Pr5 | Libertarian Party of Alabama

"The sole object and only legitimate end of government is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property, and when the government assumes other functions, it is usurpation and oppression."

- Alabama Constitution

Bob Barr Accurately Predicted Bailout Crisis

Libertarian Party of Alabama Applauds Aderholt's "No" Vote

Birmingham, AL - The U.S House of Representatives failed to pass the $700 billion bailout measure earlier today by margin of 205 to 228. Of the Alabama congressional delegation, Congressman Aderholt was the only person to vote against the bill.

"While I often find myself at odds with Congressman Aderholt, his vote today should be certainly be applauded," said Libertarian Party of Alabama Chairman Stephen Gordon. "Unlike the two major parties, Libertarians support fiscal responsibility and oppose government intervention into the marketplace. Public opinion polling shows that an overwhelming majority of Americans agree with the libertarian position on this and many other issues."

Today, the New York Times stated that "a majority of the House voted along with Bob Barr, the Libertarian who said, 'We need to make Wall Street take the hit for its irresponsible investment decisions.'" Previously, Politico indicated that former Congressman Barr, who is running for President on the Libertarian Party ticket, had earned the bragging rights to say "I told you so" about the general bailout situation.

Barr accurately predicted that once the bailout floodgate is opened for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, it will be difficult to stop the process for other corporate or government entities. On Neil Cavuto's Fox News program, Barr referred to the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac intervention as "a BOFH. This is a bailout from hell."

"Barr is consistently and courageously battling on principle for the rights of the common man -- unlike most of our state congressional delegation, leaders from both parties on the Hill, as well as McCain and Obama," said Gordon. "Obama claims to offer change, while he's picking the pocket of the taxpayer to enrich major corporations. McCain's claim of being a maverick is disingenuous at best, as his statements on the bailout place him in league with the president and the rest of the senior GOP leadership. The only presidential candidate supporting a constitutional limited role of government is Congressman Barr."

The Libertarian Party of Alabama urges all Alabama voters to continue to contact their elected representatives and demand that they vote "no" on any current or future bailout proposal.

Stephen Gordon serves as the Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Alabama, Chair of the Libertarian State Leadership Alliance (national organization of LP state chairs) and as the eCampaign Manager for the Bob Barr 2008 Presidential Campaign.