So my 78 year old mom, who is a lifelong Republican, just re-registered as a Libertarian

[worstexever]

I want to tell her that Libertarians are just Republicans with bongs, but I think I'll let it go and see what happens.

As I understand it, she can't be a Democrat because we cheer for abortions and support transgenderism.

Looks like the Donald is doing a number on the GOP!

[reznor73]

1. we have some things in common with libertarians

I'm cool with that- Gary Johnson has a sensible take on foreign policy, civil liberties and free speech. I'm not with him on taxes, de-regulation and other matters but I think if the libertarian party grows in power they'll be easier to work with than the GOP.

Liberals have some common ground with them.

[worstexever]

2. Oh, I definitely have my libertarian leanings

You might call me a Democrat with a (rarely used) bong.

[pnwmom]

3. They won't be easier to work with. Libertarians are just another brand of rightwing economic policy.

The positions in favor of pot, free speech, etc. are just tossed in to lure more people to the party. But the Ayn Rand economic philosophy is at the core of their beliefs, and is non-negotiable.

[think]

5. I would much rather have a Libertarian as my adversary than a typical Republican....

[pnwmom]

11. With their economic policies I can't imagine why. The rest is just a smokescreen. nt

[think]

13. Ted Cruz or Gary Johnson? Who would you rather have to have a cross the isle?

[pnwmom]

14. Neither. They have the same economic policies and pot isn't a deal breaker for me. In some ways

Gary Johnson might be worse because he appears to be more normal. But his economic policies are just as dangerous.

[think]

15. How is neither a realistic answer?

[pnwmom]

16. I don't care how much pot lipstick you put on Johnson, his economic policies are unconscionable.

So I don't find him less objectionable.

[think]

17. Pot isn't the only issue where the two parties differ. But sadly that's stuck in your brain....

[pnwmom]

19. It's the one that's gotten the Libs the most DU support, as I've seen time and time again.

They don't care, for example, that he's signed bills banning partial birth abortions, and requiring counseling before abortions, and requiring notification of parents; and that he's against public funding of abortions (i.e., covering them for Medicaid.)

They also care that Libertarians are against Medicaid, Medicare, and government health programs in general.

Libertarians are not our allies. Except, as i said, with regard to pot.

[think]

20. Abortion, Same Sex marriage, Immigration, Capital Punishment, Foreign Policy, & drug policy

are all areas where Libertarians are more similar to Democrats than Republicans:


Republicans:

Abortion restrictions FOR
Capital punishment FOR
Drug liberalization AGAINST
Immigration restrictions FOR
Legalization of same-sex marriages AGAINST
Non-interventionist foreign policy AGAINST

Libertarians:

Abortion restrictions AGAINST
Capital punishment AGAINST
Drug liberalization FOR
Immigration restrictions AGAINST
Legalization of same-sex marriages FOR
Non-interventionist foreign policy FOR

http://us-political-parties.insidegov.com/compare/2-3/Republican-Party-vs-Libertarian-Party

[pnwmom]

21. Gary Johnson has signed bills with many restrictions on abortions.

He has signed bills banning partial birth abortions, and requiring counseling before abortions, and requiring notification of parents; and he's against public funding of abortions (i.e., covering them for Medicaid.)

He also has said that Roe v. Wade should be overturned and decisions left up to the states.

From Wikipedia:

Johnson believes Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overturned because it "expanded the reach of the Federal government into areas of society never envisioned in the Constitution." He believes that laws regarding abortion should "be decided by the individual states."

And Libertarians are against Medicaid, Medicare, and government health programs in general. He would only keep Medicare and Social Security for those who have already paid into them.

Libertarians, including Gary Johnson, are not our allies.

[think]

22. No shit Libertarians aren't allies. EVERYONE KNOWS that. They're just better opposition than typical

republicans which I've said REPEATEDLY.

Why wouldn't you want an opposition politician that at least agreed on SOME issues rather than a politician who you have NOTHING in common with?

Why do you keep using the word ally? Seriously....

[pnwmom]

23. I think the werewolf disguised as a pig is just as dangerous as the one without the disguise.

Maybe more so, because he can fool more people.

[think]

24. So you'd rather have Cruz. Got it. Good grief....

[pnwmom]

25. As an opponent, yes. Because I can't see him winning nationally. Johnson would have more of a chance

[think]

26. ..

