Snowden should be rewarded as a hero, say LP poll respondents

Edward Snowden, NSA Prism WhistleblowerWhen National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed the criminal ways in which the U.S. government is violating the privacy rights of Americans, Big Government Democrats and Republicans immediately began to demonize him and canceled his passport while they strongarmed other countries into denying him asylum. A majority of visitors to LP.org, however, have praised Snowden as a hero and overwhelmingly advocated big, bold cuts to the government’s surveillance powers.

In poll results collected as of June 17, comprising 4,457 respondents (excluding the 695 who selected the “different combination” option), at least 88 percent advocated repealing the Patriot Act, the NDAA, FISA, and every other law that violates Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights, and at least 75 percent agreed that the NSA should be abolished.

At least 54 percent of those who took the poll thought that Snowden should be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for shining a spotlight on how our militaristic security state has grown unaccountably out of control.

The Libertarian Party is the only political party that has, since its founding 42 years ago, fought to restore the privacy rights established by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. By electing Libertarian candidates, the American people can reclaim their privacy and be free of the threat of warrantless searches by powerful and abusive government officials.

“Edward Snowden is a hero, not a criminal,” said Kenneth Kaplan, Libertarian Party candidate for governor of New Jersey. “If elected, I will sue the U.S. government on behalf of New Jersey residents and seek damages for violations of their Fourth Amendment rights.”

View the full poll results here.