Something was wrong. It seemed I had angered the techno libertarians.

Re:Something was wrong. It seemed I had angered the techno l... by krschultz on Thursday August 20, 2009 @01:34PM (#775579)

A true libertarian believes that the only thing the government should do is protect our country from others protect the rights of the people.

Thats it. Not a single thing more.

The number of people who really believe that is vanishingly small.

I know, I was a party member for a long time. I did a lot more than just post on blogs and read reason.com.

So if that 1-3% of the population were able to have its way, who is really the evil tyrant?

Remember, international waters is only a few dozens of miles from our coast. People say that communism has never succeeded - but neither has libertarianism. You can start today.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Something was wrong. It seemed I had angered the techno l... by billswift on Thursday August 20, 2009 @02:10PM (#775690)

The difference is GOV'T IS COERCION, that is the whole purpose and justification of gov't. Libertarians object to being coerced and to coercing others. Can anyone give me ANY rational reason to do as gov't orders other than to avoid being assaulted or worse? (This is an adequate reason, I obey the law, but I don't think it is a good or rational reason).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Something was wrong. It seemed I had angered the techno l... by krschultz on Thursday August 20, 2009 @03:15PM (#775867)

If the libertarians were able to take power tomorrow and started eliminated government programs, you don't think ANYONE would feel like they were being forced to do something they didn't want to do?

It's only coercion when you're forced to do something YOU don't like, but when it's something you like being forced on everyone else that is OK?

There is no possible route to eliminate coercion as long as people within the society disagree.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Something was wrong. It seemed I had angered the techno l... by calcnerd256 on Thursday August 20, 2009 @04:08PM (#776041)

So others will obey the government when it asks them not to infringe on your freedom. It's not like the government is immune to change. If you don't like it, get involved. If you're in the minority, that's why the United States Federal Government wasn't originally supposed to be very big. States rights are supposed to exist so that you have the option of going elsewhere and gelling with likeminded individuals who will have their local government enforce your will.

[ Parent | on HN ]