The short answer? No. In words, perhaps. But in action, no.
We, the members of the Libertarian Party, challenge the cult of the omnipotent state and defend the rights of the individual.
-Libertarian Party Official Platform
Beautiful words, but does "the party" live up to this bold proclamation of principle? The answer is no. Not hardly.
Recently, LP enthusiast and vocal promoter, @adamkokesh, had this to say:
"Let's stop identifying as anarchists and minarchists completely…Let us unite under the word "libertarian."
No differentiation was made by Kokesh between the "big 'L'" "Libertarian" political party, and the simple, general term, "libertarian."
I found this interesting for a number of reasons.
One, encouraging voluntaryists/anarchists/libertarians to drop the use of the label "anarchist" seems strange, since to be a libertarian to the fullest extent, fully understanding, appreciating, and applying the axiom of individual self-ownership, one must, by default, be opposed to all rulers. That is the exact meaning of "anarchy." In the Greek language: An Archon - no rulers. That is to say, those who would initiate force to control others.
The second reason I found Kokesh's prescription for dropping the anarchist label (by the way, thanks for telling us how to identify ourselves, O great political leader) to be questionable, was that the Libertarian Party has supported, throughout the entire history of its existence, starting in the 1970s, politicians promoting anti-liberty violence.
One Shining Example of this Lunacy:
Gary Johnson-
A pro-carbon tax, pro-TPP, pro-mandatory vaccination, pro-bake the cake Jew! guy who claimed several times that the NAP (Non-Aggression Principle) "goes over my head!"
This is a libertarian? Hmmm. Well, according to Kokesh, he was the "ethical candidate."
Later Kokesh changed his mind on this and said GJ was not a true libertarian, but that he should still be supported. See this video below from the 2:37 mark:
Kokesh flip-flopping on Gary Johnson
I would encourage the reader to look into others who have run for office as "big 'L'" Libertarians.
Why doesn't @adamkokesh make the important distinction here? Could it be because he is now a politician running for office in the LP?
Why encourage people to stop calling themselves anarchists just to avoid debate/argument/discourse?
ANARCHY ON!
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as DTube and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
Gary Johnson was a joke of a candidate, sadly it’s the same in many countries. We have the Liberal Party here in Britain. They don’t understand the meaning of the word Liberal. In fact they’re even more communist than the increasingly Bolshevik opposition Labour Party.
A few years ago they miraculously got enough votes to form a coalition for 4 years with the Conservative Party (the first time they had been in office since the 1920’s) they fucked up so bad and went back on everything they said that I would imagine that it will be another 100 years before they get another chance.
These people who gravitate towards Libertarian politics are no better than those running the left/right paradigm, they always end up being corrupted by a system that won’t and can’t change.
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Yep. Politics is politics is politics. People get duped very easily. Seduced by it, really.
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How do you feel about the Libertarian Party Mises Caucus? I'm no fan of the political process, but I appreciate that they exist and are trying to take the Libertarian party back.
My opinion is, like it or not, the LP is the most visible "representation" of a lot of our ideas. I think it would be a real shame to let the word go the route of "liberal" (like how classical liberals like Bastiat would be furious with how modern liberals have stolen the word).
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Honestly, I am basically tired of the whole Kokesh 2020 scam. Something very strange is happening. The dude and his team lie to secure donations, badmouth anyone who disagrees with them, and now he’s telling people to drop the use of “anarchism.”
He’s been arrested multiple times for things “normal” people would definitely be in prison for (loading a shotty in DC, hard drug possession, etc) and never gets pinned with significant jail time.
He’s been on national television for years as well, and openly brags about not paying taxes. The fact that he has not been seriously targeted makes me suspicious.
I’m not into wild “honey trap” theories, but it does seem weird.
At the very least, his campaign is scammy, borderline fraudulent, and he is trying to bash the label “anarchist.”
I personally have nothing against the true libertarian message, and if the LP sometimes manages to present it even partially via things like the Mises Caucus, I am happy.
Just can’t stand Kokesh’s dishonesty as well as his abuse and political milking of the platform here on a Steemit as well.
I’m kind of glad he’s stopped calling himself an anarchist (or suggested as much.) It’s more of an honest presentation of his views advocating the legitimacy of statist elections and centralized control of resources/property.
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Well, as far as I know, the Libertarian Party Mises Caucus isn't endorsing Kokesh either. I always found Kokesh to be a shallow thinker. I guess that's good for getting people into the message, but this other stuff doesn't help. Being shallow and accused of fraud while you try and champion a moral position against illegitimate force doesn't do the message justice from an image perspective.
But like I said, the LPMC at least has good people in it. They want to kick Sawark out as well as people like Johnson and Weld. But I think they at least realize Kokesh isn't marketable. Many of them, half kidding and half serious, want Tom Woods to run and get involved. Haha.
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The Various manifestations of liberal parties and indeed the faux liberalism that's so often touted by the left, appear to have become a living embodiment of Orwellian doublespeak. They certainly bear scant resemblance to my youthful perception of classic liberalism .. I blame the progressives :D
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The main object should be to have a well-ordered society so that everybody can have maximum enjoyment of his freedoms. This freedom can only exist in an ordered state and not in a natural state of contention and anarchy.
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https://steemit.com/anarchy/@kafkanarchy84/anarchy-is-common-sense-nature-is-property
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I think he has a point about unifying. Anarchists and libertarians remind me of cats. Good luck trying to get a bunch of cats to do something productive. lol There are probably enough anarchists and libertarians in the country to take over the Republican party but obviously they will never organize and do it. 99% will not even go on the ballot but the reality is whether you like it or not we do live in a democracy.
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Are you serious here? Have you looked around at the anarchist community here on Steemit and worldwide as well? It’s pretty much constant innovation, production, and support.
Anarchists don’t try to “take over the Republican party.” To “take over” such a political entity is to acquire rulership. “ANARCHY” - An Archos = “No Rulers.” That’s kind of the point. That system is inherently violent, and “whether you like it or not,” we reject said violence.
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You are correct. They will probably never get much done except thanks to cryptocurrency they might be able to get away with some tax evasion. Maybe not as much as some of their masters but some is better than none.
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Liberty in this world is a cruel joke
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Statism is a cruel religion.
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I agree
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I guess libertarian or anarcho-capitalist would be more descriptive of your views.
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Any of the three work for me.
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u dont want to be called liberal... so wat shud i call u.. HILLy BILLy ;p
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