Q 4 Libertarians, why do so many of you vote republican?

Question

Why do libertarians wind up voting republican?

Some libertarians do vote for the libertarian candidate, many however, vote republican because the libertarian candidate can not win.

If I understand the libertarian position it is socially liberal and economically conservative. Libertarians and democrats line-up nicely on abortion, gay rights, freedom of speech, the patriot act, and criminal procedure. And also the Iraq war.

But that is only half, Libertarians are also for smaller government and balanced budgets. And although the republicans give a lot of lip service to this, Bill Clinton balanced the budget and shrank the government. Clinton also greatly reduced welfare. Reagan and W have had record deficits. W has created the largest government agencies in decades (HLS, TSA etc).

Neither the dems nor the reps agree with the libertarians that all drugs should be legalized, but the reps are constantly pushing for longer sentences. And is I suspect you have a better shot at convincing dems rather than reps to legalize marijuana.

The only thing I can think of where the libertarian party is in synch with the reps and out of step with dems is 2nd amdendment. Is that one issue so important.

It seems to me that for a libertrian the democrat not the republican would be the lesser of two evils.

Answer 1

I would think that becuase the republican party historically has stood for smaller government and supported indivudual rights. Democrats have historically stood for big government and a transformation of society to depend on the government rather than government depending on society.

Answer 2

I would venture a response though I am not a libertarian. I'm a conservative Dem.

I think your simplification that libertarians are just republicans who want to smoke pot is misplaced. Libertarian philosophy is a good deal more complex than that. Some of my dearest friend are libertarians, and though I don't agree with the final political decision, I can relate to the process.

Where libertarians part with democrats is that so many democrats think that it is a good idea for there to be some way to control the pollution generated by the industry that makes our economy go. Libertarians think that even this should be left alone. They believe in an invisible hand-of-the-market that will prevent us from damaging our environment. They really think that industrialists will see the problem before it gets too big, because they'll be smart enough to take a long, or at least a medium long view at some point.

So far the short view stays in fashion, so dems are unconvinced of the libertarian view.

So libertarians stick with the republicans, because republicans steadfastly seem to refuse to admit to there being any environmental problems ever anywhere, and that makes the libertarians more comfortable than facing the need for oversight of the industrial pollution that has been a growing problem now for a couple of centuries.

Answer 3

Quite a few Libertarians do vote Republican because they truly believe it is the lesser of the two evils and they are dead wrong.
The Republican party has never shrank government and never will. When you see this bloated two sides of the same coin maggot of a government shrink in size there will more than likely be politicos swinging in the trees.
There is no way greedy power hungry politicians will heed the law of our Constitution or the will of the people as long as you have international corporations/bankers spoon feeding them cash and power.
We now have the fascist right and the socialist left in a major pretend battle for the hearts and minds of America's voter, but fascism and socialism are actually both forms of collectivism .
And collectivism is the antithesis of personal liberty and individualism.
You will only get larger and more oppressive government by voting for the 'lesser of the two evils'.
The only way America will get out of the grip of this nefarious two party system is bring in a third a party and vote your conscience ,letting the chips fall where they may.

Answer 4

I agree with both the Gun Control position stated by the asker and the personal responsibility issue that was brought up by the poster above.

I am a registered Libertarian, and I do vote mostly Republican. Gun control is an issue that I won't ever budge on. The 2nd Amendment was meant to protect all the others - this is too important to "let slide".

Personal responsibility is also a sticking point. As a matter of personal belief, I think personal responsibility is just a reflection of our society. With the obesity health-care crisis looming, people just seem all too eager to point the finger at anyone besides themselves. This spills over into politics and over to the self-proclaimed party for the "working class".

Answer 5

I believe that many libertarians are more conservative than republicans or at least the current batch of republicans. Most libertarians believe in capitalism and freedom which puts them more in line with republicans. Many of them are in tune with ideas like Ayn Rand's which puts them at them in direct opposition to the communist - socialist types that have such a great hold with leftist democrats who seem to be the ones in power with that side now.

Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater would line up with a lot of libertarian beliefs.

You might try one of those tests that shows where you beliefs place you in a chart and over a range of issues. I found a really good one through Heartland.com

Answer 6

What if Ron Paul would not run? vote casting for a Libertarian basically using fact they're working using fact the Libertarian candidate (i.e. Bob Barr), is basically as undesirable as vote casting for a Republican basically using fact they're working as a Republican. you will desire to confess that Bob Barr replace right into a terrible Libertarian candidate. Authored the protection of marriage act. Supported the struggle on drugs, Patriot Act, Iraq struggle, & a ban on Wicca in the army. He would have replaced his suggestions on those now, yet strikes (votes) talk louder than words. If he replace into fairly a Libertarian, fairly one that alter into nominated for President, he could have been against those all alongside, not in basic terms while he mandatory to enhance his political profession. I vote in accordance to which candidate terrific represents my perspectives in spite of partisanship. thankfully I stay in TX-14, so i gets to vote for him whether or not he runs for President. :)

Answer 7

Sadly, neocons (which are liberals) scammed their way into the Republican party. I don't think many Libertarians will vote for Republicans until they remove the neocons and replace them with paleoconservatives (Ron Paul, Pat Buchanan, Tom Coburn).

Republican Congress under Gingrich, Gridlock, and massive cuts in funding of our military AND INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES (9/11) balanced "the budget" as reported but the budget still wasn't balance.

They were counting Social Security and Medicare income that should be set aside (see "lock box" - Al Gore) for future benefits as part of current income. Our future liability for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Bush's Medicare RX is $76 trillion. We should have a $76 trillion debt marked on top of the current $8 trillion we have outstanding in bonds and notes. This is how corporations record future liabilities (GM, Ford and every other company that sells common stock on an exchange).

Answer 8

Dems are for the government to have tight control over fiscal issues by creating programs & taxing people heavily to run those programs. But they are for little or not control over personal issues such as abortion, marijuana, gay rights & such.

True Republicans (NOT Bush) are for not interfering in the free market system. They want to encourage charities to help the poor instead of starting programs. And they wanto cut taxes. But they tend to try to "legistlate morality."

Libertarians for small government fiscally & socially.
Whether they would vote for a Dem or Rep depends on whether they are more passionate about the fiscal issues or the social issues.

Answer 9

while your theory of socially liberal and economically conservative is correct, i still struggle to reconcile these liberal tendencies with my catholic background. also, i have had some bad experiences with "democrats" and my freedom of speech. i agree with the smaller government stand, and i am disappointed with w in that regard.

in the past i have leaned republican but i (and im sure many others) have noticed that both parties are the same in their lack of respect for individual rights. i think that the '08 election may be the first (in recent history) where an independant stands a chance.

Answer 10

The most important difference is the concept of personal responsibility. Liberal democrats despise this idea, and in their eyes no one is individually responsible for anything. This, and the idea that all should share equally, regardless of ability, work ethic, or input. Democrats, especially the far left wing of the party, are socialist-communists. From all according to their ability, to all according to their needs. Libs want to take from those who earn, and give it to those who do not earn. Republicans are the most logical choice between Rs and Ds.