Could someone explain this to me, what is a libertarian?

[Czar]

I know what a conservative and a liberal is but what is the definition of a libertarian?

edit.. see see, didnt even know how to spell it correctly

 

[linuxboy]

did you mean to say a libertarian?


Cheers !

 

[Sigurd]

A libertarian is a mix between a conservative and a liberal that is, for a change, not a hypocrite. Conservatives believe in social control, but economic freedom (a seeming contradiction) while liberals believe in the opposite; social freedom but economic control (another contradiction...why believe in partial freedom?). A libertarian, as the name implies, believes in freedom of both. That is, freedom to choose how to live your life (with or without religion, gay or straight, whatever) and a freedom to spend or save your money how you wish without the government taking it and re-appropriating it. They're conservative economically, and liberal socially.

 

[Infos]

The opposite of republican

 

[Czar]

thanks sigurd

but what do you call a person who is liberal economically and conservative socialy?

 

[Czar]

<< The opposite of republican >>


I thought that was a liberal

 

[Belegost]

<< but what do you call a person who is liberal economically and conservative socialy? >>



A commie.

 

[Infos]

Good one Belegost

 

[UltraQuiet]

1. Confused
2. A pain in the ass at election time.

 

[Captain4]

I concur with Sigurd. The simplest way of saying it would be that a libertarian believes in minimal government. All the libertarian candidates I've seen have been kooky, though. Campaigning for no public schools, no welfare, no govt services, etc. Weird.

 

[datalink7]

<< 1. Confused
2. A pain in the ass at election time.
>>



Nice description .

They are ill informed, IMO. A Libertarian government would work like a Communist government. On a small scale, perhaps very well (a village or something), but on a larger scale not at all.

 

[HombrePequeno]

Communism is more a form of economy than a form of government.

 

[glen]

A Libertarian would favor maintaining National Highways and a National defense, and just about nothing else.

 

[Jingoh]

more info:

last Libertarian Prez candidate

Libertarian Party Homepage and info

Libertarians are considered by many, pain in the asses. Mostly
because they vote their conscience and not for someone that
will actually win. (awww, man... you're gonna make the other guy
win cuz you didn't vote for my guy!)

I have a hard time voting for most Republicrats, however.

"<B>Libertarians believe</B> the answer to America's political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade as prescribed by America's founders."

 

[datalink7]

<<

Libertarians are considered by many, pain in the asses. Mostly
because they vote their conscience and not for someone that
will actually win. (awww, man... you're gonna make the other guy
win cuz you didn't vote for my guy!)
>>



Not true. They vote along a political ideology. That is why there is a Libertarian Party. Just becauese they happen to be in a minority and their political views different from many people, doesn't automatically put them in some sort of higher morality of "voteing their conscience."

Someone who truely votes only with their conscience would be an independent, with ties to no party (at least in my opinion).

The reason they are considered pain in the asses is because their views are a pain in the ass.

 

[Amused]

<<

<<

Libertarians are considered by many, pain in the asses. Mostly
because they vote their conscience and not for someone that
will actually win. (awww, man... you're gonna make the other guy
win cuz you didn't vote for my guy!)
>>



Not true. They vote along a political ideology. That is why there is a Libertarian Party. Just becauese they happen to be in a minority and their political views different from many people, doesn't automatically put them in some sort of higher morality of "voteing their conscience."

Someone who truely votes only with their conscience would be an independent, with ties to no party (at least in my opinion).

The reason they are considered pain in the asses is because their views are a pain in the ass. >>



Libertarian is an ideology. Just because there is a party called the "Libertarian Party" does not mean that all those who ascribe to libertarian ideology are members of that party. In fact, most "independents" are, for the most part, libertarians who are disgusted at the fascism of both major parties.



<< They are ill informed, IMO. A Libertarian government would work like a Communist government. On a small scale, perhaps very well (a village or something), but on a larger scale not at all. >>



Huh? Do you even know what libertarian ideology is?

Since when is individual and market freedom like communism, or only viable on a small scale?

 

[UltraQuiet]

<< Since when is individual and market freedom like communism, or only viable on a small scale? >>



I guess it happened at the same time the Republicans and Democrats became facists.



<< libertarians who are disgusted at the fascism of both major parties. >>

 

[Shantanu]

Libertarians seem to enjoy popular support among internet nerds, but they have little support in the real world. Ann Coulter once said that Libertarians are all geeks who are obsessed with posting on drug legalization message boards on the internet.

