[SolitaryMan]

Browne and most libertarians have a simple problem of wanting all or nothing, their way or the highway. Until they start playing the game by fighting for the hearts and minds of the people, and realize that the change they want will take years, they will remain a marginalized party.

[Huck]

Until they start playing the game by fighting for the hearts and minds of the people, and realize that the change they want will take years, they will remain a marginalized party.

I think Mr. Browne is trying to win hearts and minds in this article. They are marginalized because most Americans don't agree with them. It's just that simple. So they make as much noise as possible, and try to convince people they are right. What would you do differently?

[WhiteGuy]

Until they start playing the game by fighting for the
hearts and minds of the people, and realize that the
change they want will take years,

I agree. It will take years, and I will do all I can to change
the hearts and minds of all freedom loving Americans.

I am convinced that the return to constitutional government
will never happen as long as we continue to
elect republicans and democrats who refuse to honor
their oath.

[Tauzero]

"Browne and most libertarians have a simple problem of wanting all or nothing, their way or the highway."

Incrementalism in all things is doomed to failure, because it concedes to the left principle. You cannot win a victory for constitutuional government by seeking a smaller, but non-zero dollar amount for an unconstitutional program. That is an argument over degree, not kind.

All I would like to see is one -- just a small one -- one victory for constitutional government, argued on constitutional principle. CFR would've been a great opportunity. Get the first, small victory on principle and all else becomes possible.

[jimt]

Browne and most libertarians have a simple problem of wanting all or nothing, their way or the highway. Until they start playing the game by fighting for the hearts and minds of the people, and realize that the change they want will take years, they will remain a marginalized party.

There are a few reasons for that.

Many of the positions in the platform don't make sense as single issues. An example would be open borders. Without complete elimination of the welfare state, and repeal of any laws not allowing individuals (not governments) to make choices about their property and associations, and a few other items, open borders would be idiocy.

Another is that libertarians tend to be idealists rather than pragmatists.

But Harry's article brings up a good point. Government is GROWING, not shrinking. That's bad.

[Protagoras]

Browne and most libertarians have a simple problem of wanting all or nothing, their way or the highway.

"There are never any compromises in our favor – producing smaller reductions than we might want. "

This statement from the article belies your statement.

[Rule of Law]

Browne and most libertarians have a simple problem of wanting all or nothing, their way or the highway. Until they start playing the game by fighting for the hearts and minds of the people, and realize that the change they want will take years, they will remain a marginalized party.

As Browne points out, Republicans are willing to settle for nothing. All the "Compromises" seem to end up in leftists getting what they want and conservatives getting nothing.

Until conservatives are willing to demand that politicians give them what they want, they will never get anything.

Another way of putting it is that politicians should have to earn our support.