Everyday, the political debate (or lack thereof) in the United States goes on. It ebbs and flows, heats and cools as time goes on. High points of political debate (election time) and low (the middle point where there are no elections) follow each other with regularity. This political debate most often seems to center around two major points of view- Republican or Democrat, "conservative" or "liberal", right or left...
Yet a growing faction of the American population increasingly turn away from these "traditional" labels. Refusing to define themselves with the narrow strictures of a set roster of ideas and a political moniker that goes with them, these people strike out largely on their own. Several things unite these freelancers, though what has come to be called the Libertarian movement has people ranging from the anarchist to the near-Republican to the near-Democrat. Yet most Libertarians can agree on three things-
- Personal liberty is the most important thing
- The Constitution of the United States is a pretty good model for a non interventionist government
- For America to survive, even in her current state of semi-decay, she must return to some semblance of what she once was
There is much dissension among Libertarian ranks; so much so that sometimes, Libertarians can seem to be broken down into several parties of thought rather than just one. This is, perhaps, one of our greatest strengths. Rather than being slaves to a central party doctrine that reigns paramount over our own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and convictions, Libertarians have comparative freedom to decide their own way.
One instance of this is embodied in the Libertarian Party platform. All individuals are sovereign over their own lives, the passage reads, and defense of each individual's choices and rights is paramount: more important than any personal conviction. Of course, one thing must be stated right now- that, though each individual's choice is defended, each individual also cannot trample on the rights of another. That would not be freedom; that is anarchy.
I myself became what could be termed a Libertarian, soon after my "political awakening." (In other words, when I became a political junkie and couldn't stop thinking about it.) I didn't like the Republican platform (no freedom of choice, morality, or thought), nor did I care for the Democratic stance (no economic freedom, curtailed freedom of speech). And so I went somewhere out in the netherworld, and found the Libertarians.
That is, to me, the most beautiful thing about the Libertarians: they are neither Republican nor Democrat, but neither are they in the center somewhere. The major parties have, over the years, drifted closer and closer to one another, and by now, little true difference between them exists. The Libertarians, however, act as a replacement for an old, worn-out system that is doing little for the American people beyond sinking them further into debt, corruption, and war. And yet Libertarianism is not so exclusive in its ideology and party structure that it does not negate voting for another party if one believes said party would more aptly fit ones view of our country.
I am a Libertarian in large part because I don't believe there are any other options (Republican or Democrat, or even the Constitution Party) that truly fit what I believe. I believe, like the Libertarians, that each human being on the globe has a right to do whatever they want so long as that does not interfere with the rights of another. I think that government should play only a minor role in the lives of its citizens- and certainly not as much as it is playing now.
