My views on Libertarianism,
I thought it would be good to share some of my thoughts on where I see the trend of my party. Where do we agree and disagree with the two old parties and why I became a Libertarian in the first place.
I’ll start by saying that on some issues I disagree with my own party. Who doesn’t?
I became a Libertarian from the Republican Party. My father was a small business owner who taught me that the government should be small and stay out of peoples way. I believe that. As I grew older and actually started to watch the Republican Party I began to notice that they would say one thing but vote another way. A good friend of mine put it best when he said, “The Republicans are only fiscally conservative when there is a Democrat in the White House.” He said that many years after I left the Republican Party but it is a very good way to phrase what had motivated me.
Alright then, let’s get started. I see the Libertarian party foremost supporting the Constitution of the United States and individual responsibility. It is these driving ideals that form most our governmental and societal philosophy.
Regarding the Constitution most Libertarians I know generally believe in the original intent of this great document and not the wide interpretations of more recent courts and legislators. This does not mean an absolute 100% following the letter of the Constitution. After all, this could well mean that an absolute interpretation of Article I, Section 8, Paragraph 5: “to coin Money, to regulate the Value thereof…” would invalidate all paper currency. While I certainly agree that an argument can be made for the removal of paper money I think it is not unreasonable to assume the intention of this provision is for the Congress to control the currency. However, for those wishing to wage war on this issue, go right ahead.
Regarding individual responsibility I generally take this to mean that American citizens are the first ones responsible for protecting their own rights and determining their own destiny, to the extent possible for them. This means standing up for themselves against any form of tyranny. This means that every American has the right to be self destructive and do tremendously stupid things. This does NOT remove from that individual their need to suffer the just consequences of their irresponsible actions.
If you want to bungee jump go right ahead. If you want to smoke, puff away. If you want to drive without a seatbelt it is your choice. However, should you become sick or injured or impaired from your actions there is NO obligation upon the rest of society to bail you out of your self imposed loss.
This does not remove from most Americans the capacity with compassion, decency, leniency, and generosity. I think most of us have the responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves, but under a Libertarian society you would choose whom to help by voluntarily donating to specific organizations that can be held accountable by the donor(s). Should that organization fail to perform to your expectations you can take your donated money away and give it to another organization that better serves those you wish to help. This is different from government programs that are under no strain to perform well. They will take your money through taxation without any burden of responsibility because the taxpayer has no choice in the matter. Only with extreme outrage at gross conduct can a governmental program change, and then only slightly.
Speaking for myself and most Libertarians I know we are fiscally conservative. By this I mean that we want the government to be as small as possible, as efficient as possible, and stay within the framework of the Federal and State Constitutions regarding their responsibilities. While many of the modern additions to government have a noble intent they do not fall within the responsibilities of our government. That is what churches and other nongovernmental organizations exist for.
Most Libertarians I know are socially liberal. By this I simply mean that we stand for defending all of the liberties and protections guaranteed by our Federal Constitution. The freedom of speech, assembly, right to bear arms, freedom from government intrusion into our property without a warrant and so on and so forth.
It is under this previous paragraph that I think most misunderstanding lies. By being socially liberal we do not support government programs to bail out people from their stupid mistakes, we simply are willing to let people make stupid mistakes and suffer the just consequences of their decisions, be they for good or ill. This would reverse the drive toward a “nanny state”. Yes, you have the right do damage yourself whether through the abuse of alcohol, drugs, diet, eating trans fats, driving a motorcycle without a helmet, smoking, chewing, etc, etc, etc. It’s just that we wouldn’t create a law to stop you or a program to help you. We would simply allow you to dig your own grave and jump in.
That said, we would stop you from harming others. Driving down the road drunk would still be illegal because you are putting a thousand pound+ vehicle out there without any good controls, but walking home from the bar drunk would not be illegal because you are only a threat to yourself.
I see most Libertarians agreeing with the Republican philosophically on fiscal issues. We both want small government and lower taxes at all levels. Where I see us disagreeing with Republicans is in that parties general trend to pass laws telling everyone else how to live their lives. I think people should get their own lives in order and then help whom they wish, not trying to dictate how to live. My biggest Federal example of this is the tragic Terry Schiavo case and the general right to die. It is my sincerest hope that no one reading this is ever placed in the position of choosing between an unbearable quality of life and a self imposed death. However, should any of us find ourselves in that unfortunate position then I would want us to be able to choose for ourselves what level of suffering we will not endure, not some meddling government!
I see most Libertarians agreeing with Democrats on the civil liberties protections and social justice issues. That said, I must immediately follow up that where I see us disagreeing with Democrats is in the concept that a government program will solve these problems. No government program has ever been as efficient as the Free Market or NGO’s in helping people directly. Far more is accomplished by the private sector, churches, and nonprofits than any government bureaucracy ever could.
The truth of the matter is that no form of government will ever be perfect. I honestly believe that a Libertarian society would have problems. What society doesn’t? I believe, though, that in a Libertarian society the citizens would understand what their responsibilities’ are and that there would be not big brother to save them from themselves. Many societal problems would be easier to manage. People would not be forced to support projects they disagree with nearly as often as they are today. Would we all wind up paying for things we disagree with? Of course we would, but we would be doing it a lot less than we are today and the damage would be far less than it is today.
I finish by saying that I certainly disagree with some of my parties positions on the national level, but not the county level. After all, I was on the Platform Committee!
I agree though with the overarching belief in personal responsibility, individual rights & freedoms, and keeping the government on a very tight leash.
Now go ahead: Think, Question, Rip Away!
Sincerely,
Doug
PS - Everyone have a Great Week!
