Thruthfully, the only Libertarians, that I have run into, are thse on this site , and in real life, a filthy, lon haired, bum looking, seemed to be stoned or drunk ( or just insane ) , ranting man, handing out leaflets on a street corner in Chicago, in 1975 . I haven't met anyone, whilst working for a Republican candidate , on any level ... who admits to being a Libertarian ; not ever . So, I won't comment about that.
I agree with your second statement ; the one where you say that one can throw away one's vote, on the dog catcher and nothing higher. : - )
The Tennessee Conservative Union credits the Tennessee LP for doing yeoman's work (dare I mention Paul Revere?) in saving our behinds from a state income tax. They are certainly represented better at the annual tax protests than my party is.