Maple Woods College Student – Questions for your Libertarian Friend
We recently reported that libertarianism is rising on some college campuses. Alex Braud of The College Conservative knows what we’re talking about.
Questions for your Libertarian Friend
When I tell most people I am a libertarian, they assume one of two things: 1. This guy is an ultra-right-wing nut, or 2. this guy is an ultra-left-wing nut. I get asked almost every day what exactly I believe and what most libertarians believe.
My co-authors here at TCC are asking these same questions: over the last few weeks, I have seen my fellow writers both praise and shun libertarianism, and attempt to understand what many see as the flaws in its arguments.
Ultimately, you should research the facts on what being libertarian really means, and what libertarians truly believe in. Freedom of choice. Individual responsibility. Minimal government. It sounds like exactly what most conservative Republicans–and liberal Democrats–tout off. According to the Libertarian Party of The United States, “we seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others.”
Many conservatives find me too liberal because of my stances on gay rights, drug decriminalization, and abortion. Many liberals find me too conservative because of my stances on gun rights, education, deregulation of the private sector, and abortion. My stances on these issues reflect not only my personal beliefs and upbringing, but the views shared by many libertarians. In an interview with Reason.com, Greg Gutfeld explains how he became a libertarian. “I became a conservative by being around liberals and I became a libertarian by being around conservatives.” You hit the nail on the head there, Greg.
The last year of my life has been a confusing, contradictory discovery of my political views. Fortunately, your friendly neighborhood libertarian friend is now here to to share those experiences and explain everything. Maybe through this piece you, too, will find out you are a libertarian. Don’t be afraid of it. Come out of the shadows.
Comments
To understand the way many conservatives, such as myself, see the libertarians and Libertarians, please read Russell Kirk’s work: A Dispassionate Assessment of Libertarians.
It is assessments of libertarianism such as these, that are at the heart of why conservatives will never capture significant numbers of libertarian votes. Conservatives just don’t understand the difference.