Libertarianism?

[Final-Fan]

rocketpig said:

Final-Fan said:

rocketpig said:
I'm a very moderate Libertarian and I'm registered as one. I joined the party partially because I believe in what they're saying (though not in the extremes most party members rant on and on about) and partially as a protest for the GOP allowing the Religious Right to control the party.

If you think that most members of the Libertarian Party are "ranting extremists", then why not join another third party more to your tastes? Voting for the lesser evil is one thing, but I wouldn't join a party on that basis.

I couldn't agree more about the Republican Party though. Today's Republican Party has not only fallen under the spell of its fundamentalist wing, it has also completely forgotten the fiscal conservatism it used to support, and let's not even talk about civil liberties. Since secular government, fiscal conservatism, and civil liberties are all things I consider vital to the health of the nation ... yeah, I'm not happy with Republicans.

I'm all about fiscal responsibility, the Republic, and complete social freedom. I agree with almost all the principles of the Libertarian party, just not the extremes of many of its leaders and members. It's a natural fit for me though I will probably be voting McCain in November because IMO, he's the only moderate in this election and he shares a lot of my views (I still remember the anti-Religious Right speech he gave in 2000 that basically killed any chance of a nomination and respect him greatly for it). He's a little washed up now but I'll still take his common sense approach to the issues over anyone else running.

OK, but if a party mouths all the right principles but its members and leaders betray them routinely (Republican Party), that's no good. And principles that are good in moderation in contrast to fanatic extremist party practice is not acceptable either. (And I don't know enough about the Libertarian Party to say that's the case but that's what it sounds like based on your description.)

P.S. And just because someone is probably dying to ask, I'm not all that happy with the Democrats either, but the thought of voting for them doesn't make my stomach churn as it does for most Republicans. (McCain would have gotten my vote in 2000; now, he's dropped a notch or two in my book but more importantly I don't think he can reverse the direction of his party that quickly.) That's a pretty fucking low standard but it's what I'm faced with.

Off topic: Runoff voting FTW!