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Why libertarianism is closer to Stalinism than you think

Posted by livefree-NH 8 years, 10 months ago to Politics
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Or the subtitle, "Rand Paul and the sordid purity of libertarianism". I don't know where to begin, that is, trying to find one thing correct in this rant.
SOURCE URL: http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2015/06/15/rand-paul-and-the-sordid-purity-of-libertarianism/


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  • Posted by CircuitGuy 8 years, 10 months ago
    This article is about the straw man of radical libertarism. Mainstream politicians would rather argue with the straw man of eliminating most modern gov't functions than a day than argue with with the idea of freezing gov't spending at present nominal levels and slightly decreasing gov't powers. Democrats and Republicans don't want to have to say the truth aloud, "no, we want gov't powers and spending to increase each year."
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  • Posted by gafisher 8 years, 10 months ago
    I can't fault the premise that "... libertarianism now has a certain freshness because it seems to cross the otherwise impregnable line between right and left. Sharply reducing the role of government in American life, libertarianism’s primary objective, appeals to conservatives because it offers an end to Obamacare, Social Security and other programs that transfer public money to the less well-off. Yet it also attracts liberal voters who ardently oppose invasions of privacy and bloated defense spending.

    [Libertarian-leaning GOP hopeful Rand] Paul’s appeal doesn’t stop there, however. He understands that the GOP base is getting older and whiter — which bodes badly for the party’s future. He is reaching out to minorities. By attacking his party’s attempts to restrict the vote, Paul could attract many African-American and Latino voters. He has also appealed to younger voters by calling for less restrictive drug laws, for example, and speaking at college campuses, where older Republicans have been loathe to appear."
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 8 years, 10 months ago
    So at what point were we supposed to click heels, give a stiff arm salute and salute the left wing fascist that wrote that - And I'm not a libertarian just as that individual is not a Constitutionalist which gives us one thing in common. What we don't have in common could be written on the back of a three by five foot card with no room for the table of elements. No Seigs, no Heils and I don't support the party.

    It does prove one point I make from time to time. How does a left winger socialist fascist describe those he perceives as enemies? Simple just looks in the mirror.

    I believe Stalin what have had him shot for causing problems for the party. THAT would be in character.
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  • Posted by wiggys 8 years, 10 months ago
    I do not care what political party is represented by what candidate, they all in their own way want to exercise control over the masses. All these political types are ALL the same. The writer of the article does not understand Ayn Rand"s philosophy which I base on the comments made about her. I can only imagine how wonderful the world would be if the bulk of humanity functioned based upon OBJECTIVISM. But in order for that to happen the bulk of the population will have to be educated and that is so far off it is like flying to Jupiter. Do to the fact that our population is generally educated to about 5th grade level the person that is elected to be the president will effectively continue the damage done by their predecessors.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 8 years, 10 months ago
    No one serves to lose more from arguments for freedom than government or the press.

    No longer would pleas against the injustice to one solitary individual be able to be whipped into a lynch-mob frenzy for narrow, well-meaning, misguided legislation.
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