You often advocate polices here that are at odds with the principles of the Libertarian Party. I think many "liberals" assume that they are more "libertarian" because both words share a common root. You cannot be a true libertarian without believing in economic freedom and as small a government as practicable. Economic freedom (i.e., capitalism) is a cornerstone of the libertarian philosophy.

 

The Libertarian Party shares many more values with the right wing of the Republican Party than with any part of the Democratic Party. That is why Barr, who was one of the most conservative Republicans in Congress, had little trouble making the transition. Conservative talk radio hosts Neil Boortz and Michael Savage also fit in the libertarian mold pretty well, although both of them have clashed with libertarians on national security issues.

 

Part of the reason that the Libertarian Party has not grown into a major national party, IMO, is that many of its members are so intolerant of individuals who do not subscribe to all of the party's positions. I respect the dedication to principle that is typical of libertarians but I also believe that many of them need to be just a little more flexible so that the tent can be made a little bigger.

 

Libertarianism is a far cry from "Democratic Socialism" or any any other brand of socialism for that matter, including the kind espoused by Barack Obama and his mentors.

 

Thanks for that Aces. I guess I subscribe to the personal freedom aspect of the Libertarian party.

 

Micheal Savage lost all respect from me, when he announced on his radio program, that Autism was fake illness, and Children with autism just needed to be better controlled.

 

Yes, I would call myself a Democratic Socialist.

You often advocate polices here that are at odds with the principles of the Libertarian Party. I think many "liberals" assume that they are more "libertarian" because both words share a common root. You cannot be a true libertarian without believing in economic freedom and as small a government as practicable. Economic freedom (i.e., capitalism) is a cornerstone of the libertarian philosophy.

 

The Libertarian Party shares many more values with the right wing of the Republican Party than with any part of the Democratic Party. That is why Barr, who was one of the most conservative Republicans in Congress, had little trouble making the transition. Conservative talk radio hosts Neil Boortz and Michael Savage also fit in the libertarian mold pretty well, although both of them have clashed with libertarians on national security issues.

 

Part of the reason that the Libertarian Party has not grown into a major national party, IMO, is that many of its members are so intolerant of individuals who do not subscribe to all of the party's positions. I respect the dedication to principle that is typical of libertarians but I also believe that many of them need to be just a little more flexible so that the tent can be made a little bigger.

 

Libertarianism is a far cry from "Democratic Socialism" or any any other brand of socialism for that matter, including the kind espoused by Barack Obama and his mentors.

:thumb: However, I would be willing to bet that there is a large number of Democrats who would vote Libertarian instead of the GOP, simply because of the Bush effect, despite the fact that the Libertarians are technically more right-wing than anyone else.

:thumb: However, I would be willing to bet that there is a large number of Democrats who would vote Libertarian instead of the GOP, simply because of the Bush effect, despite the fact that the Libertarians are technically more right-wing than anyone else.

I suspect that you are correct. I do not think most people understand the positions of the Libertarian Party beyond their position on legalizing drug use by adults.

 

I was very pleased when a friend of my son's invited him to accompany her to a Libertarian Party meeting a few weeks ago. I have been meaning to attend a few meetings myself but just have not gotten around to it. The libertarians are pretty active locally and at least two popular local talk shows are hosted by libertarians. They were at the meeting and my son was able to discuss issues with them.

:thumb: However, I would be willing to bet that there is a large number of Democrats who would vote Libertarian instead of the GOP, simply because of the Bush effect, despite the fact that the Libertarians are technically more right-wing than anyone else.

 

:creepy:

:creepy:

I think I know what you are getting at, and the entire thing confuses me (I should not have said what I did).

 

On the far left you have Communism, and on the far right you have Totalitarianism. Free market policies have been placed on the right, simply because they are the opposite of the government-control economic policies of the left. But are they really similar to totalitarianism?

 

Seriously, if someone could clear up the left/right spectrum for me, I'd appreciate it

I think I know what you are getting at, and the entire thing confuses me (I should not have said what I did).

 

On the far left you have Communism, and on the far right you have Totalitarianism. Free market policies have been placed on the right, simply because they are the opposite of the government-control economic policies of the left. But are they really similar to totalitarianism?

 

Seriously, if someone could clear up the left/right spectrum for me, I'd appreciate it

 

I do not believe the left-right linear categorization of ideologies is optimal. Not every view can be neatly packaged into either side of the spectrum. Libertarians, being an example of this, reject government encroachment into the economy (a hallmark of the prototypic Left) and government control of societal or individual discretion (a hallmark of the prototypic Right). Libertarians are left of the Right and right of the Left, but they are not in the middle.

 

Other ideologies present more problems. Fascism, for example, may include a free-market economy (Pinochet) or a nationalized economy (Stalin), yet both are grouped together.

Thanks for that Aces. I guess I subscribe to the personal freedom aspect of the Libertarian party.

