How to Tell if Someone is a True Libertarian

By Daniel Miessler on April 19th, 2010: Tagged as Politics

wolfsheep

If you want to know if someone is a true libertarian–as opposed to a religious demagogue in disguise–ask them what their positions are on drug, gambling, prostitution, and alternative marriage.

In short, if they’re against these things on moral grounds, and, importantly, want them to be illegal–they are outright fakes. The giveaway isn’t that they believe these things are moral issues and have opinions on the matter; it’s whether or not they want the government involved in their legality and/or regulation.

If they do, it means they’re pro-government for the specific things that they personally believe are wrong (as explained to them by the creator of the universe). This is not libertarianism. The next time you hear someone claim it is, do the world a favor and call them on it. ::

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http://maxolasersquad.com/ Maxo

I don’t think moral grounds is off limits to libertarians. Isn’t the basis of libertarianism the idea that people should be? Isn’t that a moral issue? If so, then the basis of libertarianism is the response to a question on morality. If not, then what am I missing? If I am right, then where do you see the line drawn between when morality should and shouldn’t be enforced.
CarlM

I assume that that should read “gay marriage” rather than just “marriage.”
http://danielmiessler.com/ Daniel Miessler

Not really, although that's the chief controversy. I was going to list
all the main friction points, but I like the generality of the topics
in this form.
CarlM

Are there really people out there who believe that marriage (other than gay marriage) should be illegal on moral grounds?

I understand what you mean about the generality of the topics, but it seems to me that the sentence doesn't make so much sense this way. Perhaps if you said “one or another type of marriage” to avoid limiting it.
CarlM

I assume that that should read “gay marriage” rather than just “marriage.”
http://danielmiessler.com/ Daniel Miessler

Not really, although that's the chief controversy. I was going to list
all the main friction points, but I like the generality of the topics
in this form.
CarlM

Are there really people out there who believe that marriage (other than gay marriage) should be illegal on moral grounds?

I understand what you mean about the generality of the topics, but it seems to me that the sentence doesn't make so much sense this way. Perhaps if you said “one or another type of marriage” to avoid limiting it.

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