I know lots of religious libertarians.
that supports policies that no informed Christian ever would.
Libertarians support smaller federal government.
Are you saying no Christian would support smaller federal government?
They prefer Dems in ofc to the GOP, something no real
conservative would ever want, much less work for.
I voted Republican at the top of the ticket
in 2000 and libertarian from there down.
Like their allies, the Greens, they're comprised of exetremists,
Libertarians are allied with the Greens? I shudder to
think of what other "advice" you are giving to your
friends.
. It isn’t for those of us who KNOW the facts about the LP, that's for sure!!!
You don't know the facts, as I have pointed out. By the way,
if you really have a Bachelor's degree in Political Science,
you'd better ask for your money back. I have attended Georgia
State as well, and came away with some eduction in my field.
They saw you coming.
Most of the LP members I know are conservative Christians. You've clearly bought into a caricature that completely misses the actual demographics of the LP. I'm not an LP member, but I've known lots of people that were and most aren't as you describe. In fact, some of the nutty overtly religious types running that party are a primary reason I don't subscribe to it.
I'm going to have to disagree with you a bit. Ten years ago, I would consider myself, a conservative Christian Republican. Now I'm leaning to conservative Christian libertarian for several reasons. First off, the WOD. Now as a Christian I understand and know that the 'feel good do it' mentality is wrong. However I also understand that under the Constitution of these United States, there is no real defining of this power. Sure I've seen the arguments, but they're weak. Should the WOD continue? Not at the federal level. However, there should be laws on drugs passed and prosecuted at the state level.
The other issue is conservatism. At least here in NC, the Republican candidates the RNC backs are liberal to say the least. I'm constantly flamed for it, but take a look between Liddy Dole and Erskine Bowles. I can't find an issue that they truly differ on, except maybe by a few degrees. I will agree that the Libertarian Party in its truest form exists with few morals, however I have left the Republican Party and joined the Southern Party, an up and coming party that will in years to come hopefully cause a stir for us down here in 'occupied territory' (yes, I'm one of those)
I have to say that the Republicans have left me behind a long time ago on many issues. I am for a national defense, I do believe in fighting for the right cause but I also see this nation of states has become what the Founders left behind over 200 years ago with its citizens not much more than subjects to the centralized government in Washington DC. I do not believe or support a tariff to protect jobs for any reason. In the end it hurts the industry and for the short term causes higher prices. I am on the fence on immigration. I do believe in protection of borders, especially with the general government funding every social program under the sun. However if those social programs were limited to citizens instead of anyone that could get a driver's license as they are now, I'm not sure I have as much of a problem with immigration.
Abortion? Of course it is wrong, but heck look at the number of Republican candidates this year that either don't have an official stance or are open to 'limited' abortions. Same case with homosexuality. We are pandering to less than 2% of the population for fear of being labeled hateful. Yet more Republicans either condone this sickness outright or in private. The Democratic Party may differ on the fiscal side of the party lines but the Republican Party as a whole is moving to the left. I didn't move as much as the Party picked up the tent, moved it, and staked it in the middle of the road. I'm still over here on the far right but tended to be ostracized by many of my former party's members for my beliefs.
You say you make sure your Christian friends understand the Libertarian Party and its stance, I'd start questioning them about what the Republican Party seems to be doing, especially here in the South. Look at the RINOs lined up and ready to win. Sure Republicans may 'win back the Senate', Bush may even throw a judge out there to the cheers of the party faithful, but at what cost. What will they be doing 5, 10, or even 15 years from now. Look at Bush's latest agency invention. A SWAT team to fight corporate corruption? What? Were there not laws in place before for corruption whether it be lying to the stockholders, insider trading, or outright embezzlement? Is the general government's regulation of the stock market somehow going to help cure all our ills, turn the stock market around, and help the economy? Yet, so many Senators, Representatives, or anyone else in Washington possibly affected by a political vote is jumping on the bandwagon of corporate responsibility, the axle's going to break on the wagon!! And the guys yelling loudest are Republicans!! They're just in it for the vote, whichever of their constituents see the nightly news, see that their Congressman is fighting for them, and maybe get a vote out of it. Does it really matter if they have a D or an R beside their name anymore? From the past 6 months, I'm beginning to believe it doesn't.
I'm glad to hear that the LP is an atheist party. (That's a surprise to me, really). I jumped ship from the GOP simply due to its religious slant, and I'm fairly new to voting LP.
I hadn't considered voting LP previously because every LP site I visited and almost every Libertarian with whom I spoke online was a CHRISTIAN, not an atheist.
BTW, there are many liberal "Christians" who are pro-choice; maybe you don't consider them as true "Christians", but they do! And, yet, I as an atheist (and some other atheists with whom I've spoken) favor a "pro-life" policy. So, like the author, I differ with the LP on that issue.
I'm not crazy about other LP issues either: I think drug use is senseless. YET, I can see how ridiculous it is to spend billions trying to save people from themselves.
I'm not a gun enthusiast (to put it mildly). YET, I can understand the dangers behind banning gun ownership and gov't control.
I don't want a homosexual or pro-abortion agenda taught to our children in school. THAT'S WHY the LP position of separating SCHOOL and state seems to be the best solution.
I've spoken with people who are racist LP members. But, guess what? There are racist and homosexual and pro-abortion and Christian and atheist and drug-using people in ALL the parties. So, like you, Malcolm, I cannot relate to every single LP voter, just like I cannot relate to every single American, but I can embrace the principles.