[jackbob]

I'm not sure about its actual origins, but that slogan was introducd by David Bergland when he ran as the LP Presidential candidate. As I recall him explaining it, infants are almost absolute Libertarians, then as they get programed first by their parents, then by society, they become less and less libertarian. The examples he used were very one sided and positive. It sounded good, on a quick hearing, but didn't hold up on further examination.

Individual rights is a two sided idea. As the LP's principle of living your life as you choose, also holds the proviso of not interfering with others to live their lives as they choose. Infants, babies, small children, have no respect for other peoples rights, and thereby cannot be libertarian.

[spintreebob]

There is a difference between using force and interfering. When I "witness" my religion, or my political beliefs, or my sports team preference, to others I am interfering in their comfortable little world. They do not have a right to not be offended by what I say.

But when I force them to listen to me by holding a gun on them, or holding my hand in their pocket, that has crossed the line. Thus voluntary interference and voluntary government is the libertarian alternative to involuntary interference and involuntary government.

Voluntary government means the ability to vote with your feet to move from one local government to another. It means that the extended family, the church, the profesional association, the Boy Scouts can impose "rules" that apply to its voluntary members who exercise the freedom to associate (or not associate) with whomever they choose.

Illinois RLC