[Slingshot]

Hello, thought I would join the conversation about here.

in reference to the tenents of Libertarians:

**1. Man will usually act in what he perceives to be his own interest, albeit far too often in his short-term interest.

2. No other person or group should be given the authority to determine what is in an individual's interest, nor to use force, fraud or coersion to get him to behave accordingly.

3. No person or group of persons may justly initiate force, fraud or coercion against another for any reason.**

Why do I have the impression a Christian Mother can never be a Libertarian?

[LSJohn]

Why do I have the impression a Christian Mother can never be a Libertarian?

Glad you asked.

I should have made it clear that references are to adults. Children have not the moral, intellectual, educational or experiential basis to make informed decisions. Parents are therefore responsible for guiding and educating them and making important decisions for them. Sometimes that necessarily includes the use of force or coercion (but should never, IMO, utilize fraud.)

[LSJohn]

BTW, I try always to use a small "l" when I refer to libertarian principles since the Libertarian Party usually but not always striclty follows (or more importantly focusses energy upon what I think are the BIG issues in) my own concept of libertarian principles.

I think more [l]ibertarians agree on more things than can be said of conservatives or liberals or moderates, but there are of course individual differences. Few would disagree with the three points I made above, but there are differences in how each might be applied in practice.