I hesitate to introduce another political discussion onto this already polarized list, but at least this one's on topic (and hopefully hasn't already been beaten to death sometime in the past).
Have you guys read Dr. Brin's keynote speech for the Libertarian Party National Convention? He's published it here: http://www.kithrup.com/brin/libertarianarticle1.html What do you think of it? While I'm not sure I agree with everything he says, I thought that overall, it was a brilliant speech. For me, there were several "Wow - I never thought of it *that way*!" moments and other ideas that really gave me some new perspectives on things. I also would like to see what other people think about this specific excerpt from the speech (from pg. 3): Still, today I am especially interested in how all this applies to Libertarians. And for you folks, there's a surface assumption that I want to address briefly, in passing. When it comes to imposing or eliminating government regulation, which of the major parties is the 'lesser of evils'? Elsewhere I go into this in some detail, discussing some unseen aspects of the great big 'Two Party System' that the Libertarian Party and its members really ought to think about. And yes, from your perspective there is an awful lot to dislike about both the Republicans and Democrats. But are they the same kind of opponents? Or is there an underlying difference in the roles they play, stymieing libertarian objectives. Again, I'll leave this for another time and place, but let me tease you with one hint: there is reason to believe that one of the two majors is your natural and honorable opponent. If libertarianism achieved its deserved place on the political landscape, this group would be the strong and worthy adversary for you to compete with openly, offering sovereign citizens differing ideas about how to create a better world. The other opponent represents interests that cannot ever allow you to stand up and be heard. Its opposition is not based on a differing approach to problem-solving, but upon its own survival, which is predicated upon preventing you from ever getting a chance to be heard. Not enough of a hint? Well, for now, just try on one irony. We are used to the cliché that "Democrats favor freedom in the bedroom while Republicans favor freedom in the boardroom." But look over the last 30 years. How many industries have been deregulated to a degree that's more than cosmetic? I count trucking, banking, real estate, telecommunications, airlines and parcel post. And the 'industry' of the Welfare Program. Now ask, how many or these major steps were taken as Republican initiatives and how many Democratic? Another case where you may slap your foreheads in surprise and say: "huh!" I haven't been a serious political follower, so I'm not sure about the origins of all those initiatives, but I suspect they were mostly Republican ones - (am I wrong on this?) To me, this seems to be saying the Republicans are the "natural and honorable opponent" and Democrats as the party "predicated upon preventing you from ever getting a chance to be heard.". But elsewhere in the speech, he says he votes Democrat sometimes... so maybe my guess is wrong?... but then one of his questions specifically is about making a choice of allies between one with short-term-similar/long-term-different goals and one with similar long-term goals but a different idea on how to get there - so that makes me wonder which of those he see the Democrats as. -Bryon _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
