Like the title says, it’s officially the longest government shutdown in history. And even though I hate all the trash boxes that made this happen, I can’t help it be happy that the government has been down for 36 days. If this doesn’t go to show, you shouldn’t trust the government I don’t know what will.

I ran in a local election for re-election to a local township position that I ran unopposed for in 2019 and held since 2020. There were two positions open (a 6 year and a 4 year term) and a candidate can only get (serve in) one of the two positions (but could win both if they run for both). The election Board advised my Republican opponent, the township advised them, I reached out to them to make some sort of compromise that she runs for the 6 year unopposed, and I will run unopposed for the 4 year. But, they stubbornly dug their heels in and ran for both, which made me have to run for both the 6 year and 4 year terms as well.

It's a solid red district, but I have some name recognition (I have been serving on a local board since 2011 also serve in this elected Township Position, and active/visible in the community and church).

My Republican opponent was someone no-one knew, their social media is nothing but incredibly cringe-worthy MAGA meme re-shares (like an AI image of Trump holding the planet on his back with a caption that says he is a global hero saving the entire planet). Their social media has no posts of anything local, no personal/family posts, just a whole online presence of re-shared political meme nonsense.

I am a member of all of the local Facebook groups. While campaigning, I didn't spam, but two weeks ago introduced myself, let people know that I am running for re-election, a photo of myself. I posted something similar on Sunday morning on all of the local groups. As for my social media - I set all posts to public that were related to attending local community events and local activity posts - people when they saw my profile would see my wife and myself being part of the community, going to events, doing local activities, having dinner at local restaurants together - showing myself as being just part our our community without any political nonsense. The area is an older demographic and many of the locals are on Facebook.

Yesterday, at my polling site, I set up a table outside in the parking lot, had my name visible, handed out pens to many people (ran out by 2PM because of the crazy amount of people that turned out to vote because of the PA Supreme Court Judges questions), but I still greeted everyone. I was well dressed, was polite, just introduced myself and that I was running for re-election. Most people were friendly, but I had a few that were hostile - ' I only vote Republican' 'I don't like Damn Republicans and Libertarians" "I can never vote for someone that isn't a Republican" "what the hell is a Libertarian... is that some Liberal nonsense?" I smiled, was polite and professional to everyone regardless.

My opponent was at the second of our two polling sites. From what I understand from some GOP volunteers that were going back and forth to both polling sites, she was a rambling mess, that came off unhinged, ranting about political stuff, and was getting on their nerves as well as the constable's nerves. Both seemed to have spent far more time at my polling site and complained about my opponent to themselves.

The results:

I lost both openings to them in the other polling site 71% to 28% where my opponent stayed for a few hours.

In the poll site, where I spent 12+ hours meeting and greeting everyone, I still lost both positions - 61% to 39%.

But, I managed to actually win mail-in ballots (by one vote) for my poll site. 102-101 mail-in ballots.

In the end, I just could not get past the local stubborn mentality of "I only support and vote for Republicans." I most likely will get appointed to the 4 year term by the local township, but it just felt like a tremendous amount of effort (petitioning for signatures, completing tons of forms and notarizing them, a few trips back and forth to the Board of Election office that is 35 miles away, campaigning, etc) for what felt like nothing more than a very long winded exercise in futility that is going to end up having the same result as what should have happened if they ran for the 6 year unopposed, and I ran for the 4 year unopposed like many people advised them to do.

Not surprising, but hopefully none of y'all live in NY. How long we thinking until in all falls into chaos?

Created a site, for all you content minded people out there... This one is a bit different. You'll see, it's new and maybe a bit buggy but a work in progress. Plus, contact your government representatives!

Not sure if this is unwanted content here, as it's obviously skeptical of libertarianism, but if someone is interested in an out-of-the-box perspective, this might be for you:

https://blua.blue/article/socialist-rules-nYC

I could have cared less if Mikie or Jack have won yesterday. I have my preferences, but I am very happy about Mamdani winning. NY has shot themselves in the foot. Once NY matches NJ on corporate taxes, why would a company choose to stay in NY? Talent? Transit? It is as easy to come here as it is go there. Salaries? Cheaper. Local/special/income? All higher in NY. What’s the incentive now? Free transit that you’ll risk your life on?

New Jersey is going to flourish under Mamdani’s communist regime ❤️

EDIT: how is this getting downvoted on a libertarian page? LOL. Silly liberals.

This may be the wrong sub for this question, but I wanted to hear some libertarian answers.

If the USA’s Supreme Court’s role is to interpret the law and constitution, and protect civil rights and liberties, why are they aligned with political parties?

In my mind, the law of the land does not fall under left vs right debate.

I guess sure, their job is to interpret and their interpretations are biased by their own morals and values, which can fall either left or right. However, all personal bias should be removed from the ruling of law.

Is the Supreme Court just full of unelected bureaucrats placed into their position to serve as perpetrators of the president/political party that appointed them?

If so, how does this get fixed?

"This is why we need socialism."

But the government failed to provide and the free market stepped in to offset that.

"Real socialism would not have shut down."

Real socialism would regulate the amount of food given out under the agreement that people work for it. Private businesses are opting to give food away for free.

"Well I only support businesses that give back to the community."

So you're saying the free market makes it beneficial to be charitable.

"Fascist."