By: Evan Brown, Gamaliel, Kentucky

Unity is a word that has been thrown around a lot this last week or so. The Democratic convention has been all about unifying the left. The truth is the big party establishment abandoned progressive and subverted the democratic process ignoring the voice of the people. Now they want your votes.

What’s better than uniting behind a candidate who has gone against your values? Uniting the country behind another candidate. Unite for good and sound government. Unite for supporting the freedom of personal choice for all Americans. Unite for finally bringing our brave men and women home. Unite for protecting the environment, real criminal justice reform, term limits in Washington, and more.

There is a real alternative to the status quo. Gov. Gary Johnson and Gov. Bill Weld have a history of bringing together people on both sides of the aisle. Both men were GOP Governors in Democratic strong holds (during Johnson's terms New Mexico Democrats held a 2:1 majority and Massachusetts Republicans were only 14% of the electorate). Did I mention that Gov. Johnson won both times by a 10 point margin and Weld was reelected with 70% of the votes? 

Did I mention that both men were reelected for second terms? Both men were hugely popular for not raising taxes, promoting job growth, and staying out of people’s personal business.

So how does this happen? Most Americans are for smaller and more responsible government. Most Americans believe they should have the right to make their own decisions. Neither of the “big parties” fulfill both sides of American’s interests. The Libertarian Party stand for both responsible government and civil liberties.

If you are for responsible government, lower taxes, job growth, your freedom to make your own decision, bringing our troops home, then you should be for Governors Gary Johnson and Bill Weld. Two parties have controlled Washington for far too long, neither has an interest in fighting for you and your rights. The only way to affect real and lasting change is to vote Libertarian and vote Johnson-Weld.

In the wake of two more police induced terminations of compliant civilians it's important to find perspective, we feel it's appropriate to give these unfortunate statistics context so that the public may gain some insight regarding these all to frequent atrocities.

In theaters of war and military conflicts, 'winning' is some times gauged by something known as a 'kill-to-death ratio'. When this simple formula is applied to domestic law enforcement deaths in contrast with civilian casualties incurred by LEOs in 2016 the ratio yields a staggering 10.79 Civilians killed per LEO lost in the line of duty. Clearly the state is winning the war on cops at the expense and blood of those it's sworn to protect and serve. 

In response many local legislators are lobbying and ratifying bills that make the death of any officer (including K-9's) a capital offense, which in the case that it's legitimate is absolutely appropriate, however codifying this blanket policy in law sends a clear and resounding message that "police lives matter more" according to one Kentucky legislator, that is not public service nor congruent with the mission of many in law enforcement and should not be justifiable just because they wear a badge and boots.

Is it inappropriate to wonder what would happen if a civilian defended themselves from the aggression of the state? We think not

All lives matter and murder is murder regardless of wether it's sanctioned by the state or not

*K/D Ratio statistics were obtained via 'The Officer Down Memorial Page' and 'The Counted: the definitive map of US police killings'