Don’t Call Bill O’Reilly a Libertarian

MND ^ | Tuesday, January 03, 2006 | by James Atticus Bowden

[quark]

You mean he's not "one of those falafel things?"

[mugs99]

Lets stir the political cauldron a bit more.
The principles of the libertarian agenda support:
This is not political conservatism. It's anarchy

ROFL!
You haven't got a clue, Reagan Man.
Libertarians are the original conservatives.
"I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism"...Ronald Reagan
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[mosquitobite]

I think it's quite obvious our party has a bit of a marketing problem. If they don't get it fixed ASAP, I'm afraid the Democrats will soon be back in power.

Republicans will push their base away. Libertarianism should be the party they embrace next, but unfortunately years of stupidity have got some people's perceptions of the party too far gone.

Or perhaps it was the Republicans themselves that painted libertarians this way. Either way, I firmly believe our current 2 party system will eventually devour this great nation. I pray for a viable third or fourth party.

[mugs99]

Or perhaps it was the Republicans themselves that painted libertarians this way.

That's exactly what happened. Nixon brought the Southern Democrats into the RP. Reagan brought the Christian Left to the Right. Both hate libertarians and we see the results of that in the move to the left the RP has made.
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[Reagan Man]

>>>>ROFL!
>>>>You haven't got a clue, Reagan Man.

Put down the bong and pay attention.

There are numerous websites on the internet that define libertarian principles and one of the best is the Libertarian Party platform website. Read it. Get informed.

The quote by Reagan you posted came from the only interview he ever gave on the subject of libertarianism. That interview was given to Reason magazine a libertarian publication. Reagan was a smart and savvy politico who never passed up any opportunity to get his conservative message out. No matter how small the audience.

In that same interview Reagan also said:

"Now, I can’t say that I will agree with all the things that the present group who call themselves Libertarians in the sense of a party say, because I think that like in any political movement there are shades, and there are libertarians who are almost over at the point of wanting no government at all or anarchy. I believe there are legitimate government functions. There is a legitimate need in an orderly society for some government to maintain freedom or we will have tyranny by individuals."

[mosquitobite]

Given the current size of our government you still libertarianism a bad thing? Look at what the Pubs have done since they've been in power? Is that conservatism??

[Always Right]

BOR is a POPULIST, fer cryin' out loud!

True, but if it ruffles Libertarian feathers to call him a libertarian, I am all for it.

[Reagan Man]

I agree. The GOP and Bush have spent the taxpayers money and expanded government bureaucracy like good old fashioned liberal Democrats. Conservatives are very dissatisfied with Bush&Comapny on many issues. But I don't buy into the libertarian agenda. While it does boast of being fiscally conservative, it's also socially liberal. In the political arena, the LP is a lost cause. It mustered just .36% in 2004 and .32% in 2000, of all votes cast in the last two presidential elections.

I think 2008 could be a make or break year for the GOP. Depending on what candidate wins the nomination. A true "Conservative Party" maybe just around the corner.

[Ghengis]

Doesn't Bill Maher call himself a Libertarian?

I have heard Maher describe himself as "a Libertarian that leans to the left."

Maher is what I call a D.S.S. Libertarian. As long as he can drink it, snort it or screw it, Maher is a Libertarian.

[Katya]

Maher calls himself a small "l" libertarian...which is just a democrat that likes sex and drugs.
O'Reilly is basically a Lieberman democrat or a Rockerfeller repub. He is not even close to being a Libertarian....from his stance on the war on drugs to his support for gun control.

[mugs99]

Put down the bong and pay attention.
Libertarian Party platform website. Read it. Get informed

Lol...I can Google up all kinds of stuff, including Republican Socialists. The Libertarian Party has about 30,000 members. There are more libertarians in the Republican Party than in the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Party was founded by Republicans who left the RP when it made its turn to the left. Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater pleaded with libertarians to stay with the RP and promised that conservatism would bring the RP back to the reight...It appears they were wrong.

In that same interview Reagan also said:

The "Reagan also said" you referred to was directed at the Libertarian Party. Reagan was the culprit who began bashing the Libertarian Party. He considered them deserters...and they were. They deserted the Republican Party because the Republican Party gave up the ideal of small government and became just a branch of the big government Democrat machine.

