Comments on: Barry Goldwater’s Revenge: The Libertarian Shift Among American Republicans

By: American Glob » Blog Archive » Libertarians and Conservatives in the Republican Party: An Unstoppable Alliance

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:39:44 +0000

[...] IT WAS ME. [...]

By: The National Review, the Federal Reserve, and the State

The National Review, the Federal Reserve, and the State — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:40:12 +0000

[...] Barry Goldwater’s Revenge: The Libertarian Shift Among American Republicans As the Tea Party movement continues and many Americans grow more concerned by government expansion, the interest and support for Libertarian style Republicanism is knocking loudly at the front door of conservatism. The GOP would be wise to answer. [...]

By: Peg C.

Peg C. — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:04:53 +0000

JonC, as it happens I’m reading (listening to the Audible version, rather of) Atlas Shrugged now. There is a lot about Objectivism that I like but, while I’m not religious per se, I believe in a higher power. Humans need this belief to keep us humble and I personally believe it’s programmed into our genes. Maybe it will be bred out in a few 1000 years but then I still believe we’ll destroy ourselves before then. (No, that’s not an environmental wacko statement and I’m no AGW believer.)

I like Rand a lot but disagree with her atheism. I respect it, however. There is no good to come from us separating humans into groups – believers and disbelievers – to club each other over the head with the hammer of superiority. This is what is happening now.

Also, on the bigger issue, esca pretty much encapsulates my opinion on politics with this:
“I really wish there was a party (or even the occasional candidate) that championed small government fiscal conservativism, was moderate on social issues and was committed to a strong national defense. That’s what I’m looking for.”

This is why I wish Fred Thompson had really, really wanted to run. And yes, I’m a FredHead.

By: Roger Godby

Roger Godby — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:25:23 +0000

Maybe it’s time for the reborn Whig Party, written half in jest.

By: esca

esca — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:24:14 +0000

“I became a Conservative by being around Liberals and I became a Libertarian by being around Conservatives.” Great quote. Now what’s left for those of us who are equally repulsed by all three groups? I started off as a liberal Democrat, was exposed to a lot of libertarian thought and came to agree with much of the small-government principles but have been so turned off by the Libertarians that I’m more likely to feel kinship with conservatives these days even though that fit isn’t quite right either. There’s the extreme…..quirkiness of so many libs. And then there’s the fixation on things that are really far down on the list of priorities of most sane people. And finally, my total break with libertarians came after seeing how hateful, idiotic and irresponsible their response to 9/11 was. I guess I’m just a neo-con when it comes to foreign policy – I sure haven’t heard any convincing arguments from libertarians about how to interact with the world. The “truthers” seem to be heavily libertarian and let’s not forget Ron Paul – a vile anti-semite (and I can quote you statements from his newsletters going back 20 years – my SO used to subscribe to them). (I’m not a fan of Sacha Baron Cohen but I swear to God I’m going to se Bruno just to see Ron Paul exposed as a horse’s ass.)

I really wish there was a party (or even the occasional candidate) that championed small government fiscal conservativism, was moderate on social issues and was committed to a strong national defense. That’s what I’m looking for. Any suggestions as to where I might find it?

By: J Pazzesco

J Pazzesco — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:17:20 +0000

Republicans need to get serious about voting out Rinos and focusing on fiscal conservatism. If they can do that & they’ll win the growing Libertarian vote. Libertarians don’t want to cast a protest vote, they want a winner who will shrink government.

By: jay77

jay77 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:03:31 +0000

“Dondero is no Libertarian. He’s a cheerleader for warmongering; Ron Paul fired him for a reason. ”

The above statement displays another problem with many Libertarians… these types wear thier label like a snobby goth kid who loves to not fit in, and get beat up in the locker rooms.

Compared to an ostrich like Ron Paul, I guess a promoter of the rights and liberty of the individual internationally is a “warmonger”.

And thats why I didnt vote for Ron Paul. He, as well as his peacenik supporters, are absolutely blind to and/or uninterested in standing up to the irrational totalitarian forces in the world. And themselves engage in the epithets and caricatures promoted by the leftists. Liberty for me, but not for thee. Lame!

By: JonC

JonC — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:35:29 +0000

Peg C. -

Have you ever studied Objectivism? http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/humility.html

As for nihilism, the populace is well on it’s way there. How can you convince non-religious people that they should adhere to a morality that is somewhat based on faith (which most of them reject for good reason, because they can reason) and somewhat based on the reality of human nature? It can’t be done, and any attempts to do so are obviously failing. Until you provide them with an objective moral system, one that adheres to reality, the amount of nihilists out there will continue to multiply.

By: marc Malone

marc Malone — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:37:38 +0000

I’m a Conservative with strong Libertarian leanings. I really want a smaller government. I do. I do believe, however that there is a proper role for government to “promote the general welfare”. I voted for the Libertarian candidate in the last general. McCain is unacceptable as a Republican, because he’s really, when you look at his positions, a Conservative Democrat. He and Lieberman are two peas in a pod. I don’t have much problem with such. They just can’t be Pubs, in my book. I also live in deep blue Washington State.

What keeps me from being a Libertarian is the sheer number of kooks involved, not balanced by more mainstream types. It’s all the troofers and the tinfoil hat crowd. Ugh. I do not want to associate with them.

By: Jacobite

Jacobite — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:41:16 +0000

Man is a social animal. Groups of humans constitute ’societies’. Societies are defined as “groups of individuals competing for conventional goals by conventional means.” Goals and means define the society and hold it together. Leftists and Libertarians refuse to conform to natural human conventions and, therefore, disintegrate any existing society, and make the formation of another society impossible. Life in the resulting non-society is accurately defined as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”. Especially short because such a non-society, lacking any ability to act together in a co-ordinated manner, is defenseless (what is the Libertarian stand on the military draft?). Other humans, living in a natural society and in the ever-competitive world, will soon displace it.