[AKbear]

I agree with you, in fact, I see this as our role.

Someone has to bring forth an idea that is so far outside the possibility that for a member of one of the two major parties to bring it up would be political suicide. The LP, and libertarians in general, are the ones to mention, say, drug legalization. 30 years ago, it would be unheard of in most places in the "civilized" world to even mention it. Now we have elected polititians saying it, and several "civilized" countries in Europe headed in that direction. It was the libertarians, paleo-conservatives, and such who first broached the idea.

We are beginning to see some other things moving in the direction of freedom, as well. Slowly, oh so painfully slowly, we are seeing movement on the 2nd Amendment. Just the idea that taxes are truly the taxpayers money was espoused during the presidential campaign, that had not been heard in quite a while.

I think we may be headed in the right direction, but we need to keep pushing. We keep seeing some setbacks, such as the so-called "Patriot Bill," but even that can be overcome. The GOP, as a force for change, is almost laughable. They will go which ever way the wind is blowing. We just need to keep the political winds blowing toward more freedom.

[jackbob]

Yes, one of the roles the libertarians have on the political stage is to bring forth new or unpopular ideas for the advancement of freedom, that are at present political suicide ideas for members of the major party. Where done successfully, the major parties can propose compromise positions from them, which makes what is put forward more reasonable than the public otherwise might accept. But in my way of seeing it, this is only a good fall back position for libertarians.