Comments on: TCS Daily – Libertarian Paradise

By: LJD

LJD — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 15:21:58 +0000

Or in other words:

Libertarian reasoning is that we should abandon drug laws and interdiction because...
...drug laws unreasonably intrude on personal freedom.

The fact that the drug war is a failure is just an observation that serves to support the logic. The intrusion on freedoms are just part of the overall failure.

By: ICallMasICM

ICallMasICM — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 14:59:43 +0000

Libertarian reasoning isn't that we should abandon drug laws and interdiction because it's a failure. That's pragmatic reasoning. Libertarian reasoning is that drug laws unreasonably intrude on personal freedom. Unfortunately both advocates and critics on libertarianism often misrepresent libertarian principles.

By: LJD

LJD — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 12:30:46 +0000

Our war on illiteracy is an even bigger failure, apparently.

By: RA

RA — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 21:53:24 +0000

Our war on murder, stealing, and lieing under oath are abysmal failures. So... we should legalize murder, stealing and lieing under oath. Libertarian reasoning sometimes boarders on the moronic.

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:56:49 +0000

Fersboo, Your point about the euthanasia issue is taken. I'd dispute it on the basis of how prevalent is the practice. The previous post about the Rotterdam alderman you mentioned it as "mandatory" euthanasia. Now THAT is a crackpot idea.

By: ICallMasICM

ICallMasICM — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:37:40 +0000

'Left-libertarians, at least, are more concerned about social freedoms than laissez faire economics. '

That's because they're liberals and not libertarians.

By: Fersboo

Fersboo — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:17:52 +0000

Sorry about the double up on posts James. I swear the first one didn't show up.

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 19:00:37 +0000

Jack: Granted, it's a hell of a caveat. Still, most Left-libertarians, at least, are more concerned about social freedoms than laissez faire economics.

By: ICallMasICM

ICallMasICM — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:57:31 +0000

'Libertarian Paradise'

and

'While Holland has an exceedingly redistributionist economic policy'

don't go together no matter how socially liberal they are.

By: Fersboo

Fersboo — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:57:27 +0000

Am I now?

By: Fersboo

Fersboo — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 18:10:36 +0000

DCloser, read of few of these and tell me again how I am taking one crackpot's view and applying it to the country as a whole. 1 2 3

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:39:14 +0000

Fersboo, I think you are taking the rants of one fringe crackpot politician for the political center. I've been to Holland numerous times and find it very livable.

By: Fersboo

Fersboo — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:32:35 +0000

Libertarian paradise indeed? Via Ace

A pro-abortion city councilwoman in Rotterdam says that forced abortions should be used to curb the "problem" of unwanted children in Holland and its territories.

Read more. Given their fascination with government sponsored [and mandatory, if some had their way] euthanasia and abortion, and given that the legit drug use in the 'coffee houses' are regulated and monitored by the government, I would suggest that the free drug culture of Holland is more of an opiate to calm the masses; to keep them calm as the elites' socalist ideals are set in place.

By: LJD

LJD — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:24:44 +0000

Crap, twice in two days! What is up with the universe?

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 13:35:44 +0000

LJD - Agreed. The war on drugs is an utter failure and we need to legalize and control it.

As for Holland and how it thrives despite the loose morals of its red light districts and open drug use, I think most of the emphasis on those two things are overblown. I think most Dutch are still quite conservative morally, but they just don't want to stick their nose up everyone else's business. They work hard, save their money, and teach their children to do the same. Just like most everyone else. There will always be a small percentage of people who use drugs and abuse their bodies, but that's their own choice.