Which party is closer to the Libertarian party?

[A18]

...

[opebo]

Democrat, obviously.

[John Dibble]

Hard to say. I'll need some time to think on this.

[KEmperor]

Republican, obviously.

[John Dibble]

After thinking about it, they are about the same. On the surface, the Republicans appear to be closer(which is why we take more Republican voters), but when you get outside of the Republican platform and to more on how Republicans(politicians, not voters) tend to vote, they act somewhat like Democrats. Both grow the government, though in somewhat different ways.

Now, if it came down to who's voters were closer, it would be Republicans - many are little L libertarians, more than the Democrats.

[Redefeatbush04]

Even though it says democrat, I am more of a libertarian and I'd have to say the democratic party. 10 years ago it was the republican party, but Bush is not a true economic conservative, and we all know he does not stand for social liberty.

[A18]

He supports both economic and social liberty, so I have no clue what you're talking about

Kerry is basically a fascist on both issues

[opebo]

Democrat, obviously.

Hmm... I think Representative Ron Paul might disagree.

I'm afraid the poor chap has no idea how dangerous an error he is making.  The same could be said for other libertarian-leaning Republicans.  Wake up before it is too late!

[Bono]

He supports both economic and social liberty, so I have no clue what you're talking about

Kerry is basically a fascist on both issues

You got to be kidding me. Bush is a populist, defending social authoritarism and economical control. Is "No Children Left Behind" conservative? Is Bushocare conservative?

[Donovan]

Even though it says democrat, I am more of a libertarian and I'd have to say the democratic party. 10 years ago it was the republican party, but Bush is not a true economic conservative, and we all know he does not stand for social liberty.

HAHA! That picture is so FUNNY!

[David S]

Neither one.
Libertarian philosophy is based on
Individual freedom
Personal responsibility
Government limited to its constitutional basis.

What is the philosophy of the D's and R's ? Neither party supports those things.

[Redefeatbush04]

It says I am banned from using the forum......that can't be good

[Redefeatbush04]

This is the only thread I am allowed to post in for some reason. Anyway....how can you say that Bush is for social liberty. The Patriot Act takes away personal liberty. His latest position on same-sex marriage opposes personal liberty.  Bush is for racial profiling. He also opposes a woman's right to choose abortion (so do I). How can you possibly say he stands for social liberty.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yes, Bush supports social liberty, that's why he said he'd veto any repeal of the extremely idiotic Texas sodomy law when he was governor.

[Brambila]

Republicans, though John Dibble is right, many republicans are very pro-strengthening the government. The other night, I got into a discussion with my very liberal grandfather about weak government, and he was surprised that I thought we should have a flat tax rate. After I told him I thought the federal governments' only job should be to protect us, his eyes widened, and he asked about public schools, hospitals, police, libraries, roads, city halls, etc. I explained that the individual communities would decide if they want all those items or not. I think I got him thinking.

[khirkhib]

I've heard that Libertarians are Republicans that like to smoke pot.  I think that the Libertarian party generally marries different elements of the republican and democratic party.  I think theat we should encourage a four party system based around the contrasts of social and fiscal issues.  Many blieve that the two party system is essentially a four party system because both sides have factions. 

So I guess in the end the Republican party of Goldwater and before is similar to the Libertarian party of today.  I think that in the same way the the Democratic party left the Dixiecrats who joined the Republican party.  I think that the Republican party has abandoned little l, republicans for the Cristian Cooalition type and the party will rebalance it self naturally.  The little l libertarians could either try to strengthen the LIbertarian party or seek power through the Democratic party.  It is impossible to say how it will play out though.

[Redefeatbush04]

exactly, i think that republicans are little hitler's trying to take away our friggin rights, and basic freedoms and who support the war. They think things through but could care less what it does to people. I think that democrats are little tax raising communists who mean well but do not think things through. Oh and they oppose the war (why mine says democrat). Libertarian party is for disenfranchised voters who don't really have a home. (ok so i stretched my views of the parties a bit)

[12th Doctor]

Democrat, obviously.

Hmm... I think Representative Ron Paul might disagree.

I'm afraid the poor chap has no idea how dangerous an error he is making.  The same could be said for other libertarian-leaning Republicans.  Wake up before it is too late!

I never thought I would say this Opebo, but you, in your latest incarnation, have become a Troll.

[opebo]

Democrat, obviously.

Hmm... I think Representative Ron Paul might disagree.

I'm afraid the poor chap has no idea how dangerous an error he is making.  The same could be said for other libertarian-leaning Republicans.  Wake up before it is too late!

I never thought I would say this Opebo, but you, in your latest incarnation, have become a Troll.

In other words, I disagree with you.

However if you had said 'extremist', I might agree.  Very different from a troll.

[ciplexian]

I don't see how Opebo is a "troll" just for saying the Democrats are closer to libertarians right now than the Republicans.

