Aaron Russo -- Libertarian
Aaron Russo is a top Hollywood producer. His films -- which include "The Rose" (starring Bette Midler), "Trading Places," and "Missing Pieces" -- have received six Academy Awards and two Golden Globe nominations. He was the first producer in Hollywood history to command a $1 million fee.
Russo has been remarkably outspoken in his opposition to run-amok government. In 1994 he attempted to launch a new political party, the Constitution Party, which had a platform almost identical in theme to that of the Libertarian Party.
Shortly thereafter he produced and starred in a sizzling hour-long videotape, "Aaron Russo's Mad As Hell." In the tape -- which was sold via mail and also aired in some late-night "infomercial" spots -- Russo goes after government abuses in a slash-and-burn style, sometimes humorous, sometimes angry, sometimes poignant. Among the major targets are the IRS -- which stands for, he says, "It Really Sucks" -- the War on Drugs, the Social Security scam, and the FDA. The tape looks like a pilot for a possible TV show, though no such show has emerged.
Getting his resume out there would have helped.
But the fact remains that the Libertarians would pull out of Iraq and fight the War on Terrorists Clinton-style. Right now, America is doing its best to protect the innocent and defeat the guilty over there, while keeping the war off our own shores. I support that effort.
I agree with LibertyBob's comment in that the LP platform needs to be prioritized and that viable alternatives to government programs must be developed and presented before anybody is shoved off the train, as it were. Cato and The Advocates are doing that, by the way, along with several other think tanks, but an effective presentation by a candidate is required. And there needs to be less resistance from the delegates to candidates who won't push all aspects of the platform equally.
They need a program of do-able changes like the Contract With America.
No comments:
Post a Comment