Who else here is a Libertarian-Leaning Democrat?

[Taverner]

I am

- I'm anti-gun control, not because I'm pro gun but because I think it does no good, and infringes on liberties.

- I'm pro abortion. Yes, that's right, pro abortion. People are having too many kids.

- I think we should err on the side of liberty rather than security

- I'm anti-death penalty. Not because the condemmed doesn't deserve death, but because his or her execution isn't worth our time. Solitary confinement for life - that should be the harshest punishment available.

- I'm an anti-censorship 100%. Imus is an ass, and was always an ass - but he shouldn't have been fired.

- Gay marriage? Hell I don't think the government should have any part in marriages period.

- Downsize the military and bring them all home. That includes everyone except those on the DMZ in South Korea. We have to solve that one first before we leave.

- OUr military budget should be re-routed to funding reasearch and development. That gave us the internet, digital photogrpahy and Tang.

[tridim]

1. I thought I was until I heard what Mike Gravel had to say about it. nt

[Blue_In_AK]

37. I'm quite libertarian on some things

not so much on others. Like a lot of Alaskans, I'm pretty much live and let live, especially on social issues.

[MindPilot]

2. I'm with you!

Except on the pro-abortion part. I think any male over the age of 12 should be able have a reversible vasectomy done for free. Then at age 25, once they've passed the parenting course in college, they can pay to have it reversed.

edit for clarity

[Madspirit]

3. Imus was not censorship and other things

Employers have always been able to decide acceptable behavior for their employees and Imus was fired. He is still quite able to say whatever obnoxious crap he wants. It would be censorship if the government told him he could not say those things. It's not censorship to can his ass. People get fired every day...for less.

Good for you, being straight and all, with your high and mighty desire for the government to stay completely out of marriage but until such time, do you mind if I have equal rights? I would like to marry the woman I have been with for 15 years. Then I can be on her insurance and get health care and silly little frivolous things like that.

I am against the death penalty because it's wrong to kill people.

I am not for gathering up all the guns either being as this country is swimming in them, it would be impossible.

Cut the military budget and start taking care of problems at home, yes.

Legalize pot and prostitution. That would make me happy too since adult behavior shouldn't be the government's business.
Lee

[unpossibles]

7. well said. agree on the censorship issue and others. n/t

[Taverner]

13. response

Good for you, being straight and all, with your high and mighty desire for the government to stay completely out of marriage but until such time, do you mind if I have equal rights? I would like to marry the woman I have been with for 15 years. Then I can be on her insurance and get health care and silly little frivolous things like that.

Well of course, if the Government is going to play big brother over a religious affair, than it should be open to everyone - anything less would be unconstitutional.

[MindPilot]

19. OK, maybe Imus was a bad example.

Bill Maher and Phil Donahue were both fired ultimately because they said things of which their employers did not apporove. That sword cuts both ways.

[unpossibles]

4. I am small-l libertarian with most social issues

such as vice and other "morality" laws, and am against imperialistic foreign policy, the death penalty, etc. I have no problem with gun control in that more people need to be educated in the safe handling of them, and honestly would not be against licensing them (no flames please).

On the other hand, I detest most Libertarian economic "theory" and find it laughably simplistic and sadly unrealistic. No one likes paying taxes, but I recognize they go toward some excellent programs and ideas and safety nets, so look at them as admission to a society which in theory allows me to be what and who I want to be.

I also find the idea of unregulated business and privatized everything as not working and actually damaging to society, thus to me. Look at Walter Reed, Enron, Haliburton, or our Health system for proof. Without the safety regulations you dislike, how many of us would be dead right now? Yes, I know - the whole "spoil the child" argument, that it makes us more cattle like and less reliant on ourselves for staying out of danger, but honestly, many dangerous things are not things we choose, but are a result of unscrupulous business practices.

[LWolf]

5. I'm a leftist libertarian,

who happens to be a registered Democrat.

At least, according to the political compass.

[helderheid]

6. same

[JHB]

10. ditto (if I may be excused for using that teminology)

In many things, the best way to maximize personal freedom is to build a strong common infrastructure.

