Why you might be already be a Libertarian

The Prometheus Institute ^ | 10/4/2006 | Editorial

[tang0r]

The libertarian ideology is one of the most misunderstood in American politics. Many citizens don't have any idea what it is. Most of them who do - liberal and conservative - aver that libertarianism is nothing but a worthless form of crypto-anarchy. The author of one recently popular anti-libertarian article, titled with brevity "Why I Am Not a Libertarian," argues that libertarians want to privatize everything, and that since privatization of such things like the Pennekamp Coral Reef in Key Largo would destroy the cute fish and their natural habitat there, libertarianism is not for him. He also alleges that to be libertarian is to support abolishing welfare in favor of ruthless Social Darwinism, and since he doesn't like the idea of handicapped people being tossed in the street, so he rejects that axiom of "libertarianism" as well.  

[Erasmus]

Giving them time to read it, will not make them read it. To make them read it, force them to pass a (proctored) test on the contents. If they don't get a perfect score, then their vote doesn't count.

That is akin to Walter Williams' preferred test for Supreme Court nominees: "Can you read?"

If a nominee answers yes, he gives them a copy of the Constitution so that they can prove it.

[HangnJudge]

Very good thread

Is is as good a show evidence of how close
These viewpoints are to each other that they
can coexist, peacefully, on this emotionally charged forum

Keep going...

[Hemingway's Ghost]

You missed my point. I'm not surprised.

The point that you wanted to peg all libertarians as cop haters no matter what? No, I got it loud and clear.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Nor did I. But they do promote it through tax policy and in other ways.

And it's a good thing, this type of unequal tax system?

[MamaTexan]

Excellent post. I agree with your reasoning. Thank you for the quote from Boetie, as well. I've added it to my growing list of material to pursue.

Speaking of quotes, here is one of my particular favorites:

Of the Simplicity of Criminal Laws in different Governments
In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments:
in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing.
THE SPIRIT OF LAWS Book VI By Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu

------

[Hemingway's Ghost]

That type of 'libertarian' is really a conservative who draws the line in a different spot than another conservative.

Not really, unless you hold that absolutes apply in all circumstances. Punching/stealing are simply metaphors, and limited government does not mean no government---it just means government sticks to its limited scope. If the state can make a compelling case that power needs to be exercised in a certain area, let them make that case to the people, and have the people vote to give them that power, rather than assume the power by fiat or subterfuge.

[Beagle8U]

""Armed liberal that doesn't want to pay taxes"

Sounds like the Founding Fathers and lots of Americans who took up arms against the king"

Yes, it would if you never read the "Liberal" part of their platform.

[samtheman]

Just curious, do you believe the current Neo-Wilsonian nation building effort to convert the rabid Islamist hordes to liberal democracy is an effective war fighting strategy?

That's not what we're doing.

[3niner]

Walter Williams is great. I try to read all of his columns, but I've never heard that one before. :-)

[Redcloak]

Drugs have won the Drug War.

That would make a great tagline.

[steve-b]

I can think of no other entity with the ability to implement the wishes of people than government.

Well, then, you haven't thought very hard.

The free market reflects the wishes of the people far better than any government (even a government that actually gives a damn about the people generally rather than the insiders, if you can find an example of such).

[steve-b]

let him watch the social libertarianism of the 60's crash thru our culture, destroying everything in its path

Yep; those perfectly good signs are trash in some dumpster by now....

[steve-b]

the 'principle' argument of libertarianism doesn't work because it does not admit permissible lines short of punching or stealing

Nonsense. The "principle" argument works perfectly well when the line is drawn at "assault" -- which does not require actual injury. I may not demonstrate my marksmanship skills by shooting down flies buzzing around you with a pistol, because that is an assault even if I succeed at hitting the flies and do you no harm whatsoever.

On that basis, one may maintained a principled position that prohibition against drugs that are reasonably likely to produce "berzerker" reactions that endanger bystanders (e.g. crack and PCP, but not pot) is justified.

[x]

Okay, so we're all moderate libertarians. Now go away and leave us alone ...

[Psycho_Bunny]

That's ridiculous.

[AdamSelene235]

Just curious, do you believe the current Neo-Wilsonian nation building effort to convert the rabid Islamist hordes to liberal democracy is an effective war fighting strategy?

That's not what we're doing.

Our commitment to democracy is also tested in the Middle East, which is my focus today, and must be a focus of American policy for decades to come. In many nations of the Middle East -- countries of great strategic importance -- democracy has not yet taken root.......Some skeptics of democracy assert that the traditions of Islam are inhospitable to the representative government. .....It should be clear to all that Islam -- the faith of one-fifth of humanity -- is consistent with democratic rule. Democratic progress is found in many predominantly Muslim countries -- in Turkey and Indonesia, and Senegal and Albania, Niger and Sierra Leone. Muslim men and women are good citizens of India and South Africa, of the nations of Western Europe, and of the United States of America. More than half of all the Muslims in the world live in freedom under democratically constituted governments. They succeed in democratic societies, not in spite of their faith, but because of it. For the Palestinian people, the only path to independence and dignity and progress is the path of democracy. (Applause.) ....The great and proud nation of Egypt has shown the way toward peace in the Middle East, and now should show the way toward democracy in the Middle East....The establishment of a free Iraq at the heart of the Middle East will be a watershed event in the global democratic revolution. (Applause.) -President Bush

[youthgonewild]

Libertarians the other liberal meat.

Did you learn that one in Big Government Neocon Talking Points Class?

[antisocial]

"I'd say your lack of sight it is more sad than strange."

What is really sad is your reading comprehension.

[samtheman]

I'm not going to get into it with you. You belong on another forum. One with a more anti-war orientation.

All I know is what I originally posted --- that libertarians just don't get it about war --- you are proving in spades.

Thank you.

[Scotsman will be Free]

Thank you for a cogent response. I am pro small/limited govt, anti war on drugs for a variety of reasons, pro bill of rights, etc. I am totally turned off by those who claim to be libertarians for their open borders, anti law and order, seemingly anarchist views.