These Things I Believe (which is why I have no party and I must scream)

While I more or less identify as a libertarian (and they'll only have me because there's nothing they can really do about it), the reality is that I don't fully belong to any party or ideology.

This isn't one of those meaningless "I reject political labels" statements that can only be made by politicians who are in fact perfectly described by the label they are busy rejecting, this is more of a slightly disappointing acceptance of reality.

I read blogs and listen to podcasts from a variety of political viewpoints (well, except for Leftist stuff, as I absorbed all that I can ever possibly need in my first 30-some years) and I get much out of them, but I always find myself in significant disagreement with some central tenet of the party or ideology I'm listening to.

Probably this is for the best, uncomfortable as it is. It means I am forever on my toes, always probing to find the areas where I disagree with someone, always knowing I can't take everything said at face value. Exhausting yet liberating.

Why do I find myself in this situation? Well, see if you can spot the items that put me at odds with each ideology/party out there:

• I believe absolutely in freedom of speech and thought.

• I believe absolutely in the freedom and basic rights of women and all people, even those who live in countries other than the one I happen to be in.

• I believe slavery and oppression are bad regardless of religion or country.

• I do not believe in God.

• I do not believe in talking other people out of believing in God.

• I am very uncomfortable with guns and unable to muster enthusiasm when it comes to restrictions on them.

• I believe in killing people who intend harm to my country.

• I believe in overthrowing oppressive regimes when doing so aligns with my country's interests, and in not interfering otherwise even if there are moral reasons to do so.

• I believe all immigration is good -- legal, illegal, whatever -- and welcome every well-meaning immigrant who comes to my country to create a better life.

• I believe economic liberty and a free market system are central to wealth and health and overall liberty.

• I believe that a government and government intervention are critical to the existence of a civil society.

• I believe that government intervention in any sphere of life should be thought of like chemo-therapy: Unfortunately necessary, to be applied as much as required but not one whit more, and of no benefit if it kills the patient before the cancer does.

• I believe that the ills of too much of a free market are infinitely preferable to the ills of too much government.

• I believe in freedom of choice when it comes to abortion.

• I believe that if you believe abortion is murder, then the only morally-acceptable view is that abortion should be illegal in all cases except where the life of the mother is at stake.

• I believe that most popular tenets of environmentalism -- organic food, locally-produced goods, zero landfill -- are magical thinking designed to make the thinker feel good, and almost always result in the worst possible decisions for helping the planet or the people on it.

• I believe adults should be allowed to do as they wish if they are not harming others.

• I do not believe that adults doing whatever they wish means they always do what they should, but I believe liberty trumps morality and practicality.

• I believe humans bring meaning to nature, and that nature has no inherent benefit or usefulness without humans to make use of it.

• I believe that I must be wrong about a great many things, and therefore should always proceed with humility and do my best to test my beliefs against the arguments of others.

If none of these statements pissed you off -- well, first I don't believe you, and second perhaps we should start a new movement together!

Comments

[Fidelity]

"I believe that the ills of too much of a free market are infinitely preferable to the ills of too much government."

I don't know if I agree, but it's very thought provoking. I believe at some point, "free markets" become the government: corporations consolidate to monopolies and fix prices, set controls to prevent competition, and in the case of inelastic goods and services exploit the common people. Up until 1910, corporations hired private armies to break strikes, and it's only because of regulation that we are able to preserve democracy and as close to a "free market" you can get. Both "free markets" and governments are dangerous, without vigilant citizens watching and intervening in affairs.

"I believe that most popular tenets of environmentalism -- organic food, locally-produced goods, zero landfill -- are magical thinking designed to make the thinker feel good, and almost always result in the worst possible decisions for helping the planet or the people on it."

That's a provocative statement. Where I live in the North West, organic food and locally-produced goods are fairly common. Lots of people grow their own organic food in their backyard or neighborhood community farms, it tastes better and provides more nutrients. Locally-produced goods is just an economic policy, which you could be critical of for not supporting the national economy, but supporting local economy improves my financial situation.

On almost every single point I entirely agree with you, as I think most Americans would.

"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy, in politics or in anything else, where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to Heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all."
-Thomas Jefferson

[Mike Devx]

Hello Ronald,

Nope, I'm not pissed off at any of your comments and find all of them well thought out and fine. (Not that I agree with all of them!)

The only two I'd suggest thinking about would be:

- I believe all immigration is good -- legal, illegal, whatever -- and welcome every well-meaning immigrant who comes to my country to create a better life.

- I believe that I must be wrong about a great many things, and therefore should always proceed with humility and do my best to test my beliefs against the arguments of others.

On the first, I understand that facet of libertarian thought. In fact, it is classically libertarian. One concern is the complete lack of assimilation which occurs under conditions of massive immigration when coupled with a culture that now actively discourages assimilation. There could be concerns there to think about. Not so much currently, but suppose immigrants flooded across the open border in numbers ten times any numbers we've ever seen?

On the second, it might be better to be more confident in your positions while remaining humble about them. This is a possibly healthier way express a confidence in your belief system:

- I believe that I am likely wrong about some of these positions, and therefore should always proceed with humility and do my best to test my beliefs against the arguments of others. As time passes I am sure that at least a few of my positions will change as I continue to learn.

[Mike Devx]

Dang. I forgot to add that your positions simply indicate an occasionally moderate conservative outlook. A true moderate! (At least at times.)

The war between the conservative moderates and hard-line conservatives occurring right now is disheartening to me. Both belong in the Republican Party. I'd vote mostly hard-line conservative, but there's room for all of us. In the primaries, based on the community and part of the country, you'll get a mix elected under the GOP banner. This purging war that both movements are engaging in isn't welcome to me.

I myself would like to see the LEADERSHIP within the GOP be composed more of the hard-liners, of course. Given my positions.

[Fidelity]

Be sure to keep your immigration ideas in historical perspective. Immigration has been fought by a vocal crowd since the founding of this country, using the same arguments used today as proven with the historic record. Yet, several times in American history, we've seen large immigration to the United States. Possibly the largest was 1845-1849 where millions of Irish flooded over. There was some violence, but the country as a whole did not collapse. Immigration concerns are just tools used by politicians attempting to manifest a sort of racist ideology by fear mongering. If we had ten million Mexicans walk across the border tomorrow, this country would still be just fine. Within two generations everyone adapts to become an American.

[Dating agencies Review]

I believe all immigration is good -- legal, illegal, whatever -- and welcome every well-meaning immigrant who comes to my country to create a better life.