Do you believe in limited government? Are you planning on voting to re-elect President George W. Bush? If so, reconsider your principles. Do you plan on supporting the biggest-spending president in recent years, one whose non-military discretionary spending skyrocketed by 20.8 percent during the first three years of his term? The deficit has exploded under Mr. Bush to $500 billion this year alone — and to imply that such a yawning deficit will never need to be repaid in the form of higher taxes smacks of remarkable naivete. Is this the small-government conservative you intend to support?

Indeed, no trace of the ideals of limited government can be found in Mr. Bush’s philosophy — from the long arm of his Attorney General who has sought to expand federal police powers and circumvent states’ rights at every turn to his own federalization of education, Mr. Bush’s federal power grab has outdone even Ted Kennedy’s wildest dreams. Is this truly the philosophy of limited government you believe in?

Finally, consider the issue of free markets, of which Mr. Bush has only shown the utmost disdain. Need proof? Consider the bloated farm bill Mr. Bush signed into existence, whose effect has only been to further distort agriculture prices, subsidize massive corporate operations at the expense of small farmers it ostensibly was intended to protect and to further rob the American taxpayer blind.

If you are still a true believer in the ideals of this nation’s founding, abandon the party of Bush — a better alternative exists. Consider supporting the Libertarian Party, the true party of limited government, free markets and personal freedom. If you truly want the government out of your wallet and out of your personal life, the Libertarians are for you. Anything less is simply a wasted vote.

Steve Skutnik

Graduate Student

Physics & Astronomy