Badnarik Interview- Thoughts?

[dubhdara]

I recently listened to Badnarik's constitutional class at:

http://www.archive.org/movies/details-db.php?collection=election_2004&collectionid=Michael_Badnarik

After sitting through 7 hours (not all in one go) I feel he is certainly a man who understands the Constitution and freedom very well.

As for extremism? Well, that is so relative isn't it? I mean many things which are very good and very true are considered extremist, as are things which are very bad and false.

One can allow a little "foaming at the mouth" in those who have taken the time and made the effort to learn just what is going on in the world today, and those forces seeking to rob us of our liberties.

If I were an American I would vote for someone like Badnarik or Peroutka *never* Bush or Kerry who both uphold and promote policies which lessen freedom.

[dubhdara]

Wow thats the most libertarian comment I've heard from a UK citizen! Its very refreshing to hear.  Are there any more left like you?
I agree with John. We could use you in the U.S.

John and David - thanks for the welcome and kind words!

I'm an English freeman! Under my Constitution I have many rights (which are declared of course in those documents, and not granted; one cannot grant what is intrinsic).

I'm rare though, most citizens of the UK now have been seduced by the European philosophies!

I wish genuine libertarians and true constitutionalists every success in your elections.

Dubhdara

[dubhdara]

  I understand that he know.. well seemingly everything about the constitution (and expects others to too, ). What I'm saying is that I wouldn't feel safe, as such, going to the man's house for dinner.
  I think Peroutka is for taking away plenty of freedoms.
  Side thought: Is there any way that foriegners can help the LP in the US?
  Off topic: You blokes call us liberals in Europe right?

I have only briefly looked at Peroutka's platform - let me know about specifics!

Well, being British, I would not know what Europeans call you

Liberal in England means pro abortion, pro "gay rights" etc. and - illogically - the use of very illiberal means to achieve that state.

Educated people know that liberalism was hijacked and that classic liberalism is much more associated with libertarianism (so about 1% of the population know this).

I believe there are international libertarian organizations around.

Dubhdara.

[dubhdara]

Personally, I don't fault the CP for their anti-abortion stance. It's a gray issue and I agree with both sides to some extent.

There are other issues that I do disagree with them on though:

Michael Peroutka is against women in the military. Considering our military is strictly volunteer, I can find no logical reason to forbid them from fighting if they want to. Heck, ask yourself this - Who would you be more afraid of, a 200 pound man with a gun who wants your money or a 120 pound woman, armed or not, who thinks you stole her baby? I'd be frightened as hell of the woman, because she'd stop at nothing to get me.

They are also for keeping drugs illegal, they are strongly against pornagraphy, ect.

Basically, they are a party of Christian fundamentalists with extreme right economic tendencies. Nothing wrong with either of those, but I think much differently than them on social issues.

It is sad to see the disparity between some libertarians and strong Christians, we find some libertarians who do not comprehend that morality strengthens a society *but* on the other hand we find Christians who do not comprehend that most moral things must be accepted and never imposed on others.

I believe these views *are* reconcilable; a libertarian federal government that allows sub-covenantal societies (states, counties, etc.) whereby people by mutual compact choose the "higher laws" by which they will be governed.

This exists in a pale, weak form in the US when you have situations where some states allow gambling and others do not. The same can be applied to pornography, women serving in the military, etc..

We must understand freedom. Let me say I am deeply opposed to women serving in the military, but for all my feeling I cannot find a principle that would excuse the use of force in stopping such.

People like to associate with like-minded people, they have a right (I feel) to have their children grow up in the environment of their choosing. By forming these societies, contracted into by voluntary agreement when of age, liberty is preserved by vouchsafing the lawful actions of all.

Dubhdara.