Father Terrence, I personally believe that almost everyone defines themselves as some sort of Libertarian, at least in the parts of the party's platform that have to do with more personal freedoms, less government, and a fairer, simpler tax structure.
I think most Americans sort of pick and choose their own political beliefs. As the old Alcoholics Anonymous saying goes: "Take what you want and leave the rest!!!!"
I did a web search, though, and found a lot of stuff on Libertarianism that is quite disturbing, a little of which I will share here. I suspect that like all political belief systems, there are logical and illogical parts of it, and people with positive and negative aspirations using it:
LOONEYTARIAN UPDATE
It is important no one confuse the Libertarian Party with the ACLU or the term civil libertarian. With that in mind
every so often it is necessary to pen a reminder.
Take your standard right-wing lunatic, remove the issues of sex and religion, add a double dose of selfish callous
disregard, stir in a gun-waving madness putting even the NRA to shame, add a seething hatred of the Federal
government, mix in a few ship containers of legalized cocaine and you got Looneytarians.
Ideology: The Libertarian mindset stems from an obsessive adolescent hatred of authority in any manner, the
inability to speak or write a sentence without a reference to the 2nd Amendment, and of course that MAD
MAX anarchy they wish upon the land.
Issues: Top three: The elimination of the IRS and income taxes, the full legalization of all drugs, and no gun
controls.
Heroes: Randy "Niggers and Jews should be deported or shot" Weaver, the Aryan Nation arms dealer and
cop killer from Ruby Ridge, and David "Give me your wife, a little girl to screw and a baby to beat, for I am
God" Koresh, the Branch Davidian cop and child killer.
Support: The NRA, the Posse Comitatis, the American Spectator, the CATO Institute and Right-wingers
gone off the deep end.
Abortion: It is estimated that 40% of Libertarians are Pro life. Their 80's candidate for President, Ron Paul,
was a rabid Pro-Lifer. Keep in mind what the powerless Federal government they advocate will allow the
States to do with this issue.
Civil Rights: The civil, equal and human rights women and minorities have gained have been from the Federal
Government, without it, they would have no vote and many would still be bought for dowries or owned by
Whites picking cotton in Alabama. Again, keep in mind what a powerless Federal government will allow the
States to do with this issue.
Gay Rights: Where must gays and lesbians go to gain redress for discrimination against them? Libertarians
may sound tolerant on specific issues in this matter, but again, think what gun toting anarchy will get the
homosexual community.
Environment: No federal regulations. This alone will decimate America to literally look like a MAD MAX
movie location.
Beware: Look what decentralization of federal power has accomplished in Somalia, Lebanon, Rwanda,
Bosnia and most of Eastern Europe. Anarchy and religious/ethnic civil war.
"Squeeze a Libertarian and all you get is zit-goo and gun oil."
Copyright (c) 1993-95 -- Rack Jite - October '94 - volume 17
CONSERVATIVELY INCORRECT - POB 845 - Seabrook, TX 77586 |
