Are you happy with the way things are going with Hawaii’s government? How about on the national scene? Are you enthusiastic about the choice between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Trump? Right now the national debt is $19 trillion and growing. Neither of the two old parties has shown much ability to control the growth of government. The supposedly fiscally conservative Republicans controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency from 2001 to 2007. Government spending rose more quickly during those years than at any time since Lyndon Johnson was in office. The state of Hawaii has almost $30 billion in unfunded liabilities to cover the cost of public employee pensions and medical costs. Where is all this money going to come from? Are we going to end up like Greece?

Libertarians understand that economic growth and prosperity come from the private sector. In a market system wherein the government limits itself to stopping force, theft and fraud, the natural desires of people to improve their lot creates a higher standard of living.

Our goal is to oppose the initiation of force or fraud, as well as theft, and other attacks on people while allowing voluntary trade and commerce to flourish. And we carry this agenda into other areas of human action. We believe you own your body and have a right to engage in sexual activities, gambling or drug use as a consenting adult. We believe the conse- quences of risking behavior, whether in commerce or private matters, should be the guides to decision making. Government should not engage in the force of law to prevent your voluntary risk-taking.

Many people believe the free market is good only for the rich. We don’t. Prosperous societies are better able to give aid where needed and have fewer people who are in need. Opportunities to improve one’s economic status abound in free societies. Finally, ending a drug war, which is little more than a war on poor people and people of color, is a clear step in the right direction.

Libertarians want a neutral government that does not tax away money from groups who were outvoted simply to hand over favors to those who supported the winning candidate. We don’t like the way that Hawaii’s incumbent Democrats accept money from so many PACs (political action committees) and corporations. Anyone who bothers can look up the list at the Campaign Spending Commission website to see what I mean.

Equality before the law means Libertarians were among the first to support equal access to marriage licenses for same-sex couples. It took Hawaii’s Democrats almost 20 years to get this done. We’d have done it in one legislative session.

Libertarians support many liberal causes. These include ending the war on drugs, repealing laws against marijuana, gambling and prostitution, and ensuring voters are empowered to oversee the work of government. The last point requires a willingness by voters to vote out their representatives when needed changes are not addressed.

Hawaii continues to deal with high taxes, high debts and poor results across the board. Voters need to vote against incumbents until this situation is addressed. We support including a “none of the above” option that could be used to remove some of the legislators who run unopposed. Voting Libertarian is the best way to gain power over the government.

For various reasons, Hawaii has decided the Republican Party does not represent a choice it wants. Perhaps people here are ready for something else. Don’t be blinded by legislators advertising that they have “experience.” It is the public’s bad experience with government while they have been in office that matters. And please don’t simply vote for the person who spends the most money. Remember where that money comes from.

So this year we suggest you vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian nominee for president. To vote Libertarian just look for the letter “L” wherever you see it on the ballot. This is the first step to taking back government and to developing a more voluntary and respectful society.