If you profess to be a libertarian would you please explain what that means?

Question

I have my own opinions about it. I would like to hear from libertarians themselves. To me it is about individual rights and minimal government. Is there anything else I am missing?

Answer 1

It is a little more complicated than that. I have a little libertarian streak in me. Basically the way I see it, the federal government has no responsibility except to defend the country and the borders. All other decisions should fall to the states for each to decide best.

Libertarians believe that the government has no right to tell individuals what they can or cannot put in their bodies, has no right to regulate businesses, no right to take away land from individuals, and has no right to tell people how to defend themselves.

The basic tenant is that you can do what ever you want, as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights or harm others. It is probably the only political philosophy that is as close to what the founding fathers had in mind for the country. The less government there is the better things are.

Answer 2

Libertarians are people that want what is best for the country... We vote for thing's that will make the government accountable for there actions. we do not vote by party ,demo, repo, Liertarians are the modern day patriots ... Seeing not just what is good for one but good for all. they will call us Socialist and sling all the mud that they can get there grubby little hands on. but they can never call us UN AMERICAN. Because in truth we are fighting the good fight. I used to be a Republican for many years, but I came to see after working with and around these people I began to realize. They would eat there own young if there was a coin in its belly. and the way they were treating my Vets was enough to make me sick and the Democrates are just a bunch of cry babies, that wont be happy until we are all unarmed and chipped like animals. So I landed in the Lebertarian group... I was for some of the things that the Republicans wanted and I liked some of the things the Democrates wanted... so why cant we vote that way... Try it and you will soon see what the men that signed that peice of paper so many years ago went through. those men that signed that paper were hunted down and murdered... and that paper was used to form this GREAT NATION... Next time you hear a polition speaking some where dont be scared ask questions. The worst question you could ask is the one you don't ask... If that makes since... Stand and be Counted

Answer 3

You pretty much got it. The individual is above all. The government is not here to babysit you or take care of you, and it needs to tax you less to allow you to take care of yourself.

Google Ron Paul, he is an ex-libertarian candidate for president, current republican congressman, and current republican presidential hopeful. Even though he has an R in fron of his name, in his heart and shown by his votes he is still a Libertarian. If you read some of his stuff, you can see what the libertarian mentality is all about.

The only thing I disagree with typical libertarians is their belief in open borders.

Answer 4

I am philosophically a libertarian. What is that? To me you believe that the gov'nt really has just 3 purposes: 1) Adjudicate disputes through the courts system. 2) National defense of the country. 3) Help people who TRULY cannot help themselves. (ALOT fewer than we currently do...). Other than that the FEDERAL gov'mt has no business getting involved. State and local can do the rest.

Answer 5

No, that pretty much sums it up. We may have different ideas on how to get from here to there, but that's what binds us together. What it really boils down to is a strict interpretation of the US Constitution and the true intent of the Founding Fathers of this once great nation.

Answer 6

Libertarians believe in the Constitution as the rule of law impeding expansion of gov't. power. If it's not in the Constitution, the gov't. shouldn't be doing it.

Personal choice is the hallmark of libertarian thought. For instance, we don't believe in seatbelt laws. I wear one, but I don't believe it is within the power of gov't. to force that choice upon my body, which I own.

Libertarians also believe in free trade and don't believe in income redistribution of any kind.

Answer 7

You have the right idea as far as I know. This is how Dictionary.com explains it.

lib·er·tar·i·an /ˌlɪbərˈtɛəriən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lib-er-tair-ee-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a person who advocates liberty, esp. with regard to thought or conduct.
2. a person who maintains the doctrine of free will (distinguished from necessitarian).
–adjective 3. advocating liberty or conforming to principles of liberty.
4. maintaining the doctrine of free will.

lib·er·tar·i·an (lĭb'ər-târ'ē-ən) Pronunciation Key
n.
One who advocates maximizing individual rights and minimizing the role of the state.
One who believes in free will.


libertarian

1789, "one who holds the doctrine of free will" (opposed to necessitarian), from liberty (q.v.) on model of unitarian, etc. Political sense of "person advocating liberty in thought and conduct" is from 1878. U.S. Libertarian Party founded in Colorado, 1971.