What Voters Should Know About Gary Thompson

This election year is nothing short of historic. We find ourselves not only choosing between a female presidential candidate and a potentially last democratically elected president but also navigating a political landscape where major party candidates are facing unprecedented levels of public disapproval. In light of this turmoil, many voters are looking to third-party candidates more seriously than they have in recent memory. Among those candidates, Gary Thompson of the Libertarian Party is attracting attention, particularly among younger voters, with 27% of millennials expressing support for him, just edging out Trump and trailing Clinton closely.

So what makes Gary Thompson a notable alternative? Here are some key points to consider.

Climate Change? Not a Priority for Thompson

While Thompson acknowledges that climate change might be a real issue, he doesn’t believe human activity plays a significant role in it — and he sees no reason to address it. Although he theoretically supports the Environmental Protection Agency, he wants to cut its funding. Instead, he proposes using “Good Samaritan” laws to encourage corporations to clean up their environmental messes, allowing them to continue polluting nearby areas. He also opposes international agreements aimed at reducing emissions from coal-burning nations like China and is in favor of new coal plants and the Keystone XL Pipeline. As for a backup plan for a warming planet? He suggests colonizing other planets, a fun idea, but he also wants to cut funding for programs like NASA that could make it a reality.

LGBT Rights: Equal But Not Protected

Thompson supports marriage equality but believes that it’s not the government’s role to protect LGBT individuals from discrimination. While he’s endorsed a law in Utah aimed at curbing discrimination in housing and employment, it creates a hierarchy of rights that places religious beliefs above sexual or gender identity. This essentially means that a person’s religious objections could justify discrimination against LGBT individuals — a troubling stance that implies, “All are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Black Lives Matter, But Not to the Government

Gary Thompson has commended the Black Lives Matter movement for spotlighting racism in policing but believes the real issue lies with the war on drugs, arguing that ending it will resolve racial sentencing disparities. While he acknowledges institutional racism, his proposed solutions to combat it are vague and lack actionable items.

Private Prisons: A Good Idea?

Despite the well-documented dangers and inefficiencies of private prisons, Thompson supports them, believing that ending the war on drugs will mitigate human rights abuses. However, the problems with private prisons extend far beyond drug offenses. The private prison lobby is powerful, and empowering them further could hinder meaningful reform.

Dismantling Social Safety Nets

Thompson plans to privatize Social Security and raise the retirement age to 72, just shy of the average American life expectancy. He also aims to defund public education in favor of a voucher system, which has been linked to increased segregation in schools. His vision seems to prioritize privatizing social services over assisting the American populace.

Wall Street Banks Get a Boost

In an era marked by financial crises, Thompson wants to repeal regulations on big banks, including Dodd-Frank, which currently holds banks accountable for unethical practices. Critics within the Libertarian community argue that his stance on financial oversight is anything but libertarian, as it removes protections against monopolies and fraud.

Gun Ownership: No Restrictions

With gun violence rampant in America, Thompson supports repealing laws that prevent domestic abusers from acquiring firearms. The only potential regulation he’s mentioned concerns restricting access to guns for the mentally ill, yet he has not provided clear policies on this matter.

Mental Health Treatment: A Veto Power

As governor, Thompson vetoed legislation aimed at requiring insurance companies to cover mental health care equally with physical health care. This decision has significant implications, particularly for veterans, who face alarming suicide rates.

Veterans Affairs: A Dismantling Plan

Thompson has criticized the VA for its inefficiencies but does not offer a robust alternative. His proposal to enable veterans to seek care outside the VA system lacks crucial details and could lead to rising healthcare costs without adequate regulation.

Foreign Policy: A Lack of Understanding

When asked about Aleppo, Thompson’s response shocked many, as he was unaware of its significance in the ongoing humanitarian crisis. He believes the U.S. should not intervene in issues like ISIS, assuming it will resolve itself, and he couldn’t name a world leader he respects, raising concerns about his readiness for international diplomacy.

Women’s Rights: A Mixed Bag

Thompson’s pro-choice stance is undermined by his intention to appoint conservative judges likely to challenge abortion rights. He also opposes late-term abortions, which often occur under dire medical circumstances. Moreover, he has no plans to support paid parental leave, leaving American families behind compared to their global counterparts.

In conclusion, casting a vote for Gary Thompson does not equate to a vote for a brighter future for the planet, minorities, or women. In fact, it could inadvertently support Donald Trump. With third-party candidates influencing polls in a way that favors Trump, the stakes are too high to consider a candidate with such questionable positions. If it were a direct match between Thompson and Trump, a vote for Thompson might be a reasonable alternative, but this election is not that simple. Among the candidates, Hillary Clinton stands out as the most qualified and stable option.

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Summary:

Gary Thompson’s candidacy presents a range of controversial positions on critical issues like climate change, LGBT rights, and healthcare. While he may appeal to some voters seeking alternatives to mainstream candidates, his policies may not align with the values of those prioritizing social justice, environmental protection, and healthcare reform. Ultimately, voters should weigh their options carefully, especially in the context of the broader political landscape.