DU Discusses Libertarianism

Democratic Underground ^

[NC_Libertarian]

DU discusses libertarianism. I thought some of you might find this interesting:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=10179&forum=DCForumID35&omm=0

[Dane]

Oh BTW, give the DUer's this gem from Harry Browne(Libertarian Presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000).

They will probably swoon.

HARRY BROWNE: WHEN WILL WE AMERICANS LEARN?(article in Pravda)

[fnord]

Read it again, I think it's a slam at the socialists. along the lines of "yeah, here's a problem we can solve by taking some money from the rich ... oh wait! there are no rich any more, where will we get the money now!?" I always saw it as an indictment of the "throw money at it" crowd and the class-warfare fans. At least that's how I see it.

[jackbob]

I have argued politics with both the left and right and consistently the right has shown more respect and less anger about our points of disagreement.

I also have argued with both. But my results have been quite different. I have found both to be pretty much equal in their treatment of libertarian ideas. The problem you seem to have experienced, is one of language.

The liberals do not speak the same language as conservatives do. They don't set the same priorities that conservatives do. They do not fear the same compromises which may occur from untimely advancement of particular issues that conservatives do. Learn the language and value system first, and you'll find liberals are as open as conservatives to the libertarian philosophy.

I assure you, that should a liberal libertarian, completely unaware of conservative values and language come on to Free Republic, and start spouting off using liberal oriented rhetoric and values, that libertarian will receive just as much insult, threat, and disrespect as you have received from liberals. And rightly so.

As a matter of fact, I've seen two different liberal libertarians, at two different times, get a well deserved royal trouncing here at FR. Even the libertarians here didn't recognize them, and assumed they were advocating what in fact they weren't advocating in the slightest. I think in both those cases they didn't try to get past the misunderstanding, as they saw the alternative understanding as no better.

I regularly talk about peoples right to keep and bear arms with liberals, even those who oppose such rights. Usually it ends with them saying that I have a lot of good points. I know I have convinced a number of them on that issue (well maybe not me alone). I have never heard a wish of harm to me or mine, do to that stand.

[Always Right]

Well I am truely ashamed. I am sure we can show you more intolerance in the future.

[Dakmar]

I don't quite know how to take that song, largely because I don't know much about Alvin Lee, assuming he wrote it. Most of those 60's rockers were liberal, though, so I have to take it at face value. If it was meant as a slam against socialists, it's a damn good one. I'll try to get more info tonight and report back if I find out anything. "I'd Love to Change the World" does sound suspect, though.

[VA Advogado]

Libertarians are liberals who don't have the balls to admit it. I am sure their soulmates at DU are treating them like the brothers in arms that they are.

[Dakmar]

Have you always been this obsessed with drugs and drug culture? You should really try to find some other hobbies.

[Timesink]

I have argued politics with both the left and right and consistently the right has shown more respect and less anger about our points of disagreement. I have found that most conservatives judge me by how I act; most left-wingers judge me by what I believe in.

DING DING DING! You, my friend, win a cigar. This is the Quote of the Week.

I hope someone passes this along to DU. They need to hear it.

No need to pass it along. They are obsessed with FR, and monitor us constantly. They're definitely reading this thread.

[section9]

Anarchists and Left Libertarians are against capitalism, we feel there is no need to ban the market though.

Would someone please go over there and tell those effing idiots that this one sentance is emblematic of all that is the best at DemocraticUnderground.com. Good God, not even the Chimps are this stupid.

Is anyone sure that MurryMom didn't write this piece of perceived wisdom?

Imagine a rational human being first positing the existence of "left libertarians", a contradiction in terms if there ever was one. Imagine futher, these same ass-clowns being against capitalism and for the free market at the same time.

I mean, isn't there a science fiction law against that sort of thing, like, you know, matter and anti-matter mixing?

Democrats. Dumb as Dirt.

Quick, someone go over there and tell them to solve Fermat's Last Theorem. That should keep them occupied for a while.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Timesink]

Before the last election I asked my sister-in-law, a card carrying Democrat and delegate to her state party convention, if she could point me to a good liberal newsletter or discussion group and provide me with a concise statement of her party's platform. Her only response was to send me a long email consisting entirely of George W. Bush jokes!

Chuck, she was being entirely honest. Those jokes WERE the Democratic Party platform! Demonize, demonize, demonize, and hope enough people are fooled by it!

[Dane]

Have you always been this obsessed with drugs and drug culture? You should really try to find some other hobbies.

Huh? My politcal philosophy doesn't hinge on every moment to spout about how the fate of the republic hangs on the right to smoke dope(I will give you a hint of who they are, Lib-rtar-ans).

[Virginia-American]

My own experience is more akin to Celtjew Libertarian's that jackbob's. Leftists are much more prone to use ad hominen and other name-calling, and the use of 'magic words' that are supposed to stop all argument (racist, McCarthyite, gun lobby, you know the drill) .

I've criticized Reagan policies to conservatives but I've never been called a 'Reagan-hater'; but it's impossible to discuss any Cl*nt*n scandal with a leftie without being called a Cl*nt*n-hater.

[gjenkins]

"Libertarians are liberals who don't have the balls to admit it."

We have the balls to admit it, but do you have the brains to understand why we do not?

[AUgrad]

Oh BTW, give the DUer's this gem from Harry Browne(Libertarian Presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000).

They will probably swoon.

HARRY BROWNE: WHEN WILL WE AMERICANS LEARN?(article in Pravda

You speak as if Harry Browne speaks for everyone with libertarian leanings. I assure you, he doesn't.

[gjenkins]

Dane (one of the first on any libertarian thread) fesses up: "Misery loves company".

[VaBthang4]

[Zon]

We have the balls to admit it, but do you have the brains to understand why we do not?

I don't know whether he has balls or is just ignorant. Judge for yourself. Right from VA Advogado's typing-fingers to your eyes...

I have no problem with Jack booted thugs when they're used against the right people. In this case, law breaking druggies are the right people. No mercy, no peas.

8 posted on 12/13/01 4:50 AM Pacific by VA Advogado
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[steve-b]

DU discusses libertarianism.

Can even the DUmmies get it as wrong as Dane, Cultural Jihad, and the rest of the usual gang of propagandists here?

[ThinkDifferent]

Libertarians are liberals who don't have the balls to admit it.

Let's see; abolish the IRS and Department of Education, get out of the UN, drastically cut government spending; yep, right out of Hillary's platform. Not.

[steve-b]

They would happy to make everyone poor, because we will never have a society where everyone is megawealthy.

Actually, it's quite possible that we will eventually have a society where everyone is megawealthy by contemporary standards, but the DU types are still complaining. ("The poor have to use old replicators that can take an entire minute to make dinner, and many of them can only afford to take off-planet vacations once a year....")