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If you’re looking outside of the typical party lines for this year’s election you are bound to come across Bob Barr. Barr seems to be cut from the same cloth as Ron Paul so if you already like his positions Barr is right around the corner. The question becomes, is he conservative enough? I’m sure a lot of people may think so but there are some things that I just don’t like.

Right from the jump you have to decide what differences on issues that you’ll accept and which you won’t. For some of us there isn’t any candidate that fits the bill perfectly so we have to weigh the options. Barr has interesting stances when it comes to laws and regulating drugs which are worth noting.

The weirdest stance I’ve ever heard from a candidate is that he supports a person’s right to be addicted to illegal drugs. In his opinion people should be free to dope up on heroine or crack. The problems with this are numerous, from the influence on children to the lives taken by drugs it’s a wonder that he is so gladly supportive of junkies.

This is beyond legalizing marijuana. It’s funny because just five years ago Barr took it upon himself to fight against medical marijuana. Now that he is the candidate for a party that supports it he has magically changed his tune. For a man trying to be on the other side of politics as usual he is right in line as yet another flip flopper.

Bar on the war on drugs now:

“I, over the years, have taken a very strong stand on drug issues, but in light of the tremendous growth of government power since 9/11, it has forced me and other conservatives to go back and take a renewed look at how big and powerful we want the government to be in people’s lives,” Barr said.

Aaron Houston, the project’s government relations director, said Barr brings a “great deal of credibility, particularly among people on the Republican side of the aisle.”

Barr on the war on drugs then:

After entering the House of Representatives in 1995, Georgia Republican Bob Barr acquired a reputation as one of the most conservative members of Congress. It was Barr who in 1996 wrote the Defense of Marriage Act; it was Barr who protested when he learned the military allowed soldiers to practice Wicca. A former federal prosecutor, a firm social conservative, and a strong supporter of the War on Drugs, Barr doesn’t fit most people’s image of a civil libertarian. Source: Jesse Walker, in Reason Magazine, “right wing of the ACLU” Dec 1, 2003

Vote to pass a bill that provides $429.1 million in funds for the District of Columbia and approves the District’s $6.8 billion budget. Among other provisions, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for needle exchange programs, prohibits implementing an approved ballot initiative to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana. Reference: Bill sponsored by Istook, R-OK; Bill HR 3064 ; vote number 1999-504 on Oct 14, 1999

You have to take into account that Barr used to be a Republican and supposedly a strong conservative. Now that he is a libertarian he has to change his mind on certain issues. That’s not legitimate, you have to stand for what you are preaching, not for political reasons. For this, Mr. Barr, I have to pass on you.

Barr is also against the Iraq war which is good for attracting those on the left. He used to be against gay marriage but now is against restricted the rights of gays. Another obviously flip flop which is an attempt to appeal to the Ron Paul crew. It’s becoming clear that Barr is just another typical political figure. Something that is not good for America.

To be fair I am very happy with Barr’s stance on abortion. Like Paul, Barr is staunchly against abortion and hasn’t turned his back on that issue for policy reasons. The one issue just isn’t enough. If I was as fickle as a one topic voter I’d be jumping for joy for McCain right now and you know that’s not true.

Barr is great for people already on Ron Paul’s fan wagon. For anyone else, like real conservatives, Barr is just not enough. This year is a tough one for anyone hoping for a win all situation. There are other candidates out there but the truth remains that their chances of winning are practically none. Should we all prepare for a protest vote? Is that even worth it? I suppose we’ll see.

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Tags:  Bob Barr ron paul War on Drugs