I claim to be a Libertarian. One who espouses limited government, individual rights, yada yada.
But if there was an award for the Lamest Libertarian, I'd probably win.
I'm just keeping my head above water with my three kids, puppy, Hubby, house, church, friends, family...etc. I do NOT have time to understand the myriad reasons for opposing Obama's health reform. I know I oppose it. I know, in general, why I oppose it. But can I make a cogent argument why? Can I articulate my position clearly? Um......no.
The other day I got a phone call. It was a machine voice saying, "Please don't hang up, you have been invited to attend a teleconference with representative Eschoo....blah blah blah". So I didn't hang up. And before I knew it, I was listening in to a conversation between my rep. and folks who live nearby. "Next up, is Jim in El Granada!" the moderator said.
I'm thinking....oh dear....is he going to say, "Next up, Sue in Montara!" What will I say? What will I ask? How can I nail this lady? All this going through my head as she is spewing facts and figures at Jim about the uninsured, health care costs.....etc. YIKES! I panicked. I hung up.
Definitely puts me in the running for the Lamest Libertarian award.
I am not happy with the way the government is going. But do I do anything about it? No. Shame on me. I deserve what I get.
But when I read libertarian literature, it always starts with "The Founding Fathers would be appalled..... (at something that we accept as normal today)". That is true. And they would be appalled. But we are not there anymore. We are so FAR from there. And we can't go back. So what? So where do we go? How do we move from a semi-socialist state to free market, limited governemnt that protects individual rights?
I have no bleeping idea.
(feeling pessimistic. i'm good at that)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Bad Libertarian
Posted by Sue at 8:41 PM
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1 comments:
Psst. Your guilt is showing!
Girl, you have done more to educate yourself than 99.9% of the people I know. That is step #1.
Step #2 is to live a life consistent with your values---that includes setting priorities (like raising a family.)
Step #3 Don't give up.
I think you are doing pretty darn well with steps 1-3.
The other thing that I think is important is simply to not let your silence imply agreement. I don't mean that you have to stay on the phone and speak up----but when someone brings up a topic or proposes a "solution" you don't agree with--just registering your disagreement may be all you can do. Something along the lines of
"I am not prepared to give a defense at this time, but I do want to let you know that I don't agree. I think [the free market, individual rights, etc] is a better way to go."
One step at a time. That's all we can do.
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