[Fuzz]

32. As am I

I have referred to myself as a socialtarian, which really makes no sense :)

A government by the people, for the people and get rid of this Us vs Them crap, 'cause we shouldn't be ruled over, don't need it, don't want it.

[Dulcinea]

57. Socially liberal, tend towards fiscal conservatism.

Does that count?

[LWolf]

59. I don't know where that would put you on the continuum,

but I've known many people who describe their politics exactly that way.

I used to think it meant that they were moderates who would vote for the most moderate of the 2 choices, dem or republican.

GWB has blown the lid off of the idea that the republican party is at all fiscally conservative. I know that causes many republicans of my aquaintance considerable consternation.

Where does that place you on the compass? Find out here:

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

I've taken it many times, and while my placement varies a little due to the questions that don't offer me a satisfactory response, I'm always a little to the left and south of Gandhi.

[Norwood]

8. Agree on almost all points

I dont like abortion but its not my (or the governments) place to say what a woman can and can't do with her body. I'm also very pro-gun because I own them and because I think banning guns would do nothing. If someone really wants a gun enough they can and will get it.

[Warpy]

9. Well, I do have a few quibbles (big surprise)

No, gun control won't work at this point. However, licensure for the purchase of ammo can slow thugs and crazies down.

Do you honestly think women should be forced to have abortions if you think they have too many children? How libertarian is that? It's not your decision, binky.

Imus wasn't censored by the government. He was an ass and his sponsors pulled out. That's why he was fired, he was no longer bringing any money in. I would no longer promote government censorship than I would force advertisers to support folks I either like or don't like. Both are wrong.

Government has a vested interest in a lot of the law surrounding having a non relative appointed to first degree relative status, which is basically what marriage/domestic partnership is. I'd have civil marriage "happen" when both people sign the license/contract in front of witnesses. The cake and the preacher can be extras for those who desire them.

The military desperately needs to have its mission redefined as one of national security, not corporate adventurism. Put the Pentagon on a diet, fund alternative energy research, fund the transition to single payer, and fix the damned streets. THAT is national security, not some country club base in the tropics.

I find myself socially libertarian while thinking only a mixed socialist/capitalist economy will WORK for us all. I don't know what you'd call that. I don't honestly care, either.

[Taverner]

11. My response

No, gun control won't work at this point. However, licensure for the purchase of ammo can slow thugs and crazies down.

Licensure doesn't stop crime - the crazies will either get a hold of guns illegally or use another weapon.


Do you honestly think women should be forced to have abortions if you think they have too many children? How libertarian is that? It's not your decision, binky.


No I don't want forced abortions. But I do think abortions should not be the monster in the closet either. They should be promoted, advertised and encouraged on a broad scale.

[Warpy]

15. Funny

I said nothing about stopping crime. I said it would slow thugs and crazies down, and sometimes buying time is what we need most to get these guys off the streets.

I sincerely doubt advertising abortions would spur demand. Do you think surgeons should advertise gall bladder surgery to spur demand? Hold specials? You get surgery when you NEED it and that is the only thing that will create the demand. Advertising is offensive in this case. It's still not your decision, nor can you create demand.

[bunkerbuster1]

12. Yep, I usually come out fairly left-libber on those political compasses.

I don't agree with everything you posted, but none of it made me retch and heave.

I'll include something--open borders. Not practical, yet, but it ought to be a goal. If money can cross borders more or less unfettered, so should labor. (Of course it would be in our interests as a nation to promote humane hiring and environmental practices, which is not a very libertarian thing to say.)

[Solon]

14. I agree with everything but the abortion and gay marriage ones...

Government should have no place or say as to what a woman does with her body, and Gay Marriages should be recognized, marriages are legally binding contracts between the state and a couple, leading to thousands of benefits, whether its a same sex or two sex couple should make no difference.

Also, while I agree with your ideas on what to do with the Military Budget after downsizing it, some of that money should be used to help fund a Single Payer system, help pay down the debt, and reinvest in new infrastructure for a zero carbon economy.

[Lilith Velkor]

25. Why should the state discriminate in favor of couples?

It's none of their damn business who is coupled with whom.

