jcnporter wrote:drillkicker wrote:That's strange. I didn't vote for him because of how liberal he seemed. He definitely seems to be trying to appeal more to democrats in the way he presents libertarianism, since he focuses more on his social policy than his fiscal policy. Either way, he isn't a real libertarian and I have no idea how he got the party nomination twice in a row. Hopefully that will change in the next election.
Libertarians are supposed to be liberals, in the true sense of the word, as opposed to how the word is used in US politics. Socially and fiscally liberal and individualist. It's what separates them from Republicans, who are socially conservative and fiscally liberal.
Libertarianism as a concept originally started on the left, although some of the American right seem to have adopted the term. Unfortunately for them the more conservative, Republican right see them as lefties, which is why they get few votes from anyone.
Yeah it's weird because for me libertarianism kinda exists outside the left/right spectrum because it generally challenges the state at a fundamental level (which is why is bugged me even more when Gary Johnson kept describing the movement as 'socially liberal fiscally conservative'). It's super unfortunate the term gets bogged down in right wing politics because like you say the origins of libertarian origins are in the left, I would have least considered voting for a Dem like Bernie or something. Either way, the next four years are gonna be a fucking ride of unseen proportions. Loading up the Tomorrow's Harvest now