Libertarianism
David Bernstein is looking for a soundbite definition of libertarianism.
He offers some. Well, it’s not something that’s easy to soundbite and I’m not much at marketing, but here’s some suggestions:
And my favorite (I’ve read it somewhere but not sure where – so no credit and it’s probably paraphrased):
Update: Or for smarminess, I’d say:
Offer your own.
July 6th, 2006 at 9:18 am
“It’s the government’s job to protect me from others. I’ll protect me from me.”
Clever, but I know you don’t really believe that… I doubt your Tenn CCW permit is to fend off Uncle’s other, less benevolent personalities. 🙂
I’m not sufficiently witty to add anything myself, so instead, I’m sniping at yours. Nice of me, huh?
July 6th, 2006 at 9:33 am
That one works for the federal government but not for the states – unless your ideal involves states passing federal election laws and doing absolutely nothing else. Personally, I prefer “Don’t just do something, stand there!”
July 6th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
It’s old, but what the heck?
Libertarianism: Because Republicanism Isn’t Mean Enough
🙂
July 6th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
I also think the various and sundry Volokhs “misunderestimate” the negative connotations associated with the term “libertarian.” I suspect a sizable subset of the population hears “libertarian” and imagines “militia types.” Or even “anarchists.”
July 6th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
With the new generation, it might be preferable to be an anarchist to a militia type or even a “liberal”, at least saying liberal policies keep being beaten against the new generation’s skull.
I’d prefer something to distinguish small-l libertarians (the ones who care about more than the legality of pot) from the big-L ones. Maybe something like “Freedomist”? “Bill of Rightist?”
Anyway…
[quote]Hands off.[/quote]
[quote]Some men promise to be good masters, but they hope to be masters. Let’s not let them.[/quote]
[quote]Don’t bug me or mine, and I’ll return the favor.[/quote]
[quote]Legalize Freedom : Vote libertarian[/quote]
[quote]Libertarianism – letting people be adults[/quote]
[quote]Libertarianism : the party for people who can run their own lives better than Ted Kennedy can[/quote]
July 6th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
I like that one.
July 6th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
I always identified with “To each his own, on his own dime.”
July 6th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Someone who doesn’t have to defend Republican candidates, but whose vote only matters when he does.
July 6th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Whatever happened to “Republicans who’ve smoked dope?”
Ya gotta decide if you want a definition or a slogan.
July 7th, 2006 at 10:57 am
Libertarians: The Party of Benign Neglect.
July 7th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
chris:
Bravo! 🙂
July 9th, 2006 at 10:03 am
Libertarianism: This is my life. If you don’t like it, go get one of your own.
July 10th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
If you think voting Democrat or Republican in the ’08 election will solve our problems, then YOU are the problem…
And my bumper sticker:
Fighting for freedom is kinda like screwing for virginity.
BT
July 11th, 2006 at 10:10 am
You’re kidding, right? (Please be kidding — that might be the dumbest argument I can remember hearing) If you’re serious, I’ll give you a justification later.
July 11th, 2006 at 10:39 am
That’s right up there with “You cannot simultaneously prevent war and keep your laws off my body.”