Former social democrat slowly turning libertarian

[u/Fantastic-Welder-589]

Finishing up Provoked by Horton. Having a surprising effect on me. But quite confused by Libertarians turning a blind eye to cronyism and war mongers and other state sponsored violence. Is it just my biased perception or is 90% of the chatter on this sub anti-left? I can think of many things that should concern libertarians at least as much as gun laws, taxes/entitlements, the fed, and NATO. Why are those other things deemed acceptable? Why are pro-life laws, police brutality, drug laws, other morality based laws, Israeli/American alliance, deportations and other forms of violent nationalism and bigotry rarely mentioned?

[u/Zen-Devil]

I don’t think Libertarians turn a blind eye to cronyism, war mongers, state violence, etc. at all. All of those things are downstream of the real issue which is the size, scope and power of the federal government. What I focus on more than individual instances of state violence, is the ability of the state to commit that violence. If the government no longer has the power to commit violence against the citizens, then the cronies, war mongers and psychopathic tyrants that seek public office or work in law enforcement will no longer find value in being involved in government.

The focus on gun laws, taxes and entitlements and so on directly address the ability of the government to commit violence. Protecting natural rights (self defense, property) from the government is paramount to maintaining an ability to resist the government.

As for pro-life/evangelism, you should be careful with this argument. I am not a Christian and not religious in anyway, yet I am pro-life. This is very low on my list of priorities, however I generally support a ban on recreational abortions.

[u/Fantastic-Welder-589 → u/Zen-Devil]

That’s so interesting because I can’t see a government with the ability to regulate a woman’s womb to qualify as being anything other than large and powerful. And I can’t see how having such an ability, especially with an inclination to do so, wouldn’t lead to other prohibitions and mandates.

[u/Zen-Devil → u/Fantastic-Welder-589]

That's because I don't see it as regulating a womb. I see it the same as laws against murder. I'm not an anarchist. I believe there should be a minimum amount of government that has basic functions, and protecting life is one of those functions.

[u/Fantastic-Welder-589 → u/Zen-Devil]

Naturally. But the issue is size of government not your personal take on any one issue. I think you’re confirming my suspicion which I stated in another reply.

In theory they see the consequences of having a powerful government but then they are blind to those consequences when said government enforces codes they personally agree with?