Libertarian Spirit Shared By Everyone

Socialists could not win elections using their own Socialist Party, which was too obviously ideological. So they infiltrated the Democratic Party, won elections as Democrats, then slowly but surely made the Democratic Party their own. There are no longer any "States Rights Democrats" never mind individual rights Democrats. All who remain in the party of Obama are Democrats in name only ... DEM - ONS. Most libertarians would like to avoid politics, but those who are realists recognize the need to sometimes be involved in politics as a defense of their rights . If libertarians do not defend freedom, who will? Although libertarians don't want to be known as RINOS, or DEMONS, or any other labeled party crashers, if they cannot start winning elections using the Libertarian Party, then they need to start winning using the Republican Party. To stand by and helplessly watch freedom disappear into oblivion is not a rational option. Whether they enter politics as LPers or as Republ...

When asked to define libertarianism in a single fundamental core statement, most libertarians answer with some version of what has been called the "non-aggression principle." For example, quoting from the Libertarian Party's Statement of Principles: "We hold that all individuals have the right to exercise sole dominion over their own lives, and have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not forcibly interfere with the equal right of others to live in whatever manner they choose." Astute observers might detect behind the last part of this principle a hint of the universal Golden Rule: "Don't treat others in a way you would not want to be treated." Libertarians, however, recognize that the Golden Rule as usually stated leaves the door open for rights violation in politics: "Since I don't mind paying a fair share, I have no problem forcing a fair share out of others." (The psychological denial device used b...

Rand Paul's winning the Republican nomination for Senator from Kentucky with 59% of Republican primary voters, and now leading in the general election polls, gives the libertarian movement new hope. But much more importantly, it gives libertarians a template for success. The crucial mistake Rand Paul did not make, which most libertarian candidates consistently make to sabotage themselves, is demonize the Republican Party and alienate all the many thousands of voters who have historically voted for Republican candidates. In this respect, Rand Paul was smarter than most libertarians. Here is the principle: libertarians cannot win elections, or even broadly influence people via the election process, if they are seen as anti- all Republicans. Voters who have historically supported Republicans will tune out and dismiss libertarians who voice blanket condemnations of the party which in the past has felt like home to them. But there is a deeper underlying principle: when you attack anyon...