The Munger-McCory Debate: Part II
Here in North Carolina, the Libertarian Party has succeeded in getting onto the ballot this year after untold numbers of volunteer hours and lots of money. It takes a lot to overcome the state government's concerted efforts to keep the voters from having any choice but Democrat and Republican. Even being on the ballot, it's a struggle to get our candidates included in debates. Mike Munger, our candidate for Governor, has been excluded from several debates so far, including those hosted by WRAL and the Public Forum for North Carolina Education. The hosts of the final gubernatorial debate on October 15 have decided to include Dr. Munger.
WUNC-TV, on the other hand, has included Mike in both of their debates, the second of which was last night. Democratic contender BevPerdue declined both debate invitations, but Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the GOP candidate, did participate. I thought the first one was pretty decent, but Munger didn't come out as strongly as I would have liked with libertarian positions on education and a few other issues (although his positions were certainly closer to libertarian than McCrory's).
The second debate, however, saw Munger give strong libertarian positions on nearly everything, which I was grateful to see. You can link to it from Mike's site or, in case it moves off his home page, try this permanent link. The only issue I had was one comment Mike made about tax hikes being okay as long as they're done properly. Tsk! Tsk! No, Mike, tax hikes are never okay. Never. Ever. A Libertarian should never advocate a tax hike or spending increase or claim that they're even theoretically okay "if done properly." The end goal of the Libertarian Party is a totally free society, one without a government that collects taxes and imposes its will. Any move in the other direction is a contradiction of that goal and only fit for one of the pro-government parties. But other than that, Mike Munger hit hard on some big issues and showed the clear differences between himself and McCrory.
I'm looking forward to the October 15 debate in which all three candidates will participate.
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