Geeky Talks
I’m a Libertarian, not an asshole
I was at the gym a few days ago when this commercial came on. Maybe it was the hormones, maybe it was the stress of moving, maybe it is me being all “woman-like” but I started to tear up right there at minute 11 on the elliptical.
Shortly after, I went to the weight room and saw a little old lady shuffling her workout mat back to put it away. The woman could barely hold herself up, let alone this large green workout mat. I offered to take the mat and put it away for her. She thanked me.
It wasn’t too long after that I turned on the car and heard the craziness that is now our country. People hating white people and not calling it racism. People lashing out. Others telling people to give is their duty and others fighting being told what to do.
It’s at this point that I realized, regardless of my political affiliate, I’m still not an asshole, no matter who you think I may or may not vote for.
I’m just a little bit sick and gottayam tired of people placing everyone is boxes. Little boxes made of ticky-tacky. I’m tired of hyprocicy. I’m tired of name calling. I’m tired of empty promises. I’m tired of the misunderstanding that spans the isle and I’m tired of people assuming.
I’m a Libertarian. Not an asshole.
I believe less government is a good thing. I want to decide ON MY OWN that McDonalds is not healthy, to select businesses with models I agree with, to let my decision effect and change the world, not the government. I want to see change and I want to see others helping each other, not because Big Boss Man said so, but because we are raised with the core belief to respect human life, however different from you that may be.
I want to see healthy discussion. I want to see honesty. I want to see a world where opinions matter and are not immediately deflected. I want to see my children become people who will accept a large variation of lifestyles not because the government mandates it so, but because I teach them we are different and that is OK. I want them to acknowledge and accept change while understanding core principals. I want them to love people for who they are not who they profess to be.
I want my son to be allowed to be a boy. To play too rough, to jump in puddles, to sleep in the dirt. I want a school system that encourages learning of all types and does not shelter nor prevent any one child from being more than another.
I believe competition is healthy. Striving for something better, to be a part of something more, is a part of growing up.
I believe failure is OK. I believe failing teaches lessons and without failure, there is no growth.
I do not believe it is the governments job to prevent that failure, or that growth.
I’m the kind of girl that will pick up your baby’s sock if he/she kicks it off when you’re walking. All I want in return? A smile and a thank you. I’m the lady that will stop to let you in if I haven’t been cut off six times since two blocks ago. All I request is a nod and a wave. I’m the lady who you are calling a racist, a homophobe, a biggot. All I want is a chance to discuss, ask questions, admit I have no answers.
I am the lady who will see a lesbian couple linking arms and think how awesome love is, and how we all need our very own person, whatever package that comes in. And I do not want to be judged for that thought. I’m the gal who hates being called racist simply because of my skin color. That, alone, is racist, is it not? Determining my opinion of you because of your skin color based on my own skin color, well, that’s just fucked up.
I’m the programmer who is humble enough to shrug. I’m the woman who will admit she needs help. I am the mom who knows my children will not understand or respect every decision I make but who strives to make decisions based solely on the fact that I make them out of love and in the belief they are the best for this minute for my children.
I’m someone who believes in small business, who has faith that the system allows each to rise to their inner potential, who strives to let free market be truly free. I’m the person who is consistently shouting hands off to most all things government. I’m the lady who believes jobs will cure an economy, put strength in people’s hearts and a backbone to this nation.
I am honest to a fault. I am torn by two parties. I am not an asshole.
I’m a Libertarian.
Mar, 31, 2010 Filed in: Write •Getting to know me •Rants and Raves •Mrs. Flinger Said So • Read the Archives 
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Lady, I could have written this post word for word. I want to teach my daughter that candy is bad, fruit is good and it’s MY choice, MY teachings. I want government to stay out of my bank account, my womb and most importantly, out of my bedroom.
Kudos. I’m so glad I clicked on this.
oh man….. you said everything I wish I could say… THANK YOU!
