What is Libertarian?

[dblack]

I just thought I'd throw this one out there for discussion. It's my guess, based on many of the posts around here, that there will be wildly divergent views. I've been associated with libertarian causes, including the Libertarian party since before Ron Paul's first run for president ('88). I even ran for local county offices on the Libertarian ticket a couple of times as a 'paper' candidate ('paper' meaning I was on the ballot but didn't run an active campaign - and frankly had no expectation of winning).

For me, libertarian ideology is pretty simple. It's about taking the ethos of 'live-and-let-live' seriously. It's about real tolerance and diversity. It's based on the idea that the whole purpose of government is to maximize freedom.

 

[The Rabbi]

Sex n drugs n rock n roll.

Libertarianism is a second cousin to communism by way of anarchism.

 

[Charles_Main]

Libertarianism is Personal Freedom at almost any cost.

 

[dblack]

Sex n drugs n rock n roll.

Libertarianism is a second cousin to communism by way of anarchism.

Yeah. I was more interested in definitions from people who actually espouse the ideology, rather than those who merely build strawmen. But thank you for playing.

 

[JohnA]

Sex n drugs n rock n roll.

Libertarianism is a second cousin to communism by way of anarchism.

Read about our party here and educate yourself .


Libertarian Party (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[rightwinger]

I think it has something to do with stacking books

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Sex n drugs n rock n roll.

Libertarianism is a second cousin to communism by way of anarchism.

Read about our party here and educate yourself .


Libertarian Party (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He has no interest in getting an education.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

I just thought I'd throw this one out there for discussion. It's my guess, based on many of the posts around here, that there will be wildly divergent views. I've been associated with libertarian causes, including the Libertarian party since before Ron Paul's first run for president ('88). I even ran for local county offices on the Libertarian ticket a couple of times as a 'paper' candidate ('paper' meaning I was on the ballot but didn't run an active campaign - and frankly had no expectation of winning).

For me, libertarian ideology is pretty simple. It's about taking the ethos of 'live-and-let-live' seriously. It's about real tolerance and diversity. It's based on the idea that the whole purpose of government is to maximize freedom.

I would agree with that definition.

 

[flacaltenn]

You've got good intentions Dblack. I've spent 12 years actively engaged in Libertarian politics and issues. But I've come to conclusion that my focus is going to be on issues, policy and REALITY of American politics -- not the party. Libertarians couldn't manage a bake sale. As evidenced by the decision to waive compulsory dues because that was "too coercive". Or the candidates we vet who think marijuana is an entire platform and not just a plant..

So all my energy and time and money goes now to Cato, Reason Foundation, and a handful of other policy centers that deal with items like the Dept of Education and Social Security from a PRAGMATIC standpoint. Because Libertarians are too prissy in general to speak to issues that matter to the general public as a party. But we do offer some mighty interesting alternatives to the prescriptions for incremental change in actual policy..

 

[ClosedCaption]

It's like Fantasy Football...its a good thing to think about but actually doing it is impossible

 

[Sundial]

Republicans without religion?

 

[The Rabbi]

Sex n drugs n rock n roll.

Libertarianism is a second cousin to communism by way of anarchism.

Read about our party here and educate yourself .


Libertarian Party (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He has no interest in getting an education.

I've had enough education to realize that libertarianism is a crank movement. It is Progressive just by another name.

 

[dblack]

You've got good intentions Dblack. I've spent 12 years actively engaged in Libertarian politics and issues. But I've come to conclusion that my focus is going to be on issues, policy and REALITY of American politics -- not the party. Libertarians couldn't manage a bake sale. As evidenced by the decision to waive compulsory dues because that was "too coercive". Or the candidates we vet who think marijuana is an entire platform and not just a plant..

Interesting. That's more or less the conclusion I arrived at a few years back. From my perspective, the party proper is dominated by ideological purists who would rather be 'a big fish in a small pond' than have a real impact on the polical world. In particular, I felt like they passed up too many opportunities to reach out to like minded people simply because they were affiliated with mainstream parties. I see real potential in fomenting a movement that crosses party boundaries. I talk to Democrats, Republicans, Greens and Constitutionalists who agree that we have government run amok. We need to pull together and stand up for what is right.

 

[The Rabbi]

Almost everyone agrees the gov't has gotten way out of control. It is out of control in its spending, it is out of control in its regulation, it is out of control in its legal system.
The question is what to do about it. We didnt get here in 4 years. And it will take more than 4years to get back. Hell, until Reagan the GOP was also the party of big government. Nixon added more agencies than almost anyone else.

