Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson says ‘crony capitalism is alive and well’
Jul 20, 2016, 12:23 PM | Updated: 12:35 pm
Dori also spoke with Gary Johnson at the conventions. (KIRO Radio file photo)
(KIRO Radio file photo)
KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson is at the Republican National Convention in Ohio, but his heart this November might lie with the libertarian party.
Monson spoke with Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson Wednesday, telling the former New Mexico governor that his message of smaller government and equal opportunity could resonate in Seattle.
“I love Seattle and I think the libertarian message is perfect for everywhere,” Johnson said. “That’s the pitch I’m trying to make.”
Related: Dori’s advice for Republicans who don’t support Trump: Vote Libertarian
While Dori voted Libertarian in 2008, he does have a gripe with Johnson: That he doesn’t appear to be trying hard enough to get his message out. Dori said he’s attempted to get Johnson, who is polling at about 13 percent, on his show but never gets a call returned. It’s the same gripe Dori heard from a producer at CNN.
“I don’t even know if he’s serious about running,” Dori said after the Johnson interview.
During his conversation with Johnson, Dori asked what it would take for the Libertarian message to get through.
“I think it’s happening right now,” Johnson said. “That it just needs to be an acknowledgment of how significant 13 percent is and I think you are seeing, I think everybody is seeing it but it just hasn’t been acknowledged like it should be.”
Dori spoke with Johnson about the disenchantment with both Democrats and Republicans that is quite evident at the RNC. Johnson said he and fellow libertarian candidate Bill Weld are driving “on a big six-lane highway between the two” parties.
Johnson said the Libertarian Parties’ values are reflective of most Americans.
“The notion of keep government out of my pocketbook, keep government out of the bedroom; that free trade, free markets – that’s how we’re going to rule the world,” Johnson said. “And that our military interventions have had the unintended consequence of making things worse, not better.”
Dori voiced his concern to Johnson about millennials, who Dori believes are always looking for a handout — starting with the push for a $15 minimum wage.
“They want government to be their alpha and omega,” Dori said. “And that seems to be the trend that’s pushing forward.”
“There are a lot of people that believe that,” Johnson responded. “I am kind of in the camp that (ask), are millennials really looking for government handout, or are they looking for equal opportunity – something government can provide, something government can strive for? So I’m putting that notion to the test. Government can’t be a giveaway, but government can provide a level playing field. And that’s what our libertarian candidacy is offering up.”
Johnson added that “you can’t achieve equality unless you’re going to take from someone else,” which is opposite of the libertarian perspective.
“Look, individual and freedom but for all; not selected few,” he said. “Crony capitalism is alive and well. This is a system that’s up for sale. Those with money are able to buy influence, are able to buy preference. And you know what, you can step in the middle of that and not make that happen.”
And Johnson’s take on the candidates put out by the two major Parties?
“Don’t waste your vote on somebody you don’t believe in,” he said, laughing. “Which will leave myself and Bill Weld as the candidates to vote for.”
