I support most of the Libertarian platform but take issue with a few elements. While I don't believe that government should legislate morality, I also believe that there are some instances in which an absolute morality should outweigh personal freedom for the good of all citizens and to avoid a society of chaos and anarchy. Abortion and drug use are the two main points that I disagree with to an extent.
While I have no problem with any consenting adult doing whatever they wish with their body with whomever or whatever they wish, as long as its not on a public streetcorner or infringes upon anyone else's rights, I do think that complete freedom for individuals that wish to consume mind altering substances is certainly not a good idea. Perhaps if they would agree to give up their right to interact with society on a regular basis they could partake as much as they wished, but I for one do not relish the idea of walking out the door to face a drugged individual behind the wheel of a car, driving the local school bus, or walking the street carrying a loaded gun. If society could be assured protection from the individual during his drugged state then I have no problem with anyone consuming all the illicit drugs they wish.
I also believe in the sanctity of life and that our society should protect life above all else. I happen to believe that an unborn fetus is an unborn life, and deserves protection under the law. I've heard the arguments that a woman has a right do what she wishes with her own body. I totally and wholeheartedly agree with that, however I fundamentally disagree with the premise that a fetus is part of a woman's body. If that were indeed the case then she could retain it within her for her entire life and take it with her to the grave like any other body part, yet we all know that is not the case. I also find it very hypocritical that our society can allow abortion on demand yet create laws that can be used as additional charges against someone if they do harm to that fetus. A drunk driver causing an accident which leads to the death of a fetus can be criminally charged for doing so in addition to all other charges. If a fetus is nothing more than part of a woman's body then couldn't you also make a case to charge that drunk driver with bruising of a spleen, breaking of a rib, or chipping of a tooth? The dual standard makes no sense whatsoever to me.
As for most of the rest of the platform I am in total agreement with. I belive that our federal government as it is today is totally unconstitutional. I believe that the founders of this nation intended for the individual states to retain most all of the powers now usurped by the federal government. I believe the federal income tax to be unconstitutional as well as most of the federal laws, regulations, and agencies. Not all, but the vast majority. I believe that government, any government whether federal, state, or local, should be as small and the least intrusive into our personal lives and freedoms as possible. I believe that personal freedom and liberty without the shackles or taxes of government, as well as responsibility for one's own life, well-being, and destiny were the principals leading to this nation's foundation. It really saddens me to see how far we have strayed from our original greatness.
Having said all of that, I am faced with the practicality of living in our society as it is now. I fervently hope with all my heart and every fiber of my being that someday enough people will grow weary enough of their shackles and their unquenched yearning for freedom and liberty that they will rise up and reclaim ownership of this once great nation from those who have prostituted it into the babylonic whore that it has become. Until then, I must be content with picking and choosing battles of issues incrementally in the hope that each small victory will bring us all one step closer to what we once were.