[Solon]

41. I actually agree with you...

Any group that wants to form a poly relationship, as long as they are old enough to enter a legally binding contract on their own, should be legally recognized and protected.

[Lilith Velkor]

48. That's not what I was asking

What I was asking was, what business is it of the government whether one is married or single?

Why is it OK for any institution to discriminate on the basis of marital status? It disturbs me that so few people question that.

[NMMNG]

58. But if tax breaks and other incentives aren't offered for marriage,

Then people will be less likely to get married--they might not get married at all. And marriage is the social and moral foundation of our society. Without it we'd be no better than sewer rats. :sarcasm:

[tkmorris]

16. I have always thought so

But I gotta tell you, after reading your list of personal beliefs, that I am not like you at ALL. In fact several of those don't even make sense to me.

For example, abortion is currently legal. You state that you you are pro-abortion, because people are having too many kids. Umm, if it's already legal and we still have the "too many kids" problem what are you proposing?

I'm anti-censorship as well, but Imus wasn't censored. He was fired. If I hire a landscaper and they carve a Reagan profile into my lawn their ass is getting fired and that isn't censorship either. I pay them, I decide what they say on my dime.

I think we can agree on a basic philosophy though, one in which the government stays out of everyone's business unless and until they provide a compelling and immediate reason to interfere.

[distantearlywarning]

17. Yeah, I pretty much agree with everything you said.

On all the political compass tests, I always come out as leftist-libertarian.

[slackmaster]

18. "Libertarian-leaning Democrats" are just Republicans who smoke weed

:sarcasm:

[MindPilot]

24. No, those are the full-on Libertarians.

"Libertarian-leaning Democrats" are Centrist Swing Voters who not only want to smoke weed, but believe their "single-payer medical insurance" should cover it.

:sarcasm:

[Solon]

30. Libertarians, with a Capital L, are Repukes who smoke weed...

Libertarian Leftists, on the other hand, just value life and liberty well above that of Corporations or property.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. I'm an Anarchist. aka: Left - libertarian/Socialist - libertarian.

I'm against those who wield power over other people's lives.

I'm for gun-control because guns confer power.

I'm pro - choice because I consider it a human right to have control of one's body.

I'm against the death penalty because I don't believe the state should have the right to murder, or for the politically correct, commit homicide.

I agree that the government should have no say in marriage.

I certainly agree on the "defense" budget which is designed only to keep those already in power, in power.


"Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." - Thomas Paine

[NeedleCast]

22. Guns

I'm for gun-control because guns confer power.

Not if you give everyone a gun...

[benEzra]

56. So you want the state to have an absolute monopoly of power?

I'm an Anarchist. aka: Left - libertarian/Socialist - libertarian.

I'm for gun-control because guns confer power.

So you want the state to have an absolute monopoly of power?

That's neither libertarian nor anarchist; it's raw authoritarianism, IMHO.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

61. No.

As an Anarchist, I consider the wielding of power through force by individuals or the state equally unjust.

[NeedleCast]

21. Me.

Pretty much spot on for me. I don't know that I'd go so far as to say I'm pro-abortion, but I'm certainly not against it.

But it's mostly because I love Tang.

[proud2BlibKansan]

23. Not me

I am looking forward to drawing my social security and I like public education, I favor government run single payer health care and I also support welfare and food stamps.

[RedEarth]

29. Not me, either.......

Not only for the reasons stated in your post, but a multitude of other reasons. One of the primary reasons, is I don't trust big corporations.

[Solon]

33. You are confusing Libertarian with a Capital L with libertarian leftism(socialism)...

Generally the basic premise for this political philosophy is for the Government to leave citizens unmolested, take care of their needs, and bug the Corporations instead. I think that's a good summation.

[MindPilot]

26. Is there such a thing as a Capitalist Libertarian Socialist?

I think that's what I am. I think there should be

social safety nets

a concept of doing things for "the public good"

very heavy regulation and control of corporations

education, health care and justice for everyone, not just those who can afford it

a free market but subject to the aforementioned corporate controls

virtually unfettered individual freedom -- unless you are harming someone else.

In other words, individual citizens get pretty much left the hell alone while government and corporate power are severely limited and focused on the public good.

