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Napoleon's Shadow
07-23-2011, 09:57 AM
Via the Advocates for Self-Government



New Poll: Americans Becoming More Libertarian

An exciting new poll finds that Americans are increasingly embracing libertarian ideas.

Since 1993 CNN has been asking respondents the following two questions, in order to gauge American inclination towards libertarianism:

“Some people think the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. Others think that government should do more to solve our country’s problems. Which comes closer to your own view?”

and:

“Some people think the government should promote traditional values in our society. Others think the government should not favor any particular set of values. Which comes closer to your own view?”

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/8f8d44f1fc10bd074f648a4de/images/statue_of_liberty.1.jpgLibertarian-inclined people would, of course, choose the first view in the first question and the second view in the second. While hardly a conclusive definition of libertarianism (and not nearly as precise as our World’s Smallest Political Quiz (http://theadvocates.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8f8d44f1fc10bd074f648a4de&id=42b3bfa090&e=9375a52cd4)), it is a useful gauge.

As Jazz Shaw of the conservative site Hot Air notes (http://theadvocates.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8f8d44f1fc10bd074f648a4de&id=a2b2092848&e=9375a52cd4):
(http://theadvocates.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=8f8d44f1fc10bd074f648a4de&id=ca42c883f3&e=9375a52cd4)
“It is an intriguing pairing of questions which strikes right at the heart of contemporary definitions of political ideology in terms of conservatives and liberals. If you comfortably classify yourself as a conservative you are very likely to select the first answer in both questions. Liberals, on the other hand, will tend to pick the second answer in each. But… it’s the libertarians who tend to split that pair, taking the first answer to the first question and the second choice for the other one.”

For years, the responses to both questions had been fairly steady.

But the tide is turning -- and fast. The latest poll, conducted in June, found the libertarian response suddenly at an all-time high. Fully 63 percent of respondents said government was doing too much * -- up from 61 percent in 2010 and 52 percent in 2008. And 50 percent said government should not favor any particular set of values -- up from just 44 percent in 2010 and 41 percent in 2008.

The New York Times, writing (http://theadvocates.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8f8d44f1fc10bd074f648a4de&id=bd94c0ce70&e=9375a52cd4) about this poll, notes: “Libertarianism has been touted as the wave of America’s political future for many years, generally with more enthusiasm than evidence. But there are some tangible signs that Americans’ attitudes are in fact moving in that direction.

“Whether people are as libertarian-minded in practice as they might believe themselves to be when they answer survey questions is another matter. Still, there have been visible shifts in public opinion on a number of issues, ranging from increasing tolerance for same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization on the one hand, to the skepticism over stimulus packages and the health-care overhaul on the other hand, that can be interpreted as a move toward more libertarian views.”

This is great news for libertarian activists. Your work is paying off. Keep it up!

trey4sports
07-23-2011, 10:02 AM
too bad the LP can't capitalize on the nation's libertarian mood.

AGRP
07-23-2011, 10:27 AM
Its always irked me that people who believe in the Constitution (the law) and understand liberty are labeled "libertarians." We're simply people who aren't ignorant.

Fredom101
07-23-2011, 10:28 AM
too bad the LP can't capitalize on the nation's libertarian mood.

Not really. The LP is trying to do the impossible- promote an individualist philosophy using a collectivist methodology. Political parties are not our answer, and the LP is dead.

TCE
07-23-2011, 11:21 AM
Right, but those same people polled will continue voting for Neocons and Democrats, so it doesn't mean anything. As I've said forever, I don't care if 99% of people are libertarians as long as those 1% who aren't control the House, Senate, and Presidency along with the Governorships.

Napoleon's Shadow
07-23-2011, 12:20 PM
too bad the LP can't capitalize on the nation's libertarian mood.The government / media complex has laws written against them. :(

MJU1983
07-23-2011, 12:23 PM
Its always irked me that people who believe in the Constitution (the law) and understand liberty are labeled "libertarians." We're simply people who aren't ignorant.

Well said. And don't forget you're an extremist, fringe, and sometimes "un-American". LOL

Cleaner44
07-23-2011, 12:29 PM
Right, but those same people polled will continue voting for Neocons and Democrats, so it doesn't mean anything. As I've said forever, I don't care if 99% of people are libertarians as long as those 1% who aren't control the House, Senate, and Presidency along with the Governorships.

Don't be so sure. In our nation of 300+ million people Obama won with only 59 million votes. A lot of people are on the sidelines not votingthe lesser of two evils.

