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IPFS News Link • Philosophy: Libertarianism

Libertarians and the Election

• LewRockwell.com by Bionic Mosquito

In many ways, I feel a review of this is premature – in the case of Trump, it would be nice to give him some time in office to see how he blossoms; let's see some fruit before judging the tree.  On the other hand, there are many concrete, real examples of change that are worth recognizing.

I will begin with the purest libertarian position: "I am a libertarian who does not vote; more than that, I think it is wrong to even hold a rooting interest in which slave owner wins.  Even more, to even discuss the topic gives the slave owner credibility."

I can easily accept this position, it is perfectly consistent with libertarian theory; it isn't the only position that I believe fits this bill, but it certainly does.  Of course, we don't live in theory – and libertarianism isn't going to win the day merely by chanting "NAP, NAP, NAP" all day long.

What of the libertarian with the rooting interest?  After all, I have seen (or could see) a case made for any of at least four candidates by those libertarians in this camp.  Some in this camp enjoy the spectacle of politics; others suggest that fewer beatings are better than more beatings; even others see the Libertarian Party banner as a credible endorsement; some even suggest rooting for the evilest candidate in the hopes that the world comes crumbling down sooner (and on his or her watch).


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