RECENT RACE POINTS UP LIBERTARIANS' PROBLEM

In spite of the best possible conditions for a Libertarian candidate to
make a decent showing, Libertarian votes totaled an embarrassing 2 percent
in the recent special election for Andre Bauer's former Senate seat. The
Libertarian, Steve Cain, had as opposition a once-upon-a-time Democratic
senator and an unknown, dark-horse Republican. He has an impressive record,
including experience serving with Sen. Fritz Hollings. Cain is a young,
intelligent, well-educated and personable young African-American involved
in community affairs.

It seems unlikely that Libertarians will ever place someone in any state or
federal position due in large measure to their unwillingness to realize
that politics means compromise; success in one is dependent on the other.
Too, here in grass-roots, ultra-conservative South Carolina, most folks
have a horror of association with dope-smoking and other permissive
promotions of legalizing drugs -- even those of us who realize the drug
problem is best addressed with education and medical attention. It is too
bad too many Libertarians choose not to redirect their efforts to the
health-education-welfare situation rather than endorse the sorry state of
affairs that issue from such.

JIM LIVINGSTON

Saluda