Babe you are the least asshole person I know.
And I am fond of Libertarians. ;P
You live in a really liberal area and that must be tough. If it is any consolation I get railed on where I live for how I feel and I want to take this and reword it and distribute it around my environment: Just because I like more government doesn’t make me an asshole either.
Woot Woot and A-fucking-men.
I recently read an op-ed in the NYTimes that outright accused those who are against the health care bill of being white supremacists. Just because I don’t want the government STEALING from me to pay for everyone else’s health care does not mean that I am racist. Infuriating.
Leslie I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes I feel as if I am in the middle of two very large teenagers that are fighting and calling each other names and I am standing in the middle of them hoping that I don’t get knocked out. Ridiculous really. After working with the federal government for 10 years I decided I had had enough and moved. Apparently that was not enough because their reach seems to be growing like the blob. Why would anyone put their faith in something that has rarely ever gotten anything right? *shakes head*
A few things…
First, you’re in denial if you don’t acknowledge that a significant portion of the “Tea Party” activists are racist. The evidence is out there. On the internets. Just google racists tea party signs. No one is saying that all these activists and/or libertarians are racist, but some (many?) of them are. As a brown person, this Tea Party shit really scares me. I wish people like you, who are not racist, would take a principled against the racists, instead of taking a principled stand against the people calling the racists racist. If you’re at one of these tea party rallies, doesn’t it tell you something that everyone around you is white? Do you think it could mean that there’s some part of the puzzle that you don’t quite understand?
Second, why is it that libertarians are only concerned about “Big Government” when Democrats are in power? Where was the Tea Party when the previous administration was expanding government exponentially? I wish you guys would just admit it: you’re sore losers.
Third, you already have no health care liberty. It is an illusion. Instead of big goverment, you have big business. Big Insurance. I hear people whining about the health care bill saying “we’re just adding a huge bureaucracy”. YOU ALREADY HAVE A BIG FUCKING BUREAUCRACY THAT CONTROLS YOUR HEALTH CARE. ITS CALLED THE HEALTH INSURANCE INDUSTRY. I’d rather a public bureaucracy that’s beholden to its citizens rather than a private bureaucracy that’s beholden to its shareholders.
Fourth, it is not appropriate for every industry to be private. Does anyone whine about “socialized” fire departments? “Socialized” police departments? Why should someone be profiting from my health or lack thereof?
Fifth, your point about McDonalds. Do you think there should be no regulations? Have you read The Jungle? Should we abolish the age limit on purchasing cigarettes? Unfortunately, as a side effect of human nature, if you leave society to its own devices, bad things will happen. You’re either for the government having regulatory authority, or you’re against it. I’d prefer to have a government that keeps the bad people from doing bad stuff to us.
Finally, I want to talk about the American Libertarian. He/she lives in a fantasy world. He/she has never experienced a “small” government, yet he/she is SURE that “big government/boogeyman” is bad. Me, I’m proud of my country, and its government.
I think you may be my new hero.
Dona
...I just re-read my post, and it came off less snarky and more asshole-ish than I thought. So let me apologize. You actually seem like a good person, and I don’t mean to bludgeon you in particular. As you can see, this whole thing is frustrating for ALL SIDES. No one feels like they’re winning. Let’s all keep dialoguing. Its important. Thanks, peace.
Dude, you totally rock! I had to share this on facebook and link back. You put it into words well!
I may not agree with your politics, but man I loved this sentence-
I want my son to be allowed to be a boy. To play too rough, to jump in puddles, to sleep in the dirt. I want a school system that encourages learning of all types and does not shelter nor prevent any one child from being more than another.
Rob,
You are so wrong on so many levels, I’ll take your points one by one:
First, not all tea party activist are racists and it pisses me off to read this. Just like not all republics are anti-gay marriage (I’m not) or not all white people can’t dance, it’s such a cop out to label people.
