I know many libertarians don't like to associate themselves with the Libertarian Party platform. But that's like saying, we can talk about philosophy, but lets not put it in the context of politics. Why? Reality must come into play, when we talk politics. I happen to relate political philosophy with party politics. Without party politics and without winning elections, you're political agenda, has no chance of ever being realized.
Is anyone under the illusion, why Libertarians/libertarians never get elected to public office?
OMG!! You're one of those "Republicans are great and right no matter what" people, aren't you? I've heard that there are some like that.
Whatever. I don't think we'll be engaged in a long discussion here, but your statement, in context, is ludicrous as far as a response to the idea that the privatization of social security is really a 'small l' libertarian idea.
Wasn't there a commission several years back to deal with social security? Didn't they basically raise the rates of taxation? Didn't the Republicans go along with it? What did your hero (whom I greatly admire) R Reagan do?
I applaude GWB (and Steve Forbes before him) as Republicans who have moved the idea forward, but it really originated in the minds of libertarian thinkers, by and large.
I happen to relate political philosophy with party politics. Without party politics and without winning elections, you're political agenda, has no chance of ever being realized.
Uh. oh....it's silly time for Reagan Man. There are the thinkers, the idea people and then there are the politicians. As you must know, a lot of the socialist programs of the early part of the20th century made it into practice without them winning elections...including, remarkably enough, social security.
Ideas can be powerful things, indeed, even bad ideas.