The political extremism of Donald Trump, Democratic Socialists, and others is a great argument for reducing the size and scope of politics in everyday life.

Things are getting uglier by the second in American politics and the sheer awfulness of the current moment perfectly illustrates why I'm libertarian. Do you really want to live in a world where you're constantly living inside either Donald Trump's mind or that of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's (DN.Y.) democratic socialist "squad"
Our lives are too short, too fleeting, too important to spend all of our waking hours engaged in the systematic organization of hatreds, which is as good a working definition of politics as there is. There's ultimately not a lot of wiggle room between Trumpian conservatism, which demands complete reverence for the Donald and includes bolder and bolder threats to stifle free speech along with free trade, and Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Dealism, which explicitly uses the totalist regimentation of all aspects of American life during World War II as its model. If I wanted to deal with politics all the time, I'd move to a totalitarian country already.
Libertarians are not anarchists but believers in limited government. Certain rights cannot be voted away but we believe that there are areas of life where consensus legitimately rules and that policy should be set by the group rather than the individual. Precisely because politics is a form of force and coercion, though, the parts of our lives governed by consensus should be as small as possible, limited to essential services such as basic infrastructure, law enforcement, safety standards, welfare for the indigent, and some education. The government should treat all people as individuals and all individuals as equal before the law. Over the years, I've become less dogmatic about exactly how little or how much the state should do, preferring instead to talk about libertarian as an adjective or a pre-political sensibility, "an outlook that privileges things such as autonomy, open-mindedness, pluralism, tolerance, innovation, and voluntary cooperation over forced participation in as many parts of life as possible."
Where you and I will draw those lines will likely differ depending on a variety of things and, by all means, let's have fierce yet civil debates over the scope and efficacy of specific policies and actions. But let's also avoid the shit show currently on display. Leading the parade of fools is, of course, President Trump, whose recent tweets are not simply racist or in poor taste but deeply un-American
Where exactly does he get off telling people that if they don't like everything about the United States, they should leave? That only one of the four Democratic representatives he was originally attacking was actually born in a foreign country underscores his lack of cognitive functioning and the deep-seated nativism of his mindset. Even if you're born here, he's saying, you're not really American unless you look like him.
So interesting to see "Progressive" Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
.and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don't they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
More importantly, Trump's aggressively banal jingoism stands in direct and obvious contradiction to the origins of the United States, both as colonial havens populated by religious dissenters and people seeking economic opportunity, and later as a breakaway republic from an oppressive government. "Our Country is Free, Beautiful and Very Successful. If you hate our Country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave," the president counseled today, as if exit is the only legitimate option when it comes to lobbying for political change
If he read books, I'd suggest that Trump pick up a copy of Albert O. Hirschman's 1970 treatise on "responses to declines in firms, organizations, and states." Exit, Voice, and Loyalty discusses the different ways individuals can effect change. Leaving to go elsewhereexitis indeed an option, but so is basically sucking it up and becoming an uncritical organization man (loyalty), or complaining and working to change the system (voice). Trump's basic argument is reductio ad Archie Bunkerismlove it or leave it. It's not worth engaging seriously and indeed, the only reason he isn't being more roundly mocked is that he's wrapped his dumb canard in ugly, divisive language that participates in long traditions of racial and ethnic exclusion.
Our Country is Free, Beautiful and Very Successful. If you hate our Country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2019
By the same token, the Ocasio-Cortez squad offers no hope of escaping politics, either. Instead, it seeks to fully regulate expression in the name of political purposes. One of its members, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (DMass.), effectively channels Trump's "you're with us or against us" mindset when she declares, "We don't need any more brown faces that don't want to be a brown voice. We don't need black faces that don't want to be a black voice. We don't need Muslims that don't want to be a Muslim voice. We don't need queers that don't want to be a queer voice."
Rep Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) "We don't need any more brown faces that don't want to be a brown voice. We don't need black faces that don't want to be a black voice. We don't need Muslims that don't want to be a Muslim voice. We don't need queers that don't want to be a queer voice" pic.twitter.com/2NIj5Vvcor
Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) July 15, 2019
The unwillingness of Ocasio-Cortez to acknowledge good-faith disagreements even with her political alliesshe's accused Rep. Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) of "explicitly singling out newly elected women of color," insinuating that the Democratic Speaker of the House is racist like the presidentis a tactic used by Trump and his supporters
This is politics at its absolute worst. It helps explain why the long-term trend of Americans refusing to identify as a Democrat or a Republican proceeds apace. Last month, Gallup found just 27 percent of respondents admitting that they are Democrats and only 26 percent admitting that they are Republicans. Each of those numbers is at or near historic lows
Who can blame us, really? Especially when there is a legitimate alternative to reducing your entire existence to political grudge matches between repellent teams who explicitly tell you to check your brain at the door? "The Libertarian Moment" didn't materialize when Matt Welch and I first coined the phrase in 2008, nor did it materialize when it was being talked about in the pages of The New York Times Magazine, that's for sure. But the idea of living in a world beyond politics, where we can agree to disagree about how to live most of our lives, is looking better and better all the time.