 

[dblack]

Almost everyone agrees the gov't has gotten way out of control. It is out of control in its spending, it is out of control in its regulation, it is out of control in its legal system.
The question is what to do about it. We didnt get here in 4 years. And it will take more than 4years to get back. Hell, until Reagan the GOP was also the party of big government. Nixon added more agencies than almost anyone else.

And the Bush's accelerated the trend. Now we're asked to vote for Bush III. No thanks.

 

[flacaltenn]

You've got good intentions Dblack. I've spent 12 years actively engaged in Libertarian politics and issues. But I've come to conclusion that my focus is going to be on issues, policy and REALITY of American politics -- not the party. Libertarians couldn't manage a bake sale. As evidenced by the decision to waive compulsory dues because that was "too coercive". Or the candidates we vet who think marijuana is an entire platform and not just a plant..

Interesting. That's more or less the conclusion I arrived at a few years back. From my perspective, the party proper is dominated by ideological purists who would rather be 'a big fish in a small pond' than have a real impact on the polical world. In particular, I felt like they passed up too many opportunities to reach out to like minded people simply because they were affiliated with mainstream parties. I see real potential in fomenting a movement that crosses party boundaries. I talk to Democrats, Republicans, Greens and Constitutionalists who agree that we have government run amok. We need to pull together and stand up for what is right.

Yup.. Third party choices and fourth and fifth choices would go a long way to breaking up the monotony and monopoly of the twin moron parties. There was active discussion with the Green party back about 8 years ago RE: cooperation on ballot access legal challenges. The only way to instill real philosophy into the Dem/Rep beauty contest is to challenge them from the "extremes". Because you know what you get when you cross a progressive with Tea Partier don'tcha? (John McCain)

I'm sick and tired of leaping thru hoops to get libertarians on Tennessee state ballots only to be told that the monopoly won't let us IDENTIFY THEM AS LIBERTARIANS ON THE BALLOT. Most people are not aware of how protected the political cartel really is.

So you have 2 examples of "stealth politics". The Progressive Dem model where the principles are clearly socialist but they are too chicken-shit to identify themselves. And the principled Repubs in the tri-cornered hats partying like it's 1774 and they are all John Adams. Either one works to enforce principles on the party. Those animals are not shy about their "identity".

But with only 2 choices, it's architecturally unstable. The 2 often collude to lower expectations for ethics, principles and results.

Is it my imagination or did "the Rabbi" actuallly just make an attempt at rational debate? I've got to go check. Maybe we're rubbing off on him....

 

[flacaltenn]

Almost everyone agrees the gov't has gotten way out of control. It is out of control in its spending, it is out of control in its regulation, it is out of control in its legal system.
The question is what to do about it. We didnt get here in 4 years. And it will take more than 4years to get back. Hell, until Reagan the GOP was also the party of big government. Nixon added more agencies than almost anyone else.

THat's why I'm dissing your fav party here dear Rebbee. Too many party Libertarians want the world to start from their pristine principles --- rather than doing the harder job of taking the tiller of the leaky schooner and getting her back to port above the water line..

But if you can confuse a libertarian with a progressive -- you're not gonna pass the exit exam Rebbee..

 

[uscitizen]

Someone who works in the library?

 

[dblack]

I'm sick and tired of leaping thru hoops to get libertarians on Tennessee state ballots only to be told that the monopoly won't let us IDENTIFY THEM AS LIBERTARIANS ON THE BALLOT. Most people are not aware of how protected the political cartel really is.

Is it my imagination or did "the Rabbi" actuallly just make an attempt at rational debate? I've got to go check. Maybe we're rubbing off on him....

It seems unlikely, but I suppose anything is possible....

 

[ladyliberal]

I like the original poster's definition of libertarian (though it doesn't describe me). It seems like today, people's definition of libertarian is very different. Alot of people seem to equate libertarianism with small government, rather than a government that is willing to actively protect personal liberties. Similarly, there's an association of libertarianism with laissez-faire economics without protecting individual noneconomic liberties such as reproductive rights, vices (drugs, gambling, etc.) and the rights of criminal defendants. Libertarianism, like Constitutionalism, is something that some people like to throw around when it supports their point of view and ignore the rest of the time.