New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently stated in an interview that there is a strand of libertarianism that is in both the Democratic and Republican parties that he finds repugnant and “dangerous” when it comes to foreign and domestic policy. In the same interview, he attacked libertarian politicians like Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and others both personally and professionally.
On foreign affairs, Mr. Christie believes that it is justified to have U.S, troops stationed in 140 countries for the sole purpose of sending them into battle in wars and conflicts that are not in U.S. interests. He further believes that it is the duty of the U.S. to be the world’s policeman. Mr. Christie agrees with Neo-Conservatives like William Kristol and Charles Krauthammer that the U.S. must follow the foreign policy of Woodrow Wilson to make the world safe for democracy no matter where. Libertarians believe the opposite. They are of the belief that wars should only occur when a nation is attacked or threatened. Furthermore, while they believe that all nations of the world should be free and prosperous, they are the well wishers of their own nation. They also believe that the U.S. should stay out of the affairs of other nations both internally and externally.
On Domestic Policy, libertarians strongly believe in free market capitalism whether in the selling of products, in the marketplace of ideas and in every other human interaction and endeavor. Libertarians strongly support the U.S. Constitution and the Bill Of Rights and are strong supporters of property rights and the rule of law. They believe in the strictest limits on government power and intervention as specified under the Constitution.
Many years ago, Ronald Reagan stated that libertarianism was at the heart and soul of conservatism. However, there have been forces in the Republican Party that have done all in their power to push it aside or abandon it. These Republicans would rather follow the philosophies of Theodore Roosevelt, Hebert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, Jacob Javits, Christine Todd Whitman, John McCain, George W. Bush and other progressives past and present. It is the progressive philosophy that has been a cancer in this nation for over 100 years. It does not bode well for the people who follow it and it does not bode well for the people in society or in government overall. I am witnessing progressivism’s failures not only in Europe, but in Detroit, Michigan, in the Northeast and in the West Coast in states such as California and Hawaii, Progressivism can only bring destruction, misery and sorrow.
If Chris Christie does run for the presidency in 2016, I will not support him. His philosophy, not to mention his personality, among other things, would bring harm to this nation and to all that is dear.