Libertarianism is the biggest load of bullshit, rivaled only by Ayn Rand and her Objectivist “philosophy”. I like the civil aspect of it - the idea that each person can do what they want as long as it doesn’t violate the rights and privacy of others - it’s the other parts of libertarianism that I don’t care for. Libertarians don’t believe in any kind of regulation of the private sector, they envision a world where corporations can do whatever they want without fear of the government stepping in, as long as it doesn’t violate anyone’s rights. Because as we all know, corporations love nothing more than to respect and uphold the rights of people.
Then there’s their view on national government, which is basically “FUCK DA GUVMENT!” They believe the government’s only function should be national defense and protecting people’s rights, so in their vision, the government would only be comprised of a Department of Defense, a Department of State, a watered down Congress and a weak presidency. Maybe, there might be a Department of Justice, but who knows. Even then, the federal government would have little-to-no actual power or influence, which means people would be at the mercy of their state governments and corporations.
Libertarians like Ron Paul think this is all hunky dory, but let me paint you a picture of what a libertarian America would look like: State governments would be owned by corporations and the rich, like what happened in Wisconsin, but taken to the extreme. The South would be nothing but a series of Christian theocracies where if you’re black, gay or anything else disagreeable, you’ll be imprisoned, run out of the state or just straight up lynched on the spot. If you’re a worker, then you’re so totally fucked, it’s not even funny. No minimum wage, no union, no kind of aid from the state or federal governments. If you’re not rich, you are basically fucked in a libertarian society.
Of course, you could move to one of the better states (if there are any), but traveling would be long and difficult, because without federal money, all the highways, interstates and transportation infrastructure in general is just gone. State governments can’t afford to maintain all this stuff on their own. Hell, it was the federal government that fronted the money to build all that in the first place! Oh sure, there’ll be nice, well maintained roads, but those will only be for the rich who can afford it. You won’t be able to, because the meager salary you’ll be making (remember, no minimum wage in a libertarian society!) will go towards trying to pay your rent or food.
Actually, scratch the rent part, you’ll never be able to afford it. Don’t worry, you won’t be living on the street alone, you’ll have plenty of company, what with all the low-income families! No government assistance means no low-income housing for the poor. State governments would immediately sell all that property to corporations who, in turn, would evict the tenants, bulldoze the houses and build a mall or a gated community or something.
Speaking of selling government-owned property, say goodbye to national parks and state parks as well. What? Those places are full of trees and other resources and denying free enterprise to strip mine those parks for all their lumber, oil and precious metals is so very anti-libertarian!
Welcome to the Libertarian States of America.
