Eric Scheie describes the libertarian viewpoint as it contrasts with mainstream political though:
...[O]ne of the most painful difficulties I have found in having a libertarian viewpoint: being a libertarian means letting most people down. That's because most people are liberal or conservative, and when they follow this natural tendency to see what they want, why, liberals often try to see a libertarian as a liberal, while conservatives will see him as a conservative. But then, once the libertarian is forced to let his new friends down (by saying stuff they don't want to hear), then liberals will call him conservative, and conservatives will call him liberal.Which means that in real life, to be an honest libertarian means that you'll be at the very least letting most people down, at worst hated.
I haven't had a lot hate directed at me for my political views. A few nasty comments on this blog, maybe.
Posted by Walter at December 17, 2004 01:35 PMI see it a little different--I don't feel let down by my libertarian friends mostly because I don't expect them to always agree with me.
Of course, I do occasionally think that libertarians are a little wacky, but I'm sure that's mild compared to what some of the bigger L libertarians think of me...
Posted by: zombyboy at December 20, 2004 01:43 PMWhat I think of you, Zomby, has nothing at all to do with being a libertarian.
Most of the time telling someone I'm a libertarian gets no reaction other than mildly puzzled questions: "How can you throw away your vote?" "Who would pay for the roads/schools/police?"
The worst I ever get is, "But if we put Libertarians in charge won't having sex with animals be legal?" My response is always, sure, but we're not going to make you do your dog.
Posted by: Matt Moore at December 20, 2004 04:09 PManarchist fucktards. I hope you rot in the mire of your own unregulated sociopoliticalswamp.
Posted by: Jeff G at December 29, 2004 09:13 PM