What Libertarianism Isn't

Lew Rockwell.com ^ | December 22nd 2001 | Edward Feser

[Christian_Egalitarian]

Egalitarianism affirms equality of economic status. Which is of course the most horrfic of collectivistic evils.

If Egalitarianism did indeed affirm equality of economic status, we would be in concurrence about it's moral standing.

However,

a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic rights and privileges ---Merriam-Webster Dictionary

could be read as equality of opportunity, or as equality of results. If the first, then it is a good thing. It is the first which is the case.

[Buckeroo]

Why do you think government should control education? Is this concept within our American Constitution or did *you* just make all this up?

[Christian_Egalitarian]

Yet, many Libertarians use the "all persons born or naturalized" line (13th Amendment) to contend that under Libertarianism, there is no Constitutional protection for citizens-prenatal.

How would you rebut this argument?

[Lchris]

<< Libertarianism = Objectivism = Psuedointellectualized Liberalism >>

This post shows a complete ignorance of what any of the above words mean.

[Roscoe]

Public schools have existed since the dawn of our Republic, Libertarian ignorance of the matter notwithstanding.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"The more consumers know about the product, the less they like it"

Not from where I stand. People who understand the principles of liberty and freedom have been moving away from the DNC and RNC, and parties at all, actually. You seem to be paying attention to the kooks of the party. I guess we could limit our understanding of the RNC by paying attention only to the nuts. Maybe Jerry Falwell will be your new poster boy? How about Timmy McVeigh? Wasn't he a pubbie? Maybe only kooks of the RNC should get any attention and all pubbies should be judged as them?

[Roscoe]

You seem to be paying attention to the kooks of the party.

What else is there?

[OWK]

egalitarian adj : favoring social equality; "a classless society" [syn: classless] n : a person who believes in the equality of all people

Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

[OWK]

egalitarianism n : the doctrine of the equality of mankind and the desirability of political and economic and social equality [syn: equalitarianism]

Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

Sorry... but egalitarianism is collectivism.

[Christian_Egalitarian]

The Republicans have created and participate with as much social engineering as anyone. No congress critter is immune from that label.

True. I simply contend that the absence of a given government policy or action is as much a statement of social ideology as the presence of the same would be.

For example, the anti-marriage crowd, Gloria Steinem et al, oppose the fast-tracking of the elimination of the "marriage penalty" in the tax code. Fast tracking it would be an action reflecting a social ideology; same goes for advocating the absence of that action.

Other Libertarians seem to feel that the absence of an action is always nonideological: this perspective. I contend.

[Buckeroo]

I agree about local schools in in America; yes, American education has always been taught at the local level allowing Americans direct influence about subject matter as well as metods of approch to the delivery of information.

But you don't agree. You think that some magic f***ing science by government may promote more BS. Don't worry, you pay for your BS with taxes.

[Christian_Egalitarian]

Would you suggest a word meaning "one who advocates equal opportunity"?

[OWK]

Public schools have existed since the dawn of our Republic

So did human servitude, and other violations of human rights.

That didn't make them morally justifiable then, and it doesn't now.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Well, your fear and ignorance is certainly showing. I guess we could all ask, "For the RNC, what else is there but bible thumpers, socialists who tax and spend, tyrants, and politicians?" Of course, we know the diff. You are certainly an exception to the RNC and not the rule. Most in the RNC understand the principles of the Libertarians and agree 99% with them, but choose to stay in the RNC as it has power that they can use to restore liberties. You seem to think that their stance is a vote of confidence in your personal beliefs. Nothing could be further from the truth. You are a useful idiot.

[Roscoe]

I agree about local schools in in America

Libertarians don't. Read the platform.

[Jolly Rodgers]

But libertarianism offers Liberty and personal sovereignty only where Libertarians say, with gaping logical holes/exceptions justified by pragmatism.

I'm sure you wouldn't mind naming those "gaping logical holes/exceptions" that you so firmly declare exist. Right?

[OWK]

Would you suggest a word meaning "one who advocates equal opportunity"?

I should say libertarian just for the smiles... but how about....

Self-determinist.

or "Rights advocate"...

[Christian_Egalitarian]

I offer that both most Libertarians and most Objectivists reach the same conclusions about social issues that social liberals do. Drugs, abortion...

There is equivalence by result.

[PatrioticAmerican]

"Other Libertarians seem to feel that the absence of an action is always nonideological: this perspective. I contend."

To some degree that is a true statement. Any thinking person realizes that no action can be action of consequence. The Libertarian party has suffered from allowing a few morons to taint it, but the guiding principles hold true. Many "conservatives" value the very liberties and freedoms that the Libertarian party espouses. It is my opinion that it is becoming a wide spread belief that the RNC is not the party that desires liberty, but, rather, enough liberty to be tolerable to the powers that be.

[Buckeroo]

"And we all know that the majority is always right." Lchris

Yep. More twit expressions about how "GOOD" the government is. Your point is well stated.