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Today's Poll: To what extent should you have a say in how other people live their lives?

By Howard B. Owens
Jim Rosenbeck

Over 70 percent of those who have responded so far chose "So long as a person isn't depriving me of my right to life, liberty and property, none whatsoever". This is the Libertarian point of view. Regardless of what the democrats or repuplicans might say, both parties have a rich history of legislating to control private consensual and individual behavior . If the same old two party system is getting tiresome, consider attending the Genesee County Liberterian Committee meeting at Coffee Culture Monday evening. Dare to imagine an election where you don't have to choose between two candidates that ( not unlike Sesame Street) are brought to you by the letter D or the letter R. Follow the Genesee County Libertarian Committee on Facebook and learn how you can become involved in real change in our community. Libertarians, diligently planning to take over the world and leave you alone."

Feb 1, 2013, 7:53am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I'm switching to independent ASAP. I can't bring myself to be affiliated with the letters D or R anymore. One seems to be just as bad as the other so I'll go with the letter "I" and support the person I think is the best candidate for ME, not a specific party.

Feb 1, 2013, 8:13am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

"Libertarians, diligently planning to take over the world and leave you alone."

You might want to re-word that! How about "Libertarians, diligently planning to return power to the citizens of America and then leave them alone!"

Feb 1, 2013, 8:24am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I don't think there is an "Independent Party" in New York. There is an "Independence Party." That would be putting an "I" after your name, and you would be associating with a party.

The list of parties in New York: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_New_York

The option on New York's voter registration card is "I do not wish to enroll in a party" for those who don't want a letter after their name.

Personally, I like California's wording better, which is, "Decline to State."

In New York, political types call "do not enroll" the rather derogatory "blanks."

I'm a blank.

Feb 1, 2013, 8:24am Permalink
Raymond Richardson

Personally, I think there should also be a choice on every ballot for an office election, NONE OF THE ABOVE.

It tells both parties, if this is the best you can come up with for a candidate, then you need to do better and back someone better because this person is not for us.

Feb 1, 2013, 8:58am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Looks like I'll be a blanking blank, also. My wording was poor as I meant I didn't want to be affiliated with any party. Just a bit of ignorance on my part. I haven't changed my voter registration in over 30 years.

Feb 1, 2013, 9:00am Permalink
Dave Olsen

I may have no interest in doing something, but as long as the activity is consensual, I would never dream of stopping you or reporting you to "the authorities." It's simply none of my business.

This has nothing to do with a libertarian's personal, moral beliefs. Libertarians know enough to not interfere with the non-coercive behavior of others even if, personally, we find it disgusting.

No one's personal idea of "immoral" should equal "illegal" nor become an excuse for using any form of coercion, official or private, against people.

http://www.cnjonline.com/digest/libertarianvaluesbringpeace.html

Says it for me, points I was trying to make yesterday, but failed I think. Anyway...........

Feb 1, 2013, 9:20am Permalink
Dave Olsen

As human beings, we are controlled many times by our emotions instead of by logic. I'll give a couple of examples (I promise to stay off the religious stuff)

I go to a ballgame, the National Anthem is played, I stand at attention with my hand over my heart. It's my way of showing respect for the this great country I am privileged to have been born in. Other people stand quietly, or sing along or sit quietly, I have no problem with any of that, but it's not what I do or will ever do. Others, ignore it, grabass, talk, yack on phones, yell out. I find that behavior utterly reprehensible, it really ticks me off. 20 years ago or so, I would confront these idiots, even got into dust-ups over it. Sabres games especially. I am now old and out of shape, I ain't gettin' in nobody's grill no more. Hving said all of that, I will never support a law making disrespect for the National Anthem a crime, people have the right to be buttheads. They're still buttheads in my opinion, but that's their right. I have never personally witnessed someone burning an American Flag in protest, I'm pretty sure it would upset me, a lot; I see doing so as abhorrent and so incredibly distasteful and disrespectful that I can't even describe it. However, I will never support a law making burning the flag in protest a crime. Again, utter buttheads, but that's their right.

conservatives and liberals want to legislate by emotion. libertarians would rather use logic. This giant bottomless pit monster of government we have both in NY and the US was not built on logic, it was built on emotions. We need to stop trying to force behavior and encourage respect for each other and let everyone live their own lives and make their own decisions.

Feb 1, 2013, 10:18am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Amen Dave.....besides if we didn't give "buttheads" the chance to be buttheads they might not be recognized for what they are, until its too late.

Feb 1, 2013, 10:52am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Ok I was on facebook and had to share this short video, speaking of buttheads and govt that tells us what to do. Here is a California City Council member speaking on guns (sort of like our own city council) However she provides unmistakable truth that ignorant persons can and do get into positions where they represent us and make decisions on our behalf. Kinda scary that this woman said this and actually believes it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oHsX7STHqNg

Feb 1, 2013, 11:00am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I'd like to hear from some of the 31 percent who think it is permissible to tell other people how to live their lives.

I find the mindset utterly incomprehensible. Seriously. It's easier for me to understand quantum physics. Can somebody who holds that view please explain it to me?

Feb 1, 2013, 11:38am Permalink
Robert Brown

I'd like to see how our City Council members, City Administrator, Judges, et.al. consider themselves. Then again I'm a sucker for good comedy...

Feb 1, 2013, 12:45pm Permalink
Christopher Putnam

To the people that voted for any of the three bottom options: Maybe you should go live somewhere else, as you are obviously confused and have no grasp of the principles this country was founded upon. China would probably be good for you.

Feb 1, 2013, 5:43pm Permalink
Shannon Laurer

I hate to say it but my belief is that most are responding at their reading knowledge level! In this day and age I have noticed that certain individuals respond to "key" words or phrases without acknowledging the whole phrase or sentence. In the end we seem to end up with a skewed poll as comprehension was not fully exercised! Just my .02!

Feb 1, 2013, 6:11pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Hmmm, These comments don't seem to match what was actually going on here in Batavia in July of 2012, anyone remember?
Just as I thought, hypocritism rears it's head loud and clear.
Dave, busy body people make for busy body government.

Feb 10, 2013, 9:03am Permalink
Christopher Putnam

You know Howard, you could do what alot of other sites do, make it so only registered members can participate in the poll, then make the results, and votes, public. That way when someone votes for something as ignorant as the bottom option, they will really think before voting, knowing that when the poll results are displayed, who voted for what option, is going to be displayed for all to see.

Feb 4, 2013, 5:02am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Limiting polls kinda limits results Chris. Kinda hard to bring up to council poll results if only a selective few are able to put their opinions in. That makes them not worth having.

Feb 10, 2013, 1:55pm Permalink

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