Libertarians

[Bathilde]

I have some libertarian views such as keeping government out of religion, drug use, etc, but I disagree that government should be so small that it's ineffective with law enforcement, fire, infrastructure, public education, public health, and regulations.

Some heathens believe in a small government because of their value of independence and self-reliance. While I agree that those values are good, I think as humans we are a social species and we rely on each other, and build off one another to accomplish great things, and to be islands unto ourselves isn't beneficial.

[trumoonbear]

I tend to think in terms of the limted vs. unlimited spectrum, rather than "small government." Small is desirable cost-wise, but limited is more important when it comes to preserving liberty.

[Bathilde]

Limited in what ways?

[trumoonbear]

Well small is simply about size, but limited is about authority. Any powers not specifically granted to the federal government in the Constitution should be reserved for the states, or indeed, for the individual citizen.

What we have at present is relentlessly expanding government, and that is problematic on multiple levels: the monetary cost to maintain bloated bureaucracy and the erosion of personal freedoms.

http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd1009e.asp

[Bathilde]

I think if we had relentless expanding government, we'd have had universal healthcare by now.

More like we have relentless political corruption and bribery from corporations and creeping dominionism.

[Karlsefni]

I'm not sure if I have all that many Libertarian leanings, as I favor service before self-interest as paramount. I would like to see the need to vilify governmental structures go away, though, because it is like cutting one's own knees off to be anti-governmental. A government helps one manage resources that best benefits the entire group of people. I don't favor uncertain power, so I would always take a hierarchic government over an anarchic "liberty" ideal.

[Gangleri]

Im a European Social Democrat, meaning I believe the government (which I consider a expression and organized form of community) should provide for those who CAN not provide for themselves, and helps those who start at a disadvantage overcome that. I believe in solidarity, but I don't think we can nowerdays trust society keep it up if its not very clearly expected of them.

[Gemyndig]

I used to identify as staunch Libertarian because by instinct I was inclined toward the belief that if people are given handouts, they remain infantile. I tend toward the idea now though that we should all club together to provide at least some basic amenities for the genuinely needy (and I mean genuinely!) I've now shifted to a much more moderate line, but I'd still say I'm a bit right of centre. I still find socialism way too naive.

[schwarzesonne]

I have very strong libertarian leanings, but have also been heavily influenced by the Southron Nationalist movement as well. If I were to pigeon hole myself I'd label myself as “Constitutionalist”.

I agree with Trumoonbear in the notion that the Federal Government should not be involved in anything that is not expressly described in the Constitution (as is outlined in the 9th & 10th Amendments but has been explicitly ignored for many years). That means the Federal government should have no authority over drugs, foods, education, marriage, health care, firearms, or any number of other areas wherein they have usurped control.

This does not mean that Americans would live in a lawless culture or that each citizen becomes “an island on his own”. Rather it means that the majority of government power would return to the states (as it was before the Lincoln administration). It would also mean that when difficulties come people would rely more on Family and Community than on government—which sounds like a very Heathen way of approaching things to me.

Remember the old adage: all true politics are local!

[Gangleri]

makes me wonder, can a US state really be considered as a community? They tend to be larger in size and population then my nation (Netherlands) and we have a hard time feeling very Dutch.