First of all, you clearly have no idea what the libertarian philosophy advocates or you would not have written the comment you wrote (either here or on Facebook). One of my favorite explanations comes from libertarianism.com – Libertarianism is the combination of liberty (the freedom to live your life in any peaceful way you choose), responsibility (the prohibition against the use of force against others, except in defense), and tolerance (honoring and respecting the peaceful choices of others). I’m not quite sure what part of that you could possibly to take issue with. I therefore have to assume that whatever you’re so riled up about, it likely isn’t libertarianism.

Second, you make the same mistake as the subject of my previous post Who Wants to Be a Master Debater. You claim I said something I didn’t say and then you argue against it (rather childishly I might add). This is a classic straw man argument and is totally meaningless since, as SunshinesOn points out, your response basically has nothing to do with anything written in this post or anywhere on this blog. It’s as if you didn’t even take the time to read the post. No one here, and certainly not me, ever advocated “getting rid of government entirely”.

As for your definition of Fascism, again you have no idea what you are talking about. From Websters online dictionary: fascism – a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. Libertarians advocate exactly the opposite of that. We believe that individual rights are supreme, with a limited government whose main purpose is to protect those individual rights against violation by other individuals, groups, corporations, and the government itself. Again, that is the exact opposite of Fascism. Now if your point is that “eliminating all government” could lead to Fascism because there is a power void which could be filled with an oppressive regime, that is certainly a possibility (although not necessarily an eventuality). But since libertarians do not advocate eliminating all government, your point about fascism is moot and there’s no reason to debate it because it has nothing to do with libertarianism in general or this particular post in particular.

As to your belief that libertarian philosophy “is built on the level of a toddler”, I suppose that means you think that many of our Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison or great thinkers such as John Locke and John Stuart Mill had the emotional intelligence of children since their social and political philosophy is clearly based on libertarianism. Again, I suggest you inform yourself before you go spouting off on things you clearly don’t understand.

Finally, as for your generally rude behavior both here and on Facebook, I can only hope that you think about how you’ve conducted yourself and consider whether this truly reflects the type of person you are or wish to be.

I am just a reader touched by your words. I was a democrat, now I am an independent looking for the people who will honestly represent we the people of this great country and not their own pockets…

I love your enthusiasm and that you pay attention to politics, this is important for everyone. However; it seems you didn’t read the article as your accusations don’t fit anything ever said here. Nothing in this blog or article says no government… In fact in this article it says:

“Instead, the President and Congress should concentrate on only those reforms upon which most everyone can agree. It’s likely that with a scaled back, targeted approach to health care reform a few Republicans could be brought on board. (I’ll provide details in another post.) Not only would this be a huge win for the American people, but politically it would show that Obama is not only interested in bringing about change, he’s capable of change himself.”

That is just the way to work with people so that everyone is represented and so that the true problems are dealt with…seems fair to me.

How would you suggest it be done so that everyone is represented? What are your ideas for change that is much needed in our economy and health care?

I have been disenchanted by the way the health care bill is being handled- no reform, just more back end deals and nothing that needs to be addressed is being addressed…being forced to buy products that are no good and oh, yeah if your married- you will pay even more for the current health bill at hand. Sad, but true.

Over here hoping hoping hoping for the change we were promised. Seeing what really needs to shift is the two party system and politicians that doing this as a careers in the end for political gain- not what our forefathers intended…. the people need to be represented here.

Hoping there will be some balance with this more republicans in Senate. ((NEVER thought I would EVER say that!))

The problem with libertarianism is that it falsely equates laissez faire attitudes with “freedom.” In the libertarian mind, getting rid of government entirely means everyone is 100% “free” when exactly the opposite occurs, that being FASCISM as Corporations and other wealthy Aristocrats rush in to fill the vacuum left behind when Government regulations and protections are lifted.

Libertarians in general are wholly misinformed and their entire philosophy is built on the level of a toddler.

The world is a lot more complicated than “Hey, if we get rid of Government, then we’ll be Freeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Morons.