Can Libertarians function in the Republican Party?

Fox News | 11/26/02 | me

[Sparta]

I just heard on John Gibson's show a guest say that libertarians can influence policy in the Republican Party. He pointed to Ron Paul and Dick Armey as examples. Your comments please.

[Sparta]

Bump on traitor Paul!! Saddam's buttboy in the House.

[Liberal Classic]

Um, Bill Maher voted for Nader.

[Sparta]

But the socialist calls himself a libertarian.

[jwalsh07]

Thin Again and ThinkDifferent

By its own stated policy - ACLU Policy 4 - the ACLU opposes on First Amendment grounds (1) "Laws which punish the distribution or exposure of such material to minors" i.e., obscenity, pornography or indecency and (2) "laws that restrict the production and distribution of any printed and visual materials even when some of the producers of those materials are punishable under criminal law," i.e, child pornography. The ACLU does not accept any form of filtering because it believes it's unconstitutional to prevent the distribution of pornography to anyone, including children.

The ACLU opposes filters in all cases.

[marsh2]

When the Republican party is the party of limited and locally centered government, I am delighted.

When it strays from a basic mission to protect public health and safety, protect my liberties and property from the tyranny of the majority and limit federal regulation according to the strict interpretation of the Consitution, I will probably go for the party that will accept that mission.

And, if the party forces its way into my bedroom or my private person, it can look elsewhere for support.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

We gat a 10% discount on pot. Take that, Democrats!

[Liberal Classic]

He was a Hollywood entertainer. He said what he thought would give him ratings.

[Neets]

HA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hacksaw]

(let alone Constitutional authorization)

No, there is constitutional authorization. Porn does not have full 1st Amd. protection.

[seanc623]

I just heard on John Gibson's show a guest say that libertarians can influence policy in the Republican Party. He pointed to Ron Paul and Dick Armey as examples. Your comments please.

I agree absolutely that Libertarians are most effective working within the GOP. Republican primaries are an untapped resource for groups like the Republican Liberty Caucus to create lasting change. Let's unite different factions from the LP, Constitution, and Reform parties to do good things within the framework of the GOP.

[Bob Mc]

"Not until they revise their political agenda to protect the rights of the unborn."

And why aren't Republicans held to this standard? Plenty of pro-death Republicans. Why hold Libertarians to a higher standard?

[Phantom Lord]

Could the government not require those who provide pornography on the internet require visitors to their sites to provide age verification prior to allowing access to the porn?

And what would be wrong with this? If one can be required to show ID to purchase Playboy in a store, why not to view porn on the internet?

Could 15 year old Johnny get daddys credit card and scam the age verification system? Yes. Just as virtually every underage college student in America has a fake ID to get alcohol.

[Liberal Classic]

Let's unite different factions from the LP, Constitution, and Reform parties to do good things within the framework of the GOP.

That's starting to sound better every day.

[Sparta]

Bump!!! A conservative/libertarian alliance will be unstoppable across the country.

[Cyber Liberty]

Sure they can. If they can ever get over looking down their noses at the Pubbies.

[Phantom Lord]

Bill Maher is no libertarian, no matter what he claims.

[ThinkDifferent]

A conservative/libertarian alliance will be unstoppable across the country

Agreed!

[seanc623]

How do you keep it out of the hands of kids, while keeping it available to adults?

Involved parents are the only answer. That's why we must work together to defeat the welfare state and reestablish personal responsibility. We can recapture many members of this "lost generation" who have become parents without understanding the awesome responsibility that entails.

[Liberal Classic]

There's a bit of snobbery on boths sides. Personally, I think both the Republicans and Libertarians need to eat a bit of humble pie, and start working together. That means we're going to have to get past these statist/traitor arguments on to something more productive.

[Sparta]

Some of the Republican pro-choicers are good every other issue.(Condi Rice, Kay Bailey Hutchinson are the first two who come to mind)