Are you a "social liberal and fiscal conservative?" That's a Libertarian.
Here's the 2012 Platform of the Libertarian Party (
Platform | Libertarian Party), in easy to understand words. How many of these policies do you NOT agree with?
1.1. Freedom of speech and religion.
----I agree
1.2 Protection from unreasonable search and seizure; no victimless crimes.
---I agree
1.3 No discrimination regarding sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity.
---I agree
2.3 Since energy is needed to fuel a modern society (and money is not unlimited), "government should not be subsidizing any particular form of energy.”
---The government should look into assistance for promising fuels/energy sources to assist in freeing ourselves from the chains of foreign energies. It's a national security issue, IMO.
1.4 “Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter…”
---I agree
1.5 No victimless crimes; restitution to victims at the expense of the wrongdoer; Constitutional rights for the accused (due process, a speedy trial, legal counsel, trial by jury, and the legal presumption of innocence).
---I agree
1.6 “The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights;” 2nd Amendment rights.
---I agree with this...But background checks aren't an abridgement to your right to own a gun. No one is talking about "banning" guns.
2.1 Private property rights (unless it infringes the rights of others); no laws controlling wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates; freedom of trade.
---I'm not a fan of NAFTA at all and I absolutely disagree with disregarding a minimum wage. Companies have no incentive to pay you more...especially for lower end labor. Obviously a skilled job doesn't need minimum wage controls, but the issue of concern is for menial level workers.
2.2 Government as well as private landowners are accountable for pollution and misuse of resources; technological innovations and behavioral changes are the most effective way to protect the environment.
---I grew up in coal country in southern appalachia. I'm very much a labor liberal...I could give a sh*t less about the environmental side of my party.
2.3 Opposition of all government control of energy pricing, allocation, and production.
---We need prices set on energy resources to prevent price gouging...(See Water/Electricity prices in Bolivia after privatization)
2.4 Repeal of the 16th Amendment (which allowed federal income tax and established the IRS); abolishing “all federal programs and services not required under the U.S. Constitution,” mandating a federal balanced budget and prohibiting federal debt.
---You won't gain a lot of currency with us Libs on destroying the social safety net and wiping out any semblance on income equality that we have...albeit a small amount compared to other OECD nations.
2.5 Free market banking and competition between banks, halt to inflationary monetary policies (i.e. devaluation of the dollar or encouraging hyperinflation).
---Control of our dollar and fiscal policy can be remarkably beneficial in terms of market heatups. Obviosuly theres abuse that needs to be dealt with but an entirely "free market" system isn't the answer.
2.6 Opposition to “government subsidies to business, labor, or any other special interest;” stopping the government from performing functions that can be done by the private sector.
---Government subsidies to business have resulted in some of the most cutting edge medical research in the world.
2.7 Repeal of laws that impede the ability to find employment; freedom to join a union or not; freedom for an employer to recognize a union or not.
---These laws don't "impede" employment. They mandate that the workers join a body that fights for their rights against payment, benefit, and labor related injustices....Now, that being said...A lot of labor unions are outgrowing their original worth...So it's hit or miss.
2.8 Parental control and responsibility for all funds expended for their children's education; privatization of education.
---I would argue we need a more centralized education program. All of the education systems that are succesful (Finland in particular) spend considerably less per student yet have much better results. Their system is highly centralized which allows for a much more streamlined system.
2.9 Health insurance available across state lines; freedom to determine the health care providers, the level of health care and health insurance they want (if any), the medicines and treatments they want, and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions.
---National Health Care....Not national insurance like Obamacare. Obama's system is quite possibly the only thing worse than what we had before. We need a fully nationalized health system. Obama's plan exacerbates the worst parts of our "healthcare" system.
2.10
Phasing out Social Security and
transition to a private voluntary system.
--- The funding needs reform...the system doesn't need scraped. I personally don't have a problem with it becoming a means tested system. However, the budget proposed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus includes a series of cuts in defense and revenue increases that shows that SS can be long term solvent without and massive implementation changes. It's just a matter of being willing to make the tough choices when it comes to cuts in unnecessary spending and revenue increases across the board.
3.1 Abandonment of using the military as “policemen for the world,” opposition to a draft, and maintenance of a military suffient to defend the nation (not the world) from aggression.
---Agree
3.2 Defense-related intelligence gathering should not take precedence over Individual rights; oversight and transparency of government intelligence agencies required; prohibition from government withholding necessary public information by calling it “classified.”
---Agree
3.3. Stop foreign aid and foreign military intervention; “seek an America at peace with the world.”
---I agree...I detest the idea of foreign aid and military invervention abroad when we have so many in need at home.
3.4 Support free trade and immigration (except for those who pose a threat).
---I'm iffy on free trade agreements.
3.5 No discrimination based on sex, wealth, ethnicity, creed, age, national origin, personal habits, political preference or sexual orientation; parents have the right to raise children according to their own beliefs (except when it results in child abuse or neglect).
---I agree
3.6 Free elections that do not exclude alternative candidates; end tax-subsidized candidates and parties.
---I agree
3.7 The right of the people to alter or abolish any government that becomes destructive of individual liberty.
--- Lol
3.8 Silence regarding any issue does not imply approval.
If you truly hate any of these, please indicate why. And remember that Social Security is already going to be gutted by the current government (leaving the under 55-crowd with little or nothing) anyway, with Libertarians fighting to prevent this fiasco for future Americans.
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