Thing you hate about the Libertarians the most

[Frodo]

here is the bottom-line: libertarians (both those of the philosophical persuasion, as well as those who are actually members of the Libertarian Party or some other business-friendly entity like the Club for Growth or Americans for Tax Reform) do not have the numbers to influence either major party -it is a fact that it is only the Christian evangelicals on the right, and economic populists (or socialists, if you prefer) on the left who compose the vast majority of their parties' grassroots.  when it comes down to it, outside this forum, the vast majority of this country are in fact liberals with regard to economic issues like health care, social security, and so forth.  they just happen to be more socially conservative.

let's face it, you guys may talk the good talk, but frankly, when it comes down to electoral math, you would be all but irrelevant if it wasn't for the fact that your natural allies, the corporations, bankroll both political parties.  in short, it is your deep pockets that make up for your small numbers.....   

[Frodo]

here is the bottom-line: libertarians (both those of the philosophical persuasion, as well as those who are actually members of the Libertarian Party or some other business-friendly entity like the Club for Growth or Americans for Tax Reform) do not have the numbers to influence either major party -it is a fact that it is only the Christian evangelicals on the right, and economic populists (or socialists, if you prefer) on the left who compose the vast majority of their parties' grassroots.  when it comes down to it, outside this forum, the vast majority of this country are in fact liberals with regard to economic issues like health care, social security, and so forth.  they just happen to be more socially conservative.

let's face it, you guys may talk the good talk, but frankly, when it comes down to electoral math, you would be all but irrelevant if it wasn't for the fact that your natural allies, the corporations, bankroll both political parties.  in short, it is your deep pockets that make up for your small numbers.....   

Back it up. Your opinion is just that as far as I'm concerned - opinion, and opinion not founded on any scientific basis. And most people are not economic liberals - most are centrists, aka moderates.

This article is a few years old, but the results are probably similar to today's electorate: http://www.lp.org/press/archive.php?function=view&record=145

most people now consider themselves conservatives rather than liberals, but when you really pin them down on the issues, they are often more liberal than they are conservative -it is all about the brand name.  you should really read Naomi Klein's 'No Logo' to get a feel for what i am trying to say.

with regard to proof, well, i'll just pick an example -health care.  most Americans would favor single-payer health care over the system we have now according to this poll:

 "Which of these do you think is more important: providing health care coverage for all Americans, even if it means raising taxes, OR, holding down taxes, even if it means some Americans do not have health care coverage?"  Options rotated
    
             Coverage For All    Holding Down Taxes   Unsure       
        %                          %                        %       
10/03    79                      17                             4       
12/99    71                      26                             3       
                  
"Which would you prefer: the current health insurance system in the United States, in which most people get their health insurance from private employers, but some people have no insurance, OR, a universal health insurance program, in which everyone is covered under a program like Medicare that's run by the government and financed by taxpayers?" Options rotated
      
            Current System   Universal Program  Unsure       
        %                         %                            %       
10/03    33                     62                         6       
                  
Asked of respondents who answered "universal program":
"Would you support or oppose a universal health insurance program if it limited your own choice of doctors?"
      
               Support Oppose    Unsure       
      %       %         %       
10/03       57           41      2       
                  
Asked of respondents who answered "universal program":
"Would you support or oppose a universal health insurance program if it meant there were waiting lists for some non-emergency treatments?"
      
               Support    Oppose    Unsure       
      %       %         %       
10/03        62           33      5

http://www.pollingreport.com/health1.htm#Delivery
   

[Frodo]

and here is yet another example:

Two Thirds of U.S. Public Willing to Pay to Fight Global Warming
Jim Lobe
OneWorld US
28 June 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jun 28 (OneWorld) - More than 80 percent of the U.S. public supports pending legislation to cut the emission of greenhouse gases, while two thirds said they are willing to pay the U.S.$15 a month - or nearly $200 a year - that experts believe the legislation, the Climate Stewardship Act (CSA), will cost the average household, according to a nationwide poll released Friday.

Public support is also strong for using tax incentives to encourage utility companies to use cleaner energy technologies and car-buyers to purchase more energy-efficient cars, according to the survey, which was conducted by the University of Maryland's Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA).

Moreover, slightly more than half of respondents (52 percent) said a candidate's support for the cutting emissions would incline them more to vote for him in November, while only 14 percent said that such support would make them less inclined to vote for him. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has endorsed the bill, officially known as the Climate Stewardship Act (CSA), while President George W. Bush opposes it.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) said they would want their member of Congress to support the Kyoto Protocol, which is also supported by Kerry but opposed by Bush.

http://www.oneworld.net/article/view/88920/1/

now before you roll your eyes at the article's source, not that the info comes from a mainstream polling entity.   

[Frodo]

My adivce to the Libertarians: fix the platform. It's insane.

there is a caucus within the Libertarian Party to do exactly that:

http://www.reformthelp.org//home/intro/

i posted this before, but no one ever paid attention to it -so i'm posting it again.