What does it mean to be a libertarian?

[HDRoberts]

Continuing the series...

I see many of you identify more as a libertarian than a republican or democrat. But what does that mean? Are you an anarchist, wanting few if any laws limiting behavior? Or do you just want to be neither a republican or democrat (seems to be the most popular reason to me)?

And, heck, what is the libertarian fiscal and tax policy? Do they have one?

[Skyhi]

In very broad terms, I think most libertarians believe in a very weak federal government that provides for a national defense, regulates commerce, and does little else.

[vurbano]

I think you have to own a gun, a pocket constitution and have a fear of the Pope.

[fallout2600]

1) Small central govt, as described in the constitution.
2) Sound monetary policy (gold standard)
3) State rights (Federal laws cannot override local state laws)
4) Complete personal freedoms (legalization of marijuana, pro-choice, etc)
5) Elimination of income tax as that makes us a slave to the state.
6) Ability to completely tolerate other people's pursuit of happiness even if you disagree.
7) Elimination of the USA as the world police
8) Free Trade
9) An end to nation-building
10) Fiscal responsibility
11) End the Federal Reserve
12) Promoting savings instead of mass consumerism
13) An end to the abuse of Presidential executive orders
14) Supports Congress taking back its control from the executive branch
15) Common Sense

[msmith198025]

I agree with many, but not all of those.

[fallout2600]

I agree with many, but not all of those.

The main principle is to always to put liberty first.

[HDRoberts]

1) Small central govt, as described in the constitution. - Fair enough
2) Sound monetary policy (gold standard) - I think this would be too hard to implement after so many years under flat currency. With only $4.5T in gold out there, and $8.3T in cash out there, the conversion would be full of problems
3) State rights (Federal laws cannot override local state laws) - OK
4) Complete personal freedoms (legalization of marijuana, pro-choice, etc) - What is local law wants to ban abortion? 3 and 4 seem to be in conflict.
5) Elimination of income tax as that makes us a slave to the state. - I know you'e not a Fairtax guy. How else would the government fund itself?
6) Ability to completely tolerate other people's pursuit of happiness even if you disagree. -OK, good for any party
7) Elimination of the USA as the world police - Agree
8) Free Trade - Nope, sorry, call me an isolationist, but that is bad news. Yeah, it's protectionism, but don't we have a lot to protect?
9) An end to nation-building - Agree
10) Fiscal responsibility - Sure
11) End the Federal Reserve - How would banks work in your world?
12) Promoting savings instead of mass consumerism - Fine
13) An end to the abuse of Presidential executive orders -Fine
14) Supports Congress taking back its control from the executive branch - Under the constitution, no one branch had control.
15) Common Sense - Well, everybody is for that.

[fallout2600]

1) Small central govt, as described in the constitution. - Fair enough
2) Sound monetary policy (gold standard) - I think this would be too hard to implement after so many years under flat currency. With only $4.5T in gold out there, and $8.3T in cash out there, the conversion would be full of problems
3) State rights (Federal laws cannot override local state laws) - OK
4) Complete personal freedoms (legalization of marijuana, pro-choice, etc) - What is local law wants to ban abortion? 3 and 4 seem to be in conflict.
5) Elimination of income tax as that makes us a slave to the state. - I know you'e not a Fairtax guy. How else would the government fund itself?
6) Ability to completely tolerate other people's pursuit of happiness even if you disagree. -OK, good for any party
7) Elimination of the USA as the world police - Agree
8) Free Trade - Nope, sorry, call me an isolationist, but that is bad news. Yeah, it's protectionism, but don't we have a lot to protect?
9) An end to nation-building - Agree
10) Fiscal responsibility - Sure
11) End the Federal Reserve - How would banks work in your world?
12) Promoting savings instead of mass consumerism - Fine
13) An end to the abuse of Presidential executive orders -Fine
14) Supports Congress taking back its control from the executive branch - Under the constitution, no one branch had control.
15) Common Sense - Well, everybody is for that.

As you can see, us libertarians don't belong in the Dem or Repub party.

If you're interested on our position on the Fed Reserve and gold standard, then do a little reading at the Mises Institute. Lots of great articles on those topics.

[Derwin0]

15) Common Sense - Well, everybody is for that.
Sometimes I really wonder... ;)

[msmith198025]

Sometimes I really wonder... ;)

You and me both!

[HD MM]

1) Small central govt, as described in the constitution.
2) Sound monetary policy (gold standard)
3) State rights (Federal laws cannot override local state laws)
4) Complete personal freedoms (legalization of marijuana, pro-choice, etc)
5) Elimination of income tax as that makes us a slave to the state.
6) Ability to completely tolerate other people's pursuit of happiness even if you disagree.
7) Elimination of the USA as the world police
8) Free Trade
9) An end to nation-building
10) Fiscal responsibility
11) End the Federal Reserve
12) Promoting savings instead of mass consumerism
13) An end to the abuse of Presidential executive orders
14) Supports Congress taking back its control from the executive branch
15) Common Sense

Where do I sign up?! :)

[fallout2600]

Due to the tyrannical 2 party system currently in place, you have to find the libertarians in the 2 parties and support them. A third party can't even get into the debates which is completely unAmerican. Instead you have to watch the 2 parties transition power every 4 to 8 years and continue with more of the same. Look how we just went from neo-conservative statism to extreme left statism under the illusion of change.

[fallout2600]

Where do I sign up?! :)

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/

[fallout2600]

More proof that the Dems and Repubs are truly one party:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIG9vDPqZwY