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Politics : Libertarian Discussion Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: miraje who wrote (3769)	6/11/2000 12:52:00 PM
From: Mama Bear	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13062

Which ideals would you compromise first to start pitching this 'big tent'? Perhaps the party should start with its position on currently illegal drugs. I think this issue turns off a lot of folks who have been indoctrinated by the drug war propaganda machine. Lots of people think we'd have heroin addicts coming out of the woodwork if drugs were re-legalized. Perhaps supporting a little gun control would be ok to satisfy those who think inanimate objects are responsible for gun violence. Being against government administrated 'free' education is another sore spot, and then there's the party's stance on the Socialist Security pyramid scheme. Heck, soon enough the party could be interchangeable with the Republicrats and the Demopublicans, but would have a lot of members. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm quibbling here, but how would the party become a 'big tent' without giving up its rightful claim of being the party of principle? Regards, Barb

To: miraje who wrote (3769)	6/11/2000 2:10:00 PM
From: Gordon A. Langston	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 13062

James Which strategy seems more likely to get a result, to invest in individual political contests, or to lobby the existing parties towards change. If Libertarians achieve a local government mandate, then at least they have a showcase for their idea(l)s. Winning your government back, one politician at a time.

To: miraje who wrote (3769)	6/11/2000 2:11:00 PM
From: Don Lloyd	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 13062

JB - Thanks for the thoughtful reply. [...I'd love to see the LP open up and mellow out and become a viable party for those who consider themselves generally as economic conservatives and social liberals (a significant percentage of the population). Changes won't happen overnight but at least it would be heartening to see us moving in the right direction...] As long as the vast majority of the electorate fails to understand (or care about) the real sources of, and the existing and potential threats to their freedom and prosperity, any realistic goals for the LP will remain quite limited, and trying to tailor the 'product' to expand the market would likely be a self-defeating exercise. However, even the unsuccessful pursuit of limited goals can be of crucial importance in opposing truly bad ideas and policies. Regards, Don