Entrepreneurs eye the White House

From LLB, BC, NV

The fact that most people commenting here think these individuals are crazy or loony suggests to me that these individuals have some very good points.

People need to get out of their comfort zones once in a while and look at the world in a different way.

From Steve Body, Greenbrae CA

Can't wait for nukes to be privatized – I'd much rather they're run by the mob, the Crips or some militia in Alabama than an elected government. We could have a market in contract killings, too: whoever bids highest on the contract gets to decide the target. We'll be able to send children out to work down the mines instead of wasting time in public school – if they don't pull their weight, they'll starve to death – natural selection. Yeh, Go Bob! Go Bob!

From Darrel Mulloy

(CNN) — Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr is now the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee — and a potential headache for John McCain, as he reaches out to conservative voters who might otherwise vote for the GOP nominee in November.
The former Georgia congressman — who left the Republican Party two years ago, citing differences over fiscal policy and concerns over civil liberties — was nominated on the sixth ballot at the party’s convention in Denver. The vote on the sixth ballot was 324 for Barr, and 276 for Mary Ruwart, the last remaining candidate out of 14 originally seeking the Libertarian nomination

From Robert Ward, Lockport, IL

What in the world are you talking about? Yes, you can eliminate the Departments of Energy and Education. Do you realize the Department of Education has only been around for 28 years and the Department of Energy is only 31 years old? How about this…let the market decide what is the best, most cost effective source of energy and let parents choose what schools to send their kids to. When you have competition, you would be able
to get a better education for less money. When the government has the market cornered, you will pay a high price for a shoddy education. It's economics in it's simplest form. As far as the Department of Energy, they wouldn't even exist if we didn't coddle Israel like we do. We would have never got embargoed during the oil crisis in the 70's.
They have been fighting in the middle east since long before we even existed. How, exactly, are we supposed to stop a centuries-old war? It will never happen, so why waste my money and your money trying?

From Diane Marlton, NJ

It's time to over throw the current two party system. This country was founded on the ideal of libertarianism, but capitalism seemed to suit those who have held office. A civil war in looming in our near future if we don't do something about our current situation. Globalism is only helpful to the socialist countries who we have supported during the past century. Join the Nationalist Party and help save America.

From Anonymous

Their chances are not good.

The 2 party system is too entrenched.

However; that doesn't mean we shouldn't begin efforts to change that landscape.

I would be delighted to have my choices increased or/to have them include someone who is willing to change the landscape and take us back to what our founding fathers intended; a system where anyone can voice his opinion and be heard; NOT JUST THE DEMOCRATS/REPUBLICANS WHO ARE ENTRENCHED AND HAVE NO REASON TO CONSIDER REFORM THAT WOULD BENEFIT AMERICA.

From Gordon Nordquist Fair Grove, MO.

Anyone of them would be better than what the Democrats and Republicans are offering! This Republican is registering Libetarian now!

From Emily, Severn, MD

Root and Barr sound like the strongest candidates of the five – neither talks in wishy-washy terms of maybe somehow miraculously getting elected, and neither is running under the very polarizing notion of legalizing all drugs.

I have my own personal opinions on how best to run the country, as does every other armchair quarterback across the world. I respect anyone who feels strongly enough to actually have a go at getting their ideas put into action.

Personally, I feel the government has never met a field it couldn't hopelessly screw up once it got its fingers in the pie. The Department of Education is a particular sore spot for me. People ask me why I won't consider sending my children to a public school. The answer: why would I send my children to a place where they can get drugs, get shot, and get pregnant with much more ease than they can get an actual education?

From Barr for President, GA

Impeachment Manager Bob Barr is best known for his appearance in the movie "Borat" where he accepted and ate cheese which a fake reporter told him was made from his wife's breast milk. This shows the type of judgment and communication skills we need in a president.

From Ben, New York, NY

If they do stand a chance I am going to start my own party…Equistairian
- We would politicize from water.

From Jon, NYC, NY

There has to be a better outlet for them to lobby their points and spend money. My 4 year old son has some ideas on how to make our household run more efficiently. Maybe he should run for "President".

From MJones, Atlanta GA

There is no department of technology or department of morality in the US, but they exist in other countries. The focus of the department of education is k-12; their record of achievement is average at best. the DOE has little say on College and professional education where we are the envy of the world in that arena. There are more choices, more degree programs offered, and more ways to attend school (online, audio course, or nightly) every year. How many bureaucrats would it take to execute that plan?

Many people either refuse to see or cant see the way government tends to consume resources and corrupt institutions; to most libretarians its obvious, to many others (mostly television watchers) it isnt – in fact they repeat what is on the television: "the government doesnt do anything about xyz".

Every history book pretty much repeats this point and takes it a step further by emploring that the government do more, but that issue of encroaching government power is never made clear. Its high time it should be made clear.

Or maybe we do want an almighty central government to make all our decisions…..:(

From Eddie Sander, dover DE

they are all retarded. you cannot eliminate the departments of education and energy. Granted, they may need reform, but if you eliminate them there is no way we as a country will be able to break our dependency on oil as an energy resource or have hopes for future generations of intelligent children growing up into intelligent adults.

However, I do believe we can eliminate the department of homeland security and the patriot act. We've lived without them for years and can do so into the future while saving millions of dollars. If eliminated, people will argue "what about the terrorists? we're unprotected now". That's bull. All we need is a president who will stand up and say "if you f*ck with the United States, we will absolutely destroy you" and then follow up on it…..hey, maybe i should run.

From Paul, New York, NY

Mike Gravel is also considering to be running for the Libertarian spot.

From Adam, Denver CO

Its amazing that people consistently online attack new/different ideas with "that will never work" or "those people are crazy" but NEVER bother to say WHY it won't work or what makes them crazy. I'm not saying we should get rid of the DEA, but if you are going to refute a claim or attempt to argue a point…at least actually do so and don't just spout off at the mouth.

From Nick, Glendale, Az

Thankfully, these candidates will never really be considered. I mean, getting rid of the DEA? Yeah, that will work…. I would like to leave running the country to the people who actually know what they are doing and let them keep doing it. I would rather have someone who is educated in actual political science and make a mistake (because we are human), than a high school dropout who got lucky in the business world or some dumb actor/actress who thinks he(she) knows better because they spent 3 days in some foreign country. They actually do have a say in things, it called VOTING…

From Joel Sam,Bowie MD

I am a young Arfican American small business owner and I think this is great! Its about time we had some better options than the two big government parties. I would take Root or Barr over Obama and Mcain any day.

From Keith Fitzgerald

bunch o' loons…