KingRobbStark
07-23-2011, 12:35 PM
Don't be so sure. In our nation of 300+ million people Obama won with only 59 million votes. A lot of people are on the sidelines not votingthe lesser of two evils.

That makes them just as evil.

Travlyr
07-23-2011, 01:08 PM
Its always irked me that people who believe in the Constitution (the law) and understand liberty are labeled "libertarians." We're simply people who aren't ignorant.

+ rep when I get some.

I don't mind being called a man, a defender of liberty, someone who doesn't understand philosophy and believes in the rule of law by States, but the names I choose to use are the only labels that accurately describe me. Labels others paint me with are wrong.

- Brother Jonathan (http://www.sonofthesouth.net/uncle-sam/brother-jonathan.htm).

heavenlyboy34
07-23-2011, 01:16 PM
That makes them just as evil.
lolz

Danke
07-23-2011, 01:29 PM
lolz

Indeed. http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?304355-Epic-facepalm-moments&p=3414077&viewfull=1#post3414077

TCE
07-23-2011, 02:43 PM
Don't be so sure. In our nation of 300+ million people Obama won with only 59 million votes. A lot of people are on the sidelines not votingthe lesser of two evils.

But half or so are children under 18 who can't vote, so that brings us down to 150 million. There is also a chunk who are simply apolitical people who can vote or people in general who never vote, we'll call them 25 million or so. So of the people who could possibly vote, Obama got around 47% (59/125). Purely estimates and approximations of course, but I'm not willing to give the general public the benefit of the doubt just yet.

Cleaner44
07-23-2011, 02:55 PM
But half or so are children under 18 who can't vote, so that brings us down to 150 million. There is also a chunk who are simply apolitical people who can vote or people in general who never vote, we'll call them 25 million or so. So of the people who could possibly vote, Obama got around 47% (59/125). Purely estimates and approximations of course, but I'm not willing to give the general public the benefit of the doubt just yet.

Actually only about 25% were under age 18.
http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/age/age_sex_2008.html

2008 U.S. population about 305 million.
305 - 25% = 228.75 million voting age
69 million votes for Obama
69 / 228 = .30
Obama got votes from less than 31% of American over the age of 18

So of the people who could possibly vote, Obama got around 30.16%

FreedomProsperityPeace
07-23-2011, 06:48 PM
Not enough, and not quickly enough for me. I became a libertarian 12 years ago, when I first got on the internet and joined in political discussions. The other libertarian members changed my mind. I thought libertarian ideas would sweep people up quickly back then, but it hasn't happened like that.

asurfaholic
07-23-2011, 06:56 PM
That makes them just as evil.

I disagree. I could simply not vote for either Obama or McCain in 08. I disliked them both, while I was a republican, I had a little hope that Obama would make good on his promise to pull troops out (something I could "take to the bank") - and was fully confident McCain would rule with absolute war power. Voting for the lesser of 2 evils would have still been voting for evil. So how could you suggest that this makes me "just as evil?"

Number19
07-23-2011, 07:08 PM
Not really. The LP is trying to do the impossible- promote an individualist philosophy using a collectivist methodology. Political parties are not our answer, and the LP is dead.The LP has been ineffective. That hardly makes them "dead". The LP is going all out to be on the ballot in all 50 states. If they achieve this goal, if they have a strong candidate and if Ron Paul is not the Republican candidate, it will be interesting to see how many votes they siphon away from the Republicans. Enough to sway the election to Obama?

Carehn
07-23-2011, 07:09 PM
That makes them just as evil.

No...

Southron
07-23-2011, 07:14 PM
I'm not so sure these people are libertarians in practice. I remember reading a post on another forum where a lady stated that she was basically a libertarian, but then went on to advocate universal healthcare.

This begs the question: "What do you mean by libertarian"?

If you want to smoke pot and want the government to give out homosexual marriage licenses does that qualify you as one?

Carehn
07-23-2011, 07:24 PM
I'm not so sure these people are libertarians in practice. I remember reading a post on another forum where a lady stated that she was basically a libertarian, but then went on to advocate universal healthcare.

This begs the question: "What do you mean by libertarian"?

If you want to smoke pot and want the government to give out homosexual marriage licenses does that qualify you as one?

Today, you win the internet.

RonPaulFanInGA
07-23-2011, 07:28 PM
too bad the LP can't capitalize on the nation's libertarian mood.

Yeah, but define "Libertarian."

It probably means, for most people, lower taxes and legalization of homosexual marriage. Or something like that.

The 'legalize all hard drugs/child porn and privatize roads, etc.' crowd that makes up the Libertarian party are not what's gaining traction.