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Blue_Tires

(57,596 posts)

123. I've maybe met two genuine libertarians in my life

Tue Oct 29, 2013, 07:09 PM

Oct 2013

Ironically, I live in a *very* libertarian-heavy area, relatively speaking (even before it was trendy and hip), and those two real ones I've met lived in far-off states...

The problem with the Libertarians is they made sort of a devil's deal by letting themselves get co-opted by disaffected republicans, Alex Jones crazies and the Paul cult crowd in the name of boosting their numbers and name recognition...

I remember when the Bush era had driven the GOP approval rating so low that regular people were *ashamed* to admit they were republicans, even in red districts...So, so many defected to the libertarian party, if for no other reason than their stances on taxes and completely unregulated markets...And these legions of single issue loons on TV and online calling themselves "libertarian" when their politics was maybe 10% libertarian/90% republican pretty much diluted their brand into oblivion...

The old libertarian party had some appeal to me (I am completely libertarian on social issues, but not fiscal), but now they're aren't much good for anyone with the nutbars in charge...

I still fail to understand why the OP is throwing the 'scared' word around; I heartily welcome any libertarian debate....Maybe he/she has me on ignore...

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Why are ya'll so afraid of libertarians. They get like 3% of the vote. [View all] Luminous Animal Oct 2013 OP

most libertarians vote for Republicans JI7 Oct 2013 #1

So? Most socialists vote for Democrats. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #5

This is a web site for those who will vote for Democrats. HERVEPA Oct 2013 #103

does this website say its for those who "will" vote for Democrats? Jamiletto Oct 2013 #136

Look down to the bottom of this page, for the link labeled "Terms of Service". winter is coming Oct 2013 #138

No, they don't. Deep13 Oct 2013 #2

You are confusing teabaggers with libertarians. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #3

No, I'm not. Deep13 Oct 2013 #13

Name these libertarians who have won office. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #16

they run as republicans like Rand PAul JI7 Oct 2013 #19

And what Libertarian ideology are they promoting? Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #25

That's kinda easy everything from section 2, haha. oh08dem Oct 2013 #32

So, if nothing progressive comes from them, why are Democrats so afraid? Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #41

So you're implying that they do in fact espouse progressive ideas, and the democrats should be oh08dem Oct 2013 #56

but he would allow private companies to drug test for jobs and discrminate based on race JI7 Oct 2013 #34

Rand Paul favors pot decriminalization, because it will help the GOP. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #37

Paul didn't say Libertarians, he said Republicans. And millions of rank and file Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #42

Paul holds himself out as a Libertarian to get votes for the GOP. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #44

Why doesn't the Democratic leadership advocate for legalized pot? Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #48

so call on the dems to support it but why do you have a problem calling out libertarians JI7 Oct 2013 #50

I think it eventually will, now that a majority favors it. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #54

"Hence their Libertarian dog and pony show to strip away Dem pot voters." Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #58

and that's why we are going after the libertarians and exposing them for what they stand for JI7 Oct 2013 #60

Rather than standing for the issues Democrats should stand for. nt woo me with science Oct 2013 #65

Funny that whenever liberals "defend" libertarians, that's the only two positions they cite Scootaloo Oct 2013 #51

I've never met a liberal who "defends" libertarianism. They may acknowledge their Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #57

Thing is, you can't compartmentalize like that Scootaloo Oct 2013 #61

huh? most of them were assigned names when they were born. Deep13 Oct 2013 #72

I cover local elections nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #80

No true Scotsman. n/t Orsino Oct 2013 #87

Explain. n/t Deep13 Oct 2013 #137

Because Rand Paul is trying to lure a % applegrove Oct 2013 #4

His lair, eh? So the libertarian party is Pinky and the Brain, eh? Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #6

Found: Libertarians' "Lying To Liberals" Guide Book (I posted this earlier today) applegrove Oct 2013 #14

That is hilarious. Reefer Madness hilarious. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #20

The article was hilarious AND spot on, unlike Reefer Madness. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #29