I thought it would be good to share some of my thoughts on where I see the trend of my party. Where do we agree and disagree with the two old parties and why I became a Libertarian in the first place.
I’ll start by saying that on some issues I disagree with my own party. Who doesn’t?
I became a Libertarian from the Republican Party. My father was a small business owner who taught me that the government should be small and stay out of peoples way. I believe that. As I grew older and actually started to watch the Republican Party I began to notice that they would say one thing but vote another way. A good friend of mine put it best when he said, “The Republicans are only fiscally conservative when there is a Democrat in the White House.” He said that many years after I left the Republican Party but it is a very good way to phrase what had motivated me.
Alright then, let’s get started. I see the Libertarian party foremost supporting the Constitution of the United States and individual responsibility. It is these driving ideals that form most our governmental and societal philosophy.
Regarding the Constitution most Libertarians I know generally believe in the original intent of this great document and not the wide interpretations of more recent courts and legislators. This does not mean an absolute 100% following the letter of the Constitution. After all, this could well mean that an absolute interpretation of Article I, Section 8, Paragraph 5: “to coin Money, to regulate the Value thereof…” would invalidate all paper currency. While I certainly agree that an argument can be made for the removal of paper money I think it is not unreasonable to assume the intention of this provision is for the Congress to control the currency. However, for those wishing to wage war on this issue, go right ahead.
Regarding individual responsibility I generally take this to mean that American citizens are the first ones responsible for protecting their own rights and determining their own destiny, to the extent possible for them. This means standing up for themselves against any form of tyranny. This means that every American has the right to be self destructive and do tremendously stupid things. This does NOT remove from that individual their need to suffer the just consequences of their irresponsible actions.
If you want to bungee jump go right ahead. If you want to smoke, puff away. If you want to drive without a seatbelt it is your choice. However, should you become sick or injured or impaired from your actions there is NO obligation upon the rest of society to bail you out of your self imposed loss.
This does not remove from most Americans the capacity with compassion, decency, leniency, and generosity. I think most of us have the responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves, but under a Libertarian society you would choose whom to help by voluntarily donating to specific organizations that can be held accountable by the donor(s). Should that organization fail to perform to your expectations you can take your donated money away and give it to another organization that better serves those you wish to help. This is different from government programs that are under no strain to perform well. They will take your money through taxation without any burden of responsibility because the taxpayer has no choice in the matter. Only with extreme outrage at gross conduct can a governmental program change, and then only slightly.
Speaking for myself and most Libertarians I know we are fiscally conservative. By this I mean that we want the government to be as small as possible, as efficient as possible, and stay within the framework of the Federal and State Constitutions regarding their responsibilities. While many of the modern additions to government have a noble intent they do not fall within the responsibilities of our government. That is what churches and other nongovernmental organizations exist for.
Most Libertarians I know are socially liberal. By this I simply mean that we stand for defending all of the liberties and protections guaranteed by our Federal Constitution. The freedom of speech, assembly, right to bear arms, freedom from government intrusion into our property without a warrant and so on and so forth.
It is under this previous paragraph that I think most misunderstanding lies. By being socially liberal we do not support government programs to bail out people from their stupid mistakes, we simply are willing to let people make stupid mistakes and suffer the just consequences of their decisions, be they for good or ill. This would reverse the drive toward a “nanny state”. Yes, you have the right do damage yourself whether through the abuse of alcohol, drugs, diet, eating trans fats, driving a motorcycle without a helmet, smoking, chewing, etc, etc, etc. It’s just that we wouldn’t create a law to stop you or a program to help you. We would simply allow you to dig your own grave and jump in.
That said, we would stop you from harming others. Driving down the road drunk would still be illegal because you are putting a thousand pound+ vehicle out there without any good controls, but walking home from the bar drunk would not be illegal because you are only a threat to yourself.
I see most Libertarians agreeing with the Republican philosophically on fiscal issues. We both want small government and lower taxes at all levels. Where I see us disagreeing with Republicans is in that parties general trend to pass laws telling everyone else how to live their lives. I think people should get their own lives in order and then help whom they wish, not trying to dictate how to live. My biggest Federal example of this is the tragic Terry Schiavo case and the general right to die. It is my sincerest hope that no one reading this is ever placed in the position of choosing between an unbearable quality of life and a self imposed death. However, should any of us find ourselves in that unfortunate position then I would want us to be able to choose for ourselves what level of suffering we will not endure, not some meddling government!
I see most Libertarians agreeing with Democrats on the civil liberties protections and social justice issues. That said, I must immediately follow up that where I see us disagreeing with Democrats is in the concept that a government program will solve these problems. No government program has ever been as efficient as the Free Market or NGO’s in helping people directly. Far more is accomplished by the private sector, churches, and nonprofits than any government bureaucracy ever could.
The truth of the matter is that no form of government will ever be perfect. I honestly believe that a Libertarian society would have problems. What society doesn’t? I believe, though, that in a Libertarian society the citizens would understand what their responsibilities’ are and that there would be not big brother to save them from themselves. Many societal problems would be easier to manage. People would not be forced to support projects they disagree with nearly as often as they are today. Would we all wind up paying for things we disagree with? Of course we would, but we would be doing it a lot less than we are today and the damage would be far less than it is today.
I finish by saying that I certainly disagree with some of my parties positions on the national level, but not the county level. After all, I was on the Platform Committee!
I agree though with the overarching belief in personal responsibility, individual rights & freedoms, and keeping the government on a very tight leash.Now go ahead: Think, Question, Rip Away!
Sincerely,
Doug
PS - Everyone have a Great Week!
