If housepets were libertarians....

[MarkDel]

Funny, and perhaps true of the most extreme libertarians, but not true of most.

I hope that what you say is so. Too many libertarians (including on this forum) start with an extreme statement that ignores the facts of the real world. If what you said came across more frequently, the cartoon might seem out of place.

Muon,

You are right on target. I have many libertarian views, but the rigid inflexibility of the modern Libertarian Party simply scares the living hell out of me. On a theoretical level, it is IMPOSSIBLE to argue against the Libertarian position, because it is logically coherent and it is essentially my idea of Utopia (not socialism). But in PRACTICAL terms, libertarianism is limited by the reality of human nature, and thus useful only as a guide, and if one adheres to it too closely, one will bring about the long term destruction of our nation.

[MarkDel]

MarkDel- That is why my avatar is orange not yellow. The libertarian philosophy is tough to argue against because it is so totally internally consistent. The problem is people are not internally consistent. What I think I hear you saying is we need more libertarian beliefs injected in the public debate but it would be dangerous to turn government over to pure libertarians.

Yes, that is EXACTLY what I am saying. Most of my beliefs and values are profoundly libertarian, but I realize there are limitations to the theory. Also, the Libertarian Party has really, REALLY missed the boat when it comes to matters of national security. Hopeful isolationism is a prescription for disaster, and that's the MAIN reason why I could never join the Libertarian Party...even though I have more beliefs and values in common with that party than the Republicans...and certainly more than the modern Democrats.

You and John Dibble were right on target in your comments.

[MarkDel]

Gustaf,

Would I be correct to say that you are Libertarian for the most part, but Center on Economic Issues, Left/Center on Social Issues and Right/Center on Foreign Policy Issues?