Are we having a libertarian moment in politics? And would it matter if we were?
It certainly pleases a libertarian to see a politician who is willing to stand up hardcore for the principles of liberty, all the way. Likewise, it makes most libertarians a little peeved or disappointed when a politician won’t do so. But it isn’t always going to win you enough votes to win an election.
Whether we are having a libertarian moment in politics is a good question, although I am not a libertarian ideologue, or any kind of ideologue. I only know what I think about the various issues.
I also know that:
A. There is no one with whom I agree on everything; and
B. In order to get elected, politicians have to be electable.
This necessarily means compromise, and compromise is a dirty word to the overwhelming majority of activists.
And every time I vote, I compromise.
Little wonder the American voting public vacillates between one “side” and the other. Those who seek power are generally not to be trusted, especially when they get it, so once you realize that principles are secondary, the game is how to contain them.
It is a very ugly process and attempts at reform only seem to make it uglier.
Comments
3 responses to “Momentary?”
If you understand the constitution and the founding fathers you would know why this happens. Parlimentary systems say we are basically good and will do good things! are system says we are basically bad and will do bad things. It is hard to do good things ‘but it is harder to bad things. Just list all of the things the evil obama would like to do to you but can’t! In a parliamentary system gun would have been banned along time ago check canada england australia.
I think it’s really only about 20% of the electorate that vacillates between parties. The rest are pretty well set.
I hate slopes, generally.
Some just have lower coefficients of friction.
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