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12. I was a Libertarian but experience changed my views

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 10:10 PM

Apr 2012

I was a libertarian, and I still am, after a fashion.

Libertarians are opposed to "all forms of coercion". They think coercion is only justified in response to coercion. They are anti-government because they see the state as coercive.

My pivot from libertarian to progressive came when I experienced - over and over in many different areas - the reality of the "economic coercion" that exists in the (so called) "free market". The coercion of the immediate financial distress of an individual matched by the economic power of private wealth merits the use of coercion in the form of government regulations as a counterweight.

Or so it seems to me.

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The older I get, the less tolerant I am with GOP friends/relatives.... [View all] Logical Apr 2012 OP

The GOP *WAS* less nutty 15 years ago. BiggJawn Apr 2012 #1

I was going to say something similar. Now, when someobdy brings up politics gateley Apr 2012 #2

I never know what I'm going to hear, either. BiggJawn Apr 2012 #60

pretty much given up talking to them rurallib Apr 2012 #3

I must be too, 'cause I'm getting less and less able to stomach the a-holes! nt Sarah Ibarruri Apr 2012 #4

That makes two of us. Initech Apr 2012 #14

DeceptiCONs...... happerbolic Apr 2012 #36

That's your mistake, they have No Intentions of Governing, their intent is to RULE Bandit Apr 2012 #64

It gives me the creeps how often they refer to "our rulers in Washington." ieoeja Apr 2012 #79

Isn't that the truth. Me too! Cleita Apr 2012 #5

Me, too. KarenS Apr 2012 #6

I was a Libertarian but experience changed my views NAO Apr 2012 #12

I agree. The 'gummint is evil' line is a diversion from those who REALLY rule most of our lives. freshwest Apr 2012 #29

at least when, and if, it is government coersion... happerbolic Apr 2012 #39

Good counterpoint about coercion. anAustralianobserver Apr 2012 #54

Similar case with me, though I was never on the capital "L" Libertarian bandwagon... JHB Apr 2012 #62

Hate Radio has redefined freedom in the US Doctor_J Apr 2012 #71

I've experienced the same... markpkessinger Apr 2012 #7

I don't think it's your age sandyshoes17 Apr 2012 #8

My sane cousin and I have been trying to decide... rwsanders Apr 2012 #33

Wow, just wow. You just can't pick your relatives. Your cousin sounds sane though. The Wielding Truth Apr 2012 #45

Wanna blow your brother's mind? Ask him the South's take on States Rights vis-a-vis Slavery. ieoeja Apr 2012 #80

Really? Because I've become more tolerant. Zax2me Apr 2012 #9

I am happier avoiding them. Logical Apr 2012 #28

the book "The Republican Brain"- scientific studies reveal why Cons deny science and ignore facts NAO Apr 2012 #10

There are different degrees of Republicanism. Baitball Blogger Apr 2012 #11

AMEN TO THAT!!! If about half the white collar criminals, loudsue Apr 2012 #22

If you live long enough.... izquierdista Apr 2012 #13

we've already lived that long. iemitsu Apr 2012 #27

Funny, the older I get the more tolerant I am with them. Autumn Apr 2012 #15

Easter with my Tea Bagger cousin was hell. baldguy Apr 2012 #16

I don't know if you've read the studies or not, but with some people it's RKP5637 Apr 2012 #19

My younger brother is the same though in his defense he truly is mentally challenged with an IQ that cstanleytech Apr 2012 #48

Many in the republican party have just become parrots and spew a RKP5637 Apr 2012 #17

They let the crazy Tea Party in to win elections and now paying the high cost. Thinkingabout Apr 2012 #18

I'm glad to read that i'm not the only one madokie Apr 2012 #20

I HEAR YOU Skittles Apr 2012 #21

" today's conservatives live in a land of lies and illusion" isnt really the problem its cstanleytech Apr 2012 #49

true Skittles Apr 2012 #56

I think I am more tolerant. . . daligirl519 Apr 2012 #23

Me too Marie Marie Apr 2012 #24

Welcome to the club Pakid Apr 2012 #25

So true!! Logical Apr 2012 #30

And their nasty evilhime Apr 2012 #43

Can't take 'em anymore. Saying I don't want to talk about it, doesn't work. They insist I convert. freshwest Apr 2012 #26

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. Most of my family has passed on RKP5637 Apr 2012 #35

Thanks. I miss them, the way they were, before they got into this. freshwest Apr 2012 #41

I don't understand this. I've no idea AT ALL how my closest friends vote or even feel about things cherokeeprogressive Apr 2012 #31

That is because kctim Apr 2012 #73

I could have written this post too leftylauren Apr 2012 #32

Welcome to the club! Kath1 Apr 2012 #70

They wear their politics on their sleeve now Tabasco_Dave Apr 2012 #34

The really ugly side of them is now coming out and on display all the RKP5637 Apr 2012 #37

Sadly I feel the same way. alittlelark Apr 2012 #38

There Are Some GOP Politicians That Need To Be Slapped On The Spot. TheMastersNemesis Apr 2012 #51

I'm probably older than you - learned emilyg Apr 2012 #40

Same here! Duppers Apr 2012 #42

I know what you mean..I've go no patience.... Historic NY Apr 2012 #44

Maybe you've stayed the same and they fell over the edge of their flat earth worldview. hay rick Apr 2012 #46

The Older I get ... 99th_Monkey Apr 2012 #47

Perfect! silverweb Apr 2012 #53

I quit going around mine in the last 10 years.... ingac70 Apr 2012 #50

Same here. Officially estranged Doctor_J Apr 2012 #65

2000-2008 never happened. Jamaal510 Apr 2012 #52

You know what they say skydive forever Apr 2012 #75

The older you get the less respect they have for you too... Kablooie Apr 2012 #55

What I don't understand is why they have the need to constantly proselytize. PA Democrat Apr 2012 #57

I'll be the 400,000th person to second your opinion. Ship of Fools Apr 2012 #58

Most people say that you're a liberal when you're young... YellowRubberDuckie Apr 2012 #59

I am there with you! n-t Logical Apr 2012 #81

IMO Mr Dixon Apr 2012 #61

No GOP friends and lucky for me my family is pretty much union/ left all the way. sarcasmo Apr 2012 #63

Their pervasiveness takes a big chunk out of my life Doctor_J Apr 2012 #66

Tolerance is so over-rated marshall Apr 2012 #67

And I thought it was just me! Kath1 Apr 2012 #68

I used to feel this way, especially during the 2008 election cycle, but Daniel537 Apr 2012 #69

I finaly just quit talking about it, especially with family..with Fox news blaring away Namvet67 Apr 2012 #72

and that's why after the conventions to after the election maryellen99 Apr 2012 #74

I totally agree with you. Life is too short to avebury Apr 2012 #76

I've found it imossible to reason with my (R) family and friends. DCKit Apr 2012 #77

15 years ago I might not agree with them Ratty Apr 2012 #78