Over the past two years, I’ve been asked “What’s a Libertarian and why should I vote for one?” If you asked ten Libertarians, you will get different answers. Our core value is individualism - free thinking. We are guaranteed specific individual rights through the Constitution of the United States; Libertarians advocate the protection of all those rights.
I’m also asked what our position on different issues that come along is. To answer that question, first consider a few basic questions. Ask yourself how, in general, you view other people. Consider those people you encounter every day. Are they generally good, decent, honest folks, who would share what they have with someone in need and help another who was in danger? Or, are they bad, scheming, selfish, and look the other way and not want to be involved in helping others in need? Next, ask yourself who should make decisions about people’s welfare? Are the people you know capable of making good decisions, or should they be prevented from doing so to protect themselves?
There are only 4 possible outcomes (Labels are as used today):
1). Folks are good and should be responsible for their own welfare. (Libertarian)
2). Folks are good but society (government) should be responsible for their welfare. (Liberal)
3). Folks are bad and society (government) should safeguard from bad decisions they make, folks are however responsible for their welfare. (Conservative)
4). Folks are bad and society (government) needs to control them. (Authoritarian)
That’s it. Yes, it seems simplistic. There will always be grey areas. Free thinkers will disagree on finer points, naturally. However, the Libertarian’s position on any topic can typically be found by determining what solution would put the most faith in people and require the least government involvement.
With individual freedom, of course comes responsibility. Unfortunately, Americans have become dependent on the state. The expectation is that government will solve issues. It’s easy to understand why. Government takes a chunk of everyone’s earnings right off the top through income tax. Add property tax, sales tax, license fees, tolls, etc. and it averages out to almost 50% of everyone’s income. I use as a reference taxfoundation.org. You will work for over five months before your pay is yours. Why are people still hungry, homeless, uneducated, with inadequate health care? Is our system broken? Why is our country on the offensive around the world? Shouldn’t our defenses be better than anyone’s offense, especially considering what we pay for it?
The ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. You can take that step by voting for Libertarians. Libertarians can’t just turn a switch and make it all better but Libertarians will shrink government whenever and wherever possible. We will enable the American spirit of independence, innovation and generosity, by getting government out of the way, respecting your right to make decisions for yourself, and stopping government from confiscating the fruits of your labor. It will take time, but if you find that you agree with the Libertarian philosophy, that people are generally good and should be making the decisions about their lives, then register as a Libertarian, take a stand with us and make a statement with your vote. You’ll never regret it. Principles are powerful things.
David Olsen
Chairman, Genesee County Libertarian Party.
You're a writer of truth's,
You're a writer of truth's, Dave. If people really want a positive change, they should stop voting for the same old insanity. Vote Libertarian and breathe some new life into this stagnating country.
Libertarians' greatest
Libertarians' greatest handicaps are its three greatest mouthpieces: Ron Paul, Rand Paul, and Ayn Rand.
The gist from Atlas Shrugged is effectively "if you ain't a job creator or bow to those who own factories, you're a drain on society." Ron Paul's religious adherence to libertarianism and the belief that markets will correct inequities, and his vote against Civil Rights (not to mention his racist newsletters from years ago) fail to recognize the realities that the market and people did NOT adjust to the racism and racial inqualities that existed from the 1860s through the 1950s and 60s.
And then there's Rand, the worst (by far) of the bunch. The son of a U.S. congressman, who had no issues with getting into a good college (paid for, or at least guaranteed, by his father) and med school and who was elected on name recognition, espouses how people should make it "on their own". He epitomizes the "I've got mine, screw you" philosophy, conveniently ignoring that he got his via his father's money and connections. Sure, the blind squirrel found a nut or two concerning international interventionism, but other than those few nuggets there's not a whole lot that is admirable in the man or his actions.
Libertarianism has a lot going for it. I have a fair amount of social libertarianism in my personal philosophy - I'm a big boy, and the government should stay out of my business unless I am doing harm to somebody else. And I can appreciate many of the economic libertarian principles, even if I don't agree with them.
