As a committed and long-standing Libertarian, I find myself caught in a paradoxical admiration and repulsion for the incumbent president—a veritable "ground-glass sandwich." Take a bite, and while you might get fed, you'll also be shredded in the process. This is a man whose actions might seem appealing in certain areas, but who poses a profound danger to our core values in others.

On the one hand, I can't help but acknowledge the progress made in rolling back the colossal federal behemoth that has become an insidious presence in our lives. The aggressive push to shrink the size of government and return power to the states is undeniably attractive. Likewise, the shift away from endless foreign entanglements, which serve no one but the war machine, feels like a refreshing breeze. On the surface, these actions align with many of our Libertarian principles—smaller government, less intervention, and a return to individual sovereignty. What's not to like?

But here's the kicker. This is no champion of liberty. This is a "man on horseback" who sees the role of the president as far more than what the Constitution envisions. Our founding document sets up a limited government where power is checked and balanced—three distinct branches, each with its own role and limitations. Yet, this President actively seeks to tear down the constraints placed upon executive power, aiming to dominate the system with an iron fist.

Libertarians understand, more than any other political group, the importance of constitutional limits. Our belief in power-sharing stems from the clear reality that the best way to prevent tyranny is to ensure no single entity can control it all. The Constitution was designed to keep government from becoming a tyrant's playground, with three separate branches keeping each other in check. This balance is what allows liberty to flourish. Anything less, and we risk sliding into authoritarianism, no matter how 'populist' the rhetoric may sound.

Worse yet, this President has launched an all-out assault on anyone he deems an enemy. His relentless vendetta against perceived adversaries, whether individuals or institutions, is not just a personal flaw—it's a systemic danger. His financial warfare against major universities is a direct assault on academic freedom, something that any true advocate of liberty should find deeply troubling. His mass deportations? A blatant violation of human rights that tramples on the rights of individuals to move freely across borders. His disdain for due process? It is a direct contradiction of the fundamental principles that our justice system is supposed to uphold. And let's not even get started on the tariffs, which will inevitably destroy free trade and impoverish us all.

Let's not forget the trillion-dollar deficits that continue to soar, with no real concern for fiscal responsibility. While Libertarians are known for advocating fiscal restraint and minimal government interference in the economy, this president seems all too willing to drown future generations in debt.

We must understand the danger we face. Tolerating this man—no matter how many government agencies he trims or military conflicts he ends—will ultimately lead to a future where the executive branch becomes an unchecked, overpowered entity that dictates our lives. We must resist this assault on liberty with every tool available to us. It won't be easy, and it may force us into some unlikely alliances, but the alternative is far worse. The preservation of our freedom requires us to act.

At the end of the day, we are Libertarians. Our goal isn't merely to oppose a political figure because we dislike them; it's to ensure that no one—no President, no government—can overstep its constitutional bounds. We fight for liberty, and that fight is now more critical than ever.

Larry Gillis
Cape Coral
Director-at-Large
Libertarian Party of Florida