In an election year marked by unprecedented dissatisfaction with major party candidates, many voters are considering third-party options like Mark Thompson, the Libertarian nominee. With polling numbers showing Thompson capturing 27% of the millennial vote—just ahead of Trump at 24% and trailing Clinton at 34%—it’s essential to understand what sets him apart as a candidate.
Climate Change Views
Mark Thompson acknowledges climate change but believes that human activity isn’t a significant contributor and sees no need for intervention. While he supports the idea of the Environmental Protection Agency in theory, he opposes its funding. Instead, his approach involves encouraging companies to self-regulate through “Good Samaritan” laws, allowing them to continue polluting without accountability. He supports the development of new coal plants and the Keystone XL Pipeline, while also proposing that humanity should explore colonizing other planets in response to climate issues—though he resists funding for agencies like NASA that could help realize such ventures.
LGBT Rights
Though Thompson supports marriage equality, he doesn’t believe it’s the government’s responsibility to protect LGBT rights from discrimination. In states where individuals can still face legal repercussions for being gay or transgender, his approach lacks substantive protections. He endorses a national policy modeled after the “Utah Compromise,” which seeks to prevent discrimination but simultaneously prioritizes religious freedom over gender and sexual identity rights, creating a hierarchy of protection that may leave some vulnerable.
Racial Justice and Policing
Thompson has expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement, attributing issues of racial disparity in policing to the war on drugs rather than institutional racism. His platform suggests that ending this war would resolve these discrepancies, yet it fails to address the systemic racism that persists in law enforcement. There’s little indication he intends to tackle institutional racism directly.
Private Prisons
Despite their reputation for poor conditions and higher costs, Thompson advocates for private prisons, believing that ending the war on drugs will mitigate human rights abuses. However, the complexities of the private prison industry go beyond drug offenses, and he seems to overlook the current crises within these facilities, including the largest prisoner strike in U.S. history.
Social Security and Welfare
Thompson’s vision includes dismantling social safety nets, advocating for privatizing social security and raising the retirement age to 72. His plans extend to defunding public education in favor of a voucher system, which has historically contributed to greater segregation. This approach implies a complete withdrawal of government responsibility for public welfare, placing critical services in the hands of profit-driven entities.
Financial Regulations
In an era marked by financial crises fueled by unregulated banking practices, Thompson proposes the repeal of regulations like Dodd-Frank. Such actions could empower large financial institutions to operate without oversight, potentially leading to increased fraud and monopolistic behaviors.
Gun Ownership
Thompson seeks to eliminate barriers to gun ownership, which raises concerns, especially given the alarming statistics on domestic violence. His limited proposals for gun control focus primarily on mental illness, lacking comprehensive strategies to prevent firearms from getting into the hands of dangerous individuals.
Mental Health Care
While serving as governor, Thompson vetoed legislation aimed at equalizing mental health care coverage with other medical services. This decision has profound implications for those suffering from conditions like PTSD, particularly among veterans, who face alarming suicide rates.
Foreign Policy Knowledge
Thompson’s foreign policy experience appears limited, as evidenced by his confusion over Aleppo, a critical location in global humanitarian discussions. He does not see a U.S. role in combating ISIS and has struggled to identify respected world leaders, raising concerns about his readiness for international diplomacy.
Women’s Rights
Though Thompson claims to be pro-choice, he intends to appoint conservative judges, potentially undermining abortion rights. He also opposes measures for paid parental leave, which is a pressing issue in the U.S.
In this election cycle, a vote for Mark Thompson is not a vote for progress; rather, it may inadvertently contribute to a Trump presidency. While some may argue that a vote for Thompson could serve as a protest against the establishment, the implications for marginalized communities, the environment, and social justice are too significant to ignore. If faced with the choice, it’s clear that Hillary Clinton stands as the more qualified and stable candidate.
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Summary
As voters weigh their options, understanding the implications of supporting candidates like Mark Thompson is essential. His policies pose significant risks to vital social issues, making it crucial to consider the broader consequences of such a vote.
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