Gary Johnson coming up on Colbert Report Tonight - 11:30 PM EST

[stefank]

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164120423605014 Gary Johnson is going to be on the Colbert report this Thursday

[Knightskye]

Nice.

[MRoCkEd]

coming up

[SWATH]

Ugh. This is why I have a hard time getting a hard on for Gary "I'm for big government when it comes to marijuana, control it, regulate it, tax it" Johnson.

[Depressed Liberator]

I thought it was pretty good. I don't mind taxing marijuana for now, because it's a step in the right direction. Johnson is pretty much good on all fronts.

[wormyguy]

Ugh. This is why I have a hard time getting a hard on for Gary "I'm for big government when it comes to marijuana, control it, regulate it, tax it" Johnson.
It's smaller than what we have now (to paraphrase Ron Paul, "the kind of compromise I'd vote for"). You have to frame the argument in statist terms in order to sell libertarian positions to statists.

[Ekrub]

It's smaller than what we have now (to paraphrase Ron Paul, "the kind of compromise I'd vote for"). You have to frame the argument in statist terms in order to sell libertarian positions to statists.

+1

Liberty candidates are going to have to infiltrate. The liberty message, while gaining popularity, isn't widely accepted enough to run on and win. Read between the lines.

*I'm talking about the liberty message as we would like: no taxes, welfare, ss, medicaid, medicare, foreign occupation, open borders, regulations etc...

[JohnEngland]

It's smaller than what we have now (to paraphrase Ron Paul, "the kind of compromise I'd vote for"). You have to frame the argument in statist terms in order to sell libertarian positions to statists.

Indeed. Libertarians need to be able to spin their points of view to help gain support. You can't get so many people on board when you just say "let's abolish this!" etc. Examples:

"I'm all for a strong national defense, but let's pull our troops out of Europe. We don't need to be there anyway. They can look after themselves."

"I support legalizing marijuana, but let's tax it, regulate it and control it so that our children are safe from Mexican drug gangs."

"I'm all for punishing those evil bankers for taking taxpayer money, but let's audit and monitor the Federal Reserve, since they're the guys with all the money."

And so on :p

[BenIsForRon]

The AnarchoCapitalist is never satisfied.

[dantheman]

The AnarchoCapitalist is never satisfied.

Agreed, my friend. Let's all chill out with the "But is he REALLY libertarian enough?" arguments.

I disagree with Ron Paul on a few things here and there but I'm still supporting him. Give Gary Johnson a chance.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Indeed. Libertarians need to be able to spin their points of view to help gain support. You can't get so many people on board when you just say "let's abolish this!" etc. Examples:

"I'm all for a strong national defense, but let's pull our troops out of Europe. We don't need to be there anyway. They can look after themselves."

"I support legalizing marijuana, but let's tax it, regulate it and control it so that our children are safe from Mexican drug gangs."

"I'm all for punishing those evil bankers for taking taxpayer money, but let's audit and monitor the Federal Reserve, since they're the guys with all the money."

And so on :p

Because those are self-defeating positions. Look at cigarettes. They are certainly legal, but how is that liberty or freedom? It is controlled and manipulated through collusion with the State through these "regulations" and taxes. You can't be a libertarian and argue for Fascism.

We need to argue for liberty and show how liberty is better for the people. That is how we will gain support, and achieve our goals.

[jazzloversinc]

The socialist/communist plan is to regulate and control all commerce and they are doing it. Why in the world is the congress interested in athletes and steroids???? This is called State Capitalism..and they are doing it. Chiner is the model

[fig.fm]

I have been reading these forums a long time but this is my first post. Let me quickly give my 2 cents.

1. The only way 'pure libertarians' will get their way is if the entire system collapses and they can somehow, within the chaos [and as much as I believe in spontaneous order, most people will freak if there is not government in place], convince people that no government is the best way.

2. It is hard for me to believe if the system collapses pure libertarians will take over or convince people to follow them.

3. It is extremely frustrating that some people in these forums and in the rest of the 'liberty movement' are unwilling to take baby steps. [you CAN take baby steps without betraying your values.]

[4. I hate how I have to put clarifications in brackets so the purists don't attack.]

This is intended to be helpful, not mean.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

I have been reading these forums a long time but this is my first post. Let me quickly give my 2 cents.

1. The only way 'pure libertarians' will get their way is if the entire system collapses and they can somehow, within the chaos [and as much as I believe in spontaneous order, most people will freak if there is not government in place], convince people that no government is the best way.

2. It is hard for me to believe if the system collapses pure libertarians will take over or convince people to follow them.

3. It is extremely frustrating that some people in these forums and in the rest of the 'liberty movement' are unwilling to take baby steps. [you CAN take baby steps without betraying your values.]

[4. I hate how I have to put clarifications in brackets so the purists don't attach.]

This is intended to be helpful, not mean.

You should be thankful there are those of us here like myself who keep others in check on what positions they may have and constantly have to defend (And I certainly consider myself in this also -- no one is immune). Eternal vigilance jibeness. :cool:

[fig.fm]

I am very thankful! For everyone in the liberty movement! Even the purists.

It can just be frustrating...ya know?

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

I am very thankful! For everyone in the liberty movement! Even the purists.

It can just be frustrating...ya know?

Completely understand. I don't think we would sound as hostile if those of us on the forums met in person, though certainly I would be just as fiery and give just as much heat to those of the less....voluntaryist persuasion. :D