[melody]

27. I used to be

I was a liberal libertarian, but if anything has shown me that we need staunch governmental
control on corporations, it's the Bush administration. All those old fantasies I had
about basic human decency, even at the corporate level, have all been done away with.

[Richard Steele]

28. I agree with Libertarianism on many social issues, but their fiscal ideas are childish nonsense.

I don't "lean" their way...they just happen to be right
about some things. No leaning is involved.

[immoderate]

31. I say "libertarian socialist" -- a term from Chomsky, and others.

Republicans generally, want to spend the capital. The parable of cutting open the golden goose comes to mind. I think supporting our infrastructure and providing for educational and health needs is an investment, and increases our human capital. I agree about research money. On your list of wonders, I would add Gore-Tex, flash memory, and singing birthday cards.

As for abortion, I largely agree that politically and legally it should be treated as if it's an "Undo Pregnancy Ctrl-Z" command. But then there are medical, and emotional aspects that should make it somewhat less of a pastime.

I'm OK with guns. I own one. I'll even own up and say that I owned this gun, and another, when I lived in an area where it was illegal to own one. My bottom line on guns is the same as I have on drugs: Who should have the right to deny me these things if I want them?

Obviously, I support you on freedom of speech. I even think you should be able to go to a crowded fire and yell, "Theater!" Imus -- he was just fired.

Our government, which should represents our idealized collective self, cannot promote death as the solution to any problem, where there is an alternative.

Yeah, when in doubt I paraphrase the great political philosopher who said, "Give me liberty, or leave me alone!"

--IMM

[MGKrebs]

34. Gun control most definitely works.

People can't generally buy bazookas or depleted uranium firing automatic weapons for a reason. They are a big threat to society. They are guns. There are reasonable limits to what society will tolerate to balance their safety vs. rights. Most things can be had with the proper clearance and license, and that is reasonable. I also don't think we should be trying to take everyone's guns, but "gun control" doesn't have to be about that. We are really just talking about where to draw the line.

[sendero]

53. They don't buy those things..

... because nobody wants them. And the people who REALLY want them have them.

[MGKrebs]

54. So since we can't control guns perfectly, we shouldn't control them at all?

Yes, serious people will sometimes find ways to circumvent the rules. But there are a LOT of people for whom rules (and punishment) are the difference between being a good citizen and being destructive. Laws don't prevent every crime, but they prevent many.

[sandnsea]

35. Libertarianism is for those who can't solve problems

Don't know what to do about something, pssht, call it a personal freedom and move on.

[Scout]

45. Libertarians are Republicans who are embarrassed to admit it. n/t

[eggman67]

36. I'm right there with ya n/t

[pitohui]

38. i guess i'm not, those are some...strange...positions

you say: anti-gun control, not because I'm pro gun but because I think it does no good, and infringes on liberties.


sorry, dude, but i think we need to be putting RFID tags in guns and ammo so we can tell where the hell they're going, it's a fucking war going on down here in new orleans, too many people are killing each other and it's destroying our future, a squirrel gun or something, maybe you don't need a license for that, okay, but many guns have no purpose except to kill other people

pro abortion. Yes, that's right, pro abortion. People are having too many kids

i do agree w. this one, as far as i'm concerned, abortion, birth control, sterilization should be offered free of charge on demand by well-trained, well-paid medical personnel, every child should be a wanted child


we should err on the side of liberty rather than security


we all think that, it's just buzz

anti-death penalty. Not because the condemmed doesn't deserve death, but because his or her execution isn't worth our time. Solitary confinement for life - that should be the harshest punishment available.



many people in prison have proved to be innocent, solitary confinement is a form of torture known to drive people mad, i can't condone this, the jury system is worthless, our criminal justice system needs a complete overhaul if you ask me, but if i had to choose and i was convicted of something i didn't do, just kill me don't stand there and torture me so that a for profit prison can continue to make big $$$ keeping me alive

an anti-censorship 100%. Imus is an ass, and was always an ass - but he shouldn't have been fired.



i'm anti-censorship 100%, let the market decide, in the case of imus, no one wanted to hear any more bullshit from that fuckwit so he was quite properly fired

