Libertarian congressional candidate Troy Bonar took questions at a public forum Friday at South Plains College, discussing the Libertarian platform, the corruption in politics as he sees it, and what he believes is the role of government.

"The Libertarian Party's platform is based on the moral principle of self-ownership," he said. "Government's only role should be to help individuals defend themselves from force of fraud."

Bonar is a candidate for the U.S. House District 19 seat that's being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer. Two third-party candidates filed to challenge Republican nominee Jodey Arrington in the November general election: Bonar, a Libertarian, and Green Party candidate Mark Lawson.

Bonar, 42, lives in Abilene. He is a former airman stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, author, speaker and safety manager for Buffalo Gap Instrumentation & Electrical Co. in the oil and gas industry.

He knows winning will be a tough challenge, but Bonar said he believes there are lots of people who are tired of the two-party system, tired of the money-controlling politicians and tired of government involvement.

"If we had more Libertarians in Congress, I believe that would be the voice of reason," Bonar said. "They'd be that middle road where people could work together and actually negotiate better and get some things done. Stop with the political grandstanding and legislation that's just not needed."

He took issue with straight-ticket voting, saying it's a way for the majority parties in a state to control elections through uneducated voters who sign on with a party. He took issue with bill riders (amendments added to bills that carry something unrelated to the original motion), saying it's lazy and nontransparent government.

Bonar said he'd push for more privatization of social and governmental programs.

"Unfortunately, we haven't allowed privatization, we haven't allowed our own people to take, to take care of themselves. We've just become the society where (we think), 'oh the government will take care of it,' " Bonar said.

Speaking on social issues, Bonar described the Libertarian platform's emphasis on the belief that everyone has the right to live how they choose to live.

"I really don't care what you do with your life as long as it doesn't impact me," Bonar said. "We're supposed to be the free country - the land of the free and home of the brave. We're not anymore. We have the highest incarceration rate in the world. We have more laws and regulations than any country."

Bonar said he's supporting Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson for president. He described the presidential candidate as a normal, honest guy who has a passion for what's right.

More information on Bonar can be found on his website, www.votetroybonar.com. The deadline to register to vote for the general election is Tuesday and early voting will begin Oct. 24 ahead of the Nov. 8 general election.

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