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Libertarianism 'comb; Ex-profess By Nancy Ann Coleman Gamecock Staff Writer m.? J ** - - ^ - a wo uays aner me state primary last week, when Democrats and Republicans were scrounging frantically for the voters left by losing candidates, Philip Dematteis, Libertarian candidate for governor, was downing a draft at USC's Golden Spur. Dematteis, 34, came to USC in 1972 from his native Illinois after getting his doctorate in philosophy from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He was an assistant ITO/1 * uivoovi lit |/iuiusv(lliy Ml UOV/ ior six years, but had to resign this past May because he had not been granted, tenure ? a victim of "the publish or perish syndrome," he said. Dematteis discussed his campaign. "I don't think there is anyone foolish enough to think we could win," he said. "The Libertarian Party is a small party and fairly new. Most elections amount to Democrats and Republicans handing jobs back and forth. Here in South Carolina, it almost amounts to the Democrats just knn>?:n<t 11 i ucuiguig uii iu uic juus uiey nave. "OF COURSE, if I was elected, I would serve," he said. "It's just such a long shot that we don't want to be too worried about that. What we want to do is to make people aware of the Libertarian philosophy. It's an educational campaign. "We have two purposes. We want to show the people that there is an alternative to Democrats v<*r?iic Republicans or to liberals versus conservatives. And we want to show those in government now that the people are not totally satisfied with things the way they are." Founded in 1971 in Colorado, Libertarianism is based on a 19th r century liberal philosophy of the supreme importance of the individual. Libertarians believe in less government, non-violence and laissez-faire capitalism. I IF ELECTED, Dematteis said he would veto any new or increased taxes. Where possible, he would replace taxes by user fees and seek repeal of the 1926 income tax law. He said he would try to lower sales taxes and support a constitutional amendment to limit property taxes. He said he also would ?1:? i liuiiaic a ouuui v^muuuu law similar to Proposition 13 in California. "The revenue loss from these revisions would be offset by the reduction in state government size and activities and by the vast in 3?Affi60f /.5 f/CO w; from (/yd JYC. 9vMAi&C/S }6*h find -uJiLL useJ/oor j VeiniuiAiCr \Affcrert ( ; r w ~ rr? i " fttuy 5ATuizpf\y JUN(Z 24 v^p? ination of good points or seeks sta crease in business activity that would result from lowering taxes and taking government out of the marketplace/' he said. "I wouldn't yank out the tax-supported services but would work to eliminate citizen dependence on government." Dematteis elaborated on some specific changes he would make as South Carolina's Libertarian governor, which include: ? Repeal of the state's blue laws and, while waiting for that repeal, Dematteis pardoning all those convicted of blue law violations. "If there was true religious belief about blue laws, they would not have to be legislated," he said. ? Abolition of many regulatory agencies of which there are 29 in this state. "The argument is that these commissions protect the consumer, but all they do is raise the prices and start monopolies." SPEC USC Conven s-x Q . . I I C 4- / uii uuu j*., utrusij i mi Soft 1 liter 2 liter $ acceo r.r\r\r\ I vrrtiwiwi/ i\ | 1213 Blanding Sti V Enjoy your favorite Iti J manicotti, veal and eggple v more ? all homemade. 7 Now featuring homemade V and homemade cheesecakc te office Dematteis said. "Members of these agencies are invariably members of the profession being regulated." ? Repeal of motorcycle helmet laws. ? ELIMINATION of victimless crime laws, i.e., those which prohibit peaceful activities between consenting adults Tn/?1iiH?H in this category are all drugs, which Dematteis believes should be legalized. ? Repeal of laws limiting bar and liquor store hours and "put the minibottle back on airplanes where it belongs." ? Repeal of the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit. "It doesn't save fuel," he said, "or for the amount that it does save, you lose in time." ? Elimination of gun control laws. ? Providing tax credits or other encouragements for Drivate schools "because public education is as inefficient as other governmental bodies." ? Stopping the legislation appropriating "thousands of dollars for local festivals and other arbitrary expenditures." Dematteis has been calling himself a Libertarian for only six years, but philosophically he has always been one, he admitted. "Most of us have the experience that for many years we try to --.l i *?* if?-- ? J '< ueiaue wnai we ieei, ne said, "in some ways, we feel like liberals; in some ways like conservatives. Liberals want to increase civil liberties, get rid of laws constricting privacy or rights but they want government more involved with the economy." "Conservatives favor free trade, free enterprise, smaller government, but want government more see DEMATTEIS, p. 6 :ial ience Store rom South Tower Drinks reg. NOW .63 .46 1.20 .91 rHRU JUNE3Q Lunches Served Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. a "11 _ i" i - - i ' ^noice 01 meai, a vegeiaDies v beverage, dessert J $2.50 5 reet i\ ilian dishes ? lasagna, Jk int parmigiana, pizza and ^ 3 pasta, Italian ice cream, a j by Carmella. V Mil j come to BELL CAMP on THE FOURTH OF JULY free movie fireworks games RRINO YOITR OWN PiriVir ^8 J*. vx W i.* vy ?? JL ^ M. IVJi ^ A VJ j ("J W4J Fun For Everyone 1 L II russel house 5 Lion's Head ?ES5? Restaurant 741 Saluda Ave. - - pnone: /yy-o<5U3 Steak N ight Every Mon.,Tues. & Wed. $3.59 Reservations Req a ired. 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