And you thought argueing w/ Republicans was frustrating.

[nickshepDEM]

Try argueing with a Libertarian.

Here is a convsersation from another board in which I engage in a debate w/ a libertarian over the Earned Income Tax Credit.


nickshepDEM: Those of you who oppose the Earned Income Tax Credit... Care to explain why? I figured the economic conservatives here would support the EITC. The EITC 'makes work pay' for those who earn very low wages. Its an incentive for the poor to work, which means less people on welfare.

(libertarian): It is nothing more than a scheme to redistribute money.

nickshepDEM: You come from a very wealthy family... Dont you?

(libertarian): No, I don't. I come from a middle to upper middle class family. Economic conservatism does not imply that one comes from a wealthy family.

nickshepDEM: Economic conservatism is one thing. Your disconnect from reality is another. Leme' guess... Private charities are all that is needed in providing for the poor?

(libertarian): I think that what the poor need does not really enter into the picture. Everyone needs food. Does that give one man the right to steal food from another? Theft is theft, even when approved by the majority. In my opinion, no government is entitled to take money from one person and simply give it to another. I consider the government a necessary evil that exists to protect the people's rights, not a goody bag to solve everyone's private problems.

[donco6]

1. So, when the poor become your private problem,

*then* the govt can deal with them? Like, say, when they're coming for you with torches and pitchforks to "redistribute a little wealth?"

How short sighted - even for the selfish.

[FormerRepublican]

2. Just more whacks longing for the good ol' days of Fuedal order.

Serfs up, and all that.

[newscott]

11. So what's changed?

[DURHAM D]

3. I find libertarian's completely utterly boring.

Ask him to quit traveling on paved roads, stopped drinking clean water and if his house catches on fire don't call 9ll.

[nickshepDEM]

4. Why? He'll just claim the market will take care of it.

:)

[Nitrogenica]

5. Libertarians are not very compassionate about the plight of

those of us on the bottom. The problem is that the rest of the world, especially African nations, have an income that is mind-boggling low. What would a Libertarian think if he had been born in one of these countries? How would that personality type deal with that?

Perhaps that person would hate the Libertarian, just a guess.

[Faygo Kid]

6. I oppose my tax dollars going to funding the war

This lunatic probably thinks the war is a good use of taxpayer dollars. He needs to try reality.

[ismnotwasm]

7. I know one who thinks universal education

Would collaspe the economy

[silverweb]

8. Same old, same old.

I have a family member who's a hardcore libertarian. Having any kind of rational conversation is utterly impossible and I gave up quite some time ago.

[AZBlue]

9. NickshepDEM, this isn't the first post I've admired you for!

And it's probably not the last.

Here's some aspirin Absolut for the headache you must have from banging against that huge brick wall! (I couldn't find aspirin but this will work even better, trust me!)

[nickshepDEM]

10. lol. Thanks.

:)

[greiner3]

12. I too had a discussion, if you may;

With a guy who was about 20. He was going on about economic matters and I was sick of what was coming out of his mouth so I asked him if his father was rich. He shut up, not knowing what to say after that. I see your Cato Inst drop-out had experience and had a come back for you.

[No Exit]

13. Would it be possible to ask Mr. Brilliant Libertarian, purist that he no

doubt is, another question?

Ask him what he thinks of the U.S. going around the world, especially in the middle east, "building democratic nation states". (That's what Criminal Rep. Duncan Hunter was glorifying today on "Hardball".)

If he doesn't have a problem with that, then he's not much of a libertarian. And if he does have a problem with that, you and he probably at least have that in common.

[nickshepDEM]

14. UPDATE: check this out.

nickshepDEM: Would you oppose government intervention to stop a famine?

(libertarian): If you mean government giving money to those affected by the famine, then I would certainly oppose it. Money that is given voluntarily, not taken forcibly, should be used for charitable purposes.

[wyldwolf]

15. Neal Boortz talking points