[pnwmom]

28. Sorry, but I'd rather have as an opponent someone who comes across as the loathsome person

he is -- as Cruz does -- than someone with extreme views who comes across as a reasonable person..

Gary Johnson is an Ayn Rand follower -- survival of the fittest -- except that he thinks abortion should be left up to the states and that it's fine for the states to put restrictions on it. People who push Ayn Rand views are dangerous, no matter how calm and rational they appear to be.

[brush]

32. No one has mentioned their civil rights stances — very right wing, which is why you won't . . .

find AA libertarians.

They're Ayn Rand, anti-civil rights loons who try to disguise themselves as having much in common with Dems.

Don't be fooled, read their platform. Libertarian does not equal liberal.

[think]

33. And what is Ted Cruz? Mary Poppins? yeesh.....

[brush]

35. Who the hell is talking about Cruz, or any other repug.

People need to do some research on Libertarians. They're civil rights positions are questionable.

Because someone may be "better" compared to Cruz is not saying much.

[think]

36. So you would rather have Ted Cruz as an opponent than Johnson? Is that what you're saying?

Because that's what is being discussed here. Please read the part of the thread you are replying to.

No one is saying Libertarians are allies. They would be better adversaries. If you can't comprehend that then we have a real problem.

How hard is that to understand?

[brush]

37. Re-read my first post. I made no mention of preference of Cruz. I pointed out that . . .

Libertarians positions on civil rights are way to to right and that research needs to be done on their platform as there seems to be quite a lack of knowledge about the odiousness of many of their other stances.

[think]

38. Your first post #32 was in response to post #24. What is post #24 discussing? Ted Cruz.

Did I ever say that Libertarian positions were the best positions? No. I stated they were better than the typical Republican positions.

Most republicans are against a women's right to choose. Libertarians support a women's right to choose but they don't wan't to pay for it.

Ted Cruz wants to outlaw abortion. Libertarians don't. Why wouldn't Democrats want an ADVERSARY (not ally) that is at least more moderate on important issues?

Yes. We know Libertarians are to the right on civil rights issues but they don't suck as bad as typical Republicans on these issues.

[SheriffBob]

8. i agree

A Rand was a speed freak whaco.

[Hortensis]

4. Johnson and his running mate are at best Libt-lite.

They're both conservatives by personality, probably not libertarian personality, or just some traits. They're both also recent ex-Republicans, and a lot of libertarians really, really don't approve of their coming and corrupting/watering down their party's ideology.

That said, SOME libertarians are sort of similar to Democrats in terms of social issues and civil rights. For instance, they believe we should all have all the civil rights that we ourselves will fight for. Some would allow a liiiittle government assistance, others absolutely none.

Other libts, btw, are much more similar to social cons in their attitudes toward people who are different and believe we should all have the freedom to express our beliefs against others. These people often imagine everyone packing a gun will keep society civil.

And some on the far side are very attracted to the idea of a complete collapse of government and the chaos and fights for survival that would bring. One of the party leaders says of course that wouldn't do, but he's intrigued...

In any case, Worstexever, good for your mom for being so open and willing to try something new.

[Avalux]

6. Good post.

Welcome to DU.

I have been thinking that when the GOP self-destructs completely, the Libertarian Party will grow into a legitimate, major player.

[Blue Idaho]

7. Out of the frying pan...

Into the fire...

[SheriffBob]

9. libertarians

are social darwinists, survival of the fittest.

[worstexever]

10. I'm not sure her new party is a good fit for her

She was raised Catholic but has been a fundamentalist Christian all of her adult life.

[LP2K12]

12. I identify as...

a Libertarian with Dem leanings.

That being said, I always vote Dem. I agree with Johnson on plenty, but not enough to risk a Trump presidency.

[Doctor Jack]

18. We would probably be better off if the Republican Party died

And the libertarians filled the vacuum. The libertarians are far from perfect but they aren't downright evil like the current iteration of the GOP.

[think]

39. Exactly..

[MFM008]

27. Mines been a Democrat since

Kennedy. Glad we don't fight over that.

[rogerashton]

29. If she lives to be 205

she might get smart enough to be a Democrat.

[StrictlyRockers]

30. Thanks for posting.

And welcome to DU.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

31. Don't libertarians support abortion ?

[DURHAM D]

34. Mostly they believe in state's rights.

iows - Geography determines your rights and the feds should stay out of it.

I even had a guy argue with me the other day that every state should be able to negotiate trade deals and peace agreements with foreign countries.