Libertarian Democrats?
Over at Daily Kos among all the garbage about stolen elections and the always rampant “Bush Derangement Syndrome” was this post. I think Kos is onto something here. He doesn’t do a great job describing libertarians and why we have more in common with the Democrats than we do Republicans…but he tries…and that is something.
I’ve long thought that if most people were to confront their own political beliefs and ideas about government and its role they would come to the realization that they sympathise with libertarianism. Most people agree that government needs to exist to maintain order but that for the most part it should butt out of peoples’ lives as long as they aren’t harming anyone else.
A comparison of both political parties and their track records over the past 20 years clearly shows that the Republicans are definitely not the party that represents the innate libertarian core that most people possess. Democrats are now at a crossroads where we can take advantage of the fact that many small “l” libertarians are coming to realize this every day. If Democrats were to be more vocal about their desire to enact policies both they and libertarians espouse (ie., eliminating corporate welfare, ending government spying on innocent civilians, the curtailing of “morals” legislation) they would have a much easier time convincing red state America that they are better at championing the many commonly held libertarian beliefs than Republicans.
Democrats don’t yet have the perfect positive message to bring lots of libertarians aboard but we’re starting to do a better job than the Republicans…and if the Kos post linked above is any indication…we’re going to continue to improve in this area. Read the Kos post and as many comments as you can stand then check out responses from the libertarian “purists” at Hit and Run (here, here, and here) and Cato (here and here).
UPDATE: Rob Miller has a post about political parties and voters that is interesting. It is really cool to hear how someone who is actually running for office is thinking about this issue. I agree with Mr. Christison’s view as stated at the linked post that both parties (I hope mine does a better job of course) need to start thinking about how to appeal to voter’s whose interests are clearly not being met by the typical two party thinking being done by most politicians.
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Sorry, I’m still stuck in the middle. I do wish a third strong party would develop.
Comment by Cody — June 9, 2006 @ 3:54 pm
Cody,
I understand how you feel. I decided to take the Party I loved and turn it into the Party it should be. Give me a call, lets talk, and see how the Utah Democratic Party can benefit from your activism.
Rob Miller
Vice Chair
Utah State Democratic Party
801-706-6203
Comment by Rob Miller — June 10, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
I’m very suspicious of almost all Democrats who claim to be Libertarian Democrats. They exist, but they are few. Jesse Walker’s post on Hit and Run http://www.reason.com/hitandrun/2006/06/how_to_be_a_hal.shtml#014236 has great ideas for what Democrats to do to bolster their libertarian credentials. Jesse was the first left-libertarian I ever met. I just wish the Democrats, and Kos, would listen to him.
Comment by Daniel — June 14, 2006 @ 9:00 am