by Eric Dondero

This is why we need the Libertarian Party. I'm often chided by my mainline Republican friends for maintaining my longstanding membership in the LP, and even openly supporting Libertarian Party candidates on occasion.

It's precisely because of the role of agitator the Libertarian Party plays on the GOP. They have magnificently displayed this role with the current Georgia transportation budget increase.

From WSB:

After three years of wheeling and dealing to come up with a solution to help fund transportation, the Georgia General Assembly has approved a funding plan that would let residents vote whether to tax themselves to pay for needed improvements.

House lawmakers voted 141-29 for passage of the bill after the Senate voted 43-8 to let regions decide whether to increase the 4-cent sales tax by one penny to pay for roads, bridges and transit. The bill – HB277 – now moves to Gov. Sonny Perdue for his signature, which would give voters the final say in the 2012 presidential primary.

The response from the Libertarian Party of Georgia (via Peachtree Corners Weekly Online):

Libertarian Party of Georgia Chairman Daniel N. Adams says, "Republicans have given Georgians more than enough evidence in the last four months to prove that they are the pro-tax party in this state. They are only fiscally conservative when it's politically convenient, not when it matters."

"As the Republican-controlled legislature continues to increase taxes and fees, the silence from Tea Party leaders is stunning," says Jason Pye, Legislative Director of the state Libertarian Party. "There has been only one protest against these hikes, and that was more than a month ago. There have been no promises to primary members, in fact, the local and state Tea Party leaders have endorsed legislators that voted for these hikes."

In fairness, the GA LP ignored Democrats entirely. Ironically the Dems are attacking the Republicans just as harshly for not allowing for even more tax increases.

Continuing from WSB:

Despite the measure's supporters, Democrats assailed the plan. They say it will be four years at least before Georgia ever sees any additional money and that the legislation failed to do enough to help MARTA, Atlanta's struggling mass transit system.

But that's no excuse. Republicans in the Legislature shouldn't have even considered such a tax hike. And if the GOP in the State suffers at the polls at the hands of Libertarian candidates in November, who pick off 2, 3, 4 or even 5% from their margin this November, they have only themselves to blame.