With the 2016 election coming up, many Americans do not like what they are seeing. With the Republican nominee likely being Donald Trump and the Democratic race in a tight heat between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, many Americans are wondering what to do if the candidate they don’t want wins the nomination. The most obvious option is vote for the opposite party, but for this election that's not a wise idea.
One option, widely overlooked by voters, is voting for a third-party candidate. The largest third-party group in the United States is the Libertarian party. Libertarianism, as said by 2016 candidate, Gary Johnson, is “about personal freedom and responsibility and being able to make your own choices as long as it doesn’t adversely affect others.” A running joke amongst most Libertarians is that they're secretly plotting to take over the world, then leaving everyone alone. Aside from the views of personal freedom, they also believe in a limited government.
The time is now to give focus to Libertarianism. Third parties in America can't be in the presidential debate and their campaigns rely on funding by individual donors. On April 14th, Bernie and Hillary’s debate for the New York Primary was covered with grand circumstance by CNN. And as for the Libertarian party debate? It was covered by one channel only: Fox Business. In turn, candidates have moved away from broadcast media towards online outlets such as debates via Facebook Live. It would be nice to be able to have the mainstream media cover them more, and luckily there is a way for this to happen. In the national election, they must get 5% of the popular vote. This will put them in the spotlight in media coverage, as the two-party system gains a third-party.
If nothing else, remember the following this election season:
1. Do your research on the candidates and know what they stand for. This is a quiz that will show what candidate you side with on issues.
2. Voting is all up to you. Hopefully, this election season you will give Libertarianism a chance.
