Choosing a Political Party, and Redefining Libertarianism?
Libertarianism, as I have perceived it, flies on two wings: individual liberty, and individual accountability/responsibility.
So-called "Progressive Libertarianism" is one-winged: individual liberty.
The general form of contemporary libertarianism I observe says that individuals have the right to do as they please, so long as they do not harm others (individual liberty, or "social liberalism"), but they also are responsible for their own actions, including successes, and failures, in providing for themselves (individual responsibility, or "fiscal conservatism"). If it pleases a neighbor to help someone in need, that helpful person has the right to intervene as they see fit with their own property, time and resources.
A "progressive" libertarian sees some socialist right of failing individuals (albeit temporary "failings," such as the devastation of a hurricane) to lay claims to strangers for sustenance and reparations. A central government must confiscate the property of "free individuals" to help storm-ravaged "neighbors," even if the confiscation diminishes the ability of the person so pillaged in achieving their own success and self-support.
Contemporary libertarians would address the plight of storm-ravaged Floridians like this: if you wish to rebuild in Florida, be our guest, but you must pay for aid we provide you because WE are not responsible for your plight ... or, if it brings us individual joy to do so, we may certainly donate support at no charge. But, if you want to stay in the path of the occasional freight train, don't come whining to us that we OWE it to you to enable your bizarre decisions.
I cannot be a "progressive" libertarian because I do not believe in imposing an agenda on an individual. Requiring a person to support something like the NEA is moral equivalent to a military draft. Pay taxes to fund questionable art, or go to prison ... enter into the military to support questionable foreign policies, or go to prison.
There is a fine quiz at www.lp.org using a sort of baseball diamond political locator which does not assign you to a party as much as to lower-case ideologies. It asks 10 questions about social liberty and 10 about fiscal liberty. I scored 100% libertarian on this quiz and feel well-located.
I do not support the Party. It is part of a hopelessly corrupt system and I will send not even one red cent to perpetuate a useless system. I am not a member of the Libertarian Party. Party politics has usurped the place of democratic function (and responsibility.) Party politics is "representative government without representation," and I continue to look for the Tea Party....
So-called "Progressive Libertarianism" is one-winged: individual liberty.
The general form of contemporary libertarianism I observe says that individuals have the right to do as they please, so long as they do not harm others (individual liberty, or "social liberalism"), but they also are responsible for their own actions, including successes, and failures, in providing for themselves (individual responsibility, or "fiscal conservatism"). If it pleases a neighbor to help someone in need, that helpful person has the right to intervene as they see fit with their own property, time and resources.
A "progressive" libertarian sees some socialist right of failing individuals (albeit temporary "failings," such as the devastation of a hurricane) to lay claims to strangers for sustenance and reparations. A central government must confiscate the property of "free individuals" to help storm-ravaged "neighbors," even if the confiscation diminishes the ability of the person so pillaged in achieving their own success and self-support.
Contemporary libertarians would address the plight of storm-ravaged Floridians like this: if you wish to rebuild in Florida, be our guest, but you must pay for aid we provide you because WE are not responsible for your plight ... or, if it brings us individual joy to do so, we may certainly donate support at no charge. But, if you want to stay in the path of the occasional freight train, don't come whining to us that we OWE it to you to enable your bizarre decisions.
I cannot be a "progressive" libertarian because I do not believe in imposing an agenda on an individual. Requiring a person to support something like the NEA is moral equivalent to a military draft. Pay taxes to fund questionable art, or go to prison ... enter into the military to support questionable foreign policies, or go to prison.
There is a fine quiz at www.lp.org using a sort of baseball diamond political locator which does not assign you to a party as much as to lower-case ideologies. It asks 10 questions about social liberty and 10 about fiscal liberty. I scored 100% libertarian on this quiz and feel well-located.
I do not support the Party. It is part of a hopelessly corrupt system and I will send not even one red cent to perpetuate a useless system. I am not a member of the Libertarian Party. Party politics has usurped the place of democratic function (and responsibility.) Party politics is "representative government without representation," and I continue to look for the Tea Party....
posted by Author | 7:14 PM
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