We've had 35 years of the political wing of Libertarianism attempting to break down the walls and gain access to the Beltway Boys Club, only to be met with propagandistic derision of numerous Jihadists, anti-3rd party legislative machinations of the power elite from the BOYN Party and we even face "reform" efforts from within by the disenfranchised who have joined the Libertarian Party in recent years, after fleeing their previous affiliations in disgust. "Reform" seems to mean "become more like the very people you loath in an effort to succeed with the electorate", it also seems to mean abandoning core principles that define Libertarianism, as well. For those who remember such things, there was a successful 3rd party a few years ago that suffered "reform", had a big name Presidential candidate and lots of money. They abandoned their founding principles, in the name of reform, electability and acceptance and promptly self destructed. They are no more. And, as I have contended for years now, it was done deliberately by those "disenfranchised" BOYNers who joined up and brought in a new candidate from their old Rightist division. The same will likely happen to us, soon enough.
So, what is a Liberty lover to do? It's hard to say, really. Short of replying in kind via open rebellion the choices are few. You can continue the battle for the "hearts and minds" and keep attempting to increase Liberty, as many of us have done for years in a variety of ways but, you better be prepared for the long haul or to shift gears with a new paradigm. Or you can hunker down and seek to protect yourself from the State in its unrelenting assault on the individual and Liberty.
Over the years I have engaged in conversations with people about numerous things Libertarian. Some of the "discussions" were amiable enough and some were...less than friendly....before they were finished. One thing which has occasionally crept into those talks was the accusation that Libertarians were "cultists", (unlike the anti-Liberty Jihadists who made the accusations and failed to see their State Worship was easily equivalent). Those accusations have served to end any number of discussions over the years but they did manage to make me think about a different approach.
Suppose we are "Liberty Cultists"? Would it be a bad thing? There are certainly worse things we could be, such as a Scientologist, Moonie, a Republican or a Democrat. We have a core principle we adhere to;
No human being has the right -- under any circumstances -- to initiate force against another human being, nor to threaten or delegate its initiation.
that's fully as valid as , "Do Unto Others...", "An It Harm None...", etc...heck, it practically goes hand in hand with them. Some of the documents we American Libertarians hold dear even bring a religious air to the matter.
Maybe we are Liberty Cultists and we've just never recognised it. It's an interesting thought, isn't it? Religions are afforded much more protection than political parties when it comes to government interference. The powers that be have already slapped restrictions on political speech and are set to impose even stricter rules that will all but destroy any hope of 3rd party participation in the political process and even more impediments are being introduced on a regular basis.When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
It might very well be in our best interests to explore moving the fight for hearts and minds into a realm which is protected by the 1st Amendment. Persecuting a political party is practically de rigueur, but persecuting something protected as religious speech is pretty much verboten, in most cases. And there are all the other protective perks, as well. Libertarianism, at its core is a philosophy, a way of life that is also applicable to politics. We've tried teaching Libertarianism to the masses as political philosophy and folks just aren't buying it. Some of the more persuasive Libertarian speakers I have heard and talked to come from religious backgrounds. While they tend to come at things from the perspective of disenfranchised refugees, I cannot help but wonder what they could do if they were motivated to speak in favour of the anarchist/individualist as a way of life. Could we do better as true Liberty Evangelists than we have as Political animals? It lends itself to a whole new means of spreading the message of Liberty, imagine sending out dedicated Libertarian missionaries to the places around the world desperately in need of the message we have been preaching for three and half decades.
It's rather an odd idea but, given the times and continued growth of the State and the anti-Liberty Jihadists around the world it could well be an idea whose time has come. Some folks have already begun the process and seen some success, so we do know it is a viable avenue for escape.
If things continue as they are this idea may well see its day come. The Political Wing of Libertarianism seems to be facing what may be a painful schism between the Reformista and Principled members. We have already seen many dedicated Liberty lovers bail out and head for the hills in disgust and saddened resignation at the continued loss of freedom to the anti-Liberty Jihadists.
Perhaps it's time to start thinking outside the box, again. What we currently have isn't working as well as it should and our message is lost in the face of the Jihad. Maybe it takes Liberty Cultists to fight anti-Liberty Jihadists...one thing is certain, though. Political parties come and go but the things people hold as sacred endure.
Liberty Jihad 1
Liberty Jihad 2
Technorati Tags:
Libertarian, Politics
No comments:
Post a Comment