Libertarian or Libertarian?

realclearpolitics.com ^ | December 19, 2006 | Bruce Bartlett

[neverdem]

In a recent column, I discussed the disaffection of libertarians within the conservative coalition, suggesting that many might be more at home on the political left. A number of readers wrote to say that they agreed with my analysis and had left the Republican Party for the Libertarian Party. Among these is former Republican Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia, who officially joined the Libertarians last week.

Of course, people are free to do what they want to do, and if they want to join the Libertarians, that's their business. But if their goal is to actually change policy in a libertarian direction, then they are making a big mistake, in my opinion. The Libertarian Party is worse than a waste of time. I believe it has done far more to hamper the advancement of libertarian ideas and policies than it has done to advance them. In my view, it is essential for the Libertarian Party to completely disappear before libertarian ideas will again have political currency.

The basic problem with the Libertarian Party is the same problem faced by all third parties: It cannot win. The reason is that under the Constitution a candidate must win an absolute majority in the all-important Electoral College. It won't do just to have the most votes in a three- or four-way race. You have to have at least 270 electoral votes to win, period.

Theoretically, this is no barrier to third parties at the state and local level. But in practice, if a party cannot win at the presidential level, it is very unlikely to achieve success at lower levels of government. In short, the Electoral College imposes a two-party system on the country that makes it prohibitively difficult for third parties to compete.

[Paige]

SO you're saying Kerry would have been better? Fine, now that you've gotten your wish, we'll see how Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats control spending and win the "War on Terror."

Good Luck! I can say they didn't get my support and they especially did not get my vote. So, let the games begin.

Sitting back now and observing.

[Dead Corpse]

Arms turns up 131. Second Amendment turns up 200.

Whoops. How about a nice cup of STFU... Take your idiot lies elsewhere.

[LowCountryJoe]

This begs the question: what does liberalism really mean and how/why did the definition get f___ed up.

[Paige]

The Media changes the use of words as well as meanings of words on a daily basis as does the Liberals, but as for using vulgarity, I don't understand the use of such words in having a civil discussion.

Liberalism is a cult; thus, they have to convolute as well as misrepresent anything that is factual or correct to further their own agenda.

[LowCountryJoe]

But what does 'liberlism' truly mean? What is the significance in something, say, government activity or government involvement in the economy, becoming liberalized represent? Do you know? Do you care to look it up?

[AmishDude]

You have to search in quotes. I realize you aren't aware of how search engines work, but when you type in Second Amendment without the quotes, it turns up any document with the word "Second" or with the word "Amendment". If you look carefully, those documents with "Amendment" are referring to the 16th or others. Those documents with "Second" have it with a number of other nouns.

Sorry Charlie.

[AmishDude]

Who decides on the individuals who become Libertarian candidates for office?

[AmishDude]

Oh, and "arms" can refer to body parts, as you probably know.

Then again, maybe you don't.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Libertarians generally believe... government should impose punishments upon the bad behavers only when the consequences of their behavior would fall on people who would otherwise lack recourse.

No, a real libertarian would allow someone who has the guts to impose such punishments himself and not run to the nanny state... The liberal-tarian is another matter, they want to run and tattle when their bad behavior gets them in a precarious position with such a person...

[Paige]

Why should I care to look up an answer to something that I already know the answer too?

Liberalism is a cult. Liberalism breeds collectivism and strips the rights of Individualism. Liberalism breeds economic dependency on the government and brings about slothfulness.

Liberalism tries to make society as a whole, one class or a classless society through redistribution of wealth since the implementation of Marxist Ideas.

By doing so, Liberalism creates mediocrity through Marxism by allegedly treating everyone as equals. Liberalism turns the ideas of the Founding Fathers upside down and despises republicanism and individualism. Liberalism takes away goals, takes away the ability to succeed and keeps the masses poor and ignorant.

Elitist such as Teddy Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Al Gore, see people as their servants. Such people have bastardized the ideas put forth by Marx and they use Marxist ideas to increase the power of the elitist while keeping the others in economic slavery all the while the people are wallowing in poverty waiting for their monthly morsel (welfare) from big brother government.

Our society was taken over during the turn of the 19th/20th century and this incremental change has been taking place for over a hundred years. Although subtle, the markings of Progressivism continues. As Liberalism evolves, we see the push for a godless society that must adhere to a Politically Correct mindset, if not the Individual takes the chance of being ostracized. The universities and colleges have trained the media collectivist to incrementally push their Ideologies to go along with the elitist all the while pushing the alleged "Feelgoodim" of the Liberalistic ideas of today.

All of this took root and was given to us over time by such French Philosophers as Rousseau,Voltaire, Kant, Hume and others who started this Ideological ideas of reason and science.

As stated above, Liberalism is a cultivated Ideology that sets people up to become mediocre 'UNLESS" they are elitist and know how to move up in the system.

Otherwise, the Liberal elitist see the people as their servants who keep them in office.

If anything, Liberal Politicians are true Machiavellians. They've learned how to evince the ignorant and lazy through specious speeches and eristic ideas that continue to be implemented through legislation not only in Washington, D.C. but in the state capitals and especially with the rulings of the courts who have been legislating from the bench.

This could continue into a dissertation but I think not. The key point in saying this is.... Liberalism has been around for a long time and had evolved in its meaning. Liberalism is nothing more than Socialism with a name that looks and sounds better.

I don't have to look up anything for your information. I've studied political Ideologies for years. What I do find rather amusing is the way people throw around words and use the words in an accusatory fashion but do not have any idea what the true meaning of the words they use actually mean.

[Dead Corpse]

Aww... poor baby... Can't face up to the fact that there are a lot more issues than you tried to portray. Boo-hoo...

Run along now...

[Dead Corpse]

Sure do chuckles. But look up some of those articles, they ain't talkin' 'bout biceps...

[AmishDude]

Some do refer to body parts, many don't. But what you need to search on is `firearms OR "bear arms"'

Be careful not to search on "bare arms", though.

[Dead Corpse]

"Liberal" has its roots in "libre" or "free". Todays liberals have nothing to do with the actual meaning of the word "liberal". They are socialists and collectivists to be much more accurate.

[AmishDude]

Oh, sure, the Libertarian party makes noises about other issues, but the bottom line -- where recruiting is strongest and the Soros money is huge -- is in pot.

[Dead Corpse]

Why? So I can add to the total of search hits that have nothing to do with your beloved drug war? Haven't I already provided more than enough?

Give it a rest. You are really getting boring.

[katdawg]

"I'm a libertarian and I'm no steenking liberal-- beware of Bill Maher types masquerading as "libertarians" to impress their friends and co-workers with their maverick political philosophy."

I agree, I am libertarian too, but I would never vote for a stinking Democrat!

[AmishDude]

You are really getting boring.

The truth is rather dull. Especially when you're sober.

[katdawg]

"liberal-tarians are just democrats who don't like hearing that they are out loud. Barr is a jerk. He was and may still be on the board of the aclu. You do the math."

Don't stereotype libertarians....I will NEVER classify myself as a democrat yet I hold some left beliefs...I will vote Republican Republican Republican! Democratic candidates are MORONS!

[Dead Corpse]

Truth? Coming from you, that's funny...

Hey, here's an idea... check the GOP party platform for "Second Amendment". See what they say. Then go check the LP platform.

Notice a difference? GOP thinks it actually has the power to infringe the uninfringable. The LP doesn't.

And property Rights, and free speech, and freedom of religion, and ending welfare, and tax abuse, ect...

But you just can't let go that one little side note of ending the drug war can you?

Sorry troll, but if you can't see the bigger picture, I've got no further use for you.