opinion

The Libertarian Party is calling for restraint in words and actions when dealing with Iran. "The charged rhetoric from the Bush administration regarding Iran is very similar to that which was common in the lead up to the war with Iraq," says Libertarian Party National Chairman William Redpath, "and that's a path we do not need to travel down again."

"Opening up a third front against Iran would be absolutely disastrous for our economy and our military," says Redpath. "The Bush administration needs to weigh their rhetoric carefully, so as not to increase tensions in an already strained situation."

This week, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen stated in a Pentagon press conference that his preference is "to handle all of this diplomatically with the other powers of governments," adding that "opening up a third front right now would be extremely stressful" on the Armed Forces.

"Iran should not be the new Iraq," says Libertarian Party spokesperson Andrew Davis. "An attack on Iran would be like opening the Pandora's box of foreign policy. All the evils we've spent the last five years in Iraq trying to put back in the box would be unleashed all over again, and I fear this time the lid will never be able to be closed. Attacking Iran would be game over for our economy, our military readiness and the entire stability of the Middle East."

The Libertarian Party believes that the United States should abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world and avoid entangling alliances with other nations by eliminating economic and military aid. The Party believes that free trade and diplomacy are the best tools for ensuring an America that is at peace with the world.

In a video released recently by Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr's campaign, both John McCain and Barack Obama are targeted for their mixed rhetoric on Iran.

Defusing the confrontation with Iran will not be easy, Barr recently stated, “but any nonproliferation strategy must begin with diplomacy and include a willingness to address the other side.” In this way President George W. Bush has failed, and Senator McCain is set to follow in his footsteps. Senator Obama may be more inclined to try a new approach, but “he is a weather vane, pushed around by the lightest political breezes,” says Barr. “We need new leadership that is both strong and thoughtful to meet today’s many serious foreign policy challenges, such as Iran.”

The Libertarian Party is America's third largest political party, founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party by visiting http://www.LP.org. The Libertarian Party proudly stands for smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.