Dear Readers,
Long-time Virginia LP member James Curtis explores a question many have been
asking since the summer.
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Will the Real Libertarians Please Stand Up?
By James Curtis
One of the results of the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial election has been to
demarcate a clear divide between libertarian Republicans and Libertarians. For
this discussion, "libertarian Republicans" are defined as members or supporters
of the Republican Party and/or its candidates who self-identify as
"libertarian" in philosophy. ("Big L") "Libertarians" are defined here as
philosophical libertarians who are members or supporters of the Libertarian
Party and/or its candidates.
While there has been talk of "litmus tests" and the measure of one's
"libertarianism," these discussions have detracted from the real separation
between the two groups. One division between the groups seems to be a
tolerance, or even acceptance, of bigotry by libertarian Republicans. By any
definition of the word, Ken Cuccinelli has demonstrated his belief that
homosexuals do not have the same rights as heterosexuals. Examples of such can
easily be found through any internet search. These are not just words on his
part, either. Cuccinelli has a track record of letting his prejudice affect his
performance in public office. Two glaring examples are his support for the
Constitutional amendment prohibiting the Commonwealth from recognizing "same
sex marriages" and his recent efforts to reinstitute anti-sodomy legislation.
Many libertarian Republicans dismiss or discount these and other efforts and
comments. Some have suggested that Cuccinelli would be the "most libertarian"
governor in recent Virginia history. They point to such efforts as the lawsuit
filed against the federal government in regard to some aspects of the
Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare") and his general touting of using Amendment X
(US Constitution) as a means to thwart other federal abuses of authority. While
these efforts may be laudable, they do not adequately demonstrate that
Cuccinelli is "libertarian," especially given his record on social issues. And
this is not to suggest that all social conservatives are bigots. While words
such as "bigot" or "racist" sometimes get used too freely, there is no denial
that such sentiment exists, and has adversely affected Republican policy
positions.
Many Libertarians point out that the philosophy is not just an economic model,
nor one that values "states' rights" to the point where the States may tread on
civil liberties in areas where the federal government is prohibited.
Libertarianism encompasses economic, personal, and even moral aspects of
personal liberty that cannot be separated from the others. In these regards,
bigotry is simply unacceptable. Ron Paul, the definitive libertarian
Republican, dismisses allegations of racism by pointing out it is a form of
collectivism that ignores individuality. While this is true, and Paul calls for
more liberty with a focus on individuality, he seems to stop short of calling
out the immorality of such comments and actions. The true Libertarian
challenges the moral failings of bigotry, and challenges those who defend,
dismiss, or downplay such sentiments to reexamine their respect for libertarian
philosophy. In short, Libertarians reject bigotry, whether involved in public
policy
or n
ot.
Another division between the groups was the unawareness of, dismissal of, or
even hostility towards the "libertarian left" by libertarian Republicans. Many
downplayed, or even attacked, Robert Sarvis' focus on "social issues" during
his campaign. Others twisted his responses to economics questions to argue that
he was not libertarian at all (or not as much as Cuccinelli). Those arguments
on economic issues have been well analyzed elsewhere. The suggestions that
Sarvis was a "social liberal," or that his focus on such issues somehow
demonstrated he was not really libertarian, pointed out the failings of many
libertarian Republicans. As alluded to above, such arguments place too much
emphasis on financial matters at the expense of personal civil liberties. And
as some of the vitriol showed, many libertarian Republicans do not apply the
libertarian philosophy consistently, by downplaying or dismissing the
importance of social issues to many voters, Libertarian or other.
Many Libertarians came to libertarianism through a focus on civil liberties.
Subsets of libertarianism such as left-libertarianism or libertarian socialism
exist and attract many newcomers to the libertarian movement. Groups such as
"LGBT Libertarians" and "Libertarian Democrats" also help spread the
libertarian philosophy with a focus on social issues. And we have to
acknowledge that just as there are libertarians who choose to work within the
Republican Party, there are some who choose to work within the Democratic
Party, often citing similar "pragmatic" arguments for doing so. Many Virginians
who voted for Sarvis were independents who were at least equally attracted to
his positions on social issues as on economic issues.
The most obvious division between libertarian Republicans and Libertarians is
the division over which political party to support. Good faith arguments can be
made for either approach as the best tactic for promoting libertarianism to
Virginians. But, as these other divides may suggest, neither "side" should
expect the other to abandon its chosen path.
But I challenge libertarian Republicans to consider these points. Are you
really comfortable ignoring, or even defending, the prejudices of some of your
Republican colleagues? If not, you either need to work harder to drive such
intolerance out of the Party, or quit supporting such an un-libertarian
organization. Do you believe enough Libertarians, including the libertarian
left, can be persuaded to come and work within the Republican Party to reform
it? Even if some voters can be convinced a reformed Republican Party is
actually a libertarian party, the Republican "brand" may have been too damaged
for many Libertarians to comfortably take up its mantle, or for many
independent voters to support its candidates.
For these and other reasons, the Libertarian Party is the best vehicle through
which to promote libertarianism and libertarian candidates for office. While
there is much divergence of thought within libertarianism (a phenomenon that is
dismissed or downplayed by our political opponents or others who wish to
demonize our efforts), the philosophy does not allow for the social
conservatism that Republicans accommodate nor the economic redistribution that
many Democrats call for. The results in this election, coupled with polling
data that shows growing numbers of Americans who agree with our positions on so
many issues, suggests that the time is ripe for Libertarians to abandon their
efforts in other political parties, and for others to get involved in partisan
politics, so that we can become a more effective political force.
--------------------------------------------
James Curtis currently serves the Libertarian Party of Virginia as its
volunteer Treasurer, and he also supports various Libertarian activities in his
local area.
VOTE LIBERTARIAN!
<http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.LP.org%2F&h=AAQEGJBQzAQGtxasFpZUv4E9vtSt8KvJw3SpcxfTZK8aMLg&s=1>http://www.LP.org/
or 800-ELECT-US
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NOTE: This article is also posted to the LPVA Facebook page -- discuss it in
the comments:
https://www.facebook.com/LPVirginia/posts/755193227842113
----------------------
-- Marc Montoni, Secretary
Libertarian Party of Virginia
P.S. Do you know of other Virginia Libertarians with recently-published
material? Send us the link to each article, and pen a few words to introduce
it to your fellow Libertarians!
P.P.S. Disagree with the author? Have a different perspective? Think there
is a better Libertarian answer? Are you a Virginia resident? Then publish
your op-ed in response on a blog or your website and let us know the URL, and
we will notify our members of it just like we did here.
============================================
RUN FOR OFFICE!
The Libertarian Party of Virginia is currently seeking candidates to run for
public office for the 2014 season. Let us know:
http://Campaign.LPVA.com
============================================
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