Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ccice2.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!hplabs!hao!seismo!rochester!ritcv!ccice5!ccice2!bwm From: bwm@ccice2.UUCP (Brad Miller) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Comments on Libertarianism Message-ID: <514@ccice2.UUCP> Date: Wed, 28-Nov-84 13:07:33 EST Article-I.D.: ccice2.514 Posted: Wed Nov 28 13:07:33 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 30-Nov-84 19:12:57 EST References: <110@talcott.UUCP> <22400046@ea.UUCP> Organization: CCI Central Engineering, Rochester, NY Lines: 37 > /***** ea:net.politics / watmath!cdshaw / 4:35 pm Nov 21, 1984 */ > The main thing which bugs me about libertarianism (aside from the smugness > evidenced by some of its adherents) is the incredible frequency with which > it is used as an excuse to avoid payment of taxes & levies in general. Ok now, lets look at what Libertarianism is. Very, very basically. We all have DIFFERENT ideas on what is good, and what is bad. We all have DIFFERENT religions. We all have DIFFERENT concepts of what is or is not the 'right' thing to do. Libertarianism says: fine! DO what you think you should BUT: o DON'T IMPOSE YOUR VIEW ON ME o DON'T INTERFERE WITH MY LIBERTIES by expressing YOURS Killing is interfering with someones liberties, and should not be done. Taxing is imposing your will on someone else, e.g. what they should do with their money, property, etc. Libertarians do NOT (usually) believe in ZERO government, because there must be an ARBITER and AUTHORITY to enforce, essentially, the bill of rights. The arbiter can often be unassociated with the government, so all that may be needed is a 'supreme' court. There will be degenerates that do not belong in this society, and you need an executive branch to reform them, or kick them out. Finally, you need some body to determine where the lines are between protection of rights, and suspension of rights when it is warranted (as in when someone has violated someone elses rights). Three branchs of government. Sounds a hell of a lot like our very own constitution, doesn't it? THAT'S THE POINT -- THAT'S WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE. Didn't mean to be pedantic, and would love to continue this discussion in the mails. Brad Miller -- ...[rochester, cbrma, rlgvax, ritcv]!ccice5!ccice2!bwm