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(USA) 3 Things That Make Libertarian Heads Explode
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This article is simply filled with straw man arguments and ad hominem attacks. I don't think it even accurately understands what a Libertarian is.
Idk, maybe it is the case, or maybe it is because the word "libertarianism" have been too often coopted and abused by some right-wing politicians in the US as a cover for their hypocrisy and demagoguery.
Nothing against you personally Xdyj, but I find hypocrisy and demagoguery rampant in both major parties. I know many frugal and logical Liberals, and I know many kind and decent Conservatives. It is the two-party system that is corrupt. I see both the Republicans and Democrats (the parties, and their major talking heads mind you) as two sides of the same coin. Both are generally stupid, reckless, and unethical, regardless of their political beliefs.
I re-read the article and wanted to make a general statement. Libertarians, are not as a rule against socialism, or any of its spin-offs. Honestly, I don't care what anyone does with their time and money. If the majority of the Country want to get together and pull their money to give everyone healthcare (or any other similar idea) that is all fine and dandy and I applaud them for their unselfishness. The problem lies when that majority decides to coerce the minority, steal their money, and force them into participating in the welfare. Socialism can in fact, start, grow, and even thrive (if the theories are correct)in a Libertarian society. But because of their nature, Libertarianism can never grow in a Socialist Society. The only reason I even care to throw around my opinion on many a subject is because I am forced to be involved in the very program I do not want to be apart of. I would gladly never say another word against big government if it just left me, and other willing individuals, alone.
Jarod wrote: "Nothing against you personally Xdyj, but I find hypocrisy and demagoguery rampant in both major parties. I know many frugal and logical Liberals, and I know many kind and decent Conservatives. It..."Sorry I meant to say "some politicians". I don't really like the democratic party establishment very much either. However, as far as I know those who pretend to be on the left tend to coopt marxism or at least rawlsian liberalism more than libertarianism these days:) Also, I agree with you in that common Americans, whatever their political positions, do seem to be more ethical and sensible than those dominating the political scene.
Oh yeah, the more socialist ideals have always gravitated around the left groups while libertarian ideas have traditionally hovered around the right wing of government. I scoff at the idea of the two party system. To my understanding with the largely subjective/fluid views of both the right and left there are only two major opinions in politics. Those for more freedom, and those for more state coercion.
Libertarianism may sound nice on paper (if you don't believe in institutional racism and classism) but it only serves to benefit already wealthy white men.
Utter opinion. I can say the exact same thing for progressivism and socialism. Besides the racist remarks at the end. That had no substance, full of unsupported opinion, and quite honestly the last line only works to drive a further wedge between the classes and races. by merely saying something like that you are perpetuating that idea of class and race warfare.
I am just ressurrecting this thread because it's funny when someone talks about the struggle of classes as an idea that the left had created. No, the rich do not want to maintain the poor in the lower state or explore them for profit, no, it's an idea invented by the left.
I'm glad you did, Rafael; it's more timely than ever, isn't it? As Trae Crowder, Corey Ryan Forrester, & Drew Morgan put it in their great book The Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin' Dixie Outta the Dark
: "[The wealthy conservatives] like to rattle on about 'personal responsibility' and how all they want is for poor people to take charge of their own destinies and rise above their station. They want success like that for everyone, they say. Except that, no, the f*ck they don't. They don't want that shit for a second. If every poor person really and truly broke the shackles of poverty and rose to a higher station in life, who would the right-wingers have to look down on? Who would they have to exploit for their benefit? Who would they have to blame when things go to shit? Rich people have billions of reasons to keep poor people exactly where they are. It's absolutely in their best interests to do so. So just think about that the next time you step in the voting booth."
It's a great book; written by 3 white, heterosexual males who were born & raised lower-class in the Amer. South (was it Tennessee or Kentucky?) but are liberal/progressive, atheist, feminist; Crowder has his own YouTube channel to which I subscribe; he uses "f*ck" a lot but his stuff is great.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/3-thi...