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Letters: Libertarian Party offers a third choice, flaws and all

ISSUE | CAMPAIGN 2016 Libertarian flaws Political columnist John Baer should have provided a more complete picture of Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson ("Johnson worth a a look," Wednesday).

ISSUE | CAMPAIGN 2016

Libertarian flaws

Political columnist John Baer should have provided a more complete picture of Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson ("Johnson worth a a look," Wednesday).

For instance, Johnson wants to slash Medicare and Medicaid programs by 43 percent and raise the retirement age to at least 70. He opposes any sensible gun control.

In an interview with the Washington Post, he didn't know what the nuclear triad is (submarine-launched ballistic missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and heavy bombers), which, as the Post said, might have been understandable if the issue hadn't also tripped up Donald Trump in a nationally televised debate.

And then there was Johnson's cluelessness about the Syrian city of Aleppo, which shows he's not prepared on foreign policy.

While Baer mentioned that gaffe, he seemed to dismiss Johnson's lack of knowledge.

On another important issue, Johnson believes climate change is real but says regulations to deal with it are not needed because consumers will demand clean energy. That's just a fairy-tale view.

|Ellie Reader, Lansdale

A third option

Michael Smerconish's commentary about opening the presidential debates to Libertarians should be lauded for recognizing that there has to be another choice besides Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump ("Open debates to Libertarians," Sept. 11). Gary Johnson and Bill Weld offer the American people two proven former governors who were Republicans elected twice in red states.

Americans want change in how we are governed, and what better way than electing someone who's neither a Democrat nor a Republican? Americans want a president they can trust and respect and has governing experience. Like myself, there are as many Americans who can't vote for Clinton or Trump as there are supporters for them, and we deserve to hear all candidates on the ballot to debate.

|Gene Waldman, Blue Bell