# Do libertarians have classicidal ideations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 14, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-libertarians-have-classicidal-ideations/720075 "2015-05-14T23:51:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 122
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-libertarians-have-classicidal-ideations/720075/122 "2015-05-17T06:15:58Z")
> [@grude](#): > > To give an idea of how broad and varied the umbrella of libertarian is, I was first introduced to the term and decided I was one by a woman who was a libertarian in Texas in the 90s. > > She was an open lesbian and a gay rights activist, and was libertarian and supporting the party because it was the only party against the at that time still on the books sodomy laws that made gay sex illegal. This was a big issue at the time and an example of a grossly unjust law,and I found the parties stance of “leave me alone government” resonated with me. > > I think the party lost a fair bit of support as laws against sodomy and marijuana have been overturned or eased. > > The stereotype of the average libertarian seemed to solidify a lot later. You don’t mention property rights. You seem focused on, well, personal _liberty_. What do you think of Cliven Bundy? Maybe you’re a fan of Cliven Bundy, Ayn Rand and the Koch Brothers, but if not, I find it sad that you identify as “libertarian.” I’m in favor of “big tent” parties but it seems very very wrong if the Koch Brothers can co-opt your vote becuase of the gay rights isuue. Looking “liberty” up in a dictionary to understand what the American political label “libertarian” means, is akin to looking up “democratic” to get a handle on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. ~ ~ ~ ~ After writing the above, my memory was jogged and I found that you and I had a similar discussion almost three years ago. _**Indeed you’re the Doper I mentioned upthread in connection with [the Libertarian Party platform](http://www.lp.org/platform)!**_. You warned that it was “long.” I clicked the link and found a shortish document whose very first sentence was straight out of Ayn Rand: > [@](#): > > PREAMBLE > As Libertarians, we seek a world of liberty; a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values for the benefit of others… > > We call for the repeal of the income tax, the abolishment of the Internal Revenue Service and all federal programs and services not required under the U.S. Constitution. We oppose any legal requirements forcing employers to serve as tax collectors. Government should not incur debt, which burdens future generations without their consent. We support the passage of a “Balanced Budget Amendment” to the U.S. Constitution, provided that the budget is balanced exclusively by cutting expenditures, and not by raising taxes. You responded: > [@In your opinion, why hasn't libertarianism come to pass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-your-opinion-why-hasnt-libertarianism-come-to-pass/624773/165): > > In fact I wasn’t even aware that the libertarian party took such a hard line approach towards income taxes. I guess three years of pondering didn’t change your mind, so three more years won’t either. I’ve quoted part of the old thread to clarify things for the spectators. 😃 --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-libertarians-have-classicidal-ideations/720075)._