Taxonomy
by hakmao, 11 March 2008
I read a suggestion that a better name for ‘libertarians’–by which is meant in this context the ultra-right, gun-loving, fantasising about living in a log-cabin variety, not left-libertarians, syndicalists and so forth–is ‘the mean rich’. Add ‘racists’ and ‘hypocrites’ to the list. The UK Libertarian Party sets out its stall:
We believe in individual liberty, personal responsibility, and freedom from government–on all issues at all times.
But what’s this?
The totally free movement of people into the UK is not practical whilst we have a large welfare state and other countries are themselves not broadly Libertarian in nature. In line with the Rule of Law, a transparent, consistent points-based system is one of the key measures that we are proposing.
All issues at all times … except if you are Nigerian or Polish, in which case we have a different set of rules. And surely, if the ‘Libertarian Party’ had it’s greasy palms on the levers of power there would be no welfare state … cats and dogs would live in harmony … and ‘Libertarian Party’ members would crawl out of their pits at 05.00 to pick lettuces.
Tuesday 11 March 2008 at 23:52
That libertarian (sic) shite seems like just the sort of fucking arse-hole-ish shit, piss, and diarrhoea that the commenters and contributors at HP Sauce would sign up to without hesitation.
Hate.
Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 9:45
‘the mean rich’
The mean know-in-their-little-hearts-they-are-going-to-be-rich-if-society-just-stops-preventing-them.
Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 14:35
As ever, Will, your judicious use of strong language is an inspiration to us sweary bloggertarians, and a salutary reminder of the power of the English tongue when properly marshalled.
Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 14:51
Eugenides, when will you ever learn?
Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 15:00
I think you guys are failing to make a distinction between minimal state libertarianism (protection of all rights of all citizens) with non-state anarcho-capitalism (where there is no concept of a state and so all rights are human rights). In a world of nation states, anarcho-capitalism is almost impossible to even imagine. Libertarianism or classical liberalism (individual liberty within national borders) is the only even vaguely practical course at the moment. Which is not to say that libertarians like myself are not in favour of completely free immigration in principle, just that it needs to accompany other freedoms simultaneously.
Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 16:07
When indeed, Mustafa… when indeed?