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I spent years in libertarianism and, based upon discussions on this forum, have read more libertarian thought than anyone on this board. Whenever it comes up and I pose pertinent questions to self-described "libertarians," they invariably fall back upon two things to avoid answering those pertinent questions:
1. "You don't know anything about libertarianism!"
2. "Just because I'm a libertarian doesn't mean I have to believe X, Y and Z!" X, Y and Z, when I bring them up, are fundamentals of American libertarianism that you sort of have to believe in order to legitimately call yourself a libertarian.
No, the problem isn't that critics don't understand libertarianism, it's that you guys usually don't know it.
Number one is a valid point but as for number two
Do you mean to imply that libertarians or any other adherants to any other political group or movement must be 100% uniform in their beliefes?
I consider myself a libertarian but I vehemently oppose abortion. Are you going to tell me I'm not a libertarian unless I'm pro choice now?
Do you mean to imply that libertarians or any other adherants to any other political group or movement must be 100% uniform in their beliefes?
I consider myself a libertarian but I vehemently oppose abortion. Are you going to tell me I'm not a libertarian unless I'm pro choice now?
For me, yes, I would say that you are not a libertarian because libertarianism implies that the government should have no control over the choices in an individual's life - basically self-determination.
If you do not believe that individuals are capable of making their own family and medical decisions, then how can you call yourself a libertarian since that is basically the core belief of libertarianism.
ETA: That said, if you personally don't believe it but you have no problem with other people having one based on their own decisions, then you are a libertarian.
For me, yes, I would say that you are not a libertarian because libertarianism implies that the government should have no control over the choices in an individual's life - basically self-determination.
If you do not believe that individuals are capable of making their own family and medical decisions, then how can you call yourself a libertarian since that is basically the core belief of libertarianism.
ETA: That said, if you personally don't believe it but you have no problem with other people having one based on their own decisions, then you are a libertarian.
I look at it differently.
As a libertarian I say that people should have the freedom to do whatever they want as long as they are not harming anyone else. I think we can both agree that this is a basic libertarian tenet. Libetraianism does not condone murder, pedophilia, rape etc etc
I believe that life begins at conception and that abortion is actually the unnecessary taking of a life. To me this falls under the "unless it harms someone else" standard.
As a libertarian I say that people should have the freedom to do whatever they want as long as they are not harming anyone else. I think we can both agree that this is a basic libertarian tenet. Libetraianism does not condone murder, pedophilia, rape etc etc
I believe that life begins at conception and that abortion is actually the unnecessary taking of a life. To me this falls under the "unless it harms someone else" standard.
I can certainly understand that line of thinking. It is a touchy subject for me to say the least. I've not had to experience that with any females that I've dated back in the day, nor my wife. Thank goodness.
Many classic libertarians won't support or vote for him because he supports laws strictly prohibiting abortion.
He believes life is the ultimate form of liberty. It is why he also doesn't support the death penalty.
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