 

[Johnnie]

The Answer

 

[Ornery]

I bet your Libertarian candidate more closely matches the GOP platform than the Democrat one. Why not make your choices on the issues in the AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SELECTOR and see if I'm not right. Some of their answers to the questions were vague, except for Bush, so it was hard for me to place them. But if you answer the questions yourself in the selector, you'll see which ideologies more closely match up in the end. Take a look below and just see who is usually the odd man out:

• 
  1. ABORTION ISSUES: Which views on the issue of abortion would you prefer your candidate advocate?
  • 
    "Pro-Choice" Harry Browne, Gore
    Neither
    "Pro-Life" Bush
  2. MINORITY ISSUES: Would you prefer your candidate support or oppose such legislation as affirmative action?
  • 
    Oppose Bush, Harry Browne
    Neither
    Support Gore
  3. CAMPAIGN FINANCE: Would you prefer your candidate support or oppose campaign finance reform?
  • 
    Oppose Reform (Lift restrictions on contributions) Bush, Harry Browne, Gore
    Neither
    Support Reform (Abolish "softmoney" contributions, etc.)
  4. CRIME: Some candidates have outlined their approach to minimizing crime. Which approach do you prefer your candidate stress?
  • 
    Support "get tough" approach,e.g. longer prison sentences Bush
    Neither Harry Browne
    Support preventive approach, e.g. educational & recreational programs Gore
  5. DEFENSE SPENDING: Would you prefer your candidate advocate an increase or decrease in the defense spending budget?
  • 
    Support increase Bush, Harry Browne, Gore
    Neither
    Support decrease
  6. DRUG POLICY: Some presidential candidates support an increase in drug crime prosecution and penalties while some favor a decriminalization or complete legalization of what are currently drug crimes. What stance would you like your candidate to adopt?
  • 
    Support increased prosecution and penalties Bush, Gore
    Neither
    Support decriminalization Harry Browne
  7. GAY RIGHTS: Some candidates believe that sexual orientation is an unchangeable characteristic and support across the board equality under civil law for gay and lesbian Americans. On the other end of the spectrum, some believe that gay relationships are a destructive assault on the heterosexual, marriage-based family. What policies would you like your candidate to favor?
  • 
    Support legislative equality for homosexuals. Gore
    Neither
    Oppose special legislationconcerning homosexuality. Bush, Harry Browne
  8. EDUCATION: Some presidential candidates support school choice. Others see it as a separation of church and state issue. What position would you like your candidate to support?
  • 
    Favor School Choice Bush
    Neither Harry Browne
    Support tax dollars for public schools only Gore
  9. ENVIRONMENT: Which position regarding the environment would your ideal candidate advocate?
  • 
    Support the environment only after considering market and private property concerns. Bush
    Neither Harry Browne
    Support environmental protection legislation Gore
  10. EVOLUTION VS. CREATIONISM: Some presidential candidates favor the teaching of Creationism in public schools along evolution which is currently taught in science classes. What's your opinion?
  • 
    Support the situation as it is now: evolution only Gore
    Neither Harry Browne
    Support legislation including the teaching of Creationism Bush
  11. FOREIGN POLICY: Would you prefer your candidate embrace an non-interventionist or interventionist approach to foreign policy?
  • 
    Support non-interventionist Harry Browne
    Neither
    Support interventionist Bush, Gore
  12. GUN CONTROL: Would you prefer your candidate oppose or support gun control legislation?
  • 
    Oppose Bush, Harry Browne
    Neither
    Support Gore
  13. HEALTH CARE: Would you prefer your candidate support increased federal involvement in health care? Or would you prefer health care be an area outside governmental control?
  • 
    Support health care as primarily the responsibility of the individual Bush, Harry Browne
    Neither
    Support health care as primarily the responsibility of the government Gore
  14. MORAL ISSUES: Would you prefer your candidate favor federal, state and/or local legislation supporting "traditional values" such as advocating prayer in public schools, promoting teen-age sexual abstinence and restricting access to Internet pornography?
  • 
    Support legislation of "traditional values". Bush
    Neither Harry Browne
    Oppose legislation of "traditional values". Gore
  15. SOCIAL SECURITY: Would you prefer your candidate promise to preserve or reform (including dismantle) Social Security?
  • 
    Support reforming Bush, Harry Browne
    Neither
    Support preserving Gore
  16. TAX POLICY: Various candidates have promised to overhaul the federal income tax codes. They differ in how extreme the proposed changes would be.
  • 
    Support retaining current system Gore
    Neither
    Support reforming or abolishing Bush, Harry Browne
  17. TRADE ISSUES: Would you prefer your candidate be an advocate of free trade or trade controls like tariffs and embargoes?
  • 
    Support free-trade Bush, Harry Browne, Gore
    Neither
    Support trade controls

 

[datalink7]

<<

<<

<<

Libertarians are considered by many, pain in the asses. Mostly
because they vote their conscience and not for someone that
will actually win. (awww, man... you're gonna make the other guy
win cuz you didn't vote for my guy!)
>>



Not true. They vote along a political ideology. That is why there is a Libertarian Party. Just becauese they happen to be in a minority and their political views different from many people, doesn't automatically put them in some sort of higher morality of "voteing their conscience."