[12th Doctor]

Democrat, obviously.

Hmm... I think Representative Ron Paul might disagree.

I'm afraid the poor chap has no idea how dangerous an error he is making.  The same could be said for other libertarian-leaning Republicans.  Wake up before it is too late!

I never thought I would say this Opebo, but you, in your latest incarnation, have become a Troll.

In other words, I disagree with you.

However if you had said 'extremist', I might agree.  Very different from a troll.

Opebo,

You have made alot of blanket, inflamatory staements as of late.  I find your attacks on Christians unwarrented at the least, though I can think of far worse that they might be.  I'm sorry that you feel the way that you do, but if you want to use this forum as a platform from which to bash Christians, I must say something.  Indeed, it would seem that your only reason for coming abck to the forum after your few week leave, is to express your distaste for Christ.

[opebo]

Democrat, obviously.

Hmm... I think Representative Ron Paul might disagree.

I'm afraid the poor chap has no idea how dangerous an error he is making.  The same could be said for other libertarian-leaning Republicans.  Wake up before it is too late!

I never thought I would say this Opebo, but you, in your latest incarnation, have become a Troll.

In other words, I disagree with you.

However if you had said 'extremist', I might agree.  Very different from a troll.

Opebo,

You have made alot of blanket, inflamatory staements as of late.  I find your attacks on Christians unwarrented at the least, though I can think of far worse that they might be.  I'm sorry that you feel the way that you do, but if you want to use this forum as a platform from which to bash Christians, I must say something.  Indeed, it would seem that your only reason for coming abck to the forum after your few week leave, is to express your distaste for Christ.

There is a large, well organized political Christian movement.  It is attempting to elect those who will impose their agenda.  I find that agenda abhorrent.  There are also a number of Republicans - like I used to be - who are libertarian-leaning and who are not religious.  I'm trying to make the point that this small group would be well advised to get out of the GOP and start voting Democrat. 

What's so inflammatory about that?  Its a moderate and reasonable lesser of two evils argument.  The chances of any socialism being implemented by the Democrats is almost nil, while the chance of religious control of social freedoms being implemented by the GOP is a near certainty.  People who like freedom should vote Democrat, at least for the time being.

[12th Doctor]

Democrat, obviously.

Hmm... I think Representative Ron Paul might disagree.

I'm afraid the poor chap has no idea how dangerous an error he is making.  The same could be said for other libertarian-leaning Republicans.  Wake up before it is too late!

I never thought I would say this Opebo, but you, in your latest incarnation, have become a Troll.

In other words, I disagree with you.

However if you had said 'extremist', I might agree.  Very different from a troll.

Opebo,

You have made alot of blanket, inflamatory staements as of late.  I find your attacks on Christians unwarrented at the least, though I can think of far worse that they might be.  I'm sorry that you feel the way that you do, but if you want to use this forum as a platform from which to bash Christians, I must say something.  Indeed, it would seem that your only reason for coming abck to the forum after your few week leave, is to express your distaste for Christ.

There is a large, well organized political Christian movement.  It is attempting to elect those who will impose their agenda.  I find that agenda abhorrent.  There are also a number of Republicans - like I used to be - who are libertarian-leaning and who are not religious.  I'm trying to make the point that this small group would be well advised to get out of the GOP and start voting Democrat. 

What's so inflammatory about that?  Its a moderate and reasonable lesser of two evils argument.  The chances of any socialism being implemented by the Democrats is almost nil, while the chance of religious control of social freedoms being implemented by the GOP is a near certainty.  People who like freedom should vote Democrat, at least for the time being.

And I have no problem with you expressign your opinion, no matter how extreme, but it would seem to be all you talk about as of late.  You obsession with defeating the "enemy" Christians is rather disturbing, I think.  Even Migrendel, a commited Aethists and Socialist never called Christians or Christianity "the enemy".

[cwelsch]

Republican, because they're socially interventionist but they start from the perspective of libertarians.  They use the same very basic arguments like controlling your own life, spending your own money, etc.  If the Republicans could stop with fearing drugs, hating immigrants and bashing gays, they'd be really okay.

Democrats do not really use the rhetoric of controlling your own life.  They are the party of gun control, taxes and unions.  Their social positions are NOT libertarian, they are just less interventionist than some of the GOP's policies.  But then they turn around and are MUCH more socially authoritarian on gun rights, concealed-carry, assault weapons, affirmative action and so forth.  Their take on business is atrocious.

By and the large, the Republicans are ideologically-corrupted libertarians; by and large, the Democrats are just ideologically-corrupted.

[badnarikin04]

I'd say the Republicans. The Republicans are SUPPOSED to stand for fiscal conservatism, which, at least in my eyes, is the most important part of the Libertarian mission of individual liberty.

But now that the Republicans have betrayed that, if you factor in current events, then the Libertarians are totally different from both. An alternative that is DESPERATELY needed in this country.