Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: epicure who wrote (98039)	3/15/2005 7:02:37 AM
From: Lane3	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

I think some economic choices are just fine. The economic choice to opt out of supporting social services is not fine. I am not for complete socialism, just high taxes and high social services. The reason I asked is that I'm having trouble getting my head around the notion that libertarianism is selfish. Libertarians want freedom for everyone else as well as for themselves and are tolerant of those who would use that freedom differently. Freedom to pursue one's interests is an engine of happiness and productivity, both of which are positives in society. IMO, libertarian freedom is right up there with rainbows and puppies in the what's-not-to-love department. Freedom and tolerance all 'round are things that I know you value. Your disapproval makes no sense to me, particularly the "selfish" designation. If, OTOH, you want to claim that non-support of the federal welfare state is selfish, that is something I can begin to understand. And, since the federal welfare state conflicts with libertarianism, I can see how libertarianism gets tainted with the selfish label. But placing the selfish charge on libertarianism is less apt than zeroing in on the actual target of your displeasure. Let me try to focus your concern further. Is federalism selfish, too? Federalists consider social welfare an constitutionally improper role for the federal government. If libertarianism is selfish, then federalism must be selfish, as well, because neither supports the federal welfare state. Or is federalism not selfish because one gets off the "selfish" hook by supporting welfare systems at the state level? In other words, do the social services you are concerned about providing have to come from the federal government to avoid provoking the "selfish" label?