I found what you're looking for in libertarianism, Ken.

The social freedoms of the left, with the economic freedoms of the right. And the legal freedom and self determination both sides neglect.

Read Ron Paul's 'Revolution', 'End the Fed', 'Liberty Defined'...sets it all out...a very appealing proposition for folks who have moved beyond the old left/right way of thinking.

Hey blacka, I followed Ron Paul's republican nomination as the man spoke honestly and made so much sense that I found it so senseless that he was ignored by mainstream media and considering he had a huge online following. I think he would have crushed Obama if he were nominated. I'm not too sure though that there is a huge libertarian movement in Australia compared to the US. The left and right paradigm is so ingrained it's a two headed beast! lol Are you planning to vote for a libertarian party?

He's an amazing guy...i went into watching the '07 US primary season to follow Dennis Kucinich in the Dems race and ended up riveted to Dr Paul's message in the other debate! Wasnt expecting to be turned around so much by him. Especially on economic liberty which i never really understood.

It would have been interesting to see how he would have done. There is appeal to his message of liberty across the board...things true to the heart of folks from all political stripes. Problem was a mainstream media that never let his campaign get any momentum. In the '11 primaries his rallies were outdrawing all others among Repubs, even Obama rallies in fact. He has a massive following on US college campuses.

Maybe thats the direction for libertarianism in Oz...university campuses. There is so much cynicism on the left here that i feel that if Aussies understood this point of view better they would really be drawn to it.

Hard to know if the political process is the way to approach it. Although with Wikileaks running candidates maybe that is the opportunity. Julian Assange identifies a libertarian to some degree...on social policies no doubt, not sure on his position on central banking and economics though. Given our system here has more of a chance for small parties and independents to get some representation, we have more potential than the US it could be argued.

Id vote for Wikileaks in the senate myself, just to see whether they really are what they potentially could be. A real libertarian alternative to the one party approach of Libor/Laberal drones :)

The real threat from Wiki is to the Greens though...could really gut their support which would be good to see. The Greens are a major disappointment and im a former member. They are statists through and through...problem with that approach is it just feeds into the cyclical nature of politics...the real answers lie in personal liberty and self determination. Folks get weak, lazy and entitled when they look to gubbiment to save them...

Social freedoms of the Left and economic freedoms of the Right makes sense to me. Will look him up.

DP

Edited by thupercoach: 16/4/2013 01:00:27 PM

Could be the best box set of books u ever buy...Revolution, End the Fed, Liberty Defined...

Just make up your own mind about the guy and dont let others impressions tarnish your own. :)

It's a shame he was not 20 years younger at this point in time. Still waiting to see if Rand Paul is half the man his dad is...

I thought about wikileaks too. I'm glad there is still plenty of time though.

The two don't work together.

Most libertarians are from the school of Austrian economics. True when compared to the current economic ideals coupled with the ideas on the left, it's chalk and cheese. If libertarians ever got into power the whole economic system would be overhauled. Which is why it wouldn't happen any time soon haha.

That's what I thought, but I'm open minded enough and know little about the subject so I'll look it up at the end of my semester.

Wrong! Read Ron Paul...thats EXACTLY his message!
:d

Right wing economic freedoms drive capitalism, which is the very antithesis of left wing social freedoms.

Ooops there's that old two sided, left/right 'paradigm' again LOL :oops:

Some are just incapable of seeing past what they've had their heads filled with...i know the feeling so dont be offended!

Fact is...capitalism is freedom even though its "right wing" ...socialism is slavery even though its "left wing"....

Libertarianism aint left or right...its about the individual and LIBERTY...freedom is important in economic as well as the social sphere. Learn this and you're there.

I read an ancient Greek philosophical quote (think it was Plato) that said something along the lines that anarchy would be the best only when everyone is properly educated. I yearn for that day where no one makes choices for us.

Two party preferred system is selective dictatorship.

Anarchism is a flawed and impossible principle.

Might have been Aristotle, doesnt sound like Plato :-k
(apparently that was a big fork in the road for philosophy...Ayn Rand is Aristotle, Nietzche is Plato... if u get my drift)

Thats kind of the idea for some behind the spectrum of libertarian thought...

From Classical Liberalism (done) ...to....Minarchist government (waiting for this)....to....Anarcho Capitalism (future ideal, utopian)

Though id be happy with just Minarchist, govt for basic services and nothin else, radically lower flat tax, personal liberties

Totally agree on the two party dictatorship...its a bit of a trap to fool people into thinking their way of thinking will eventually win and they can impose their views on the rest. Its what Hans Hermann Hoppe calls Majoritarianism, in his book 'Democracy: the god that failed'. The better solution is to allow folks to govern themselves and increase a sense of self determination.


Edited by blacka: 17/4/2013 11:06:36 AM

This thread appears to have been hijacked by intellectual political debate... The important thing, the thing that we must not forget, is that MARGARET THATCHER IS STILL DEAD.

Honestly, Thatcher dies, I have my best week at work for years, then Sunderland beat the Mags 3-0 at the Landfill... Best. Week. Ever.

Intellectual thought does get in the way of mindless hate, yes ;)

I assure you it's very 'mindful' hate. ;)

Lets have a party.

I couldn't agree less. Don't buy into the class warfare shit.

Hmmm limited by the class warfare rhetoric and a misunderstanding of the free market principles that admitedly Thatcher was not comprehensive enough in implementing. Im no Thatcher fan on balance, though i respect some things she did.

All in all ...the passing of people like this is a good time to reflect on the issues around her life...especially the nature of free markets vs socialism on a philosophical level...does more for me than celebratory sentiment over a person whose time had passed anyway.

Public funeral on tv right now

Pictures courtesy of the bbc*

* bbc to soon divorce the abc after selling rights to all content in australia to foxtel

Hopefully a riot breaks out, spills out the witch and the people burn the corpse. (Y)

I'm getting the feeling you don't like Margaret Thatcher...

Has 'Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead' hit number 1 on the UK charts yet?

If I may channel the ghost of Margaret Thatcher, or what I think Margaret Thatcher will say to you

'What a weak little squibble of a boy, trying to rile me from behind a keyboard'

'Now, stop whinging and get on with it'

Somewhat disappointed the 21 gun salute wasn't aimed at the coffin.

Was thinking the same thing.

Gee you boys are covering yourselves in glory.