Question about Libertarianism

[Strangia]

So, it seems quite a bit of the Forumfall population is libertarian. And when they talk about America, they always talk about "What the Founding Fathers Wanted" and how America used to be.

My question is, why would we want America to be how it was back during its Foundation? The economy sucked, and all the land was owned by 2% of people.

And again, why would we want to be like America 100 years ago? The economy sucked even harder (three depressions in thirty years, amirite?), the government was corrupt, and the working conditions were so incredibly shitty.

Libertarians also talk about them being "Classical Liberals", or the followers of Adam Smith and Rousseau and all of those guys. But would you really want the type of government France had during the French Revolution?

[Rourke]

I say bring back the "Puritans"

[Justinian]

So, it seems quite a bit of the Forumfall population is libertarian. And when they talk about America, they always talk about "What the Founding Fathers Wanted" and how America used to be.

My question is, why would we want America to be how it was back during its Foundation? The economy sucked, and all the land was owned by 2% of people.

And again, why would we want to be like America 100 years ago? The economy sucked even harder (three depressions in thirty years, amirite?), the government was corrupt, and the working conditions were so incredibly shitty.

Libertarians also talk about them being "Classical Liberals", or the followers of Adam Smith and Rousseau and all of those guys. But would you really want the type of government France had during the French Revolution?

Followers of Rousseau? Jesus man, get a grip. I would love to try and explain these things to you, but if you're really that curious, just start reading articles on www.mises.org and www.lewrockwell.com. Do yourself a favor and read For a New Liberty by Murray Rothbard - it answers all of your questions.

[disillusioned]

Clearly you've never read Rousseau.

He's the complete opposite of Adam Smith.


Edit:

Also, the economy is many times stronger than it was 100 years ago not because we have this big awesome government, but because growth is going to happen no matter what the government does.



Edit2:

By Rousseau, you probably meant Thoreau. "That government is best which governs least."

[Killuminati]

While I don't favor any of that, libertarians speak about returning to society where those ideals were most important and shaped the way things were to a degree. It does not mean returning to that type of economic system or lifestyle, unless they are some diehard conservative who is really traditional, and somehow sympathizes with libertarianism.

When some of them speak about "what the founding fathers wanted." It usually means their dedication to creating a limited government that was able to bring stability to the country.

Also, Rousseau? lol

[Strangia]

Clearly you've never read Rousseau.

He's the complete opposite of Adam Smith.

The Rousseau thing was more a reference to classical liberalism in general, and the French Revolution.

[Milo Hobgoblin]

While I don't favor any of that, libertarians speak about returning to society where those ideals were most important and shaped the way things were to a degree. It does not mean returning to that type of economic system or lifestyle, unless they are some diehard conservative who is really traditional, and somehow sympathizes with libertarianism.

When some of them speak about "what the founding fathers wanted." It usually means their dedication to creating a limited government that was able to bring stability to the country.

Also, Rousseau? lol

good post.