I frequently get funny looks from people when I tell them I am a registered Libertarian. What's funny, though, is how easy it is for me to explain my beliefs to Republicans and Democrats alike, but they often can't simply define what their beliefs are based on. In fact, they are more likely to explain what their particular party is against.
Being a Libertarian means that I believe in freedom above all else. It is as simple as that.
I have spent a lot of time on David Carlson's Political Blog lately. It is usually one of the first things I check when I turn my computer on in the morning. Now I see he has been occasionally checking in on ours.
In a comment in one of my last posts, David pointed out how becoming libertarian in requires making an intellectual choice. That was something I picked up from an Op/Ed piece in the AZ Republic a few years ago. It was written by a former AZ Libertarian Gubernatorial candidate. It is pretty short and worth the time to check out:
Libertarians Manning The Only Life Raft
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2 comments:
Dane,
I'm glad you like the stuff I've been putting up. I enjoy the posts on this site as well, and check it on a daily basis (sometimes multiple times) so keep up the good work!
People don't just 'become' libertarians. Perhaps deep down they are, but they just don't know it. The ideology is stuck in the shadows of the Republican and Democrat parties; it is as if a spotlight is shining on two giants and then, behind them, in the dark shadows, is the libertarian school of thought.
It takes time and energy to truly understand political process and ideas. I'm not going to lie, I used to often hear Ron Paul mention something and it took a little research to understand why he thought that and what the other arguments are. A lot of college students are in support of Barack Obama, but do not know why. Perhaps their parents are democratic, or almost all their friends - Obama is young, attractive, and different (on the surface) than most common politicians. They might understand an issue or two, but generally not have a good understanding.
I have a friend who is a huge Republican. He of course is a huge McCain supporter and I heard his opinion of Ron Paul is an "ego-maniac." That is truly astounding! If he wasn't so close-minded and unwilling to just simply 'debate'/talk about issues, I believe he would see how he has a total misconception about Ron Paul. But nevertheless, he will be a blind hard-core Republican supporter probably his whole life.
Even with libertarian school of thought pushed to the edge of darkness, rejected by the mainstream, even ridiculed by those who do not understand enough or anything about it - we press on. Why? because we have looked into the issues, we know that the current liberal/neocon intervention does not and will not work, and because we value freedom above everything else. We know that education is the key, and a change of mindset is necessary. We also know this is achievable. We will push on because we know that when a revolution starts, it will continue to grow. It will not die, regardless of the fact some just want it to go away. Libertarian mindset will win in the end, be it a change through the GOP or third party support, because libertarians have perseverance.
I'm sure you would agree.
David Carlson Politics
People tend to believe in things based on their sense of "justice". We all want justice, but people are too willing to give up their freedoms in the name of justice.
For instance, the neocons are eliminating our personal liberties in the name of national security. The liberals are eliminating our personal liberties in the name of the nanny-state. Both sides lose sight of liberty in their pursuits of their specific vision of justice.
They are both wrong. Justice can only be gained and preserved through the maintenance of everyone's personal liberty. People need to stop trying to "apply" justice on to other's and worry more about preserving justice for everyone.
Liberty IS justice. The Preamble of the Constitution:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
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