Are your problems with Libertarians any bigger than your problems with Republicans and Democrats?

Nicely put, Randall.

The actual reason why people do this, pointing to one single issue that they don't agree with and then supporting another candidate or party that they disagree with on many things.

The real reason is because they still play the lesser of two evils game. They refuse to look seriously at third parties that might actually give them a government they can support, rather than pick the one that won't push them over the edge of madness and despair.

Here's something that most people really do not get about Libertarians. It's not about "issues". It's about "principles". The difference is huge. Issues are how you feel about something specific. Principles are about how you analyze something specific and reach the decision of how you feel about the issues. Principles trump popular opinion, so its important to know what principles your candidates have. Most Republicans and Democrats simply don't have these Principles, they have platforms, which is precisely why they change on issues so easily.

Given that you know how easily the two majors can change on issues, why is it even important that they agree with you on issues anyway?

* Suth, I understand what you're saying. Bear in mind that Democracy only works if each person voting votes as if theirs is the only vote that counts. The Lesser of Two Evils is not democracy, it's something else entirely. Voting for the least bad result is ensuring you will always get a bad result. There's no other explanation for the consistent downward spiral in quality of candidates for over forty years by both parties, Reagan being something of an anomaly. A vote for McCain is a vote for an even less acceptable choice next time, regardless of the outcome this time.

It's simply a matter of how bad it needs to get before you stop encouraging it. I passed my tolerance twenty years ago. I'm not voting for McCain, even though I do agree that he'd be the lesser of two evils. I'm simply not going to vote for a bad choice ever again. I'd as soon stay home and let it happen without my participation.

I've voted Libertarian in the past but since the 80's they've leaned toward economic liberty at the cost of personal liberty. I'm glad they've begun to take the assault on our privacy seriously since Bush has begun an all out attack on the Constitution.

My main problem with Libertarian philosophy is the belief in unrestricted corporations. I believe corporations are the most powerful, and thereby dangerous, force in the world. They need to be reigned in not allowed free reign.

Still I would consider voting Liberatarian this year. They are the only party discussing our total disregard for personal freedom and our right to be left alone. (A right Rep Justices Scalia and Thomas say does not even exist.)

Edit (answer to above): Free reign to pay slave wages, bribe gov't officials to get non-competitive contracts, destroy small business competition. Read history of the "robber barons" in the US. Read about corporations finding, buying and funding dictatorial takeovers in 3rd world countries today.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Corporations are no exception.

Republicans- haven't any means to think of approximately something abstractly and are captivated with 50's ideals and earnings margins. they haven't any regard for the ecosystem, dislike minorities and nonconformity on a similar time as glorifying conflict. Democrats- have faith in social administration and massive government forms. they are pretentious and self-righteous and are below the incorrect effect that government is physically powerful and that taxes make pollutants disappear. they might practice eugenics thankfully if it produced extra "equality" and homogeny. Libertarians- Obnoxious political evangelists, preaching capitalism and atheism like they haven't any flaws and bowing to that heartless monster Ayn Rand who easily believes altruism is a illness. they haven't any means to establish or marketplace themselves and take a BS righteous stance that for the reason that they did no longer vote for the different adult adult males, they are doing their section to maintain the international. Populists- favourite jackasses. No remark.

from Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz:

[Neo-liberal market fundamentalism was always a political doctrine serving certain interests. It was never supported by economic theory. Nor, it should now be clear, is it supported by historical experience. Learning this lesson may be the silver lining in the cloud now hanging over the global economy.]

Only Republicans subscribe to neo-liberal market fundamentalism (i.e. Thatcherism, Reaganomics). Neo-liberalism was a reformed iteration of laissez-faire economics required to offset its negative effects which resulted in commercial and financial crises for over a century culminating in the Great Depression. Only the Libertarians want us to return to those bad old days of economics. For some strange reason they think it will solve our problems. It's almost as if they've never read a single history book.

I have no problems with Libertarians, in fact, I'm more Libertarian than not. The fear that I have is handing my vote over to Barack by voting for a third party candidate and for that, I couldn't live with myself.

Here's a neat test to find out where you stand:

(My score)

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 80%.

Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 100%.

