What is a Libertarian?
Many who are reading this may be wondering what, exactly a Libertarian is. Many prominent columnists such as Walter Williams bandy about the adjective "libertarian" (most, such as Williams, give proper credit to the term in their writing, a few espouse ideas that are anything BUT libertarian under the same banner).
The best definition I can give would be best given by referring to an article written by the Texas Libertarian Party's executive director, Wes Benedict:
http://www.tx.lp.org/docs/ShortSimple2005LPTX1.pdf
In this concisely written document, Wes explains what the party believes and why. He begins with the "World's Smallest Political Quiz" (which you can take online by going to www.lp.org, the LP's official website), and goes on to summarize the beliefs commonly (although not necessarily universally) held by Libertarians. It can be read in a couple of minutes' time and is also available in word format by going to the Texas LP website (www.tx.lp.org) and following the proper link.
When I was 18 and preparing to vote (I graduated in a Presidential election year), I asked my teacher what a Libertarian was and was given the curt answer "they're so far right, they're left", and advised not to "waste my vote". There are many reasons why a vote for the Libertarian candidate is NOT a wasted vote, but I won't address those at this time. The internet gives us access to so much more information that there is little excuse for being ill informed about ANY political party if you wish to have the information.
So go on, look. Check out the LP and see if it describes you. You just might find a party that suits you better than you know.
The best definition I can give would be best given by referring to an article written by the Texas Libertarian Party's executive director, Wes Benedict:
http://www.tx.lp.org/docs/ShortSimple2005LPTX1.pdf
In this concisely written document, Wes explains what the party believes and why. He begins with the "World's Smallest Political Quiz" (which you can take online by going to www.lp.org, the LP's official website), and goes on to summarize the beliefs commonly (although not necessarily universally) held by Libertarians. It can be read in a couple of minutes' time and is also available in word format by going to the Texas LP website (www.tx.lp.org) and following the proper link.
When I was 18 and preparing to vote (I graduated in a Presidential election year), I asked my teacher what a Libertarian was and was given the curt answer "they're so far right, they're left", and advised not to "waste my vote". There are many reasons why a vote for the Libertarian candidate is NOT a wasted vote, but I won't address those at this time. The internet gives us access to so much more information that there is little excuse for being ill informed about ANY political party if you wish to have the information.
So go on, look. Check out the LP and see if it describes you. You just might find a party that suits you better than you know.
posted by Gideon MacLeish | 10:16 AM
4 Comments:
Congratulations great blog good content.
I have a arizona golf It pretty much covers golf related stuff.
Come and check it out if you get time :-)
You think it helps or hurts the cause that I'm a libertarian?
A) a conservative anarchist
I find a lot of the Libertarian platform attractive, but for sentimental reasons more than practical ones. I would certainly prefer the Libertarian path to the one we now find ourselves on.
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