Ultimately, Libertarianism is a philosophy, not a form of government. Start talking about the realities of politics and its adherents’ eyes glaze over. Suggest compromise and watch them go ballistic. It’s almost a religious thing.
Excellent. Take the one Republican leader who really rubs libertarians the wrong way: Rudy Giuliani. He concentrated on non-violent crimes such as vagrancy, prostitution, pan-handling, etc. The result? A dramatic drop in violent crime, a populace that feels more secure, one the feels free to walk the streets, tourists that feel free to tour NYC, cabbies that feel free to drive to more neighborhoods, citizens who feel free to go to Central Park without harassment. Real freedom for the majority as a result of common sense, not imaginary freedom for a select few deviants as a result of a philosophy.
Well put. That is where I see that I and Libertarians part ways. I follow common sense.
This is perhaps the most ignorant and unintellectual statement that I've ever seen posted to FR. What exactly is the definition of "common sense"? You need philosophy to define such terms. Leaving your terms undefined as if they were universals that everyone agreed upon simply won't cut the mustard.