On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high), rate the Libertarian Party?

Question

Please provide at least a short paragraph explaining your rating

Answer 1

It's sad that so many people don't know anything about the libertarian philosophy.

Libertarian ideals are probably the best of any political system out there. Socially liberal and fiscally conservative as a previous poster mentioned. The best of both worlds and very much in line with the values of the majority of Americans.

I personally give them an 8.5, because I do believe that there should be a safety net for those that really need it (elderly, children, seriously ill) and we must have some checks and balances to protect the environment and worker's rights.

The one thing I totally don't agree with the Libertarians on is that we must fund education, though I certainly agree the feds should stay out of it and leave all school funding to the states. I would pay more taxes to ensure that everyone had access to an excellent education - one that actually teaches kids to think instead of memorizing useless trivia to pass tests, and a system that paid teachers the salary they deserve.

In the ideal society, people would care about community, be more charitable and care what kind of environment they are leaving for their children and grandchildren, and companies would understand that it's good business practice to treat employees fairly and also protect the environment. Unfortunately, due to greed, selfishness and apathy at all levels, we still need those checks and balances.

Liber-Green party anyone? In the last election, Ralph Nader (former Green) and Michael Badnarik (Libertarian) worked together to try to get a recount in a few districts, so why not work together?

Answer 2

I'd say our party is about a 5. Our social ideas are progressive and intelligent and our governmental ideas are pretty simple...leave us the hell alone. The only reason I give the libertarians a 5 and not a higher score is that we have very little power. The sooner intelligent people decide that the two-party system is a joke and that there needs to be a viable third party who isn't in the business of telling people how to live their lives, the sooner this party will become a 10 or however you want to rank it. And I believe more and more this will happen as more and more people are getting fed up with government being intangled in nearly every part of American life. I believe people are getting sick of the government infringing on personal freedoms and rights and I believe the people are wanting to turn to a smaller government who just stays out of our hair and lets us live our lives as we see fit, not as the media wants or the Christians want, but as we want. Sooner or later this party will make a huge impact on the social and governmental scenes and I can only hope it to be sooner as the direction the two major parties want us to go scares the crap out of me. Thanks and have a nice day.

Answer 3

I give it an 11. Sorry but as a long time member of the Libertarian party I'm a little biased.

But why choose the Libertarian Party (www.LP.org) because the hate big Govt., love individual liberty, Free trade, the US Constitution. They don't think that the Govt should tell you what to do & that adults should be free to make their own choices. Libertarians are much more like what the American founding fathers thought the US should be like. Modern day Republicans & Democrats seem to have forgotten all of that.

Answer 4

Idealogically, I'd like to give the party a 10. However, since they've never gained the broad-based appeal they need to win any major elections, I have to give it more like a 5.

I am a firm believer that the people are much better stewards of their own money than the gov't. I hate when liberals say that that makes me cold-hearted and callous. If anything, I think it makes me optimistic. I truly believe that with more discretionary income, people will volountarily give more to help others. As things are now, people believe that their taxes are their charity, so why give more? Even though, we all know that the gov't just eats up that money on pork and other ill-thought out spendings.

Answer 5

I would rate as follows:

Ideas: 10
Marketing/fundraising: 1
Potential for winning future elections: 4

So ... I'd rate the Libertrian Party a 5.

Answer 6

3: Or lower

Libertarians believe weshould pay NO taxes. Which is, of course, absurd. Our Consitution provides that our form of government provides for the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of the citizens of the nation. How can they possibly do any of those things with no money? Who pays for the basic necessities? There is more to the pursuit of happiness than "basic necessities". If there are no tax dollars to help pay for public education, only the EXTREMELY ultra wealthy can afford to educate their children.

Answer 7

Didn't make the chart ! And it's sad because America needs choices other than the FAR RIGHT and FAR LEFT. The Democrats see things one way and the Republicans have to see it in an exact opposite way -- not because it is opposite but because it is not the way the Democrats see it. and vise-versa. There is grey not just black and white.

Answer 8

Who? I jest. I have to go with about a 10 on ideals but a 1 on exposure. Step it up.

Answer 9

7 for ideals - less government interference, less government spending, smaller government.

1.5 for political clout. The Big Two (GOP and Democratic Party) have a death grip on the nation. Third parties have little chance.

Answer 10

On issues: 9.
On ability to get elected: 3.

I agree with most of their issues, since they conform strictly to the Constitution. Unfortunately, with out current two-party system I don't see any way for them to get into office.