Because it does not once address constinutional rights. it's 100% fear tactics Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #46

Bullshit on that quote you made up. The article does address the issue. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #62

Except that marijuana reform has been championed by and achieved by Democrats Bluenorthwest Oct 2013 #92

How is the article out of date and insipid? nt SunSeeker Oct 2013 #94

Because marijuana reform is a mainstream issue in the Democratic Party and 56% Bluenorthwest Oct 2013 #98

"It just is"? That is not an answer, and is not correct. Libertarians are using the issue NOW. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #105

Look, maybe in your State you have grown a Democratic Party that leaves such doors Bluenorthwest Oct 2013 #115

No evidence that working people vote against their interest? Really? SunSeeker Oct 2013 #119

it wont work among minorites since he thinks it's ok to discriminate based on race JI7 Oct 2013 #10

It may work on low information voters of any race. People who just applegrove Oct 2013 #15

You are exactly right. And of course the OP ignores that point. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #28

Yup. It is obvious. Don't know OP can't applegrove Oct 2013 #30

It appears the OP has an agenda. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #43

No. I find it ludicrous that DUers have created a boogy man when Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #52

I see the forest just fine, thank you. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #55

Damn, I did not know Ron Wyden was a Republican nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #82

OFFS, believing in civil liberties does not make you a Libertarian. Wyden is a Dem. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #83

Actually, yes, yes it does nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #86

Libertarianism does not mean liberty; it means ceding our country to the rich. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #90

I see you are a lost cause. nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #91

Yes, I don't suffer bullshit. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #93

Nah you did not nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #96

Please explain how leaving it to the poor to sue redistributes wealth in your Libertarian utopia. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #99

First there is a critique to libertarian thought nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #106

I see you have no explanation for that ridiculous Libertarian redistribution argument. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #109

SOP for this member maddezmom Oct 2013 #112

I fear no man. My iggy list is empty. nt SunSeeker Oct 2013 #114

LOL nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #116

Well at least we agree on that. nt SunSeeker Oct 2013 #118

If Left Wing Libertarians are just people who believe in personal freedom... Walk away Oct 2013 #131

You are missing the meaning and ascribing to them the believes or Randians. nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #135

Okay. So how are the libertarians drawing minorities, youth and pot smokers into the lair... Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #47

They say pot should be decriminalized. SunSeeker Oct 2013 #49

Okay. You've addressed the pot smokers. How about the youth and minorities? Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #59

That argument is not going to work in all of the States that have decriminalized already Bluenorthwest Oct 2013 #95

Because people are worried about losing the civil libertarian element of the Democratic party Recursion Oct 2013 #7

Then the Democratic Party should step up their game re civil liberties. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #9

Yep Warren DeMontague Oct 2013 #11

+1 leftstreet Oct 2013 #125

So we shouldn't be afraid of libertarians.... Cali_Democrat Oct 2013 #8

I think it is ludicrous to focus on a extremely small segment of the political Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #12

libertarians are part of the republican party JI7 Oct 2013 #17

The pot smoking part of the Republican Party? Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #22

the end public education, end civil rights act, end food stamps part of the GOP JI7 Oct 2013 #35

So, the Republican Party. Why not name the actual menace than the insignificant one? Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #36

they are both named and libertarianism is a large part of the republican party JI7 Oct 2013 #38

No they are not. Libertarianism is NOT a large party of the Republican Party... Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #39

there are differences in degrees within the party and the libertarian ideology JI7 Oct 2013 #45

The libertarian wing of the Republican party is ascending while the Neo-Con wing is descending oh08dem Oct 2013 #63

They do have influence in Washington (CATO Institute). n/t. oh08dem Oct 2013 #18

I focus on attacking the following: Cali_Democrat Oct 2013 #21

Really. What do Paulites do, specifically, to pretend they are from the left. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #23

Try to normalize libertarianism by trumpeting the (few) areas LadyHawkAZ Oct 2013 #74

They seem very open to me about where they diverge from liberal ideology. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #75

