Libertarianism on the rise in the last three years

Libertarianism | CNN Poll | On The Rise | The Daily Caller

This sounds nice but my problem is that while people may look at those two questions and conclude that libertarianism is on the rise nowhere was the word "libertarian" used in the questioning. Just because you think the government is generally doing to much, and you don't think the government should promote any kind of values doesn't mean you're a libertarian. It would be interesting to see what percentage of the people polled would actually consider themselves libertarian.

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"The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. He is not actually happy when free; he is uncomfortable, a bit alarmed, and intolerably lonely. Liberty is not a thing for the great masses of men. It is the exclusive possession of a small and disreputable minority, like knowledge, courage and honor. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty — and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies." - H. L. Mencken

Anti-Imperialist ⋅ Individualist ⋅ Libertarian ⋅ Voluntaryist

If people truly understood the roots of narco-libertarianism they would burn them all at the stake.

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"The darkies put Obama in office." -JoeB131

http://awesomegifs.com/wp-content/up...ats-racist.gif

Well apparently you think you understand libertarianism, why aren't you out there burning us up?

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"The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. He is not actually happy when free; he is uncomfortable, a bit alarmed, and intolerably lonely. Liberty is not a thing for the great masses of men. It is the exclusive possession of a small and disreputable minority, like knowledge, courage and honor. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty — and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies." - H. L. Mencken

Anti-Imperialist ⋅ Individualist ⋅ Libertarian ⋅ Voluntaryist

I do my best.

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"The darkies put Obama in office." -JoeB131

http://awesomegifs.com/wp-content/up...ats-racist.gif

Here is a very interesting presentation given by George Mason University Professor Bryan Caplan. Basically, the gist is that in broad terms, people call themselves libertarian, and say they support spending cuts and reductions in the size and scope of government. However, data shows that when you ask most of these self-styled small government advocates about cutting specific programs or specific regulations, a very small amount actually support getting rid of such things. The only libertarian plank a large plurality and a soon to be majority support is Marijuana legalization, and a smaller amount(still not close to a majority or large plurality) support defense spending cuts. But Defense spending cuts and Marijuana legalization are probably the most popular libertarian planks. I say this as an anarcho-libertarian btw.
Public Opinion for Libertarians | Foundation for Economic Education

People think Libertarian=Free Sex and Pot.

Mostly they're right.

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"The darkies put Obama in office." -JoeB131

http://awesomegifs.com/wp-content/up...ats-racist.gif

Well, those are the parts a growing number of people like, so the exclude all other parts of the philosophy when giving themselves the "libertarian" designation.

That's not surprising to me. I'm guessing most people who consider themselves "socially liberal" and "fiscally conservative," terms with no meaning, would not call themselves libertarians, and many of those that do call themselves libertarians are exactly what you've described above.

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"The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. He is not actually happy when free; he is uncomfortable, a bit alarmed, and intolerably lonely. Liberty is not a thing for the great masses of men. It is the exclusive possession of a small and disreputable minority, like knowledge, courage and honor. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty — and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies." - H. L. Mencken

Anti-Imperialist ⋅ Individualist ⋅ Libertarian ⋅ Voluntaryist

Something is really wrong with this thread.

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Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto | Populares

I certainly take the study with a grain of salt. Republicans like to call themselves 'libertarian' when they want seem independent, edgy, or not-at-all-like-the-stodgy-authoritarian-old-school-conservative-mainstream. Or when they want to distance themselves form disasters like Bush and the neocons.

But I do think more and more people are beginning to see real value in the libertarian perspective. I think a large factor in that realization is the fact that there is so little "hope" for "change" in swapping Democrats for Republicans. Even before Obama was elected, the most substantive opposition to Bush was coming from libertarians like Ron Paul - not from the supposed opposition party. The Democrats only beef was that they weren't running things. And the Obama administration has borne that out, as the Democrats have been reluctant to change much of anything of substance.

The sad fact is, we have two authoritarian parties running the show right now. It makes sense that people looking for a real alternative are looking for something to balance that.

It's not about the label of her shirt, it's about how she carries the fabric into negotiations and it's not about the car he drives it's about the game he brings. I'm so fucking tired of labels...

Fiscally, I'm looking for candidates to support who shun lobbyists and show me they understand the concept of fair taxes and appropriate regulation rather than low taxes and no regulation. I'm also looking for candidates who support a strict return to PAYGO

On social issues I'm looking for candidates of character. If taxes are fair, spending limited to what's collected and professional lobbying is relegated to the history books, maybe the states will have some money left over to keep things tidy for the tourists.

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Before deciding..... ask yourself, "Is anyone really going to care in 100 years?"


~Treat the Earth well... It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.
~We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.
` --Native American Proverbs

Post A Message to The Future here.

Dance Monkeys, Dance.

You' re just another tax-and-spend libtard. You hate labels because you're on the wrong end of a lot of them.

I agree with you man.

The last narco-libertarian president incinerated 6,000,000 Jews.

Oooooooh, wait, Adolf, was a fascistic nazi, YOUR religion. So they should burn and your ilk at the stake.

Gee, hope you concur.

.

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The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them.

Joseph Story
Supreme Court Justice

At least you admit the Holocaust actually happened. Unlike your ideological cell mates.

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"The darkies put Obama in office." -JoeB131

http://awesomegifs.com/wp-content/up...ats-racist.gif

Ironic you mentions cell mates and holocaust in the same post, because in many countries you can be put in a prison cell for questioning the Holocaust.