Libertarian Rant

There are some aspects of the libertarian position that I like, but the truth is that we all (or almost all) like some little piece of what the government provides. We'd like to see cuts in the programs that government provides to other people, just not the piece that I want.

I live in a very Republican, very conservative area and the local papers are often publishing editorials and letters to the editor about tax cuts and the evils of big government. But recently, in response to cries for smaller government and lower taxes, the state called for a small, local hospital to change its operations to just emergency services. Now this will help the state control the administration of its Medicare and Medicaid costs, but all of a sudden, the locals who write letters and editorials changed their tune!

Oh my God! they said, we will all die if we have to travel 15 miles to the other hospital! Well, they didn't win the fight, but the point was made - we don't mind taxes and government if they think they will improve life for us, but we also don't mind screwing everybody else.

Here's a rant from a Ron Paul (Libertarian) supporter...