Second, I was concerned about big government when Bush was president, I hated that war, it was bullsh**. Another example of the government spending my money on crap I don’t agree with.
Third, at least with private industry you have a shot at achieving a free market. If government is in control of health care, God help us, they can’t even mail a letter correctly.
Fourth, the government does have a duty to protect it’s citizens - the reason we have police, fire departments and the military. This is the one area of course they need to be in charge of. It’s called keeping the peace and yes, it’s their JOB to keep people from causing havoc on me or my family. The post office? That’s a whole other story.
Fifth,Rob, it’s MY job, not the government’s to educate my child on the evils of McDonalds and fat content and smoking and all those things. It’s not up to anyone else to tell ME how to live my life. It’s a slippery slope and it started with seat belt laws.
Yes, I’ve read the Jungle and you know what? When she’s old enough I’ll let my daughter read it and let her make her own decisions.
I will never be proud of a socialist/government run country - never.
Rob—you got it right.
Rob, I’d like to address your points.
1) Your claim that “a significant
portion of the “Tea Party” activists are racist” is unsubstantiated. True, there have been crazies that have crossed the line with signs and actions, but this has happened all throughout history whenever people are fired up about a cause.
2)”...libertarians are only concerned about “Big Government” when Democrats are in power?” Libertarians have always fought against big government, years before Obama was elected. In fact, it was the big government policies of the Bush administration that are primarily responsible for sparking the tea party movement. And hell, yes, I’m a “sore loser.” I live in this wonderful, free country and have every right to voice my dissatisfaction with a government that is supposed to serve me.
3) It’s true we have no healthcare liberty. The insurance industry has worked with the government to restrict competition for health insurance. There hasn’t been a free market in healthcare for decades and the anger we all feel towards the healthcare companies has its roots in the many government interventions in the industry. As far as choosing between “a public
bureaucracy that’s beholden to its citizens rather than a private
bureaucracy that’s beholden to its shareholders” it’s mistaken to believe these are the only choices. Further, ordinary shareholders have little impact on corporate operations and ordinary citizens often have even less impact on bureaucratic operations. Neither type of organization is really beholden to anyone. Just see how well Congress listened to the people when the majority of Americans rejected the healthcare bill. They moved it forward anyway. There’s no opting out of a government program. They will be forcing me to buy insurance that I neither want nor need. This is illegal, against the Constitution and immoral.
4) Law enforcement by the police is required to be provided by the government according to the separation of powers in the Constitution. Many municipalities such as mine do not provide fire and rescue services - they are typically manned by unpaid volunteers - citizens who give back to their communities - and they’re often funded by the people who rely on the service through donations, not taxes. Public safety IS the job of the government. Medical care, however, is a different story. The Constitution does not give the government the ability to determine how I should I care for my health.
5) “If you leave society to its own devices, bad things will happen.” How do you know? You say that Libertarians live in a fantasy world and that we have never experienced “small government.” I will also point out to you that you have never experienced a true free-market, capitalistic society and so how are you so sure “bad things will happen?” As an American, you also have never had to experience life under the socialist system you to claim to desire. I’d recommend reading “Gulag Archipelago” by Solzhenitszyn for starters so you can begin to appreciate what life will be like when we allow the government to discard the Constitution. As for The Jungle, history has shown that much of it was fabricated. Even FDR stated 3/4 of what Sinclair claimed “were absolute falsehoods”. If you’re concerned about food safety, consider the tainted food products entering America from China - not exactly a capitalist country.
Rob, you’re right. You sounded like a major asshole.
I’m a Libertarian (actually a registered Independent, with Libertarian beliefs), and I have no use whatsoever for the Tea Party movement. Anything that involves Sarah Palin is nothing I want to be associated with.
Furthermore, I had plenty of issues with the previous administration, both on the social and fiscal sides.
Basically, I want the government to stay away from my mind, my body, and my money. What I do with them is nobody’s business, so long as I’m not violating anyone else’s rights.
