Blog #3 - Libertarian Party

     The Libertarian party, one of the most active third political parties, has become prevalent in Texas politics especially throughout the late 1990's and early 2000's. "Qualifying for every [national] ballot since 1986, the Libertarians are a part of a consistant antigovernment party, opposing any kind of regulation of the economy (more conservative than Republicans) and equally opposing regulation of personal life and social issues (more liberal than Democrats)" (Newell, p.132). To exaggerate, Libertarians share super leftist beliefs on the topics such as reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, and the war on drugs, while also partaking in very conservative ideas towards any kind of government regulation pertaining to gun control, corporations, and public services, as well as rejecting any kind of federal economic involvement with a very rightist fiscal policy (About.com).
     Although I feel that it is imperative to sustain an "individuals 'right to liberty'," (Britannica.com) it seems that most Libertarians express a some-what egotistical, self-serving mindset that radiates to extremities beyond the sensibility of our capitalist democracy, especially with their concerns towards corporations and public services. To put it in perspective, can you imagine a future where our public schools are ran by privately owned businesses like Toys R' Us?  What about getting rid of the anti-trust laws that have prevented monopolizing behavior within corporations as well as encourage fair competition?  As a Libertarian, one would support the elimination of "all federal subsidies to private corporations, as well as all antitrust laws," (About.com) which I believe would make-way for such potential results and even further corruption within big business. Carrying a heavy representation of antigovernment and privatization ideals,  Libertarians pursue to "transfer all government services, from schools to landfills, to private ownership" (About.com) and elaborate "the replacement of most government-provided services, including Social Security and the post office"(Britannica.com) to follow in the same fashion. With a similar ultra-conservative point of view, Libertarians extend their disregard for regulation towards "minimum wage and gun-control laws"(Britannica.com). To their party, not only should minimum wage regulations be decreased, but completely eliminated. And as for the right to bear arms, Libertarians strongly believe that the Second Amendment implies a "[strong opposition to] all gun control, as well as regulation..."(About.com) ridding, for instance, the concept of a gun-free school zone.
     Libertarians represent one of the largest third parties which believes in "the rights of individuals to exercise virtual sole authority over their lives and sets itself against the traditional [public] services and regulatory and coercive powers of federal, state, and local governments" (Britannica.com). While their liberal beliefs generally seemed appealing at first glance, upon researching I discovered even within their pro-choice consideration towards abortion, Libertarians still tightly grasp their antigovernment ideals by stating that although they believe that what a person does is their own business, they still "oppose all federal funding of abortion and most federal entitlements for women who choose to carry their pregnancies to term" (About.com). As stated previously, I do believe that our individual rights should be protected, but I feel I would not be able to partake in the Libertarian party's beliefs. Being a part-time student and a part-time employee, it would be hard for me to agree to their platforms.


Citations

Head, Tom. "The Libertarian Party Platform." About.com - Civil Liberties. About.com. Web. 08 Mar. 2012. <http://civilliberty.about.com/od/libertarianpolitics/qt/libert_platform.htm>

 "Libertarian Party." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 06 Mar. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/339320/Libertarian-Party>.

Newell, Charldean, James W. Riddlesperger, and David F. Prindle. Texas Politics. 11th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2011. Print