In June, I had Hardy Machia, chair of the Vermont Libertarian Party and candidate for Vermont House, sub in my She’s Right time slot on Channel 17 to do a primer on libertarianism he called, “Libertarianism 101.” You can listen to the podcast here.
If memory serves, he characterized Libertarians, as many people do these days, as being the best of both parties – fiscally conservative, like the Republicans, and socially liberal, like the Democrats.
I think that categorization is sort of off-base. Sure there are some social issues that the Libertarians and Democrats happen to fall on the same side of, but it is for very different philosophical reasons.
Libertarians are “socially liberal” because they value liberty and small government.
The Democrats only support “socially liberal” positions when it benefits them, by way of winning them the support of a voting bloc – such as homosexuals or feminists – not because they are above using the government to enforce a social agenda.
For all the criticism the Democrats place on the Republicans for wanting to use the government to force the social agenda of the “Religious Right,” the Democrats too use the government to force their own social agenda.
To the Democrats, it’s okay to use the power of government, if the goal is what they consider “good.” Environmentalism, affirmative action, gun control, smoking bans – these are all ways that the Democrats like to use the government to impose their social agenda.
That doesn’t sound very libertarian to me.
October 18th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Man, I am just so disillusioned by “political parties” – I think that the whole country would be better served by ditching them and starting over with everyone running as an independant.
Then, at least, we would have a slightly better chance of hearing from the candidates what they actually believe in and might fight for.
I’m also fiscally conservative and socially liberal, and I end up voting democratic more often than not – but none of the candidates that I have voted for have even shared most of my views. It’s discouraging.
October 26th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Gravity, man you really should check out the libertarian party: http://www.lp.org, http://www.vtlp.org. Libertarians fight for what they believe in, and it’s not only about liberty. It’s about responsibility, non-aggression (the only party to officially oppose ALL pre-emptive wars), and minimizing waste and corruption.
By minimizing the size and power of government, you minimize the temptation to use government for selfish intent.