Huckabee attacks Libertarianism

[RouterJockey]

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I think that is an overly simplified (and pessimistic for that matter) view of libertarianism.  Yes, Libertarians tend to focus on individuals - individual rights, individual responsibility - let me live my life and I'll let you live yours, etc...  But I don't think that necessarily makes us selfish.  My wife and I (both registered Libertarians) donate to local charities.  I don't have a problem with helping someone who is truly in need.

Basically, where I have a problem is the forced charity aspect.  I don't have a choice - I have to pay taxes to the government.  Then the government gives that money to whomever it deems needs it.  I don't have any say as to whether or not the "charity" is warranted.  I don't think it would be well received if I came to your door, pointed a gun at you, and said "give me $500 - Joe down the street needs new tires for his truck."  Yet, that is essentially what government does.

[RouterJockey]

I used to be a registered Republican.  Now I'm a Libertarian.  I consider myself a right-leaning libertarian.  What drove me to change from an R to an L is that I see government getting too big and too powerful.

However, I think it is a balancing act.  I do believe the governmnet should provide some functions/services (education, defense, safety-net for the poor/old/disabled, etc.) - within reason.  IMO, we've gone too far toward big government.  But, I'm not an anarchist, I don't want to see all programs/government abolished.  I just want to see it reduced to what I consider a reasonable level.

[RouterJockey]

To address other posters, libertarianism is not a cruel ideology.  You're only looking at things from the perspective that people need government help.  The truth is that we've added layer upon layer of government programs without reducing poverty.  All of this government "help" induces more people to depend on government rather than themselves.  If government stopped offering benefits, people would either adjust and provide for themselves or choose to do without.

I'm not a pure libertarian, as I'm comfortable with government maintaining an interstate highway system, providing disaster relief and rescue operations, and even subsidizing critical national defense contractors.  Still, compassion is not the same thing as sending people dollars and regulations from Washington, DC.  And if there's a moral obligation to help certain people, I don't think it necessarily justifies taking someone else's money to do so.

Exactly!  I agree 100% - well said!