Declaring an argument irrational doesn’t make it so. Humans are social creatures, and the quality of those social interactions affects the welfare of all the participants. This is why even most libertarians concede the legitimacy of the general crime of disturbing the peace.
So, if one wants nudity or other quasi-sexual displays in one’s home, one might make the argument that it was no one else’s business; but if those same bodies are placed in the public marketplace they do indeed become subject to public comment and opinion.
The public square belongs by definition to everyone, and everyone gets to express their opinion about the bounds of activity within it. If oen doesn’t think one’s team can win such a debate, that’s represents a flaw with one’s argument, not with the nature of the forum.
Excellent point. A far better solution than demanding that everyone who doesn't like having the world run the way you want it should stay home, change jobs, not go to the mall, etc,.
The Constitution that gives rights to one, gives rights to all. One person's rights do NOT trump another's.
In order for our society to work, common courtesy and regard for others is essential.
If you insist on doing something regardless of its impact on another, society will cease to be civilized for long.
If you don't exercise the internal controls on your behavior to make society work, external controls will be required, and that usually comes in the form of government control.
I hate big government as much as the next person and if I had my way, there'd be no welfare or education department. There'd be no absurd taxes on things like soda and fried food.
What libertarians need to realize though, is that they are contributing in a large part to the increase of government. When they demand their way without regard to the others that share this country with them, those others will push back and insist on the controls that the libertarians refuse to exercise on themselves.
Everyone is of equal value, everyone has the same rights to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When libertarians get their knickers in a knot over the thought of someone imposing on their life, they need to remember that nobody like them imposing themselves on others either. It works both ways.
It is simply not possible to have over 200,000,000 people all having life their own way all at once. Compromise is critical. Courtesy makes it work.
Oops. I meant to ping netmilsmom, not trisham. My bad....