The Libertarian Response to the State of the Union
Delivered by LNC Chair, Whitney Bilyeu on Tuesday, March 1, 2022
For just over 230 years, the President of the United States has addressed Congress and the nation to deliver an annual message. This message has been delivered during good times and bad, times of prosperity and times of need, and throughout most of my life — during times of war.
Tonight for over an hour, the 46th President of the United States bloviated and pandered his way through the same old tired partisan proposals for tax increases, spending increases, price controls, escalating the failed war on drugs, and a laundry list of things he has not been able to accomplish. Is it any wonder that only 37% of Americans approve of the job this President is doing?
As expected, the opposition Party’s response, though shorter, was no better — both sides Propagandizing where it suits them — and perpetuating fear, uncertainty, and doubt in an attempt to endear the People to the heavy hand of government. The only way the two establishment parties seem to improve their support is by making each other look worse and worse in an unending race to the bottom.
From the vantage point of Libertarians, the State of the Union is… wrong.
President Biden spent a significant amount of time speaking about Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine and what the US response has been thus far. He reiterated that the US will not send troops to fight a war with Russia in Ukraine, but is pulling American men and women away from their homes for deployment to NATO countries in Europe. While the Libertarian Party, too, opposes involving American troops in the war in Ukraine, we recognize that a long history of rushing into conflicts around the globe leaves both old parties with damaged track records as peacemakers. So, the Libertarian Party will be plain and clear. Under no circumstances should we enter into another war that would cost thousands of American lives and significantly increase the already $30 trillion national debt. We call on Americans from across the political spectrum to join us in holding this administration accountable for demonstrating a commitment to peace.
Furthermore, the Libertarian Party stands in solidarity with the Russian people who widely reject the actions of their tyrannical president, and who do not want war with their Ukrainian neighbors. In a statement released last week, the Libertarian Party of Russia urged foreign decision makers against “a collectivist approach to sanctions.” They went on to say “Russian people as a whole are not responsible for this atrocity and do not condone it. This is being perpetrated by individuals. And we ask that blame and punishment be meted out individually as well.” We stand with the Libertarian Party of Russia, and with the many others condemning the actions of their government. We stand with them in entreating policy makers and everyday Americans alike to ensure that as we sever ties with the Russian autocrats aggressing against the people of Ukraine, we do not abandon those amongst the Russian people risking their lives and livelihoods to overcome the tyranny of the regime.
While sanctions against bloodthirsty megalomaniacs are understandably a reasonable response, we must not allow our actions to bring more harm to innocent people in Russia or Ukraine. The United States should immediately take steps to welcome all refugees fleeing the region. This immoral war, as with continuing conflicts in the Middle East, and China perpetually threatening the sovereignty of the people of Hong Kong and
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