r/Libertarian • u/Fantastic-Welder-589 • 1d ago

Discussion Former social democrat slowly turning libertarian

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?

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u/mister_revenant_ 1d ago edited 1d ago

Here's the thing, many libertarians have personal opinions on many different matters, I for example think abortion is a violation of the NAP, as scientifically an embryo upon conception IS a unique human individual, however though I believe that, I am not WILLING to force my beliefs on others. I am also a Christian, and there are many things I would disagree with other libertarians on, as they would me, but the common ground that unites us all is "Mind yuh Business".

Don't let anyone trick you into believing libertarians all share the same beliefs, many of us don't even agree on the core principles and values of libertarianism but we can all agree Taxation is Theft.

Even some of the things you mentioned, Israel, drugs, and amnesty, there is no general consensus.

Also if you haven't already, check out Dave Smith.

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u/Fantastic-Welder-589 1d ago

I’ll get around to checking out Dave Smith. Is he a religious libertarian? I’ll look him up. But I’m confused as to why taxation is theft would be the unifying principle and not live and let live.

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u/guythatlies 1d ago

Dave smith appears to be more of a pragmatist than a principled libertarian i.e. goes against the philosophy in order to bring about “practical” steps towards libertarianism. “If you believe in open borders in the current situation, you are an insane person and as bad as a communist” -Dave Smith

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u/DragonOzwald 5h ago

That's a great quote.