#1: Hondo68 To: Deckard, Fox Love-In, Grab 'em, *The Two Parties ARE the Same* (#0)
Hondo68 posted on 2019-07-17 08:25:50 Reply Private Reply
#2: IbJensen To: Deckard (#0)
Many Libertarians are homosexuals. Not all, but most. Very democratic in that women can be Libertarian lesbians too.,Which category do you 'fit' in Deckhand?
IbJensen posted on 2019-07-17 08:41:45 Reply Private Reply
#3: A K A Stone To: IbJensen (#2)
That isn't true.
A K A Stone posted on 2019-07-17 08:44:12 Reply Private Reply
#4: Deckard To: IbJensen (#2)
Another delusional post.
Never heard of the Log Cabin Republicans sport?
Deckard posted on 2019-07-17 08:52:20 Reply Private Reply
#5: IbJensen To: Deckard (#4)
Libertarian homos are more subtle. They're under the L umbrella with the other misfits.
IbJensen posted on 2019-07-18 06:43:41 Reply Private Reply
#6: IbJensen To: A K A Stone (#3)
In 1972, John Hospers, who was widely believed to be gay (although not openly so),ran for President as the Libertarian Party's first presidential candidate.
In 1975, Ralph Raico helped to create the Libertarian For Gay Rights caucus within the party and subsequently published Gay Rights: A Libertarian Approach.
The second LGBT rights organization to operate from a libertarian perspective was the Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns. The organization held its first national convention in 1985 and sought to promote libertarianism to LGBT Americans.
In 1998, Outright Libertarians was formed. Outright Libertarians are also affiliated with the Libertarian Party and takes many of the same position that the Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns did in the 1980s.
IbJensen posted on 2019-07-18 06:52:07 Reply Private Reply
#7: sneakypete To: IbJensen (#2)
Many white people are homosexuals. Not all,but most homosexuals are white.
Better make an appointment to be skinned or I am going to start calling you a sissy-boy.
sneakypete posted on 2019-07-21 15:19:24 Reply Private Reply
#8: IbJensen To: sneakypete (#7)
What's white people have to do with it?
I'll call you girley man.
IbJensen posted on 2019-07-22 09:07:27 Reply Private Reply
#9: sneakypete To: IbJensen (#8)
ADD got ya down,Bucky?
Most homosexuals in America are white.
sneakypete posted on 2019-07-25 21:35:02 Reply Private Reply
#10: IbJensen To: sneakypete (#9)
Gallup survey, based on interviews with more than 121,000 people, showed that 3.4% of U.S. adults were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT)
Highest proportion in black community, at 4.6%, followed by Asians (4.3%), Hispanics (4%) and Caucasians (3.2%)
Poll found 44% of LGBT adults were Democratic, and 13% Republican
IbJensen posted on 2019-07-26 11:02:42 Reply Private Reply
#11: Hondo68 To: IbJensen, the Queer ticket for 2020 (#10)
Around 80% of R's are fags, but only about 20% of D's and Indy's are as gay as Mitt.
Hondo68 posted on 2019-07-26 12:14:11 Reply Private Reply
#12: sneakypete To: IbJensen (#8)
Just reinforcing your point that "most Libertarians are homosexuals",Ruth.
After all,most Libertarians are white people.
sneakypete posted on 2019-08-24 11:15:57 Reply Private Reply
#13: sneakypete To: IbJensen (#10)
Ahh,you still don't understand the concept of "most" being more than 51 percent,do you,Betty?
Out of the total black population,what number does 4.6 percent represent?
Out of the total white population,what number does 3.02 percent represent?
Final question,good for bonus points so make sure you take your time with this one,and be free to consult with relatives and imaginary friends before answering,
Which group has more homosexuals by ACTUAL NUMBER,NOT "proportions?
sneakypete posted on 2019-08-24 11:21:00 Reply Private Reply
#14: sneakypete To: Hondo68 (#11)
Speaking from personal dating experience,Hondo?
sneakypete posted on 2019-08-24 11:22:23 Reply Private Reply
#15: Deckard To: Hondo68 (#11)
Huh...What??
The Republican Party contains homos?
