In the Midst of the Storm
As I write this America is still reeling from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on our nation. We in Monmouth County were hit particularly hard. And none of us know what the days ahead will bring. Another attack? An American military response?
In a very real sense, we'll never put the shock, grief and outrage behind us. But as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow we will -- as a country and as individuals -- have to proceed with our lives. For us, as a political party, that means returning to our job: the promotion of the Libertarian Party here in Monmouth County.
To some extent, the job will be more difficult. An atmosphere of understandable and proper patriotic fervor can be a tough environment for a party which has such deep-seated criticisms of the government. Similarly an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty is a tough environment for a party that places the highest value on individual liberty.
We can draw strength from the knowledge that ours is a true, deep-seated patriotism. It's more than allegiance to a flag, it's allegiance to the values that flag represents. We don't campaign to elect politicians, we campaign to defend and advance core American values.
We should proceed with the greatest sensitivity for the pain and concern voters are feeling. But we must proceed. We must redouble our efforts on behalf of civil liberties and a non-interventionist foreign policy. We must not let our nation lose its way as it responds to this attack.
A strong Libertarian vote total on November 6 will be the best message we can send to those, foreign and domestic, who would divert America from its proper course. I urge everyone to do his or her share in the recovery process, be it giving blood, counseling the grief-stricken or donating to relief efforts. And on Election Day put an exclamation point after those efforts by voting Libertarian.
Pat Bontempo
County Chair