Mrs. F, great post.
Loved this. Period.
Wow. I’m in awe. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
The difference between a bureaucracy that is privatized and a bureaucracy that is government-ized is your ability to choose. In a private environment at least you can select between several and if you like opt out. How Democrat-like is it to dictate that you have to choose a specific minimum or be taxed/fined? It’s not a foundation of the Democratic party to hold that type of belief. It is a socialist mindset that makes you do something like that and that is what has many up in arms.
Libertarians are a very independent group. I mean most want government so small that it makes republicans look like progressives. Want to smoke pot? Who is the government to say? Want to eat pig fat 3 times a day? Knock yourself out. Want to live in a hut and weave braided necklaces all day? okiedokie. It’s about personal responsibility and the belief that this life is mine to live. Who are you (in the figurative sense) to tell me how to live my life? And who am I to tell you how to live yours? I mean you want to talk about some radical ideas… I just don’t understand where this movement came from and why anyone would want ultimate control from “the man”. Shouldnt we all be a little apprehensive about that?
I also don’t think it’s a color issue. I do think it is a socio-economic issue to a certain extent. I know I would be considered middle class. Larger government is squeezing me like crazy. Lower income levels count on the hand outs and don’t pay much into the system. Upper income folks know how to hide their millions but are also paying a much higher percentage.
Here’s a radical idea. I want everyone to have to write their quarterly tax checks to the government. I want them to have to take a pen to paper and write out that check. Having it deducted from your check is a relatively new invention of the government. They figured (rightly so) that by taking it automatically they could wield more power and control of the money. And that people would feel the sting less. So let’s have everyone write that check. I would imagine some minds would change…
yep.
All the environmentalists who are mad at the Pres for announcing his reversal and support of offshore drilling?
Racists!
See how ridiculous it all is?
Talk about divisive.
Good for you for not being silenced.
I appreciate this post. I have one friend who is a staunch Libertarian and while I do not agree, I do get it. I respect Libertarianism. I do not respect TEA partiers. As I’ve told my friend, go back to being a Conservative Libertarian (her views are a little different from yours in terms of reproductive health and marriage equality) and stop going to TEA parties. The founder is racist and the keynote speaker condones and even encourages violence.
). I hear it all the time about the TEA party.
It’s funny, I’m a liberal and I’ve never heard anybody call Libertarians racist or anything else (except wrong
So please, Libertarians, disassociate yourselves from the Tea party.
Marcus, I think that’s a lovely description of libertarian. Sometimes I wonder if people know what that actually means.
I honestly, truthfully, know that some people still have race issues. HOWEVER, I see it on both sides of the coin. I see minorities hate white people and that’s not called racism, that’s called entitled. It’s just as offensive to be hated for being white as it is for being any color. It’s degrading and disgusting and should be so old school we don’t need to beat that horse to death at each issue that has nothing to do with horses.
With. That. Said. There is also a lot of rich-hate. Just because someone is able to make money in a fee market sort of pisses people off who aren’t making money. You know what a libertarian would say? “How ‘bout you go find a way to make money?” I’m all for leveling the playing field in so much that the field needs to be mowed. Do I think we need fire and police? Hellzya. And that, including roads/transportation should be what we need a “government” for. Because some people are going to be stupid, we need cops. Because accidents happen, we need firemen and because infrastructure is essential to our continued growth, I’m for it.
Should the government tell me who I need to give my charity to? No. Will I give? Yes. Of course I will. I will help my neighbor and I will give a hand because that’s the right thing to do, not because someone else told me to.
I left my parents house because I was ready for the world. I didn’t know that meant stepping in to my Big Brother’s…
Oh, and St, we were typing at the same time. I certainly don’t think libertarians ARE associated with the Tea party, are we? Me n Sarah Palin have the same hair and that’s ‘bout where our similarities die.
