Replies

* The compassionate, pro-immigrant view of Cato in contrast to the anti-immigration hysteria of liberals and conservatives alike following Sept. 11.

I'm a LP member, but I (and many other libertarians, small "l" and big "L") part ways with the party line on this issue. 9/11 was more than an act of terrorism - it was an act of WAR by a group of foreign religious fanatics who are hell-bent on our annihilation. Securing the borders and clamping down on immigration is a necessary step we must take in order to preserve our unique American freedoms for ourselves and our posterity.

* How Cato, and most Libertarians, think the war on terrorism has lost focus and no longer pertains to America's vital interests.

True. If we're really serious about stopping terrorism, we have to end the latest "War on a Noun" (i.e. terror), and recognize that we have a real enemy (radical Islam), which is just as real as the Japanese Empire was in December 1941. The "War on a Noun" approach has failed miserably when applied to other nouns such as "Drugs" or "Poverty", but in this case it cannot be risked: our national survival is at stake.

* The fact that Cato and typical Libertarians oppose post Sept. 11 corporate subsidies.

Libertarians oppose ALL corporate subsidies, regardless of the circumstances.

* The opposition of Cato and most Libertarians to military tribunals: "The Bill of Rights is more than scrap paper. And it applies to all persons, not just U.S. citizens."-Robert Levy, Cato's senior constitutional studies fellow.

Sorry, fellas, you missed this one, too. The scumbags at Gitmo have committed war crimes by plotting and carrying out horrific acts of terrorism against civilians, and are sworn enemies of America. I have no problem with trying these bastards before a military tribunal, and frankly, I believe that even American citizens (such as Taliban Johnny) that commit such acts should be afforded the same treatment.

bassmaner said: "Securing the borders and clamping down on immigration is a necessary step we must take in order to preserve our unique American freedoms for ourselves and our posterity."

My posterity can take care of itself.

If securing our borders means that socialist liberals stay here and continue to undermine our Constitution and that freedom-loving Mexicans who are willing to work hard to provide for themselves and who would support our Constitution are denied entrance, then secure borders are a bad thing.

If we did away with socialist programs which make it possible for the undeserving to thrive here and made life miserable for corrupt, socialist pits like Mexico, then there would be little problem with our borders.

Rick Stanley parts ways with the Party line on the issue of immigration during War. He supports closing the borders until we can be assured our armed enemies bent on annihilation of our country are prohibited from entering.

I am still personally learning about this issue and deciding where I PERSONALLY stand. I understand the importance immigrants have played in building and sustaining this economy of ours, especially in terms of agricultural production.

Yet, during times of war, I am scared just like the rest of us deep down inside, and I wonder if open borders are good. Perhaps if we didn't live in a nation bent on stripping its citizens of the right to self defense (i.e. Gun control), then threat from immigration wouldn't be so big a problem.

The problem I see lies more with Americans willing to put up with just about anything as long as they can still live in their ideal world -- which is ideal only until the government sneaks up on them and stabs them in the back by way of some pesky tax law, taking away their income via income taxes to the point both parents are working to put food on the table for only two kids, then accusing them of not having enough time to spend with them... etc...

I'm not convinced even the LP has figured out all the answers, but I do know we are a lot closer to the right path than either the R's or D's.

I don't have a lot of time to answer all the messages that have been posted to this board, so let me suffice to say -- learn about the LP. Not all of us agree with all of the positions on the plank. I do believe you will find it a lot more comfortable than supporting the Rs or Ds who have been selling out your rights for years.

Thanks,
Michelle