Someone who truely votes only with their conscience would be an independent, with ties to no party (at least in my opinion).

The reason they are considered pain in the asses is because their views are a pain in the ass. >>



Libertarian is an ideology. Just because there is a party called the "Libertarian Party" does not mean that all those who ascribe to libertarian ideology are members of that party. In fact, most "independents" are, for the most part, libertarians who are disgusted at the fascism of both major parties.



<< They are ill informed, IMO. A Libertarian government would work like a Communist government. On a small scale, perhaps very well (a village or something), but on a larger scale not at all. >>



Huh? Do you even know what libertarian ideology is?

Since when is individual and market freedom like communism, or only viable on a small scale? >>



The freedom that Libertarians talk about isn't viable on a large scale, IMO. It just doesn't work. It puts too much trust in people to do the right thing. Maybe I am a pessimist, but I think at heart people corrupt easily and many will do immoral acts if there isn't something holding them back from doing it. On a small scale, full Libertarianism (sure, not a word but you know what I mean) works because, in a small setting, there is little room for corruption. You can get a group of people together and agree to adopt a ideology. It can work. Take a look at communes (sp?) for instance. Communism works there, and the people are comfortable with it. But when you take it to a bigger scale (Soviet Union), things fall appart. Same thing with the Libertarian Ideology.

Of cource, that is just my opinion. I could be wrong (and most likely am).

 

[mithrandir2001]

<< but what do you call a person who is liberal economically and conservative socialy? >>


Pure evil incarnate. IOW, an authoritarian control freak...my arch nemesis.

 

[glen]

<< but what do you call a person who is liberal economically and conservative socialy? >>
Moonbean?

 

[mithrandir2001]

No, Moonbeam is simply liberal, not a quasi-liberal/conservative mix.

 

[Amused]

<<

<<

<<

<<

Libertarians are considered by many, pain in the asses. Mostly
because they vote their conscience and not for someone that
will actually win. (awww, man... you're gonna make the other guy
win cuz you didn't vote for my guy!)
>>



Not true. They vote along a political ideology. That is why there is a Libertarian Party. Just becauese they happen to be in a minority and their political views different from many people, doesn't automatically put them in some sort of higher morality of "voteing their conscience."

Someone who truely votes only with their conscience would be an independent, with ties to no party (at least in my opinion).

The reason they are considered pain in the asses is because their views are a pain in the ass. >>



Libertarian is an ideology. Just because there is a party called the "Libertarian Party" does not mean that all those who ascribe to libertarian ideology are members of that party. In fact, most "independents" are, for the most part, libertarians who are disgusted at the fascism of both major parties.



<< They are ill informed, IMO. A Libertarian government would work like a Communist government. On a small scale, perhaps very well (a village or something), but on a larger scale not at all. >>



Huh? Do you even know what libertarian ideology is?

Since when is individual and market freedom like communism, or only viable on a small scale? >>





<< The freedom that Libertarians talk about isn't viable on a large scale, IMO. It just doesn't work. It puts too much trust in people to do the right thing. Maybe I am a pessimist, but I think at heart people corrupt easily and many will do immoral acts if there isn't something holding them back from doing it. On a small scale, full Libertarianism (sure, not a word but you know what I mean) works because, in a small setting, there is little room for corruption. You can get a group of people together and agree to adopt a ideology. It can work. Take a look at communes (sp?) for instance. Communism works there, and the people are comfortable with it. But when you take it to a bigger scale (Soviet Union), things fall appart. Same thing with the Libertarian Ideology.

Of cource, that is just my opinion. I could be wrong (and most likely am). >>

>>



I could just label you an elitist, and be done with it... but why not be nice?

Well, where would you rather have the power if that power is ripe for corruption? In the individual, or the government? I'd rather see a whole slew of corrupt individuals, than one corrupt government. The more power you give it, the more dangerous it becomes.

Meanwhile, libertarianism can, and does come in varying degrees. I'm not advocating the entire libertarian party's platform. BUT, any move we make away from the encroaching fascist/socialist ideology is a good one, and neither major party is willing to make that move without having a significant number of libertarian minded independent voters kicking them in their collective asses along the way.

Our country was founded as a basically libertarian system based on individual freedom and a free market economy. Yet every time something went wrong, we passed another restrictive law. If that pattern continues, we will be left with no freedom at all.