Right? Not Stossel

Vancouver 24 Hours ^ | June 2, 2006 | Irwin Loy

[Lorianne]

John Stossel thinks sweatshops are good for workers, while minimum wages hurt the poor.

Controversial? Sure. Just don't call him a Conservative.

"I'm a Libertarian," according to Stossel, the TV network consumer reporter turned staunch free-market defender. "I hold beliefs Conservatives abhor."

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the conservative Fraser Institute think tank yesterday, Stossel made it clear his politics don't quite fall within the traditional left or right wing spectrum.

He takes no issue with gay marriage, for example, while he says sending troops to Iraq "wasn't a good idea." At the same time, lefties likely won't love his views on global warming - "Those environmental guys," Stossel said, "seem to be acting more like psychics than following the science."

But Stossel's contentious governments-are-bad preaching also extends to drug laws, which he says are causing harm.

[misterrob]

Who's liberty and right to life were taken by another. Government should only act as an enforcer not limitor or liberty

[RobbyS]

Burke had some arguments you might consider in his thoughts on the French Revolution.

[thoughtomator]

I really believe that there is a difference between a (L)ibertarian and (l)ibertarian.

It's a HUGE difference. The (L) version is merely an anarchist. The (l) version is true to the founding ideals of this nation... perhaps the only ones left who are.

[goldstategop]

John Stossel says things I like. He says other things I disagree with. I've always been a conservative, not a libertarian. I believe in the sanctity of family, in national security and in patriotism. Libertarians seem to have no problem with a laissez de affaire approach when it comes to issues of cultural formation, security and nationhood. I believe we need government sets the ground rules that allow the family and the country to flourish at their best and protects them from threats to their existence. I would like that we could get along without government at all but in the real world that is just not possible. Not when we're at at war with an enemy determined to destroy us.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[taxesareforever]

I am just surprised that the liberal TV still has him in their employ. Probably because there would be so much outrage if they got rid of him.

[cryptical]

The main question I was asking to the other poster (which was never answered) was do you think gov. should have any regulation over those crimes?

Sure, and not because they offend "moral values".

Understanding The Libertarian Philosophy

[cryptical]

You could find some hokie faux church to marry your entire neighborhood to you, and your employer is going to pay all their Insurance under a family policy?

Only if you think it's good that the government decides what benefits employers provide to their workers...

[Sprite518]

Sorry you are wrong....

Libertarians believe in very limited government unlike liberals, and even conservatives these days. The war in Iraq is a 50 vs. 50 split in the party.

However, you were correct on drugs and abortion. Nevertheless, I love their position on limited government and taxes.

[L.N. Smithee]

"I'm a Libertarian," according to Stossel, the TV network consumer reporter turned staunch free-market defender. "I hold beliefs Conservatives abhor."

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the conservative Fraser Institute think tank yesterday, Stossel made it clear his politics don't quite fall within the traditional left or right wing spectrum.

I believe that's the only reason why he is tolerated at ABC News. Stossel is the closest thing to a conservative in the MSM (George Will for five minutes on Sunday doesn't count), and he would probably be out on his can if he said he was against gay marriage, seeing that ABC seems to take every opportunity to point a camera at Rosie O'Donnell.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[muir_redwoods]

"Burke had some arguments you might consider in his thoughts on the French Revolution."

I've read Burke. I said I was worthy of freedom. That is so because I know the difference between liberty and license, I understand that rights come with responsibilities and I know that in a free society I am not the only one who is free.

[rdb3]

"I hold beliefs Conservatives abhor."

I resemble that remark...

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

So true. Thanks for clearing this up.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I can not agree with you more. However, the WOD is so ingrained in our culture and has so many people making money off it, it will be a LONG time before we turn that around.

[Protagoras]

For Stossel to predict that if we eliminated the WOD all the problems associated with recreational drug usage would disappear

Please cite proof that he said that. I missed it. Thank you.

[Protagoras]

Many libertarians don't like the implications of traditionalist ideas but very few have cogent arguments against them.

Post a few and let's have at it.

[Protagoras]

He sets out in elaborate detail how legalizing drugs will solve the drug problem.

Nonsense, And I'd bet you everything you own about it.

Drug warriors will make up anything.

[Protagoras]

If you look at the Libertarian platform, there is little to separate them from liberals except they like guns and don't like taxes. Everything else is about the same.

I'm not a (L)ibertarian, but your statement is BS.

I hope people take you up on your suggestion to read both, it will show what a crock of __it you just tried to sell them.

[Protagoras]

If drugs only affected the people that take them,

An argument that has been repudiated more times than Clinton lied.

Everything thing everyone does affects others.

But intelligent people hold the people responsible, not the substance.

[Protagoras]

I've always been a conservative, not a libertarian. I believe in the sanctity of family, in national security and in patriotism.

I'm a libertarian, and I believe in those things too. So much for that attempt to mislead people.