This election season is shaping up to be one for the history books. We’re faced with the chance to elect the first female president and possibly the last leader elected by a democratic process, all while the major party candidates are more unpopular than ever. With such a toxic political atmosphere, many Americans are turning their eyes to third-party options like Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate, who’s surprisingly resonating with millennials — polling at 27%, just ahead of Trump at 24% and trailing Clinton’s 34%. So, what makes Gary Johnson a notable alternative? Let’s break it down.
Climate Change? Not His Priority.
Johnson acknowledges climate change but doesn’t think human activity is responsible for it. His philosophy leans toward the idea that the government shouldn’t intervene, proposing “Good Samaritan” laws to encourage corporations to clean up after themselves. He supports the Keystone XL Pipeline and believes in opening more coal plants, while international agreements for greener technologies? Not on his radar. And when Earth becomes uninhabitable, he suggests building colonies on other planets — a fun notion, but he’s against funding NASA to make it happen.
LGBTQ+ Rights: A Mixed Bag.
While he supports marriage equality, he believes it’s not the government’s role to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. Johnson has endorsed a Utah law that aims to curb discrimination but also prioritizes religious beliefs over sexual orientation, putting some individuals “more equal than others.”
Racial Issues and the War on Drugs
Johnson supports the Black Lives Matter movement but suggests that racial disparities in policing stem from the war on drugs rather than institutional racism. While he admits institutional racism exists, his platform lacks concrete plans to address it.
Private Prisons: A Controversial Choice
He supports private prisons despite their track record of overcrowding and poor inmate conditions. Johnson believes ending the war on drugs will rectify human rights abuses in prisons, but critics argue that this is a simplistic solution to a complex problem.
Social Safety Nets: They’re Out
Johnson wants to privatize Social Security and even raise the retirement age to 72, which is concerning given the average lifespan. He also favors a voucher system for education, which has led to increased segregation in schools.
Financial Regulation: Less is More
In an age marked by financial crises, Johnson aims to repeal regulations like Dodd-Frank, which currently holds banks accountable. His approach gives a green light to Wall Street, raising concerns about consumer protections.
Gun Ownership: No Restrictions
Johnson wants to remove existing laws preventing domestic abusers from accessing firearms. His only potential consideration for gun control involves limiting access for mentally ill individuals, but he hasn’t specified any real plans for that.
Mental Health Matters
As governor, he vetoed a bill that would have mandated mental health coverage parity, leaving those with conditions like PTSD and depression without necessary support. This is especially troubling for veterans, who face high suicide rates.
Veteran Care: A Troubling Proposal
Though he recognizes the failings of the VA, his solution to give veterans the option to seek private care raises eyebrows, particularly as he also advocates repealing the Affordable Care Act.
Foreign Policy: A Gap in Knowledge
When pressed about Aleppo, Johnson famously stumbled, demonstrating a lack of awareness about critical global issues. His stance is that the U.S. should not intervene in conflicts like ISIS, believing they will resolve themselves.
Women’s Rights: Some Concerns
While he claims to be pro-choice, his plans to appoint conservative judges could jeopardize abortion rights. He also shows little interest in advancing paid parental leave policies, putting American families at a disadvantage.
A vote for Gary Johnson is not a vote for progress on environmental issues, minority rights, or women’s rights; it’s more likely a vote that inadvertently supports Donald Trump. With the stakes so high, especially in this election cycle, it’s crucial to consider more qualified candidates, such as Hillary Clinton, who offers a more stable option for the future.
In summary, while some may view Gary Johnson as a viable candidate, a closer examination reveals numerous red flags that could negatively impact many key areas of American life. If you’re looking for more information on home insemination, check out this article. For a comprehensive overview of artificial insemination kits, Make a Mom is a great resource. And if you’re interested in IVF, NHS provides excellent guidance.