I think you’re doing it right, MF. Libertarians can resist facilitating others’ attempts to pigeonhole them if we don’t take the bait and ill-advisedly turn a political battle into a culture war. I’m an atheist libertarian who still loves my theistic conservative friends and my liberal friends. We should make it clear we want freedom, not revenge. Hell, we can even provisionally support the health reform efforts as long as every individual or company participating is doing so voluntarily.
I think the country might be nearing readiness for a political movement that promises freedom and inclusiveness. I’m not sure if the Tea Party orgs can beomme that movement, not for any lack of well-meaning people, but I fear the brand may have been tarnished by some spotlight chasing. Still, if they steadily keep their house clean and stay above the partisan fray, perhaps they will attract more followers while the two traditional parties lose theirs.
I’m thinking the movement can really gain steam if it heeds the lessons not only of Hayek and Jefferson and Rand, but also Ghandi and MLK and even The Amish.
I only say that because the only libertarian I know also likes TEA parties and many of the official tenants match up. I’ve never heard a Libertarian smeared though and I’m a Daily Kos kind of liberal.
Neither you nor this friend of mine are racist or noncompassionate.
Thank you very much for a clear, well thought out, spot on post.
I consider myself a nothing…a free thinker, if you will. My beliefs tend to align with “democrats” but my interests would benefit from as little government control as possible. I like the idea of tackling each issue on it’s own merits, and not affiliating with any party. Unfortunately, in this nation, or maybe any, that will not work. Thanks again!
Johnathan, Amen, bro! Something I was going to say is that on both sides there are extremes that are tarnishing people who have similar beliefs. I’m not an extreme at all. In fact, I feel like I’m pretty common-sense (is that a political party? No?) and while some of my close friends are on both ends of the spectrum, I certainly don’t mind having these discussions. It’s what makes our Country so awesome.
But as some point we have to fix the system. As a fabulous SNL quote I use all the time comes to mind, all I can say is FIXIT.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/40678/saturday-night-live-update-freds-mapfix-it
M.F. - Fantastic! I feel the exact same way! Could not have written it better myself.
Rob -
1. I was very upset by most of Bush’s policies, the out of control spending. So I am racist against whites?
2. I am very upset by most of Obama’s policies, the take over of a car company, the massive bailouts, the deals with the drug companies.. so I am racist against him too?
3. I’ve got a great idea - Move to Europe! Oh wait, guess you won’t have to..
4. How wonderful is it that we still have the freedom to express our opinions in public like this! If you think that is not a big deal, there are plenty of countries where you CAN’T do that.
-JV
Amen. Also a fan of personal responsibility over here. I’m a grown up, raising my little humans to be responsible adults (not grown children), blah blah blah. I will say I’m absolutely terrified at the direction our country is going - the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, general decency, etc. Scary times.
Rob, I was joking about moving to Europe.. but I think this country is headed in that direction..
-JV
I’m not going to get into a huge thing here about my personal political stances, because you know, blog drama: I avoid it.
BUT, I think the problem here is, you’re the only (and I mean ONLY) person I’ve ever met who calls themselves a Libertarian who *isn’t* an asshole. I mean, Glenn Beck calls himself a Libertarian. Eek.
I traditionally agree with most of what you say here, but over the last couple of years I’ve found my view on healthcare in particular to be changing. While there are a few people that are willing to take a hard line Libertarian view that basically says “let them die”, most people seem to agree that as a society we should choose to provide a certain level of care regardless of means. Given this, it seems natural that we should provide that level of care to everyone the same way we provide national defense.
The problem I run into is defining what level of care that should be. I think preventative and emergent care, but does that mean that if someone without means develops a chronic, life-threatening issue they are simply out of luck? Or, if we went the extra step to provide assistance to those without means, then the same question applies to those that have chosen not to adequately insure themselves—are they simply forced to spend down to the point where they no longer have means and then receive assistance? Perhaps so; maybe that is okay.
