Libertarians believe in the Constitution. The Constitution has served us well since it's inception, so they have a good base for their beliefs.

Uninhibited activity leads to anarchism and a hoplessly savage society. Why call it a society? It would be an modern, urbanized jungle.

Although I essentially consider myself a social libertarian, I draw the line with this ideology on economic issues and related policies. Volunteerism is fine, but I believe the state must provide a certain safety net regardless for the sick, weak, destitute and elderly. I am not advocating a social democratic state at all, but instead, an elightened form of capitalism which recognizes the limitations of a system which champions extreme laissez faire approaches in both its economic and foriegn policies. ** 1/2

Libertarians are generally very bright, and have some good ideas; but their influence on the party is very limited. Since they don't have the numbers of the Paleo-Conservatives or the Religious Right, and their priorities clash with the those of the Corporate/Military/Bureaucratic elite of the GOP (which needs money to survive and expand, whether it is taxpayer money or borrowed money) they don't have very much influence on government policy, unfortunately. I do think they disregard the necessity of government to provide public infrastructure, fiscal stimulus to stabilize the economy (Keynesianism), and the need for regulation to prevent negative externalities (particularly environmental pollution and energy conservation); but aside from that, Libertarians are right about pretty much everything.

There are only two things preventing this group from getting a five star rating. (1) Despite all of this faction's utilitarianism, why is it that the liberterians do not see the utilitarian arguement against drug ownership and the cost everybody else has to pay when an old dope sends his medical bills to the rest of us (either through medicare or through his insurance company raising ppremiums across the board) when he voluntarily chose to undertake activity that jeopardized the health of his own body. Quit asking me to take responsibility for drug users and either ban drugs or advocate policy that makes drug users take total responsibility for their actions (which means allowing insurance companies to discriminate so that they increase premiums on just drug users and not the rest of us and forbidding drug users from access to all forms of federal debt relief and medical assistance). (2) Where the hell are you guys... we could use some people with economic sense and appreciation for the freedom of individuals (instead of the authority of religious preachers!) right about now.

So maybe we should draft Boortz? I just wish this philosophy didn't have to be perceived as a third party (or way, as magellan has it). Couldn't there be a way for it to grow and develop within the reps (or dems, for this matter).

The closest thing to the original American ideal. Liberty is good.

So I'm very close to actually trying to get involved with the libertarian party here in San Francisco. I actually went to their Web site today, and apparently there's a meeting on Saturday with free pizza. If I was looking for a sign, this would appear to be it. I'm just so frustrated with both mainstream parties at the moment, that I need to put my money where my mouth is and start trying to advance a Third Way.