"The only thing I fear more than the government shutting down is the government continuing to run"

Hello Radio_Randy,
First impressions are often right and powerful, but one must make exceptions, no? Would you judge AS by its cover? :)
I would wish to gauge the level of zealotry, either religious or atheistic. I have a personal preference, but our nation is already divided enough. I feel we would fare best if it was not overt and dominating in the thoughts and governance of whoever is in consideration.
Respectfully,
O.A.

Not to opt out. To vote with integrity and principle. The statists don't deserve any support, they deserve to be voted out. The only way that will ever happen is if we vote against them en masse. That may not happen this year, but it can't happen ever unless we vote based on principle. Johnson is worth voting for this year. I bet there will be other libertarians that are worthy of your vote in your location, too. They don't have all the right answers but they do have the basics that the GOP and Dems do not: individual liberty and free markets.

This changes everything. I could vote for him over trump, no problem. Just the entertainment value alone would be worth it.

Hello RobertFl,
I heard Ron White was considering a run too...
http://ronwhiteforpresident.com/
I could vote for him, just for the laughs.
Respectfully,
O.A.

So, your position is to say a plague on both your houses, and to opt out. As for me, I'm not quite to the same place as you are. I still see a glimmer of the true spirit of America, and like a dying ember I'm trying to help fan it back into a flame. Maybe it's a lost cause, but I'm a stubborn old geezer.

Hello DrZarkoff99,
That is the math of it. One cannot deny the pragmatic and practical reality. One must do as their conscious dictates.
Respectfully,
O.A.

Hello Herb7734,
"The enemy of my enemy..." Yes, Cruz has that going for him.
So hard to judge one by their accomplishments yet to occur... :D
As for what he has done so far... Well, he has made a lot of the right enemies. His mysticism is probably as impotent legislatively as any modern POTUS... Assessing potential threat level of the candidates is what it has come down too...

The contest is a popularity/beauty contest and Circus Maximus... this too is what it has become.
As individuals we must make our own way as best as we can and provide example. For those that wish to take the path of destruction.... just don't let them take you with them.
Regards,
O.A.

Hello ohiocrossroads,
Good quote.
Thank's,
O.A.

Hello mdk2608,
It appears at least that he has read it... Yes. He would be a superior judge. :)
Regards,
O.A.

I hope you are wrong about a nominee based on emotion. We've had too many years of that now.

I've been feeling this way about my entire nation for decades: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvAYG...

Not wanting to impose but is Steve open to behind-the-scenes tours. I want to see Monticello in the next couple years and would jump at the opportunity. Thanks.

Yes - surprising given his father's experience.

Hello jbrenner,
We have failed in that regard. Not us specifically... Our fellow citizens have failed us. Just one more failure of collectivism... The inevitable result of rejecting original intent and adherence to our founding documents. We were born too late. There is little land left on earth that a government would not crush any Gulch. One would need to build anew Atlantis under the ocean or on the moon...
Perhaps our lost Republic may once again rise like the Phoenix.
One can hope,
O.A.

What kills more Americans ?:
a) medical mistakes
b) terrorists
c) federal government

If we did withdraw, we would have virtual fence that kept Trump out. We like our property rights down here. :)

Howdy, pardner... :)

Hello term2,
Some people must learn the hard way. Generally our public education system is ideologically sympathetic to Marxism, altruism, statism and collectivism. Thus, history contrary to these ideologies is scrubbed... slanted...

“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”
― Edmund Burke
Respecfully,
O.A.

Hello johnpe1,
Not to diminish the losses at the hands of terrorists, but which is actually more of a threat to the public liberty at large? Where are the priorities of people? of the media?
Yeah, we are once again going to be stuck with someone not of our liking. Nowadays It feels lucky just to imagine having someone barely tolerable.
Respectfully,
O.A.

Hello dbhalling,
Very. His father was a more seasoned campaigner, yet I hope he sharpens his skills for the future. He is one of the few who shifts my balance in their direction.
Regards,
O.A.

Maybe. Too early to tell yet.

Besides the gang of 8 thing I am curious if anyone knows anything that Rubio has accomplished in the Senate. I can't think of anything. Yes I like his speaking skills but I have a problem with first term senators with no record of accomplishment and who can speak well. That issue is always on my mind when I am tempted to support Rubio.

Yes, it is, because it supports a bigger evil state. If the GOP supports a candidate the candidate is guaranteed to be for a bigger more powerful government. The candidate selection process is rigged. You get nothing but betrayal from the GOP. The state grows just as fast regardless of which party sits in the oval office. the past 30 years proves the point.

Funny:) A lot of people wanted to commit suicide when Hari Kari broadcasted the Cubs games too.