Unfortunately, I have not run across many folks outside of Howard and Dave who represent libertarianism positively and with a fair amount of humanity, managing to avoid the "I've got mine, screw you" philosophy the Kochs and their ilk present.
Rand Paul is only about half
Rand Paul is only about half libertarian in my humble opinion.
Thanks, Tim, I would say
Thanks, Tim, I would say however the "I've got mine, screw you" characterization of libertarianism is largely a progressive/liberal bogeyman. It doesn't represent the mainstream or majority of libertarianism.
I read a lot of libertarian writing, particularly through Reason, and I've yet to come across a libertarian espousing "I've got mine, screw you."
We're about freedom, responsibility and personal accountability. That isn't "screw you." That's "love you." We want "you" to succeed and not have your right to self-determination robbed by a government nanny.
Howard - The Koch brothers
Howard - The Koch brothers epitomize "I've got mine, screw you". And like Rand Paul, they made it on their own (ie - courtesy of daddy's success). If they do not truly represent libertarianism, it's up to other libertarians to distance themselves from that dark side - especially since they are what people see and read about.
As I said - there are parts of libertarianism that I can appreciate, if not agree with. The self-determination portion ranks very high in the parts of it that I do agree with. I just think that this society has enough wealth (I'm not referring to "wealthy people", I'm talking about the entire wealth of this society) to take care of those who are having difficulties and those who cannot take care of themselves. I believe our major differences economically stem from what the definitions of "those who are having difficulties and those who cannot take care of themselves" are.
I see the Koch brothers as
I see the Koch brothers as more tea party/right wing than libertarian, though there is some overlap (they donate to some of my favorite libertarian institutions, such as Reason and Cato).
As Dave said, Rand Paul is not entirely libertarian -- for example, he's far less anti-interventionist than he should be, but if he's on the general election ballot come November, he'll certainly have my vote as opposed to any imaginable opponent (Dennis Kucinich is about the only Dem I could imagine voting for and he's not likely to be the nominee, and I doubt I'd pick him over Paul in that implausible alternative universe anyway). And, I don't agree, for the record, with your characterization of Paul's politics. He's wrong on some things, but he's not an evil.
The bottom line, Tim is that
The bottom line, Tim is that both the Pauls are Republicans, not Libertarians; the Koch's spend most of their money on Republicans, hardly any on Libertarians since the early 80's. They used to, but discovered that while the Libertarian Party was glad to take their money, it didn't buy them any influence, it works real well with the Republicans. Those are facts. I have a deep respect for Ron Paul, but one of the biggest issues I had with him was his insistence on remaining a Republican. I am asking folks to join the Libertarian party - if they agree with our worldview. I'm asking them to vote for our candidates if they want someone who is not beholden to the special interests that plague the two big parties, and if they want less government intrusion into their lives. It's not about promoting libertarian-leaning politicians who run on another party line. That's fine and a good thing in my opinion, but doesn't help our party. Rand Paul has shown himself to be a true Republican by endorsing Romney in 2012 (Ron did not) and pandering to the evangelical Christians (Ron would never) and as Howard mentioned advocating to meddle in other countries affairs (Ron......well you know). Would Rand Paul be a better President than most any other Republocrat or Demican? Most likely. Will I vote him? No.
This piece was not written to convince members of other parties to vote for libertarian-leaning members of their parties, I am attempting to reach out to those who don't vote, who feel the political process leaves them with few choices (and not good ones), & who are trying to figure out who would govern in a way that makes sense to them. If you believe in people and want less government, that's the Libertarian Party, we welcome all those who agree. If one of the other worldviews appeals to you, then go find a party that fits that view.
Oh yeah, Ayn Rand is a
Oh yeah, Ayn Rand is a novelist. She wrote fiction and some philosophical stuff. She disliked politics and although many libertarians espouse her writings, she is hardly a "mouthpiece". It's like calling Gore Vidal a "Liberal Mouthpiece". I liked her books and the movies made from them, but its only entertainment.
I like Kurt Vonnegut personally.