Why Are So Many Libertarians Republicans?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

But if you do that they'll stop voting democrat.

And become Libertarians....exactly!

[luckytxn 2,263]

A true libertarian believes that universal health care is slavery

Do you think getting 45 million uninsured Americans is similar to slavery?

Those figures are wrong but there are man uninsured. Most uninsured can get health care but choose not to do so. They made a choice. Everyone has a choice.It is not for my Federal government to force me to go and buy anything or even have single payer. If we choose to do this in my state then that is OK.. The state level is a more responsive bureaucracy. If the state is not meeting our needs as us citizens see it we can affect change by our voice or referendum.The Feds way is too cumbersome and wasteful and change is near impossible. Trust me the Feds are the last people you want to take over your medical decisions.

[luckytxn 2,263]

So you're a socialist with a small 's'.

I am for state rights. I would prefer my state to not get involved at all as I work hard and earn my excellent health care. If the citizen majority in my state want it then we get it as the constitution allows us.

[Dan J 277]

No, I want to turn them into independent citizens with educations, jobs, homes of their own. <GASP!>

Don't you?

If the country were to follow libertarian ideals we would go back to a the country we had at the beginning of the industrial age when we hardly had any regulations on companies/economy.

Poverty rates were 40%+. Workers worked in factories with long hours, in dangerous conditions making hardly anything. Any attempts to organize were often countered with violence (directly or by proxy) by the factory owners.

In business, monopolies were common, and they are also good for companies as it can significantly increase profits. But not good for everyone else.

The drive of companies is profit and only profit. There is little adherence to ethics in the drive for profits. The only way we can keep them from destroying society is to have equally powerful forces that counterbalance companies and represent the interests of workers and greater society (Often Unions or Government as imperfect as they may be).

[luckytxn 2,263]

If the country were to follow libertarian ideals we would go back to a the country we had at the beginning of the industrial age when we hardly had any regulations on companies/economy.

Poverty rates were 40%+. Workers worked in factories with long hours, in dangerous conditions making hardly anything. Any attempts to organize were often countered with violence (directly or by proxy) by the factory owners.

In business, monopolies were common, and they are also good for companies as it can significantly increase profits. But not good for everyone else.

The drive of companies is profit and only profit. There is little adherence to ethics in the drive for profits. The only way we can keep them from destroying society is to have equally powerful forces that counterbalance companies and represent the interests of workers and greater society (Often Unions or Government as imperfect as they may be).

The companies would then follow STATE laws.Each state can make the laws each want at the levels they are comfortable with. Some states would be more business friendly for certain industries than other states. This is better than the Feds trying to come up with a cookie approach. The Feds way can devastate whole communities and regions by the whims of a few well meaning but clueless people far away. The doomsday scene you described was that way until the STATES made the changes and not the Feds.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

If the country were to follow libertarian ideals we would go back to a the country we had at the beginning of the industrial age when we hardly had any regulations on companies/economy.

Poverty rates were 40%+. Workers worked in factories with long hours, in dangerous conditions making hardly anything. Any attempts to organize were often countered with violence (directly or by proxy) by the factory owners.

In business, monopolies were common, and they are also good for companies as it can significantly increase profits. But not good for everyone else.

The drive of companies is profit and only profit. There is little adherence to ethics in the drive for profits. The only way we can keep them from destroying society is to have equally powerful forces that counterbalance companies and represent the interests of workers and greater society (Often Unions or Government as imperfect as they may be).

But what system follows ideals? Ours. The Soviets? Who?

The basic premise of Libertarianism is "individual liberty, individual responsibility" How is that bad?

If someone is unable to meet that ideal right now, Libertarians support the idea of getting them to that ideal, rather than simply making them dependents. Of course it will never happen for all people. So what? Why would you impose the requirement of perfection on Libertarianism and not on other systems? All beliefs have a premise, a goal. It does not mean the goal will be reached for everyone at any time.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

If you were to put all the political parties in a circle, extreme liberal and some libertarian values will touch one another. Voting for a candidate is always a package deal. Some proposals you like, others you hate. It would be nice if we all could vote on issues alone, totally ignoring party lines, but that's just not the case.

If I had to put a label on to myself, it would be that I am an independent. I plan on voting for Obama, not because I like him so much, but because I hate the other guys so much more. But I tell you what, I like some of Ron Paul's ideas and proposals, and if you now say that is crazy because they are on opposite sides of the spectrum, you only make my point that liberal and libertarian issues have some similarities, as crazy as it sounds.

I will just give you my personal opinions to issues and you'll see what I mean.

1) Health care:

Universal health care for all Americans --> liberal

2) War fare:

Withdraw all combat troops from everywhere ---> libertarian

3) Immigration:

no amnesty ---> libertarian

4) Federal Reserve:

Demolish --> libertarian

5) TSA:

Demolish --> libertarian

5) Education:

Free education for all Americans --> liberal

6) Israel:

Not a penny anymore --> libertarian

7) Gun rights

unsure . . . complicated

8) Money in Politics/Corporations are people:

Should be outlawed: liberal

9) Income taxes:

Should be on a scale: liberal

So I am in full support of some liberal ideals, and in full support of some libertarian ideas. If I were a religious wacko, I would probably make abortion a deal breaker for any candidate. For some people it's gun rights, for others some other issue. The point is, we all only have a choice to vote for a package deal, and it's almost certain that part of the package is something we really don't like.