The only real power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. -- So, there is only one way to rule innocent men, by making them into "criminals" with prohibitory 'laws'.
'_fan' comments:
Eloquently written, solidly reasoned, although you would strengthen your argument considerably if you eschewed quoting Ayn Rand. The lady was not sane.
Your own sanity is questionable, seeing that you agree that the principle is "eloquently written, solidly reasoned", yet you object that its author is insane.
When -- the libertarian 'self-determination' crowd -- start winning elections above the level of school district, then I might take what they say more seriously.
Again, its pretty weird to claim you'll take libertarianism 'seriously', - but only when it becomes PC.
Can you explain your own confusions?
Your comment on my sanity was a bit over the top, sport. So much for civility.
Just a bit, seeing that your own civility is in question.
I was referring to the poster's argument in toto,
So was I.
and thought the inclusion of an Ayn Rand quote detracted from that argument, since her objectivist philosophy is essentially a watered-down Nietzschean muddle.
Yep, that's what many non-objective people 'feel' about Rand.
Read Whitaker Chambers' review of 'Atlas Shrugged' for the definitive conservative critique of that work, which I'm sure is available on the 'net somewhere.
Your 'authority', Chambers, was not a constitutional conservative. At best he can be seen as a communitarian.
Insofar as my comment on dismal libertarian electoral performance is concerned, I was pointing out--albeit in a roundabout way--that in our type of government, the value of political philosophies is measured by the vote; the vote is the coin of the realm.
Yep, thats how 'majority rule' people think. Thanks for sharing.
Ergo, libertarianism--as a party, as a platform, as an ideology--is pathetically penniless. I'd use the term 'bankrupt', but that would imply that at some point in the past, the libertarians actually had something worthwhile to say.
They still do. They support our constitution & individual liberties.
The term 'PC' has nothing to do with anything I wrote. So by all means, keep voting Libertarian. Your party is a nice place for like-minded folks to hang out and affirm each others' beliefs
I do not support the 'party'. I support our Constitution.
without needing to submit to the rigor of opposing debate--a rigor, by the way, which you and your buddies don't seem to like much,
I, - like most libertarians, welcome debate. Its infantile bashing, like yours, that initiates flame wars.
given the infantile spitefulness of the ad hominem attacks aimed my way. The insults don't have much effect, though, because in my mind's eye, I can see the Libertarian presidential candidate now, standing in front of his bathroom mirror, practicing his acceptance speech, thinking to himself, 'This year for sure.' And then I break out laughing, drawing strange looks from my kids.
Look again, -- your kids are being very perceptive about weird old dad.