by Katy Knapp
Daily Lobo
Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik, who wrapped up a two-week media tour in New Mexico on Saturday, said the election this November could be a life-or-death decision for college-age voters.
Badnarik said the Libertarian Party contests any military draft that includes college students, and compared it to slavery.
"The Libertarian Party is the only party that views mandatory military service as involuntary servitude," he said.
The war in Iraq is a hot topic for all parties in this year's election and is the main focus for Badnarik's campaign.
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"George Bush wants to be a war president and continue fighting in Iraq," Badnarik said. "John Kerry wants to send 40,000 more troops to Iraq, and I believe there is no reason for us to be in Iraq. I want to bring our sons and daughters home as safely as possible."
Badnarik said the war on terrorism is like "shadowboxing."
"You don't know when you win, or when you are finished," he said. "It could continue for decades. Bombing other countries and their buildings is not going to reduce the number of terrorists."
The war on drugs is another topic he said needs reform. Badnarik said drug laws, not drugs themselves, are the real problem.
"We recognize that the decades-old war on drugs is not working," he said. "We have more drugs on the street right now than we did 50 years ago."
He said drug laws are an invasion of privacy and property.
"Because of an anonymous phone call, (the police) can kick in your door at 2 o'clock in the morning and do a search," he said.
Badnarik said he is concerned about addictions to illegal substances, but more people would be likely to get help if they weren't afraid of getting thrown in jail when seeking medical attention.
He said people will use drugs regardless of legality. Legalizing drugs would reduce criminal activities such as gang violence and trafficking, but he added that legalization is not the same as promoting drug use.
Regarding foreign policy, Badnarik said America should take George Washington's advice when he gave his farewell speech and recommended the United States maintain an economic tie with all countries and an entangling alliance with none.
"In other words, don't mess with other people's lives," he said.
Morgan Pierce, co-chair for the College Democrats, said it is impossible to separate the mix of liberal and conservative views that make up the Libertarian philosophy.
"I disagree with Libertarian policy because of their economic and social stances," she said. "Welfare and health care is such a cornerstone of the democratic philosophy, so I can't support the Libertarians."