- Gay marriage? Hell I don't think the government should have any part in marriages period

if it didn't, straight people wouldn't enjoy any rights either, are you a lawyer by any chance, imagine the fortunes to be made if instead of being married EVERYONE had to pay many thousands for legal paperwork to insure that their own spouse inherited property, could visit them in hospital or make decisions for them when they were incapacitated, and so on

Downsize the military and bring them all home. That includes everyone except those on the DMZ in South Korea. We have to solve that one first before we leave.


ah, a south korean lawyer, got it now (kidding, dude)

i'm pretty confident we need military bases in other places than korea, if we are to provide this country w. a strong defense

[High Plains]

39. Whew, at first I thought you said Liebermantarian

[Beaverhausen]

40. Where do you stand on taxes, minimum wage and regulations?

[Solon]

42. I'll answer for myself, I don't know when the OP will come back...

I'm a Libertarian Socialist, so I don't know if the OP is that, though I agree with his OP, by and large. Anyways, I believe we should have a nationwide living wage law that isn't a set number, but rather requires employers to pay a living wage based on local standards of living in cities and counties as determined by the Census. As far as Taxes, a truly progressive income tax would be nice, exempt low income folks, and have a sliding scale that tops out at 90% for those making over 10 mil a year. Regulations are lax as it is, so, in regards to regulations, they should be strengthened, and in addition to this, the penalties need to be much higher, this includes taking percentages(50% on up), or outright confiscating, profits of companies breaking laws, and for the worst offenders, revoking their corporate charters and liquidating the company assets.

[NeedleCast]

43. I'll answer for me

Since I'm mostly in agreement with the OP

Taxes: Necessary. I like roads. I like schools. I the fact that someone comes and takes away my waste and recycling once or twice a week. I like NASA and all kinds of research. I like courts and fire departments and police departments. I have no problem at all paying for these things with taxes. What I don't like is hidden taxes like gas taxes, luxury taxes, tolls, estate taxes, etc. I would have no problem at all paying a higher income tax if it meant doing away with hidden taxes. I even support most social programs, although I'd like to see better oversight of many of them. I'd also like tighter controls of what the various government agencies are spending on and more effective penalties against abuse of funds.

Were I to get my way, we'd have a slightly higher overall income tax with the removal of all hidden taxes. It would be a progressive system that taxed the wealthy at a higher rate than the poor.

Minimum Wage: It would take me many paragraphs to get into this, so I'll just summarize and say that I think there needs to be a minimum wage. I'll also add that minimum wage should be set locally, or at the broadest level, by state.

Regulations: Of what? Sorry, don't have enough info to answer you here.

[ComerPerro]

44. don't forget my favorite parts of Libertarianism

fanatic insistence on "self-reliance" (pulling yourself up by your bootstraps), lack of a central government of any kind, no federal funding for anything such as poverty or medical assistance, no nationalized health care, abolishment of public funding for schools and education, etc...

great platform...

:sigh:

[Taverner]

46. Hey I said "Libertarian-Leaning" not full blown

Personally I think the idea of Central Government and Social Programs are necessary, and the programs like health care cost next to nothing compared to the military etc...

[Canuckistanian]

47. Imus wasn't "censored". He was fired for BEING an ass

Censorship has always been defined as the GOVERNMENT suppressing free expression of thought.

Imus did something incredibly stupid. His bosses thought he should be fired for it. He got fired.

I see no evidence of government pressure here at all.

[JVS]

49. I am pissed off that a democratically controlled legislature unanimously voted to ban Salvia in IL

I won't be voting for those fuckers again.

[NotGivingUp]

50. whaaat?? they banned salvia?? for what fricking pretend reason? nt

[JVS]

51. Because drugs hurt kids or some dumb fucking shit like that

http://www.johnmillner.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=56

[NotGivingUp]

52. weird...i always knew it simply as a butterfly-attracting plant. nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

55. You lost me on Imus.

I'm 100% censorship. I'm also in favor of firing incompetent employees.

[Javaman]

60. But what is your stand on government control and business?

that's where the libertarian house of cards falls apart.