Say it ain't so!
Deckard posted on 2019-08-24 11:29:22 Reply Private Reply
#16: sneakypete To: Deckard (#15)
I think they all live in Log Cabins in places like Martha's Vineyard,Malibu,and the North Shore.
Wealthy Dim homos live in mansions in DC,the entire left coast,and the northeast.
sneakypete posted on 2019-08-24 11:32:11 Reply Private Reply
#17: nolu chan To: Deckard (#0)
Uhhh... No. Arguments may be made, but that sure ain't a minimally good one, much less a great one.
But, of course President Trump did not say exit is the only legitimate option when it comes to lobbying for political change. He said it was one possible option if you hate our country and are not happy here. President Trump is correct.
The Libertardian's basic argument is that he is so smart, wise, and sophisticated that countering Trump's successful arguments is beneath him. Open borders for all. If you're not Libertardian, you are raciss and in Hillary's bucket of deplorables.
Really, how libertardian to state that overt racist statements of Ocasio Cortez claimed that Pelosi is racist like the President. How libertardian to claim that the use of overt racist claims, such as those used by Ocasio-Cortez, is a tactic used by Trump and his supporters.
But the percentage of respondents who would admit to being Libertardian is so small as to be embarrassing to Libertardians and not mentioned by the propagandizing Libertardian.
Which explains why the Libertardian Party can get absolutely nobody elected.
It is precisely because of Libertardian, morally superior fruitcakes like this that Team Deplorable won and Team Hillary's Bucket lost.
We all remember the Libertardian Moment when their candidates ran for president against Donald Trump. Gary Johnson and William Weld. Anti-Trumper Weld is not available because he is running for the Bill Kristol award. Gary Johnson is on a research mission to determine what is a leppo. But superhero anti-Trump Justin Amash is available.
Just think of how bright the Libertardian Moment of the future looks.
https://www.salon.com/2019/05/19/libertarian-party-chairman-justin-amashs-positions-seem-to-most-closely-match-those-of-the-party/
Who is ready for President Amash? If you are not, you are raciss!
And the the never-Trump Libertardians are already queueing up the charge of racism against a prospective 2020 Libertardian candidate. And the war on drugs is, of course, racist. The Libertardians appear almost indistinguishable from the never-Trump Democrats and Socialists. They must share many of their script writers.
The article exemplifies why nobody should join your never-Trump crusade.
nolu chan posted on 2019-08-24 15:08:07 Reply Private Reply
#18: nolu chan To: Deckard (#0)
The racist statements of Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley typify the repulsiveness of The Squad. The repulsive author attempts to make their racist comments about President Trump.
And then there is the ignorant race baiting of Ocasio-Cortez about the Electoral College being a scam with racial injustice. The Electoral College is raciss.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/458122-ocasio-cortez-blasts-electoral-college-as-a-scam
News flash. The people of America have never voted for President. The Constitution has no provision providing or guranteeing that anyone but those selected for the Electoral College vote for President. In the early elections, there was no popular vote and it was constitutional.
The vote for President is made by the members of the constitutional Union. The members of the Union are the States, not the individual citizens. Whether any popular vote takes place in a State is at the discretion of the State. States did, and still could, have delegates to the Electoral College chosen by the State legislature.
Horror of horrors, Donald Trump won the electoral vote without winning the popular vote.
No popular vote was recorded prior to 1824. In 1824, the candidate elected President was John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson won the popular vote 151,271 to 113,122. Andrew Jackson won 99 electoral votes to 84 for John Quincy Adams. John Quincy Adams was elected President in 1824 and Andrew Jackson was not. And lo and behold, nobody found that it was raciss.
https://twitter.com/AOC?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
The Electoral College does not give, nor was it designed to give, affirmative action to groups in America. Affirmative action was unknown when it was implemented.
The Electoral College is about fairness.
The Electoral College does not provide fairness to rural Americans over coastal states.
The Electoral College is designed to provide fairness, and provides fairness, to co-equal States who are the members of the constitutional union, be said States rural and lightly populated, or be they States with large urban areas and with large populations. It provides fairness to the members of the Union, and those are co-equal States. It was those member States that ratified the Constitution prior to joining the constitutional Union.
"Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector." U.S. Constitution, Article 2.
It takes quite a stretch of the imagination to find that having each state appointing its designated number of electors, in the manner of their choosing, is somehow raciss.
Libertardians, Democrats, and Socialists have the creatives imagination to accomplish that task, even if they can't accomplish much else. They can find racism everywhere. Orange man bad.
nolu chan posted on 2019-08-24 15:43:14 Reply Private Reply