This weekend they selected Bob Barr as the candidate to run on the Libertarian ticket. How does something like this happen, you ask? Well, from where I stand, it appears disgruntled members of the GOP have co-opted the Libertarian Party and turned into what could be termed the “Old Republican Party”, basically an ultra-conservative alternative to the current Republican Party. Why would they do that? Ignoring Libertarian philosophy that maintains that people have the right to live as they see fit so long as they don’t trample on the rights of others (e.g. – anti-”war on drugs,” pro-choice, for the promotion of a secular public sphere, etc.), they’ve zeroed in on the Libertarian stance against taxation, seeing this as a loophole to be skewed for their own (corporate) self-interested agendas. That sucks.
The Libertarian Party appealed to me in previous years because it supports my second amendment rights, calls for government to stay out of our private lives, and promotes states’ rights. Hell, I even voted for Badnarik, a Libertarian candidate, in the 2004 presidential election. Libertarianism has molded and shaped my greater life philosophy over the years and continues to be an important part of my moral paradigm, namely by serving as a reminder that we don’t have to agree, but we do need to respect the fact that differences exist, and some semblance of peace can be attained if we learn to live and let live (or die).
But the Libertarian Party sold out. It’s been co-opted by the Right. It’s beyond sad but not surprising.
And so, I retract my support for the Libertarian Party while remaining faithful to many of its (abandoned and forgotten) principles.
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Safiyyah said
I sort of feel that way about the Republican Party. I was a life-long Republication until this year. They sure didn’t give us much to vote for. If that bunch is the best they can do, I also retract my support.
And I did. I registered as Dem so I could vote for Obama. When the election is over, I’m going back to being an Independent. I’m sick of them all. But like you said, I am remaining faithful to many of its abandoned and forgotten principles.