Serious Question...how can you possibly NOT be a libertarian?

[PugnacAutMortem]

To flip the OP, I can't see why any thinking person would vote Libertarian in an election where their vote could actually count.

If you want change in the way our government is currently set up (two party system), and you don't vote for the change (3rd party..Libertarian or anything else) then you continue to perpetuate the problem. I despise the idea that a vote not for R or D is a wasted vote. How in the hell do you ever expect anything to change if you aren't willing to put your nuts on the line and vote for who you believe will actually bring change? I actually should use the word reform instead of change.

Artema actually said it best...if the Republicans and Democrats as institutions would just lean more libertarian then I wouldn't have any problem with the setup we have now. It's not possible unfortunately because there has to be division in order for things to function in this system.

[68Charger]

If you want change in the way our government is currently set up (two party system), and you don't vote for the change (3rd party..Libertarian or anything else) then you continue to perpetuate the problem. I despise the idea that a vote not for R or D is a wasted vote. How in the hell do you ever expect anything to change if you aren't willing to put your nuts on the line and vote for who you believe will actually bring change? I actually should use the word reform instead of change.

Artema actually said it best...if the Republicans and Democrats as institutions would just lean more libertarian then I wouldn't have any problem with the setup we have now. It's not possible unfortunately because there has to be division in order for things to function in this system.

And if you think that a few votes for a libertarian candidate will change anything, you're badly fooled- and playing into the Demoncrat play book...

you think the Democrats look at election results, see a double-digit vote for the Libertarian and say "Damn, we'd better move our policies towards the center"?
They look at those results, and will say "great, that helped us win that election"

Or do you believe that the general population will see those results, and decide that maybe the Libertarians are popular enough to start paying attention to?
Because your average American doesn't give 3rd parties a second thought without something to grab their attention.

[davsel]

If you want change in the way our government is currently set up (two party system), and you don't vote for the change (3rd party..Libertarian or anything else) then you continue to perpetuate the problem. I despise the idea that a vote not for R or D is a wasted vote. How in the hell do you ever expect anything to change if you aren't willing to put your nuts on the line and vote for who you believe will actually bring change? I actually should use the word reform instead of change.

Artema actually said it best...if the Republicans and Democrats as institutions would just lean more libertarian then I wouldn't have any problem with the setup we have now. It's not possible unfortunately because there has to be division in order for things to function in this system.

Unfortunately, I don't see any evidence our two party system is going away any time soon. Therefore, why not work on changing the platform of the party you most align with.
Welcome to the Tea Party.

Party platforms have drastically shifted over time. Work within the party to shift it in the direction you would prefer. It may never reach full-on Libertarian, but a third party candidate will never win a major election in our lifetime.
Wasted vote.

[Artema]

Unfortunately, I don't see any evidence our two party system is going away any time soon. Therefore, why not work on changing the platform of the party you most align with.
Welcome to the Tea Party.

Party platforms have drastically shifted over time. Work within the party to shift it in the direction you would prefer. It may never reach full-on Libertarian, but a third party candidate will never win a major election in our lifetime.
Wasted vote.

Are you kidding? Tea Party is full of bat-poop insane wackos. The original informal Tea Party with Ron Paul is not what exists today. If they pretended to do what they claim to do a fraction of a percentage of the time I still wouldn't vote for many of those nutjobs. And Rand Paul is a PINO. Paul In Name Only! As of now I vote based on the candidate, not the party, so I wouldn't be against voting for someone affiliated with them, just not the main wackos.

[davsel]

Are you kidding? Tea Party is full of bat-poop insane wackos. The original informal Tea Party with Ron Paul is not what exists today. If they pretended to do what they claim to do a fraction of a percentage of the time I still wouldn't vote for many of those nutjobs. And Rand Paul is a PINO. Paul In Name Only! As of now I vote based on the candidate, not the party, so I wouldn't be against voting for someone affiliated with them, just not the main wackos.

I believe you don't understand what l̶i̶b̶e̶r̶t̶a̶r̶i̶a̶n̶i̶s̶m̶ the Tea Party is.

[Artema]

I believe you don't understand what l̶i̶b̶e̶r̶t̶a̶r̶i̶a̶n̶i̶s̶m̶ the Tea Party is.

I know what it IS, and what it is supposed to be. I'm a fan of the tea party movement, not the Tea Party.

[davsel]

I know what it IS, and what it is supposed to be. I'm a fan of the tea party movement, not the Tea Party.

You've just proven my point.

[Artema]

You've just proven my point.

Congratulations?