as nearly a cornerstone that underscores its more extreme side (though they regard it as a badge of honor), and look for a new schism if he intends to carry any conservatives into the next LP. convention. And this is something new?

Patriot Paul