Third-Party Choice

Unlikely to win, Jewish Libertarian sends a message.

I

Josh EI'Chonen

Special to the Jewish News

D

o you want to send a new mes-
sage this midterm election? Are
you satisfied with your local
political leadership? If not, Leonard
Schwartz of Oak Park says, "Don't waste
your vote on Democrats or Republicans."
On Nov. 4, Schwartz will be the
Libertarian candidate running to repre-
sent Michigan's 14th congressional dis-
trict in Congress. The district includes
Pontiac, West Bloomfield, Farmington
Hills, Southfield, Lathrup Village, Oak
Park, the Grosse Pointes, Harper Woods
and parts of Detroit.
"My opponents think they can spend
your money and manage your life better
than you can. I'm not a busybody. I don't
want to spend your money or manage
your life," Schwartz says. "If you vote
for Democrats or Republicans, you send
a message that you agree that they can
spend your money and manage your life
better than you can:'
Schwartz grew up in Detroit and cel-
ebrated his bar mitzvah at Avas Achim
Synagogue on Seven Mile Road. He
went to Mumford High School and the
University of Chicago, and later gradu-
ated with a master's degree in economics

Leonard Schwartz

from Johns Hopkins University.
Schwartz has made many trips to
Israel to visit relatives. His brother made
aliyah in 1988; he has a nephew in the
Israeli navy; and his brother's son-in-law
is in the Golani Brigade reserves.
Schwartz joined the Libertarian Party
in 1980. Concerns for government poli-
cies and political leadership pushed him
to get involved in politics. He says he
feels the Libertarian Party represents his

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pretation or this week's health-care law,
they can be prosecuted. Every doctor
knows someone who's been prosecuted.
Why does health-care law have to be so
complicated?"
From 1971 to 1977, Schwartz worked
for the state government as an econo-
mist. Together, with the Michigan
Employment Security Commission pro-
gram, he helped with computing num-
bers on employment and wrote reports
on the economy.
Later Schwartz went to Wayne State
University and graduated with a law
degree. He then taught at University of
Michigan and Oakland University, and
out of state at Texas State University and
University of Memphis.
Schwartz would like residents of
District 14 to know this: "If you're
tired of government intrusion and tax
increases, then send a message this elec-
tion and vote Libertarian. I'm on the
ballot so that people can send a mes-
sage."
Schwartz says he also does consult-
ing from time to time and helps man-
age various Libertarian functions as
the state party's political director. To
learn more, email him at Leonard@
LeonardSchwartz.us or visit www.
leonardschwartz.us .

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political views best.
"Many issues arise that are related to
social and/or personal moral complacen-
cies. These arguments should be without
federal intervention. That includes state
and local tax dollars," Schwartz says.
"Why should we have the government
tell us what to do with our hard-earned
money? As time goes on, the Democratic
and Republican politicians have
increased spending and taxes:"
Schwartz describes the Libertarian
Party as America's "most Jewish-friendly
political party." On the ballot since only
1972, it has had Jewish candidates for
vice president four times, more than any
other political party.
His chances of winning a seat in
Congress are unlikely, but Schwartz
explains he's running to send a message
to Washington.
"If a growing percentage of voters,
from any district, increase support for
Libertarian candidates, this demon-
strates a clear frustration in the coun-
try," he says.
He cites health care as an example.
"Every doctor I see tells me the same
concern regarding health-care laws.
There are so many regulations and they
keep changing so rapidly:' Schwartz says.
"If they don't follow this week's inter-

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