Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik addressed University students and local community members in Maury Hall last night as part of his campaign, issuing a call for fundamental change in the American government and political system.
Speaking before a large crowd, Badnarik began by declaring his fear for the state of constitutional rights in America.
"I am very concerned about my country," Badnarik said. "The Bill of Rights is under attack."
Badnarik derided the unconstitutionality of gun control laws, the Patriot Act and the Federal Reserve, among other measures.
"Most of what our government does is unconstitutional," Badnarik said. "I find that unconscionable and totally unacceptable."
The key to reforming the American political system is to adopt the Libertarian principles of individual rights and personal responsibility, according to Badnarik.
"The definition of liberty is making your own choices," he said.
Voters should vote for a candidate they could respect, not because the candidate is a Republican or Democrat, Badnarik said.
"If you vote for the Democrats and the Republicans, you're committing political suicide," he said.
During a question and answer session following his speech, Badnarik discussed many specific issues on his platform, including unconventional planks such as privatizing education, returning to the gold standard and eliminating the Internal Revenue Service. Many of his answers contained analogies that provoked laughter from the crowd, such as when Badnarik responded to a question about replacing income tax with a consumption tax.
"It doesn't make sense to take away arsenic and give you strychnine," he said.
Badnarik also quickly dispelled any doubt as to who his favorite president was.
"Thomas Jefferson was absolutely my favorite president, and I suspect, the best president this country has ever had," Badnarik said.
But Badnarik soberly discussed topics such as 9/11 and airport security.
"I cannot promise you that you live in a risk-free society," Badnarik said.
Badnarik's speech ended the first of a four-day visit to Central Virginia. In addition to several interviews, Badnarik has already met with the Tuesday Morning Group, an organization of businessmen dedicated to free-market economic principles, and is scheduled to hold at least one fundraiser during his stay in Central Virginia, according to tour coordinator and Asst. Engineering Prof. Jim Lark.
Besides promoting Badnarik's campaign, the University Libertarians, who joined the Jefferson Area Libertarians and Jefferson Society in organizing the visit, hoped to energize members and would-be members, according to University Libertarians President Chris Coyle.
"We're really hoping people who were on the edge will get excited and try to help us out," Coyle said.
Coyle added that spreading the Libertarian message was important, even if Badnarik does not win the 2004 election.
"It's a long term project getting people to think about government in their lives," Coyle said.
Several students in the audience were Libertarians, including third-year College student Andrew Morgan.
"I thought he was extremely knowledgeable and gave a great presentation," Morgan said.
Many Virginians from outside the University came to hear Badnarik speak, including Nelson County school administrator Bonnie Holliday, who praised the general Libertarian message but said she had doubts about many of Badnarik's specific policies.
"I was interested in hearing another point of view besides what the media normally portrays," Holliday said.
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