Well it seems that the answer is actually Socialism. We can plainly see it is certainly not Death.
It is funny though because no matter who you speak to they always want more liberty for themselves. It is the others, you know the darkies or chavs or whatever, who don’t deserve freedom but deserve to be catalogued, tortured and deprived of their liberties for our convenience or perceived safety. So, although we all want to be free and have all the benefits we see attached to that freedom we are happy for everyone else not to be free and have no benefits of Liberty. We don’t actually see the slightest bit of irony with having both these thoughts at the same time but such is the beauty of being human.
I was discussing the political situation today and why, IMO, the people are just not ready for Libertarianism. It’s not that they don’t want it it is just that they are scared of letting go of what they know as they see Libertarianism as Anarchy and are frightened. Looking at what goes on in the Libertarian camps I can understand why. In the US Liberty is clearly defined and supported and yet they have no real impact on politics either. Interestingly enough James Higham has done a post on the Libertarians as well where he says he thinks that the US has a better understanding of what it means and Libertarism has a better chance. I agree with it in one way but feel it could be changed.
Personally, though although I support Libertarian Principles I actually think the UK would be happier with a party not quite totally Libertarian. There is still time for the LPUK to be that party and it won’t be a conflict, after all if the Lib Dems can still use that name then Libertarians, with a bit (a small bit) of control can be called the LPUK.
I am a UK Libertarian yet even I wonder what is going to happen. It is clear we can’t go from a welfare state to a Libertarian paradise overnight and yet nobody is clear on what it means to them if the voted in the LPUK. Lower taxes, less interference, choice are mentioned time after time but no clear policies on what that means. For people stuck in our system we need a clear roadmap. We have a starting position which is now, everything is as it is, and we have an ending position with the intentions of the Libertarians and there is a frightening difference between the two with nothing defined as a route map. Sure, they have a policy on this and a policy on that but how will that be implemented, what does it mean to me?
Until Libertarians actually look at the process and define the first term in office, what it will do, what changes it will make during its first, and potentially only, term then people will be unsure, better the devil you know than this bunch who want to remove all controls and bring anarchy to the UK. We need Libertarian Lite which is a stepping stone on the way. Then even if a second term is not forthcoming we can make a big difference and make what Gordo has done difficult for someone else to attempt.
I think that the first step is to prioritise the easy wins, Tell plod to go back to Peelian Principles, and sack every outreach coordinator, special advisor for short people, long people etc. and social worker in there. Then, get every Quango to list what they do on an A4 piece of paper including costs and benefits. If it is not of benefit to the people abolish it and put the people on the dole. Tell everyone on the dole that payments will stop dead in five years, remove carefully selected hurdles to businesses. And so on…. up to a nice point where we have restored all our freedoms, defined a constitution(or something) and brought control to our society. Just to be clear these are not suggestions or ideas from the LPUK but just examples from me. The LPUK have their own ideas, and better than mine (hopefully), of what they want to do.
With a clear roadmap of what will happen, the benefits and the impact to themselves then people will see what Libertarians stand for. They will see the benefits, and the downsides, and make up their own minds. Then, understanding what is going on will bring people in as supporters. Norwich showed that there are people out there that are willing to support them. After only a year that shows there are many out there willing to take the leap. We need to make it more and in time for the next election. It can’t be that far away now and the message needs to get out as soon as possible so that when it comes to ticking the boxes the ideology is clear, the intentions are clear and the choice is clear.
Screw Cameron, he is just another politician in a sea of them and is not worthy, we need someone who will work for us so we need to be lined up, clear in thought and way forward and ready for the backlash against the political class that Gordo will leave. The time is never going to be any better than early next year for Libertarianism. Let’s not waste it.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows. — Epictetus (c.55-c.135)
Give me Liberty or give me …
Well it seems that the answer is actually Socialism. We can plainly see it is certainly not Death.
It is funny though because no matter who you speak to they always want more liberty for themselves. It is the others, you know the darkies or chavs or whatever, who don’t deserve freedom but deserve to be catalogued, tortured and deprived of their liberties for our convenience or perceived safety. So, although we all want to be free and have all the benefits we see attached to that freedom we are happy for everyone else not to be free and have no benefits of Liberty. We don’t actually see the slightest bit of irony with having both these thoughts at the same time but such is the beauty of being human.
I was discussing the political situation today and why, IMO, the people are just not ready for Libertarianism. It’s not that they don’t want it it is just that they are scared of letting go of what they know as they see Libertarianism as Anarchy and are frightened. Looking at what goes on in the Libertarian camps I can understand why. In the US Liberty is clearly defined and supported and yet they have no real impact on politics either. Interestingly enough James Higham has done a post on the Libertarians as well where he says he thinks that the US has a better understanding of what it means and Libertarism has a better chance. I agree with it in one way but feel it could be changed.
Personally, though although I support Libertarian Principles I actually think the UK would be happier with a party not quite totally Libertarian. There is still time for the LPUK to be that party and it won’t be a conflict, after all if the Lib Dems can still use that name then Libertarians, with a bit (a small bit) of control can be called the LPUK.
I am a UK Libertarian yet even I wonder what is going to happen. It is clear we can’t go from a welfare state to a Libertarian paradise overnight and yet nobody is clear on what it means to them if the voted in the LPUK. Lower taxes, less interference, choice are mentioned time after time but no clear policies on what that means. For people stuck in our system we need a clear roadmap. We have a starting position which is now, everything is as it is, and we have an ending position with the intentions of the Libertarians and there is a frightening difference between the two with nothing defined as a route map. Sure, they have a policy on this and a policy on that but how will that be implemented, what does it mean to me?
Until Libertarians actually look at the process and define the first term in office, what it will do, what changes it will make during its first, and potentially only, term then people will be unsure, better the devil you know than this bunch who want to remove all controls and bring anarchy to the UK. We need Libertarian Lite which is a stepping stone on the way. Then even if a second term is not forthcoming we can make a big difference and make what Gordo has done difficult for someone else to attempt.
I think that the first step is to prioritise the easy wins, Tell plod to go back to Peelian Principles, and sack every outreach coordinator, special advisor for short people, long people etc. and social worker in there. Then, get every Quango to list what they do on an A4 piece of paper including costs and benefits. If it is not of benefit to the people abolish it and put the people on the dole. Tell everyone on the dole that payments will stop dead in five years, remove carefully selected hurdles to businesses. And so on…. up to a nice point where we have restored all our freedoms, defined a constitution(or something) and brought control to our society. Just to be clear these are not suggestions or ideas from the LPUK but just examples from me. The LPUK have their own ideas, and better than mine (hopefully), of what they want to do.
With a clear roadmap of what will happen, the benefits and the impact to themselves then people will see what Libertarians stand for. They will see the benefits, and the downsides, and make up their own minds. Then, understanding what is going on will bring people in as supporters. Norwich showed that there are people out there that are willing to support them. After only a year that shows there are many out there willing to take the leap. We need to make it more and in time for the next election. It can’t be that far away now and the message needs to get out as soon as possible so that when it comes to ticking the boxes the ideology is clear, the intentions are clear and the choice is clear.
Screw Cameron, he is just another politician in a sea of them and is not worthy, we need someone who will work for us so we need to be lined up, clear in thought and way forward and ready for the backlash against the political class that Gordo will leave. The time is never going to be any better than early next year for Libertarianism. Let’s not waste it.