The Best of Both Worlds

‎"Where we're at right now in the libertarian movement is a new stage of maturity. We're at a stage of much greater proficiency than any movement similar to what we are in spirit and intention for, really, the last 130 or 140 years. . .We are at a higher intellectual level than classical liberalism was. We have scholars who are more numerous, we have young people coming up in abundance, we have more raw talent, we have more institutions which seem to be functioning along the paths which they should than any other time, really, since the middle of the 19th century." - Roy A. Childs, Jr.

Watch the video here: http://www.libertarianism.org/media/...arian-movement

Snick

I like most of Libertarianism's ideas of social freedoms (although I disagree with the necessity of unrestricted gun ownership), but it's the more fiscal philosophy that I disagree with. Their primary belief in a totally free market is one I just can't get behind (I believe we need an economy that has a mix of free market and government regulation as opposed to totally one end or the other).

Words, words, words. What about actions? Words tell us that liberals believe in freedom and small government but that was a liberal from 200 years ago. Today that describes a conservative and a liberal is now a progressive socialist. Same thing for libertarians. You sound like anarchists but vote like a modern conservative. Does anyone of real sense and values (that eliminates most progressives) really want complete freedom for everyone? Think about that before you write something kind of stupid. I said COMPLETE freedom to do anything you want and I mean anything. The Constitution restricts government but also a template about what is allowed and not allowed between people. The government cannot infringe upon our free speech and we should not allow others to do the same. Libertarians have to recognize some restrictions not to be oppressive but allow the protection of the weaker members of the political classes. A true libertarian is a Darwinist. At least that is my opinion and my point of view as a conservative.

Progressives (I will not give you the right to be called liberals here) pass laws to increase freedom....at least that is what they say. How can you pass more restrict laws on behavior and increase freedom? You can't. It is impossible. No, what progressives really want is more government control because from their point of view is that government knows best. Why? Because government is populated by their best and brightest and if they are not too bright then they care more than anyone else. Progressivism is all about control, control of men and women. They think that you will learn to adapt to their wiser pass to happiness. I will allow that people are generally pretty stupid and maybe there is a better way but it may take us hundreds of years to arrive at the "Star Trek" utopia. Progressives (socialists and communists) are impatient. They are willing to kill people or let them die because they don't any importance in the individual. It is about the collective. Pol Pot is the perfect example. He wanted change and he wanted it now. He took his people into the jungle in a Darwinian orgy of political indoctrination. The survivors would be advanced, social beings and to hell with the millions of dead.

JD, so do you identify yourself as a Republican or as a conservative who's not Republican? I assume by your post that you aren't a Libertarian, so I figured I'd ask. This isn't an attack, I just want to know because sometimes it can be difficult to tell where members on this board stand especially given the nuanced variations between the different political groups.

CoG is someone who's come straight out and said he's a Libertarian and from his posts that I've seen, he is consistent with the viewpoints that the party espouses. I was curious how many other members in this area identify themselves as Libertarian or if you're conservative and aren't Libertarian, why you believe the way you do?

JD, so do you identify yourself as a Republican or as a conservative who's not Republican? I assume by your post that you aren't a Libertarian, so I figured I'd ask. This isn't an attack, I just want to know because sometimes it can be difficult to tell where members on this board stand especially given the nuanced variations between the different political groups.

CoG is someone who's come straight out and said he's a Libertarian and from his posts that I've seen, he is consistent with the viewpoints that the party espouses. I was curious how many other members in this area identify themselves as Libertarian or if you're conservative and aren't Libertarian, why you believe the way you do? Originally Posted by jbravo_123

this should be interesting

this should be interesting Originally Posted by CJ7

No shit. I wonder if JD will just come clean and admit he is a Log Cabin cocksucker? Also was I the only one that thought COG wss finally coming out of the closet wiyh this thread title?

JD, Libertarians are NOT anarchists! How many times must that be said? Read the webpage. www.lp.org

are you saying that websites are people too?

CoG, I understand that you guys say you're not anarchists, but can you also see why to the rest of us non-libertarians, all the anti-government rhetoric you guys say makes it sound like you're pretty close to it?

It seems to me that the only thing Libertarians find any sort of federal government acceptable for is for national defense? Please correct me if I'm wrong on that. It sounds like for everything else, the free market or individual should take care of?

Read the website...he can't explain it to you. look at his little pictures. he can't draw you a picture. when he tries, he lies.

he is Barney GOOGLE, the web crawling Unaliar!

I am a conservative. There are many kinds of conservatives and I consider myself a constitutional conservative. I am not a religious conservative. I don't care who you have sex with as long as all parties are consenting adults. I oppose "gay" marriage because the concept and premise is fatally flawed. I stand 5' 8" tall and I want the rules changed so I can play forward on a basketball team. I am a fiscal conservative. I believe that a country, like people, should spend only what they have or be expected repay what they borrow. I am a foreign policy conservative. The best defense is a good offense but nation building (a neo-con position and Clinton) position is not what we should be about. We must protect the weak and helpless, we should be a beacon for the oppressed, and we should reduce suffering but if we offer a hand and it is rejected then we have done our job. I think that rules help define our civilization but that government should not become oppressive.

I believe the Constitution is an incredible document that we would be hard pressed to duplicate today. Today's government is painting outside the lines and has been for nearly a hundred years.

So COG, how about the personal list (not a cut and paste) of the charges against George Bush for war crimes?

5'8" huh? I always had a feeling you'd be tiny.

I am a conservative. There are many kinds of conservatives and I consider myself a constitutional conservative. I am not a religious conservative. I don't care who you have sex with as long as all parties are consenting adults. I oppose "gay" marriage because the concept and premise is fatally flawed. I stand 5' 8" tall and I want the rules changed so I can play forward on a basketball team. I am a fiscal conservative. I believe that a country, like people, should spend only what they have or be expected repay what they borrow. I am a foreign policy conservative. The best defense is a good offense but nation building (a neo-con position and Clinton) position is not what we should be about. We must protect the weak and helpless, we should be a beacon for the oppressed, and we should reduce suffering but if we offer a hand and it is rejected then we have done our job. I think that rules help define our civilization but that government should not become oppressive.

I believe the Constitution is an incredible document that we would be hard pressed to duplicate today. Today's government is painting outside the lines and has been for nearly a hundred years.

So COG, how about the personal list (not a cut and paste) of the charges against George Bush for war crimes? Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn

The Libertarian Party is irrelevant. The silly old man can bleat and quack as much as he likes but it's all just noise. The libertarians always remind me of small children who just can't understand why they don't get their way in a grown-up world. They cry and complain, but lack the capacity or will to actually try to do something effective in regard to what they are crying and complaining about.

Now.....Go Gary Johnson!