The Revival Of Libertarianism

[Craig234]

As a libertarian myself, I can say this isn't true. When a Libertarian candidate isn't running, my vote can go to either the (D) or (R) candidate. Often it depends on which lines up best with my views on issues and whether social or economic issues are my bigger concern at the time.

It's not true for you, and I'd certainlyu like to clarigy that while I thiink it's true for a larrge majority of Libertarians, it's not for all. I do still think you're a (good) exception. Do you see many open to Dems?

 

[BoberFett]

It's not true for you, and I'd certainlyu like to clarigy that while I thiink it's true for a larrge majority of Libertarians, it's not for all. I do still think you're a (good) exception. Do you see many open to Dems?

You want to talk big tent, libertarians are a broader mix than Democrats. They're the disenfranchised from both parties.

 

[Steeplerot]

For some odd reason people think Reps were "libertarian" and lost their way.
They never were. Barry Goldwater is the closest reps had and he LOST and rejected by Rep party..

Goldwater only won his home state of Arizona and five states in the south, depicted in red. Capturing 61.1% of the popular vote and 486 electors, Johnson won in a landslide.

So no, reps never lost their way, their "small govt/conservative" shtick has always been a scam.

 

[glenn1]

It's not true for you, and I'd certainlyu like to clarigy that while I thiink it's true for a larrge majority of Libertarians, it's not for all. I do still think you're a (good) exception. Do you see many open to Dems?

Sure, there is a spectrum of Libertarians the same as in the other parties. You have Left and Right leaning Libertarians, as well as a few other subspecies. I am not 100% aboard with every tenet of Libertarianism either; I'm more receptive to progressive-style social welfare programs than most libertarians (of whichever flavor), less attracted to the isolationism plank, and can't fully embrace the "government is the problem" ideas. Admittedly, I'm more likely to be attracted to a Rockefeller Republican/"Third Way" Democrat than a strongly progressive or conservative candidate, but then again I don't think I differ from many Americans in that.

 

[PJABBER]

I don't think I differ from many Americans in that.

While I am surely losing something in the translation of the detail, I will grant you the conclusion.

As I would anyone who uses that C.S. Lewis quote for a sig.

 

[Craig234]

Sure, there is a spectrum of Libertarians the same as in the other parties. You have Left and Right leaning Libertarians, as well as a few other subspecies. I am not 100% aboard with every tenet of Libertarianism either; I'm more receptive to progressive-style social welfare programs than most libertarians (of whichever flavor), less attracted to the isolationism plank, and can't fully embrace the "government is the problem" ideas. Admittedly, I'm more likely to be attracted to a Rockefeller Republican/"Third Way" Democrat than a strongly progressive or conservative candidate, but then again I don't think I differ from many Americans in that.

You don't seem to disagree with my opinion that you are an unusual 'Libertarian', and my comments about what most, not all, Libertarians are like.

I would like ot say, we dont' see a lot of self-described third way Democrats either, and I have some criticism of that group.

They don't really seem to stand for much of anything more than 'take whetever parts of the liberals are politically popular with the majority of people, concede anything to the right that helps politicially'.

It might be a nice way to win some elections in the short term but it's basically a crap non-agenda. It's not saying what's right, it's just agreeing with people, and stealing some pretty phrases.

Panderer might be a better name.

It's the group who gave others what they wanted on trade policy to get poliktical support - abandoning liberal principles - with terrible results. No, thanks.

The Democratic party has a war between such 'pragmatists', for whom allying with the Wall Street interests and others is not a problem, and the liberals who stand for the public interest.

We really don't need another vote for the wrong side.

 

[Craig234]

You want to talk big tent, libertarians are a broader mix than Democrats. They're the disenfranchised from both parties.

It's neither practicasl resolve nor important the comparison of 'big tent' measure.

*Some* of the disenfranchised are attracted to them, others are not.

Progressives are a 'disenchanted group' for Democrats now, but most are't going anywhere, tryiing to get more progressivesin power, and the ones who do are usually not going to the Libertarians.

The Libertarians are mostly attractive to people who dislike something about government and have little idea about the threats and dangers from privae power and do't understand the government's theoretical role to protect their interest, the only thing that can, and the idea that government may be run byu the wrong people but the solution is to fix that influence, not gut the public's power through democracy.

 

[Zebo]

For some odd reason people think Reps were "libertarian" and lost their way.
They never were. Barry Goldwater is the closest reps had and he LOST and rejected by Rep party..

Goldwater only won his home state of Arizona and five states in the south, depicted in red. Capturing 61.1% of the popular vote and 486 electors, Johnson won in a landslide.

So no, reps never lost their way, their "small govt/conservative" shtick has always been a scam.

Good stuff Red

http://mises.org/story/1476
http://mises.org/story/895

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Not having read the book, was I altruistic or selfish when I went to a storm wrecked town in another country at my own expense to help rebuild?

By my generalization...

The altruist one feels it is his duty to give charity
The selfish one feels it is his right to give charity