Yes. Yes indeed they are. All over DU, even. LadyHawkAZ Oct 2013 #76

The Koch brothers own the GOP and they're libertarians. nt SunSeeker Oct 2013 #24

Um, no. They are fascists. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #26

They are not mutually exclusive. nt SunSeeker Oct 2013 #27

^^^This^^^ Walk away Oct 2013 #142

I'm more concerned about Third Way Democrats who want to do that n/t Oilwellian Oct 2013 #71

And they can do so precisely because of the toxic influence of right-libertarianism in society. LeftishBrit Oct 2013 #122

Look at Ron Paul's views of Social Security, etc....scary stuff. Voted no on aid to Katrina victims. madfloridian Oct 2013 #31

Remember Florida in 2000? What percent of the vote matters in a swing state? pnwmom Oct 2013 #33

They're just Republicans. They say one or two things we agree with, but they are not Liberals. Hekate Oct 2013 #40

No one is. redgreenandblue Oct 2013 #53

Because they inconveniently remind the country that corporate Democrats have abandoned Americans woo me with science Oct 2013 #64

Sabrina1 has the correct answer. woo me with science Oct 2013 #66

Yes. That was a very good answer Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #133

Their ideas have huge influence in Washington.. sendero Oct 2013 #67

I've never met a real one. Atman Oct 2013 #68

I've maybe met two genuine libertarians in my life Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #123

It's about marketing. Nine Oct 2013 #69

because they're the only "permitted alternative," giving us THREE Thatcherite options MisterP Oct 2013 #70

Who is afraid of Libertarians? joshcryer Oct 2013 #73

Libertarians try to tiptoe thru Ayn Rand then MindMover Oct 2013 #77

A strawman .... Trajan Oct 2013 #78

Because they're like a cancer . bravenak Oct 2013 #79

Because of the 51/49 races. mahina Oct 2013 #81

The fact that you have to ask jazzimov Oct 2013 #84

I find the fear of libertarians on DU far exceeds any kind of influence Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #85

Tell me, where do you see "fear?" Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #120

The consistent admonitions not to associate with "them". The incaccurate use of the word Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #126

I'd want nothing to do with the libertarians I've known locally Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #128

Skeered? Blue_Tires Oct 2013 #88

Maybe they just don't have enough "nuance"? hughee99 Oct 2013 #89

Members of the Libertarian Party are not a problem gollygee Oct 2013 #97

Now this I agree with. nadinbrzezinski Oct 2013 #117

Paul Warns of Logan's Run Type Future in VA ProSense Oct 2013 #100

To a strong extent, the word "libertarian" is now synonymous with "tea party" SamYeager Oct 2013 #101

Because they're always trying to hush you. nt Tommy_Carcetti Oct 2013 #102

Much like Christian fundamentalists are but a small percentage of Christians... LanternWaste Oct 2013 #104

Who are you? Their internet field researcher? Tarheel_Dem Oct 2013 #107

Because those that know the least, generally know it the loudest? Baitball Blogger Oct 2013 #108

There are some groups you should avoid on principle. white_wolf Oct 2013 #110

Because they are basically Republicans. Why are you enamored by them? maddezmom Oct 2013 #111

Oooh. One OP now equals enamored. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #127

Well yeah, you seem to be pushing Libertarians as a party we should work with.... maddezmom Oct 2013 #129

No I am not. I have been clear on my position which is issue oriented not party oriented. Luminous Animal Oct 2013 #130

I dont know if there is a true libertarian out there Bradical79 Oct 2013 #113

It's not the Libertarian party that's the big problem... LeftishBrit Oct 2013 #121

A tiny group knows they can disrupt on DU over and over again Rex Oct 2013 #124

Just tryin to save our democracy from crackpots who serve the GOP agenda of mind-fuggin struggle4progress Oct 2013 #132

Because we Dems need "Teh Evil" to keep us Energized! KoKo Oct 2013 #134

For the same reason we get worked up about tea-party people. pnwmom Oct 2013 #139

For example: ProSense Oct 2013 #140

THE ULTIMATE EVIL! NuclearDem Oct 2013 #141