Are Pirate Parties useless?

[politicus]

What is your opinion of Pirate Parties?

Personally I find them pretty useless and annoying.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

They don't even make a blip on the political radar here......but they certainly do in your neck of the woods, just enough to be irritating, I'd imagine.

[Hatman 🍁]

The party is irrelevant here, but I would vote for them as a protest vote if need be.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Freedom Parties.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Neutral, lean HP. I support civil liberties, less government regulation of the internet, and ending corporate welfare. But I support intelectual property. They would be better off supporting the established Libertarian Party.

[DC Al Fine]

Totally irrelevant in Canada.

[ZuWo]

The Pirate Parties seem to have passed their peak in Europe already, and it doesn't appear likely that they will ever become relevant anywhere else, so yes, I consider them useless.

[Horus]

Eh, they're pointless and know they are. I suppose if it were a three way race and I couldn't stand the two major parties candidates I would throw my vote away to them just for sh*ts and giggles but their presence doesn't really bother me one or the other since they don't exist here.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Neutral, lean HP. I support civil liberties, less government regulation of the internet, and ending corporate welfare. But I support intelectual property. They would be better off supporting the established Libertarian Party.

Some Libertarians don't like associating with the LP, and for good reason.

[Leftbehind]

HP. Completely and utterly useless, and just divert people into ambition-less liberalism.

[Antonio the Sixth]

They are a cancer.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Pretty meaningless yeah, but they serve the purpose of a protest vote if needed.

Eh, they're pointless and know they are. I suppose if it were a three way race and I couldn't stand the two major parties candidates I would throw my vote away to them just for sh*ts and giggles but their presence doesn't really bother me one or the other since they don't exist here.

Remember their presence in mostly in countries with PR and more than one choice.

[TNF]

Neutral, lean HP. I support civil liberties, less government regulation of the internet, and ending corporate welfare. But I support intelectual property. They would be better off supporting the established Libertarian Party.

How can a libertarian support 'intellectual property rights'? They're government-created monopolies, for chrissake.

As to the OP, Freedom Parties. The copyright system is in serious, serious need of reform, and Pirate parties are the only parties that seem to acknowledge that.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I thought you meant pirate-themed parties (like a kid's birthday party or something.)

Anyway, I'm probably not a fan.

On the other hand, while this is still in my mind: Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate party's life for me!

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Yes. Pirates, however, arrrrrrr not.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Neutral, lean HP. I support civil liberties, less government regulation of the internet, and ending corporate welfare. But I support intelectual property. They would be better off supporting the established Libertarian Party.

How can a libertarian support 'intellectual property rights'? They're government-created monopolies, for chrissake.

As to the OP, Freedom Parties. The copyright system is in serious, serious need of reform, and Pirate parties are the only parties that seem to acknowledge that.

If somebody writes a song, they own the song. It is the songwriter who should be allowed to choose who can sing it, via contract. That does not mean it is reasonable for Neil Diamond to sue a bunch of drunks singing "Sweet Caroline" at a bar on karaoke night. But it does mean Neil Diamond can sue any other musician who covers the song without his permission and profits off it. Libertarianism is all about the individual’s right to freedom, including the right to protect and keep his property.

[nolesfan2011]

slightly FF, they tend to be quite trollish and ineffective but some of their goals are quite noble (such as civil liberties and open information and reporting and such).

That being said I don't support mindless anarchy either