I wanted to clarify my “let them die” statement—I’m not saying a hard line Libertarian would want to let sick people die as I’m confident that most would expect individuals and groups (not the government) to step in and render aid. I just mean that they wouldn’t want the government to force people to help and would understand that that would mean that sometimes people would die due to lack of anyone stepping up.
Ren wrote: “The problem I run into is defining what level of care that should be.” Yes, that is a problem and that’s one reason it’s wrong for the government to dictate this. Who is the government to decide who should get a kidney transplant first, for example? This is what it could come to.
I’m glad you clarified your statement “let them die” because no one feels that way. I believe that if the free market were allowed to work then volunteers and charity would fill the gaps. This seems to work well with feeding our country (food pantries, soup kitchens, etc).
I really do appreciate all this fantastic feedback. And here’s the thing:
I wasn’t really associating with the tea party because, well, I haven’t honestly looked in to it enough to know where I’d stand. In theory, I’m for less government and thusly should be part of such a movement. However, I think there are ways the party is a) being misrepresented and b) losing some of the original intent at times.
No need to be defensive, my tea party going friends, I love you, too. But I just think in any large crowd movement, something gets out of touch with the original intent simply by the movement. LIke any large body. Churches, Soup Kitchens, Blogs. It’s too easy to get caught up in the momentum and forget the origin.
WITH THAT SAID, though, I wonder if Rob, or Elza have been to a tea party rally? I have not, so I’m unable to comment on their behalf. I’m not making any judgements because I have not attended and so I’m aware anything I say is half-assed hearsay.
But it got me thinking: Perhaps I SHOULD attend one. Maybe I need to do a bit more research and see just what this is all about? Why am I defensive over a party I do not fully understand?
I’d expect all of us to do the same on both sides of the coin.
I listen to NPR, Rush, and CNN AND Fox. Nobody gives you truly fair and balanced. It’s our job to filter out all the shit and find what we believe.
And because of all you fine lovely people and this post, I’m going to start sifting. So thank you for participating. You’re all my hero.
“There are only two things I can’t stand in this world: People who are intolerant of other peoples’ cultures, and the Dutch.” -Nigel Powers
I will be writing a longer response this weekend, because I want to put time and effort into it. (Short version: I don’t think you’re an asshole, but _if_ the tea partiers and the Republican fringe are your allies, then you’re aiding and abetting assholes. On the other hand, I think principled libertarianism, Peter McWilliams style, should at least be a part of our national conversation. There are many distinct differences between the philosophies espoused by the Libertarian Party, by the “libertarian wing of the Republican party,” like Ron Paul, and by the tea party protesters, which started out Ron-Paul-esque but have migrated steadily toward pure Republican hate-mongering.)
I have seen a tea party rally firsthand, or rather, one imposed itself onto my drive home from work (they demonstrated on Meridian Street in Bellingham, during rush hour, to get as many people driving home from work as possible). I still have my Obama/Biden magnet on my car. One person kicked the side of my car as I drove by. Several flipped me off. The signs ranged from reasonably benign (Obama is a socialist) to impractical (“No new taxes? How about NO taxes?”) to absurd (“What would the founding fathers think about taxation WITH representation?”). Most people there were probably your run-of-the-mill confused Republicans, worried that their taxes were going to go up or the like.
However, there _was_ a significant subset of violent and racial rhetoric apparent in the signage and the behavior of some of the folks there. People spit at cars with Obama stickers. There was a sign with Pelosi in a noose, and a _lot_ of signs with guns on them and either vague or specific threats toward Democratic politicians on them.
