I seem to recall Ace of Spades dubbing Nick Gillespie something like “Goth Fonzie” for his ridiculous appearance and demeanor.
He’s a perfect example of why I can’t take Libertarians seriously.
libertarians very much split on at least 3 issues:
immigration, abortion, the war in Iraq.
libertarians are very much for religious freedom, for a baker, pharmacist or any person being able to practice his religion.
On many issues the label is not the substance. libertarians are for free trade. The original NAFTA proposed by Reagan was free trade. But then lobbyists, environmentalists, unions, and dozens of other special interests turned NAFTA into a Christmas tree. So those supporting or opposing FREE TRADE are stuck with a monster.
Likewise on immigration. Historically one did not need the permission of the government to immigrate to the US. That was libertarian. Historically the law forbade the immigration of prostitutes, indigent aka welfare recipients, and other undesireables.
Welfare to immigrants is now the big problem. 90% of illegals are desireables. But 10% of immigrants (legal and illegal) are undesireables. The problems of that 10% make all immigrants look bad. But the libertarian position isn’t even on the table yet. Hopefully Huckabee, Rubio, Paul and others will coalesce around a libertarian immigration plan.
NO WELFARE TO IMMIGRANTS, legal or illegal.