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For nearly 14 years, Libertarian and former Wayne State Student Council member Scott Boman has represented his party in almost every Michigan statewide election.
This year, he petitions for the highest office he’s attempted to attain: U.S. Senator.
Since 1994, Boman, 46, has participated in several elections, including: the House of Representatives for Michigan’s 7th District in1994; the House of Representatives for Michigan’s 14th District in 1996; Detroit City Council in 1997; WSU Board of Governors in 1998 and 2000; WSU Student Council in 1999; State Board of Education in 2002 and 2004; and Lieutenant Governor in 2006.
This election is different in many ways, he said. For one, it’s the first election in which the Internet has played such a significant role. Boman said he was able to do the majority of his fundraising initially by allowing donations to be made on his Web site.
Also, for the first time, Boman will air TV commercials on Comedy Central exclusively in southeastern Michigan beginning this week. He said he chose this channel because it was the only one, besides CNN, that he’s seen feature third-party candidates, including former Libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul and current Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr.
Boman became active in politics in his childhood. He helped his father, Ray H. Boman, a Democratic delegate, campaign, ironically, on behalf of Senator, and now Boman’s opponent, Carl Levin.
A self-described “extreme Libertarian,” Boman said that he didn’t “go into” politics, rather it came to him, literally, as laws were passed that allowed the government to “invade” his life and others with its “intrusive laws.”
The government’s unfair treatment of “hardworking tax payers,” he said, was another factor.
An example, he said, of this unfair treatment was the recent approval of a $700 billion bailout plan.
“That’s just showing how finally it’s gotten that bad,” Boman said. “There was a time when this would never happen without instigating a major revolution.”
He said that the willingness to support politicians who voted for the bailout plan, including Levin, shows how some people would rather stick with what they know rather than take a chance on a third-party candidate.
“I really can’t get it, how anyone would vote for a person that would rip them off,” Boman said. “But people do.”
An August poll conducted by television station WXYZ found that 2 percent of those polled in the 7th district supported Boman, as well as 3 percent in the 9th.
These numbers were higher than those of other third-party candidates, such as, Harley Mikkelson of the Green Party; Michael Nikitin of the U.S. Taxpayers’ Party; and Doug Dern of the Natural Law Party.
Boman said he is “not all that optimistic” about his bid for Senate, but that ultimately, what meant most was expressing the beliefs of himself and his party.
“It’s a challenging cause, but I consider it less of a lost cause than voting for something or campaigning for something I disagree with, which to me would be a crime against my own soul,” he said. “To that extent, campaigning for what I believe in is a valid cause, whether or not I’m successful.”
Boman’s Platform:
Specific ideals of Boman’s platform are grouped into three broad categories: “Peace, Liberty and Prosperity.”
Peace: Believes in non-violence, but also that people have the right to defend themselves. Military should be strong, but doesn’t support aggression abroad. Also believes ending the War on Drugs would reduce violence in cities.
Liberty: Supports freedom of religion, speech, the right to bear arms; opposes amending the Constitution to give the government the power to define or regulate marriage and federal government’s interference into educational choices made by parents and students.
Prosperity: Wants to eliminate the IRS and income taxes, make Social Security a voluntary program, and end the Federal Reserve.
Source: Boman interview, boman08.com
