Libertarians ... easy to manipulate? Seems like it...
Libertarians are being used to keep the statists in control! And they are so blind, they don't see it. by Mark Vogl
(conservative)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Libertarians are a very small group, kind of a fringe element of the conservative movement. Libertarians want to claim that they are the defenders of individual liberty. To prove it they go to extremes, like defending the use of harmful illegal drugs, and homosexuality. Of course, libertarians argue that they oppose control of the individual body by the government so they also support abortion. And, they go the last step and say they oppose the taxes to pay for abortions, or HIV treatment, or Social Security Disability to finance addiction rehabilitation.
But as stated in the first sentence, libertarians don't draw much. In New York, where they actually had a line in elections, they drew less than the liberal line, which usually drew about 3 %! Nope there are not many real libertarians. But, like other political minorities, what they don't have in numbers they make up for in money, and inserting themselves near the fissures of political alliances, so that despite their tiny numbers they can be players in the big game, Like Democrats, libertarians are smart in knowing how to use the system to their advantage. For example, libertarians can't get laws changed, but they can get priorities set, and in my view they may be behind much of selective enforcementof laws that we see today.
Selective enforcement is a terrific way for a constitutional democracy to practice tyranny and oppression. Interesting outcomes for a political movement that pretends to embrace individual liberty!
Look at this year's race. Ron Paul, a 76 year old, back bencher Congressman from the wilds of Texas is staying in the race. He doesn't have a chance. Why? For one, he is an adamant opponent to the War on Terror, a fundamental core element of present American foreign policy. Paul is clearly not acceptable to the Pro Israel community, which includes both a very small but very wealthy an influential Jewish component, and a much larger Religious Right component. Also, there are Hawks who see enemies to the United States behind every desert or turban. Even President Obama knows enough not to touch that electrified rail. Sure the liberals would love to see Paul somehow get the nomination. He would ensure defeat as quickly as the nomination of Bob Dole did. But, Paul probably won't be able to do that. What he can do is divide the conservative core of the GOP in the primary.
Paul does have something of a point, reality! America is in debt, and the debt is running up like a wound to a major artery. The combination of social entitlement spending with the multiple wars and military commitments is very rapidly draining both American wealth and national will. So there is a segment of people, probably spread over both the Democratic and Republican Parties, and Independents who hear Paul. He has enough of reality on his side to keep him in the race. Paul may be able to do just enough to get Romney the nomination...and then the statists win, no matter which party wins. And what does that mean for libertarians...LOL, more taxes, more regulations, and more government power. Very shrewd strategy for the libertarians! I wonder if they have a clue?
Florida could be interesting cross roads for the Libertarians. Suppose they were to temporarily abandon Paul and vote en masse for Gingrich. The result? Well, if Gingrich were to win big in Florida it could signal the end of Romney. Should Romney, the big money, and big east candidate be forced out, the race would then be down to Gingrich, Santorum and Paul. Instead of being the outsider, Paul would then be the alternative candidate. Will the libertarians see this in Florida? Or will they just be manipulated?
We are back where we started.
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The views expressed
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do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
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