mrMISDEMEANOR
10-26-2009, 03:17 PM
First, let me introduce myself. I am 18 years old, and am an officer of my college campus libertarian group. I was raised Catholic but am now an atheist. I do not mean to offend any Christians here, and if I do I'm sorry. I am just so fed up with what is happening to the liberty movement with these 'tea parties'. From what I have seen, the modern tea parties are strongly Christian and former McCain/Huckabee supporters. I had to write something to formulate what I was thinking..and I figured I'd share it on here with all of you. I was going to name it
"How Christian Conservatives Hurt The Libertarian Movement"
It's a very rough outline of what is on my mind, I might revise it, add to it, and submit it to the school newspaper. Aside from grammatical errors, feel free to let me know what you think as far as content.
It is clear that discontent with the political establishment is widespread and growing. From Republicans to independents to libertarians, there is overwhelming agreement amongst 'conservatives' that the government has gotten out of hand and grown too large for its own good and the good of the people.
While this may be rightfully justified, libertarian-minded vindication will not occur while the far right shouts out terms like 'Obamanation', 'Socialist', and especially 'Anti-Christ'. Make no mistake, many Atheistic and secular libertarians are no more happy with the 'Tea Parties' than Democrats who turn to Keith Olberman for comic relief from the rediculous Christians in the crowd. Some of these protesters are only protesting Obama and the Democrats. Despite their claims that they are strongly non-partisan, these are many of the same citizens who voted for McCain, Romney, and Huckabee in the primaries. All three of these candidates would undoubtedly have continued war-mongering foreign policies in the middle east as well as Keynesian economic policies.
It is infuriating to those who are actually using this opportunity to push actual 'change' onto the disillusioned American people. What is this 'change'? Freedom. Freedom is the one pill neo-conservatives and Christian Republicans have trouble swallowing. Sure, they tag along with libertarians as they push aspects of Constitutionalism, small government, and lower taxes, but they shy away from the idea of individual liberty--instead allowing the government to continue prohibiting gay/lesbian communions and the prosecution of non-violent marijuana users. The list of simple yet prohibited liberties goes on, yet Christian conservatives do not bat an eye.
PS. I'm strongly pro-Ron Paul. I know he's a Christian and I have no problem with that. I live across the street from the Mises institute and I visit Tom Woods and Lew Rockwell on occasion, both of whom are also Christian yet important to the liberty movement. It's the neo-con Christians that really piss me off.
"How Christian Conservatives Hurt The Libertarian Movement"
It's a very rough outline of what is on my mind, I might revise it, add to it, and submit it to the school newspaper. Aside from grammatical errors, feel free to let me know what you think as far as content.
It is clear that discontent with the political establishment is widespread and growing. From Republicans to independents to libertarians, there is overwhelming agreement amongst 'conservatives' that the government has gotten out of hand and grown too large for its own good and the good of the people.
While this may be rightfully justified, libertarian-minded vindication will not occur while the far right shouts out terms like 'Obamanation', 'Socialist', and especially 'Anti-Christ'. Make no mistake, many Atheistic and secular libertarians are no more happy with the 'Tea Parties' than Democrats who turn to Keith Olberman for comic relief from the rediculous Christians in the crowd. Some of these protesters are only protesting Obama and the Democrats. Despite their claims that they are strongly non-partisan, these are many of the same citizens who voted for McCain, Romney, and Huckabee in the primaries. All three of these candidates would undoubtedly have continued war-mongering foreign policies in the middle east as well as Keynesian economic policies.
It is infuriating to those who are actually using this opportunity to push actual 'change' onto the disillusioned American people. What is this 'change'? Freedom. Freedom is the one pill neo-conservatives and Christian Republicans have trouble swallowing. Sure, they tag along with libertarians as they push aspects of Constitutionalism, small government, and lower taxes, but they shy away from the idea of individual liberty--instead allowing the government to continue prohibiting gay/lesbian communions and the prosecution of non-violent marijuana users. The list of simple yet prohibited liberties goes on, yet Christian conservatives do not bat an eye.
PS. I'm strongly pro-Ron Paul. I know he's a Christian and I have no problem with that. I live across the street from the Mises institute and I visit Tom Woods and Lew Rockwell on occasion, both of whom are also Christian yet important to the liberty movement. It's the neo-con Christians that really piss me off.