I'm a small "l" libertarian because I don't want to be held down by a political party. I support Bob Barr for president and hope he will get enough of the popular vote in polls to get into debates.

People just use what you said in order to justify themselves voting for a major party candidate becuase "they have a better chance of winning."

Oh I'm going to vote Libertarian, but I still resent the militia movement trying to take it over. That's my only real beef with them.

There's a libertarian in all of us, but when you group us together, we give many of our rights away for the sake of the majority. It's one of those ideals we strive for but never quite reach.

I agree wholeheartedly.

What have the policies of the left, and the so-called right, given us?

A bloated entitlement system that is bankrupting this nation causing unemployment and increased poverty (causing the exact reverse affect than it's intent).

An overall tax rate similar to a socialized country, but without any of the benefits.

A national debt at $9 trillion and growing.

A police state having a full 25% of the world's prison population while only accounting for 5% of the world's overall population. The war on drugs has caused our "free" nation to have 1 1/2 times as many people in jail as China, and they have 5 times the number of people and are ruled by a ruthless dictator.

Removal of all our rights going back to the 12th century when you include the recent removal of habeas corpus.

An Orwellian mind-control media full of popaganda, lies and infotainment, distracting the masses while the corporatacracy takes control of every aspect of our lives including choosing our leaders for us.

Wanna know the real deal?

The majority of WE, THE PEOPLE are for helping out the poor and middle class, but we're not too bright in that we keep electing rich criminals to represent us... the poor and middle class. Essentially, we're electing who the media parades in front of us, when they are all bought and paid for many times over.

It's all about getting into power, staying there, and milking us out of our tax dollars. The politicians are beholden to the lobbyists, special interest groups, and multinational corporations. In the politician's quest to retain power, which takes money and the media, they cater not to the American taxpayer, but to the corporations and other groups that fund their campaigns.

The politicians, the media, the "banksters", and the corporations are all running a big game on us.

It's a long story, but basically it comes down to this...

We've been duped.

We're all running around arguing "left" vs. "right" like either side is going to change things. We need to realize that it's not about left-right any more. It's about the elite vs. the common citizen... you know, the way it inevitably always ends up... throughout history.

People in the future looking back at us are going to think we were the dumbest group of citizens ever...

We're running around waving our flags, shouting "We're free! We're free!" while they take way all our rights. They're convincing us to be terrified of "terrorists" when you are more likely to win a million bucks in the lottery than to be killed by a terrorist.

They're fretting over 3rd world nations with no navy or airforce, while spending more money on our armed forces than all the other nations on earth combined.

They're bankrupting our nation while borrowing money from communist nations who used to be considered our biggest enemies.

And you may think it's the neo-cons doing all this... I'm a republican and I don't like the neo-cons either (I voted for Ron Paul)... but if you think that the front-running democrats aren't bought and paid for as well, you are sadly mistaken. I just read today where the Congress, controlled by democrats, has a 9% approval rating.

What it boils down to is the corporate/political elite are fleecing our country around us... while we vote them in AGAIN with big smiles on our faces.

We have a 90% reelection rate in our Congress, even though things get worse and worse every year. The Soviets had a 92% reelection rate and they only had one party!

What it all boils down to is this...

We are ruled by the corporation.

It's not "Of the people, by the people, for the people..." any more.

It's "Of the corporation, by the corporation, for the corportation."

FASCISM.

Critics equate too much corporate power and influence with fascism. Often they cite a quote claimed to be from Mussolini: "Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power."

Mussolini was not the only one to recognize this. Franklin D. Roosevelt in an April 29, 1938 message to Congress warned that the growth of private power could lead to fascism:

"The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power."

We are in a fascist state. The quicker people get around to realizing this... the quicker we can fix it. But they don't even realize it's happening because our "news" media is owned by the same corporate powers.

George Orwell would love to see this sh*t.

No matter which of the corporate-selected candidates get into office, the average American taxpayer will be SCREWED.

Check out this video presentation. It explains exactly why our system is BROKEN, and why neither party is going to change it...

http://www.ourcaucus.com/

The next decade is going to make the 70's look like a cakewalk.

Since George Carlin passed on the other day, I'll let him finish my answer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI5EY5kqiBU

Libertarins lack the numbers to be effective but they are gaining. Good luck to them.