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THREAD - What kind of Libertarian am I
Libertarians get a lot of flack (much of it deserved) for our views. The problem is, so often what people know about our beliefs is what they've heard from the extremist portions of our movement.
Libertarians get a lot of flack (much of it deserved) for our views. The problem is, so often what people know about our beliefs is what they've heard from the extremist portions of our movement.
The Democrats and the GOP have their extremists as well but both parties have been around long enough and are entrenched enough that it's easy to tell the main stream from the extremists. The Libertarian movement is still new enough that in a lot of ways it's figuring itself out.
If you ask 100 Democrats what kind of Democrat they are you'll get at least 20 different answers. Same with the GOP.
There are Southern Democrats and New England Republicans. Both sides have their religious contingents and secular members. It can be broken down many ways.
There are Southern Democrats and New England Republicans. Both sides have their religious contingents and secular members. It can be broken down many ways.
Libertarians have these same sects. We're a big tent and a lot of groups claim membership (or are grouped with) the Libertarian movement from sovereign citizens to weed growers and a whole bunch of counter culture groups in between.
I was raised by two agnostic life long conservative Republicans who I think would describe themselves as Reagan Republicans if they were forced to ascribe a label to their beliefs. I registered as a Republican and voted straight GOP from the day I turned 18.
But the older I got and the more I learned about politics and the Republican party the less I found my beliefs aligning with GOP policies. I developed a healthy distrust of all politicians, left or right, and at 37 realized I was no longer a Republican.
This wasn't completely the GOP's fault. My views changed as I grew older. I've never been into drugs. I drink but not to excess. I don't like being inebriated. And while I don't believe other people should use drugs I have come to the belief that people should do as they please.
But with those choices come responsibility. You want to get high (or drunk), fine, but you're on your own for any costs, medical or otherwise, that you incur. It's not my job to pay for your hospital bills when you OD.
I call myself a conservative Libertarian because I am fiscally conservative but I am pretty liberal when it comes to social issues. I'm anti-taxes, pro small government and pro-life. I want strong borders but relaxed immigration regulations.
I'm pro legalizing most drugs but anti government care for addicts. It'll be messy for a while but I think it'll correct itself.
I'm not religious but I'm pro religious freedom.
I'm anti social programs and pro personal responsibility.
I'm not religious but I'm pro religious freedom.
I'm anti social programs and pro personal responsibility.
Some say I'm all over the board but I'd summarize it like this...
The government needs to leave me alone. Keep it's hand out of my wallet. And my fellow citizens need to leave me alone. We can all do what we want until it directly affects others.
The government needs to leave me alone. Keep it's hand out of my wallet. And my fellow citizens need to leave me alone. We can all do what we want until it directly affects others.
