Should Libertarians be able to post on DU

[sasquatch]

Poll question: Should Libertarians be able to post on DU

I've always thought about this and I'm not really sure about it. I agree with them on prostitution, drugs and censorship. I probably differ with them on guns because I believe handguns should be sold under regulations. I don't agree with them on economics either I'm pro union, public schools and regulated water, utilities and pro welfare. How do you feel.

[JohnKleeb]

1. Sure I dont mind the Greens either and Indepedent Leftists

[trotsky]

2. Well I guess it depends.

I mean there's a lot of areas where libertarian and Democratic agendas overlap, and if a libertarian wants to help oust * and his gang of criminals, the more the merrier!

[Capn Sunshine]

3. If they were PURE libertarians

Firstly , they wouldn't bother with a Democratic site.

Most "libertarians" I encounter are actually republicans with an identity crisis.

That asshole Boortz is the first guy that springs to mind.

[slackmaster]

7. There are capital L Libertarians and real libertarians

I consider myself to be the latter.

Most "libertarians" I encounter are actually republicans with an identity crisis.

AKA Republicans who smoke dope.

[wuushew]

4. Only civil libertarians not economic libertarians

egalitarianism is always preferable to false meritocracy. Can they prove that they "earned" their wealth without inputs from the greater society?

[slackmaster]

5. How could anyone possibly object to librarians posting here?

:shrug:

[Hep]

6. Libertarians?

You mean the ones who say that taxation is slavery?

[DarkPhenyx]

8. I think conservatives should be allowed...

...and there are certain liberals that shouldn't be allowed to own a computer.

[sasquatch]

9. That's very close minded and shouldn't be on this board

:grr:

[DarkPhenyx]

11. I thought it was horribly open minded.

Not all conservative posters are absolute idiots and some of the liberal ones can be.

If you feel otherwise please explain why.

[Minstrel Boy]

10. unless they're disrupting the board

anyone should be allowed to post, regardless of labels.

[ixion]

12. anyone should be allowed to post, unless they disrupt the board

IMHO...

[CWebster]

13. No

In my experience they are the most rigid adherents to reactionary free market doctrine. Religiously so, with a naive faith that people can be counted on to be ethical in the absence of social restraint, combined with a dogmatic view that greed is an admirable trait and getting over on others is the pinnacle of the American dream.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

14. If Libertarians can, why not Rockefeller Republicans, other supply-siders?

If DUs sole requirement is that you be socially liberal, but any right-wing reactionary "fiscal conservatives" can post, why not let in liberal Republicans?

The Democratic party is in no danger of becoming socially conservative, but the economic right-wingers seem to be ascendent.

[EarlG]

15. I think we make it pretty clear in our rules

who is and is not welcome at DU.

I'm locking this thread. If you have a question about our policies please post it in the Ask the Administrators forum.

Thanks,

EG

[Guaranteed]

16. Should libertarians be able to have opinions? Yes

Should they be able to express their opinions? Yes.
Should they be able to post those opinions on this board? No.
This is a *home* for progressive Democrats, and libertarians, at least by their party, are not progressive in any sense. Progressives need to know that they can come here and be comfortable.

[jokerman93]

17. Why Not?

As long as they contribute to the discourse in a constructive way. Isn't that how some might find their way into the party? I'm a Green, but I'm considering switching to the Dems.

[welshTerrier2]

18. Defining Progressives

if i'm correctly stating the DU mission, it is to promote democrats and progressives ...

i would define a progressive as someone who looks out for the little guy ... someone willing to acknowledge the benefits of taking from the rich to give to the poor ... libertarians disdainfully refer to this idea as "transfer of wealth" ...

it is my understanding of libertarians that they believe that the sole purpose of government is to provide for the common defense ... this seems completely inconsistent with progressive ideas ... if you can't afford healthcare ... tough ... if the schools stink ... tough ... if you're old and didn't provide for your retirement years ... tough ... doesn't sound too progressive to me ...

i think there's plenty of room on DU for certain libertarian ideas that deal with freedoms and liberties ... but i do not extend a welcome (not on DU, anyway) to those who do not want to care for those unable to care for themselves ...

there are plenty of public forums that encourage all sorts of ideas on all sorts of issues ... but this is not the DU mission ... libertarians, to the extent that their ideas are not progressive, are outside the DU family and should not post here ...