So why should you consider becoming a libertarian? If it is so great, why isn’t it a viable third party in our country? What does the libertarian philosophy offer that the other two parties can’t? What does it offer you as an individual both in and out of the political arena? Why is the libertarian movement seeing a rise in strength and numbers?
Quite possibly the most attractive part of being a libertarian is the lack of judging. Our political parties waste an awful lot of time and effort judging people. When we are aligned within the political system according to moral beliefs we are judging people by seeking to control morality through legislation. Libertarians do not seek to control people at the federal level. Our two political parties are great at preaching about morality but fall short more often than not when practicing those same beliefs, yet we continue to listen to them, why? Being a libertarian offers people the choice to lead their lives according to their morals without judging those who hold different beliefs. Libertarians are often cast as supporting some form of anarchy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Libertarians must believe in the rule of law more than their political opponents because it is the law which protects us from each other as well as citizens from their government. However, the rule of law must stop our government from offering the temptation to voters to control those with whom they disagree. The prevention of social engineering demands the support of the population and today that support comes from the libertarian belief and its supporters.
Libertarians can show what politics should be like. Today’s politicians are experts at the empty response. How many times do you hear a politician answer a question with a great speech while never answering the question? Libertarians don’t need this skill. Libertarians rarely change their stance on a subject for two reasons. Firstly, we don’t have as many opinions to push because we believe the vast majority have no place on the federal level. If we are talking a local or state election there will be more to say due to the responsibility at that level, yet the principle remains the same and actually would allow more local control to the voter over the type of person writing legislation based on morality. The second reason libertarians don’t often change their opinion is that it isn’t rooted in polls and election cycles like the other two parties. The libertarian bible is the constitution and it doesn’t change. The libertarian debates the application of constitutional responsibilities such as the application of military power or protecting our borders. Those debates can occur with more honesty and more clarity if they aren’t polluted by the parties’ effort at herding us according to moral beliefs. Once you let go of the stump speeches and tag lines you can begin to learn what a candidate really believes. Their philosophy becomes clear when they aren’t giving sound bites along party lines. Yet it is still politics. You still need votes and supporters. So how does a libertarian use their philosophy as an advantage in these areas? The first way is to speak to the concerns of the audience. Libertarians have an easy job in this regard if they stick to their beliefs. As explained above, it is easier for a libertarian to be consistent from audience to audience. It is also easier to be convincing because freedom and liberty are easily understood and highly desirable. All a libertarian needs to convince a voter of is that they are a capable human being. Libertarians always give as much power to the individual as possible; so it is logical that if you can convince someone they can take care of themselves you can offer a philosophy which leads to retaining as much of that power as possible. The libertarian philosophy also offers the only serious plan to reduce spending, taxes and the deficit at the same time. By reducing the bureaucracy in Washington we can allow state and local governments to control issues such as education with far more efficiency and effectiveness. Libertarians don’t support the concept of a central bank so not only would you have more money in your pocket, but it would be worth more as well! These are issues which the Washington politicians refuse to address seriously. With the humble platform built on offering people more power over their lives and more sound money in their pocket, a libertarian doesn’t have to play gutter politics because they actually have something to say of value. A libertarian doesn’t have to point out an opponent’s faults, only the faults of his political beliefs and how they rob the voters of power and money. None of this explains why we don’t have a libertarian Washington though. Perhaps that has something to do with the media outlets promoting the two parties which offer favors to the conglomerates which own them. You know; companies such as G.E. for instance.
Coming in part II:
How being a libertarian creates friends out of enemies
Why ANYONE can be a libertarian
The problems with being libertarian (and the problems for the party too)
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