This means that those of us who donate to the FReepathons are SUBSIDIZING these lying, false-witness-bearing creeps who willfully DECIEVE themselves and others about what small-l libertarian principle represents in America today, in that our donations have to cover for the potential donors who understandably don't want to give money to a forum where they are overwhelmed with insults so foul as to accuse them of complete lack of honor and decency, and of engaging in utter depravity, accusations that at one time would have been settled in duels.
This small handful has the potential of destroying Free Republic, so I can only wish every small-l libertarian Christian conservative FReeper would simply SKIP PAST any post authored by this very tiny minority (on this thread, only five individuals) when the topic is libertarianism (these few FReepers are quite reasonable and "right" on other topics; it is only libertarianism that sets them completely, rabidly, viciously unhinged), and do everything possible to encourage and enlist more new FReepers to find that indeed, small-l libertarianism is something that UNITES most of us, that these dweebs are best IGNORED because they are a minority, not the the bullying faux-majority that simply tries to outshout and insult with despicable lies the level-headed clear majority.
There seems to be a hang-up/mental block, among a few, on certain definitions of libertarian and even conservative.
Party platforms and modern dictionaries don’t necessarily help as they attempt to “define” those that reject being defined in their terms.
The few, that you addressed earlier, seem hell bent on defining small-l libertarians as being blind followers of some “Party Platform” that most have never read and certainly don’t agree with.
Our country was built by Liberals. Liberals in the classical sense. Conservatives, Constitutionalists and God fearing Individuals were once called Liberal.
Sadly, there are conservatives that find the need to “define” and “group” some like minded individuals based not on the individual, but on their understanding of what that “Group” represents.
There is a difference between an ideology and the politics. An ideology is the “what”, while the politics is the “How”.
The Tea Party represents the “what” while we currently use the Republican Party as the “How”.
IMHO, this debate or battle among ourselves comes down to faith. Faith in our fellow man. You either trust individuals to make decisions that are in their best interest or you place your trust in Government to force those decisions. Unfortunately, we have a Government and virtually every public institution that is “forcing” us to accept immorality by the force of law and peer-pressure. Conversely, we can’t use the force of Government to legislate morality. All we can do is remove the Government from these issues and then trust people as individuals to act according to their conscious.
Having “Faith” in our fellow man has become increasingly more difficult as certain small “groups” have sought and found protection from our Government. I think small-l libertarians are seeking to remove that protection. At least I am.
Our faith in our fellow man also requires a common foundation of belief that every person has, but all too many ignore.
Logically, I can’t help but to boil this down to a Creation/Evolution debate. I can’t escape this.
It’s sad. Frankly, I’m not a libertarian. But am certainly sympathetic on a host of issues. It would be nice to discuss without a vitriolic harangue. How bout a standard disclaimer:
This is a thread that discusses libertarians and/or libertarianism. Comments are welcome and appreciated, however i politely request that you PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS!
Unfortunately, there are a handful of FReepers who view it as their personal crusade to slander and insult anything associated with libertarianism. They are of course free to voice their opinion in accordance with the site rules. However, be aware that they’re not interested in calm or reasoned debate. You’re wasting your time and clogging the thread by responding to them. PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS!
Thank you for you Excellent Posts on this thread.
You have said what I am thinking far better than anyway I could express.
Well done Finny, You Speak for me.