 

Micheal Savage lost all respect from me, when he announced on his radio program, that Autism was fake illness, and Children with autism just needed to be better controlled.

 

Yes, I would call myself a Democratic Socialist.

 

 

I am not a big fan of his, but in listening to his show he didn't actually say that it was a completely made up illness. He was just saying that the overdiagnosis of it, often with little medical and scientific methodolgy used to do so leads to more people being diagnosed than should be. That is why he was so angry about it, because those people who are not actually autistic who are soaking up the resources that could better be used to help those with Autism.

 

I actually happened to be listening the night he said what you are referring to and then his clarification a few nights later. Dropping off the girlfriend and driving home happens to coincide with when he is on sometimes so I randomly listen.

I am not a big fan of his, but in listening to his show he didn't actually say that it was a completely made up illness. He was just saying that the overdiagnosis of it, often with little medical and scientific methodolgy used to do so leads to more people being diagnosed than should be. That is why he was so angry about it, because those people who are not actually autistic who are soaking up the resources that could better be used to help those with Autism.

 

I actually happened to be listening the night he said what you are referring to and then his clarification a few nights later. Dropping off the girlfriend and driving home happens to coincide with when he is on sometimes so I randomly listen.

 

I will have to dig out my time magazine that quotes him...hold on.

 

"I'll tell you what autism is. In 99% of the cases, it is a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out"

I will have to dig out my time magazine that quotes him...hold on.

 

"I'll tell you what autism is. In 99% of the cases, it is a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out"

 

 

I am not going by a magazine article, I am going by the actual broadcasts that I listened to.

I do not believe the left-right linear categorization of ideologies is optimal. Not every view can be neatly packaged into either side of the spectrum. Libertarians, being an example of this, reject government encroachment into the economy (a hallmark of the prototypic Left) and government control of societal or individual discretion (a hallmark of the prototypic Right). Libertarians are left of the Right and right of the Left, but they are not in the middle.

 

Other ideologies present more problems. Fascism, for example, may include a free-market economy (Pinochet) or a nationalized economy (Stalin), yet both are grouped together.

 

:thumb: Agreed with everything you said. Would you classify the modern GOP on the far right of the left-right linear categorization? I'd put them closer to the Libertarians then Stalinism. However, I'd classify the modern Democrat party closer to the prototypic Left then I would to Libertarians. Follow what I am saying?

:thumb: Agreed with everything you said. Would you classify the modern GOP on the far right of the left-right linear categorization? I'd put them closer to the Libertarians then Stalinism. However, I'd classify the modern Democrat party closer to the prototypic Left then I would to Libertarians. Follow what I am saying?

 

It really is impossible to say. Neither party is particularly near the extreme end of the spectrum. I think libertarians sort of mirror the political make-up of the country. Some come from the liberal school of thought, and some from the conservative, i.e. you'll see libertarians who more emphasize individual rights and some who will more emphasize economic rights. As a country, I feel the mean political disposition is just slight of right, so more libertarians reflect the conservative school.

 

There are also several libertarian think-tanks and I think they overlap with a lot of the conservative economic opinions, so they are more frequently placed in the news whereas the more liberal opinions (drug legalization, for example) are not popular enough to make headlines. Caveat: I read precious little from think-tanks, so I could be off.

For a while I was seriously considering registering to vote and doing a write in vote for Cookie Monster. I really don't think it matters who gets into office, the mess that's been created the last 8 years won't be solved by the next administration, especially if it's Mccain. I have to vote in my lifetime.

 

Funny thing is, if Obama does win this, everything going on overseas/domestic will suddenly be the Democrats fault. If Mccain gets in, everything will be the Republicans fault. You gotta love the constant bickering back and forth instead of focusing on one true goal.

Since I can't stand McCain and I question Obama's intelligence by selecting Biden as his running mate, I will probably vote for another candidate. At this time I'm not sure who it will be. Maybe a write-in vote for Mickey Mouse, he could probably do a better job than the two major candidates.

if I am absolutely sure that my vote is not needed to keep Barack Hussein Obama out of the White House.

:thumb:

Since I can't stand McCain and I question Obama's intelligence by selecting Biden as his running mate, I will probably vote for another candidate. At this time I'm not sure who it will be. Maybe a write-in vote for Mickey Mouse, he could probably do a better job than the two major candidates.

 

I am not crazy about some of McCain's ideas either but I find it hard to say that I can't stand a man that is imo an American hero. With his service to our country, former POW and has been through what he has the man deserves anyone's respect. As for another candidate, I am not decided if I will vote for another one or not, just sure that I will not vote for Obama.

 

Where the heck is Ross perot when you need him? That could be a write in vote.

 

Funny thing is, if Obama does win this, everything going on overseas/domestic will suddenly be the Democrats fault. If Mccain gets in, everything will be the Republicans fault. You gotta love the constant bickering back and forth instead of focusing on one true goal.

 

:thumb: I can certainly agree with this.