You may want to take your own advice and do a little research. Reagan addressed libertarianism many times on his radio shows in the seventies. He even endorsed the legalization of marijuana on his radio show in August of 1979.

Rant over...back to the bong!
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[Uncle Vlad]

Bill Maher is no Libertarian--he's a liberal, through and through. The only reason he calls himself a Libertarian is because he doesn't want the police to kick his door in and prevent him from using his chemical of choice to shrivel what little of his brain remains.

In Maher's case, I think everyone here would agree we the law should just stand back and let him do it. This would have to be the only case I can think of where a terminal addiction to drugs might be considered a valuable public service. ;)

[JeffAtlanta]

BOR is a POPULIST, fer cryin' out loud!

Bingo. He is a statist that is very social conservative. Big government is fine with him as long as it is his big government and it is mainly implementing morality laws.

More than anything else, he is a political idiot. He does well when is he very prepared upfront, but does not think well on his feet. Michael Moore ate his lunch in their little debate.

One redeeming quality, and it's a big one, is that he is good about keeping his guests on topic and doesn't let them ramble on answering a different question than was asked. He keeps his guests pretty well behaved and doesn't let them just talk on top of each other the way that Cross-fire did.

[JeffAtlanta]

Bill Maher is no Libertarian--he's a liberal, through and through.

Exactly. He is very much as socialist and a big fan of big government - especially when the government is legislating "fairness", wealth redistribution and equal outcomes.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>Reagan addressed libertarianism many times on his radio shows in the seventies. He even endorsed the legalization of marijuana on his radio show in August of 1979.

BULL!

According to the book, "Reagan In His Own Hand", which I own a copy of, Reagan never addressed the subject of libertarianism on his 1970`s radio shows. Not once. And Reagan never endorsed marijuana use on his radio broadcasts in August 1979. Not once.

On pages 396-399 from "Reagan In His Own Hand", there is a transcript from August 1979 radio broadcast called "Marijuana". Reagan starts off by saying:

""There is more evidence in on marijuana and it should ring an alarm bell particularly for parents."

Reagan goes onto say that marijuana is a toxic and harmful drug that "contains many more cancer causing substances than tobacco....it leads to bronchitis & emphysema".

PresReagan never advocated drug use or supported drug legalization. The Reagan adminsitration policy on illicit drugs was to enforce the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. That meant intervention and incareration for drug dealers and drug users. Nancy Reagan advanced an anti-drug campaign with her "just say no" policy for America's children and teenagers.

[mugs99]

According to the book, "Reagan In His Own Hand", which I own a copy of, Reagan never addressed the subject of libertarianism on his 1970`s radio shows. Not once.

"Reagan In His Own Hand" is a puff piece. It is not accurate. Why don't you try listening to Reagan himself...? You can buy copies of his broadcasts at Newsmax for only $19.95.
Reagan broadcast over 1,000 radio shows in the seventies. Libertarianism was a popular topic in those days.

And Reagan never endorsed marijuana use on his radio broadcasts in August 1979. Not once.

You can buy the copy of the marijuana show at Newsmax.
In August 1979, Reagan dedicated one entire program to marijuana. While he warned of the many health risks, he did say, "If adults want to take such chances using marijuana, that is their business."

"Of course Dad was for legalization, he wasn't crazy, he didn't want his kids in jail!"...Michael Reagan
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[dfwgator]

BOR is a business man, it's all about the $$$$$.

[RightWinger]

Doesn't Bill Maher call himself a Libertarian?

Bill Maher is a Liber-moron!

[Reagan Man]

>>>>"Reagan In His Own Hand" is a puff piece.

Wrong again. Newsmax is using the audiotapes from "Reagan in His Own Voice", which are exactly the same as the transcripts from "Reagan In His Own Hand". Ditch the bong and wake up.

>>>>In August 1979, Reagan dedicated one entire program to marijuana. While he warned of the many health risks, he did say, "If adults want to take such chances using marijuana, that is their business."

That's what I posted! It's one in the same. Ronald Reagan wasn't endorsing marijuana use or its legalization either. If adults want to be stupid and take chances smoking marijuana, that's their business. You get caught and prosecuted, you go to jail. Michael Reagan sounds like he's been hitting the bong once too often himself. LOL