Chris -
Hey Nick,
I'm a libertarian; I hope you don't mind me taking a crack at it.
Most small L libertarians I know (I'm distinguishing us from the Libertarian
Party, which is another thing altogether) are deeply cynical people.
I'm sure you are not alone here as an 'l'ibertarian. I could possibly
be labeled that, though I do not believe I am as cynical as many 'l' or
'L'ibertarians seem to be. I *am* a very strong believer in personal
liberties (which has a dual of personal responsibilities). I like
"anarchist" myself (not "Anarchist") but the term has a very bad
rep/rap... it sounds like rape, pillage and plunder, even though it
means nothing more than "without ruler". My anarchy is a bit more like
the Quakers than the Anarchists (any of them)
So here's the thing: it's not so much that libertarians favor corporations
over government; it's that we fear history has shown over and over that
corporations USE government to solidify their positions, crush competition
and prevent innovation.
I think this is a very important point. I also am a fan of "free
markets" which means (among other things) that, exactly as you point
out, that some corporations (or individuals) should not be allowed to
use government to create unfair competition. One way to prevent this
is to say that government cannot interfere with free enterprise.
Those opposing such radical interpretations of free market and free
enterprise and government control of same might argue that *someone*
must provide checks and balances against economic agents to prevent
their exploiting others (including the commons such as the global
climate, economy, biosphere) by ignoring (or creating) hidden costs.
We oppose as the worst thing the melding of
corporations and government. And we see little to choose from between Sen.
Mary Landrieu (D-British Petroleum) and Dick Chaney (R-Haliburton).
And I agree, seeing only lesser of evils to choose from on most ballots,
and probably all corporate investments.
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