For those of you jumping on the Gary Johnson bandwagon, you may want to think twice. In some regards he may be just as bad or worse than Donald Trump.

I will admit, at first glance, Gary Johnson seems very appealing to voters who do not like Clinton or Trump. If you take a few moments to read through the “issues” section on his campaign site, you may find yourself shaking your head in agreement with most of his ideas. For instance, he proposes:

• Cuts to military spending and to use more strategic means to “neuter” extremist organizations.
• Legalization of marijuana
• Lowering/ eliminating taxes and simplifying the tax code through a “single consumption tax” (VAT tax)
• Create jobs by eliminating business income taxes. This will make America a “tax haven”
• People should be free to do as they choose, marry who they want to marry and personal freedom should be protected at all costs (as long as no harm is done to others)
• Reform the Justice system. Too many things have been criminalized in an attempt by politicians to look “tough”
• Drug rehabilitation and harm reduction are more acceptable and successful than incarceration and arrests.
• Immigration: Simplified system of work visas. (which sounds like a good plan until you read his other ideas in combination with this idea)
• Eliminate Common Core and standardization in the school system (Eliminate the Federal Department of Education)

These are just a few of his talking points. Many of these ideas will appeal to voters who supported Sanders and those who dislike Clinton and Trump. Unfortunately, Gary Johnson’s website conveniently omits some of his (and the Libertarian Party’s) more controversial ideas. For instance:

• Elimination of Federal minimum wage. Gary says that minimum wage is “much ado about nothing.” He wants to “let the marketplace function.”
• He wants to privatize public education. The Libertarian Party believes that “parents should have control of and responsibility for ALL funds expended for their children’s future.”
• The end to all laws prohibiting discrimination. Their platform states, “Members of private organizations retain their rights to set whatever standards of association they deem appropriate, and individuals are free to respond with ostracism, boycotts and other free-market solutions.”
• He calls for a privatized Healthcare system and the phase out of Social Security. The Libertarian Party believes that “retirement is the responsibility of the individual.”
• Remove all barriers to “Free” trade.
• Require all States to accept “Right to Work” to dismantle unions.
• End government regulations on employer/ employee relationships.

Let’s soak these items in for a moment. Gary Johnson and the Libertarian Party want to ease immigration to allow more workers, end minimum wage, allow employer discrimination and remove all regulation on hiring practices, destroy Unions, privatize Healthcare, which will decrease access, and dismantle the financial safety net of the elderly.

His plan would basically legalize slavery and throw us back into the Dark Ages. These ideas are ridiculous. Does he or the Libertarian Party actually believe these ideas are a good idea? (This may be a silly question considering a candidate danced in a thong onstage at their Convention and another walks around with a boot on his head.)

Gary Johnson has moved away from some of the Libertarian Party’s more extreme ideas, but he is still representing their platform. Don’t forget, his VP choice is Bill Weld. Governor Weld actually joined the Libertarian Party 2 weeks before he was selected as Gary Johnson’s VP choice. Mr. Weld stated that 98% of the Libertarian Party’s platform is “music to [his] ears.” Really…98% of it? Has he actually read the platform? Governor Weld even mentioned that he is not a fan of Gary Johnson’s “single consumption tax.” He believes that it is regressive.

I realize that the two main party candidates are less than optimal choices. They are hard to support and a lot of people refuse to vote for them. That doesn’t mean we should jump on Gary Johnson’s bandwagon. Reinstating slavery, allowing sweatshops and child labor, abandoning the elderly and supporting segregation/ discrimination are horrible ideas. That platform sounds just as bad or worse than Donald Trumps! Would you vote for Gary Johnson?

NEXT WEEK: Would you vote for Dr. Jill Stein?