Years ago some Libertarian Party types had a booth at Atlanta Pride. It wasn't a pretty situation because basically they admitted that they couldn't support anti-discrimination laws because that would "limit freedom." They seemed rather Pollyanna-ish about a world in which everyone would just respect everyone else and no laws would be needed. Yeah, right. I've long ago come to the conclusion that saying "I'm a libertarian" is the same as saying "I'm a selfish, self-centered, uncaring person who is perfectly willing to let you try to get yours, but if I get it first, then too bad for you." Now there is a strain of libertarian in the conservative movement that does believe in some laws and regulations but not regarding personal, private conduct. They are usually at odds with the social conservatives in the movement who want to regulate all forms of private behavior. (Former Senator Santorum of PA once said that, yes, even masturbation should be as illegal as sodomy.) But that former group probably doesn't like to refer to itself as libertarian much anymore given that the term today is primarily a code word for "Screw you all!"
It wasn't a pretty situation because basically they admitted that they couldn't support anti-discrimination laws because that would "limit freedom." They seemed rather Pollyanna-ish about a world in which everyone would just respect everyone else and no laws would be needed.
Yeah, right.
I've long ago come to the conclusion that saying "I'm a libertarian" is the same as saying "I'm a selfish, self-centered, uncaring person who is perfectly willing to let you try to get yours, but if I get it first, then too bad for you."
Now there is a strain of libertarian in the conservative movement that does believe in some laws and regulations but not regarding personal, private conduct. They are usually at odds with the social conservatives in the movement who want to regulate all forms of private behavior. (Former Senator Santorum of PA once said that, yes, even masturbation should be as illegal as sodomy.) But that former group probably doesn't like to refer to itself as libertarian much anymore given that the term today is primarily a code word for "Screw you all!"
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