The Political Compass (http://www.politicalcompass.org )—which I recommend, by the way; it separates social and economic views in a way that can be clarifying—puts me at the far bottom left of the scale—socially libertarian, economically left. I’m closer to the Green Party than the Democratic Party in my overall platform. But I don’t understand how people who call themselves libertarian can align themselves with people like Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin—pro-interventionist, pro-torture, supportive of centralizing huge amounts of power in the executive branch and of deregulating businesses while at the same time intervening very directly in people’s individual liberties by banning things they find distasteful (homosexuality, abortion, marijuana)—all while attempting to exert Christianity as a state religion. The Republican party is _not_ a libertarian organization, and the actual libertarians in the tea party groups are, to my mind, getting used as cover by a larger group of the Republican’s most distasteful elements.
Anyway… this is getting long for a blog comment, and like I said I want to write a real response this weekend. I think that the complexity of a lot of these issues gets lost in rhetoric. (For example, McDonald’s is cheaper than more nutritious food in part because of the subsidies the government gives to corn and cattle farmers and the tax breaks given to it as a huge business. If we removed those subsidies, it’d level the playing field somewhat for smaller farms and smaller restaurants, but it would also put lots of people in the Midwest out of work.) Right now the Republicans are publicly defining themselves as pro-war, pro-torture, anti-gay assholes, and the groups getting the most press with the name “libertarian” is defining itself as the more extreme version of the Republicans. I think that’s a disservice to the genuine-but-impractical libertarians like Ron Paul, and to the loose coalition that is the Libertarian Party, and to folks like the late Peter McWilliams, who helped to define an American libertarianism that is pretty clear-eyed in its ideals, even if some of those ideals probably need to compromise to pragmatism now and again.
But since this lack of clarity exists in the word libertarian as it’s used today, you’re stuck defining what you mean when you use it—and you shouldn’t take it as a personal attack when someone who’s using the word to mean something very different is described in unkind words.
Own it Bitches. I love that everyone here, despite differing opinions, are looking, searching, reading… The infuriating part are the masses which don’t vote or don’t care because it takes effort. I love Mrs. F in agreement and in disagreement. We all need to keep sharing. Even with Rob. Who would hate my blog.
M
I always knew you were my kind of people. Always.
Thank you. I’ve been struggling, because these kind of thoughts have clogged me all up, and I’ve been afraid to write on my blog due to the comments I received during the election. I may be using your ideas for a post of my own to help me sketch out my thoughts (with credit to you, of course.)
What an awesome post and yes, I’m from a different country that does things differently but politics are politics. What is important is that YOU have an opinion and you believe and support your opinion and have the freedom to have that opinion. It’s the blind followers, those who do not have their own opinion, or no opinion at all that scare me. Own it and I will respect you even if I don’t respect the political POV. Gosh I hope that makes sense and holy crap, could I use more ‘and’s? : )
For what it’s worth, I’m confident that most people of all political stripes are not just blind followers, but truly believe that their preferred policies are the best path to a more just and prosperous world. Most people want to do good, but we can all get so frustrated in our own failures to convince others of our own beliefs that we lash out, or belittle people who we should be working to turn into our allies. I know I’ve certainly been there, but I hope I can avoid going there again.
What’s more, I believe most people respond to being treated with respect, even if their ideas are being substantively criticized. They know that they’re speaking with someone who’s very self-identity isn’t threatened by the mere existence of other ideas. I think that’s a particular strength of libertarianism in particular: by removing a lot of human activity from the political sphere, people are free to pursue their lives there way without worrying that next election will change all their hopes and dreams.
I have lived my entire life in NJ except for my college years in Oberlin, so a prevailing east coast liberal culture is and has always been the air I breathe. I don’t know a damn thing about trucks or hunting, and I love wine and cheese. But I don’t need to feel a deep personal affinity for the tea partiers to wish them well in their struggle for liberty, and I think the movement is as its been from the beginning, a large majority who have had enough with government expansion, and smatterings of mainstream GOP trying to get some of their heat. Of the former, a small percentage (just as a small percentage of ANY group) hold some rancid views, but most (as are most of ANY group) well intentioned. And so what if a lot of them like country music and God? They’ve done a lot more agitating for freedom then I have, so who the hell am I to look down my nose? More power (to oppose power) to ‘em!
