Why do non-libertarians tend to believe libertarians are right-wing?

Question

Is it simply a matter of ignorance, or are they simply refusing to look past the platforms cooperatively established and collaboratively promoted by the democrats and republicans over the last 100+ years? Or are libertarians, in your view, truly "right wing"? If so, can you explain to me why reducing the power of the executive branch and appointed (as in, unelected) offices of the federal government, focusing on domestic issues instead of foreign military intervention, increased personal responsibility coupled with equal personal freedom for all people regardless of gender race class etc, and broad tax reform to increase the burden on the rich and reduce it on the poor and to reduce the size and power of the IRS and the federal bureaucracy are "right wing policies" ?

Not all libertarians have the same views, but the closest thing the party has to a platform engages most of the issues above.

In my opinion, the Dem/Rep contemporary constructs of right and left cloud, as opposed to clarify the more important structural issues modern government faces.

Tell me why I am wrong!

Answer 1

You are not wrong.

It is because Libertarians believe, even more so than many modern-day conservatives, that there are certain concrete truths which should not be interpreted based on cultural whims, media polls and the all-powerful concept of "feelings."

To a Liberal, these things sound terribly "Republican"...

For example...a Libertarian might say that the U.S. Constitution applies to citizens only....a "conservative" attitude according to a liberal...

...a Libertarian might also say that weed should be legal because there is nothing in the Consitution that specifically grants the Federal Government the right to outlaw certain drugs....a "liberal" attitude according to a conservative...

Answer 2

Democrats are hurt the most from Libertarian views.  Republicans look into the party and see that it is filled with nut jobs and leave.  The people in the party are their own worst enemy.

Answer 3

often people in general are ignorant idiots, accept that and you'll be better off

Answer 4

I've known many people who consider themselves libertarian, and I consider myself libertarian in a number of ways on a number of issues.

The fact is, that the Democratic party is essentially center-left and that the Republican party is essentially center-right, so neither of the major parties are completely libertarian. So, I think that forces many people with libertarian leanings to make a decision one way or the other if they don't want to vote independent or third party. And which way they split seems to depend on whether economic issues or social issues are more important to them. In other words, who do they see as the real enemy? What is the reason they consider themselves libertarian? If they are libertarian because of social issues, they are likely turned off by the Christian Right special interests, and detest the idea of these groups thinking that they can enact laws telling other people how to live their lives. This type of Libertarian will tend to lean toward the Democratic Party. The other type of Libertarian, who is libertarian mainly because of economic issues, and is a strong believer in the free market, sees liberal and Democratic policies as far as labor laws, minimum wage, free trade agreements, they see them as obstructing with the economy and the free market, and will likely lean more toward the Republican party.

It all comes down to priorities. And I think that most people do have at least a libertarian streak in them. It just depends on which issues they see as most important that will determine which way they will swing on Election Day.  

Answer 5

I think compared to the views in the rest of the world and on the political spectrum it is. on a true political spectrum both the republicans and libertarians would be far right with the libertarians being more about freedom and the republicans being more authoritarian.

the democrats would be center right with the greens being the liberal party.

I tend to end up far left libertarian on such charts to the point that I tend to be out of the mainstream of the greens and closer to anarchists.  

Answer 6

The Libertarian Party keeps adopting refried Republicans as spokespeople for the party.  This year it's Bob Barr.  Republicans aren't interested in reducing government, they aren't for personal liberties.  What they are for is increasing government at the taxpayer's expense and maintaining the status quo.  When you put a neocon at the top of the ticket, that's the message extended.  If the party wants my vote they need a better plan than to nominate another neocon.