Any libertarians out there?

Question

I was interested in this party but then I did some research and I'm not so sure now. If the only role of government is protecting property rights then how do you 1. deal with pollution 2. Stop racism, sexism, ageism, and other discrimination 3. Give people the chance to move up in society. With out access to schools kids will be stuck in the same social class they are born in to. People like paris hilton would have wealth that she never could have acquired on her own if there was a level playing field. I think public education is crucial to the American dream and is the one "socialist" idea I think the democratic party has right.

Answer 1

I was a libertarian for awhile. But then I read a lot of books about weird small communities. Books like "The Lottery," and realized that small communities would have license to do things like that. So I changed my platform.

Answer 2

Libertarians move away from polluted areas

Libertarians who are smart avoid those -ism's you mention

Libertarians give people the chance to move up, without a handout

Answer 3

1. Polluting someone's property or persons is clearly wrong and a violation of your rights. There are numerous laws out there to protect people from this.  If a company pollutes your drinking water with mercury, then they will face a severe lawsuit.  

If you are referring to environmental regulation, then you will most likely find some disagreement, but we will also see a push towards privatizing as much as possible since privatizing goods brings about ownership and liability.

I think most libertarians are aware of the negative externalities of pollution since not everything can be privatized.  You might find some disagreement, but you may also find some libertarians advocating minimal  government role to mitigate externalities,  either with a Pigovian tax, some regulations, cap-n-trade system, etc.

You will find discussion and disagreement among the libertarian camp, but overall you see an emphasis towards privatization.

2. It is not the governments role to stop sexism, racism, ageism, or any other discrimination.  This is up to the individual.  Private businesses should be able to conduct their businesses privately and hire who they want.  It is up to you to support a discriminatory business or an egalitarian business.  This is called personal responsibility.

3.  In a free society, in which we primarily live in, there is a constant flux of upward and downwards mobility.  This is not a caste system where you are born into the same income bracket as your parents and have no chance of self improvement.  

Libertarians don't believe in coercive wealth redistribution, but we emphasize voluntary charity.

4. If you have not noticed, our educational system is FAILING in the hands of the state.  We invest a lot into our education system and are not getting the returns we should.  Again, you will see disagreement over the level of funding, but you will also see a push towards free market, abolishment of the wasteful bureaucracy known as the DOE, and allowing the states to play a bigger role in educational decisions than the federal government.  

Libertarians emphasize a small, limited federal government, but places more emphasis upon state powers.  It is moving the decision making and responsibility away from a national level and towards the individual level.

Answer 4

Nope. Just a proud Democrat over here!

Answer 5

Spoken like a true Democrat

McCain/Palin '08