Maybe cultural-coastal libertarian types will form a sister movement, maybe they’ll join the tea partiers, maybe they’ll never do anything because there aren’t enough of ‘em
, but we need all the friends we can get. Let’s not alienate either the people (who, remember, are overwhelmingly good people, if a little different) who are our natural allies, or the people (who, remember, are overwhelmingly good people, even if holding mistaken political beliefs) who we hope to make our allies someday.
Excellent, thoughtful post; well-stated comments on both sides.
Perhaps the TRUE Libertarians need to stand up and take back their movement from the corrupting influences and the co-opting factions on both sides?
PAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me now show such utter ignorance on my part. I’ve never gotten the sense the Tea Party folks are mostly Libertarians. I’ve always seen them as far more Republican-leaning than Libertarian. It’s that perception that has had me forever questioning their motives.
But Mrs. Flinger, I never question anything you do because you are you, whatever you do and with whomever you hand.
It took a lot of guts to post this, and my hat is off to you. Well said.
Preach. It. Sister.
I don’t really put myself into any political box. I have beliefs and I vote based upon them. Fiscally, I’m can be conservative but I think that becoming a student again made me that way. That’s a rabbit trail/rant I don’t want to go down though; that would make a loooong ass comment.
P.S. I agree with you about being called racist. And let me add to that: I may have mentioned that I work in medicine. I’m sick and damned tired of having the race card pulled on me when I try to set limits, say “no” to, or in any other way do not cater to my non-white patients. In other words, when I treat them the same way I treat everyone else. There are true cases of racism, but when you whip that card out and play it any time you don’t get a soda or Vicodin from me, you are cheapening it. Put it away. Save it. I care for you just like everyone else and I will treat you the same. /rant
Word.
You make so many good points. Most of all, you own your thoughts and you’re not afraid to stand up and say, “No, I’m not going to be swayed. THIS is what I believe.”
I don’t believe we’ll ever get to a point where we all hold hands and sing Kum-B-Yah, but why can’t we at least just keep it civil? Keep it grown-up? When did all the adults suddenly become so childish?
I think it becomes increasingly hard to keep it civil when people feel their liberties are being threatened. A Gallup poll showed that 54% of Americans did not approve of the way the government got the health care bill passed. When citizens feel they are not being represented by their government, it’s natural to fight against that and when the government doesn’t listen to your objections… well, sometimes we need to become “childish.” Think about the Boston Tea Party. They disguised themselves as Indians and dumped crates of tea into the ocean. Waaahhh! How childish is that?! But effective, no?
A friend whose been reading your blog for some time now just sent me your blog link after she realized you go to the Y. She got me into boot camp so we’re there every week. So I added you to my reader and started catching up on a few posts. This is only post #2 for me but I LOVE IT! Everything in this entry, and especially the title. I rarely post comments on any blogs I read, but had to let you know that I’m a fan and will be reading going forward. Well said!
It was really bugging me that I used whose when it should have been who has…this is why I don’t comment on blogs. Again, kudos on the post!
What I love about this post is that it demonstrates how wrong it is to put anyone in a box. You cannot label individuals and do it accurately—and yet this is how our current system of politics and press does it. It is LAZY! Republicans and Libertarians can feel fine about same-sex marriage, and I would venture to say that the majority does! Sadly, only the loudest Tea Partiers, Democrats, Republicans are heard, and they almost always are the individuals living on the extreme of any argument or philosophy. Don’t most of us live in the middle? I would like a political party called Common Sense. I would like this party to re-write the tax code, re-organize our judicial system so nuisance lawsuits are not rewarded via settlement, create a simple health system, and encourage individuals to take responsibility for themselves and take pride in our country.
This just never gets old. I love you. xo
I know this is an older post, but I was directed here by a mutual friend of ours. I too am a Libertarian, and I am so glad to hear you are too.