Can you be a Libertarian and a tea partier?

[U.S. Patriot]

I was just looking at who is running for Congress in my district. One candidate is a Libertarian but a tea party activist. Now to me that makes no freaking sense. Or am I so tired I'm hallucinating.

 

[Que]

I was told that anyone can be a member of the tea party... oh, I mean a tea party activist.

 

[Joe Williams]

What doesn't make sense about it? The "Tea Party" is comprised of people from all walks of life, from what I understand.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I just can not see a Liberal being a tea party activist. It's something new to me. It just shocked me I guess.

 

[indykid]

The "Tea Party" isn't a party but a group of people who want to restore the USA back to what the founders designed it to be.

 

[Roadie]

I was just looking at who is running for Congress in my district. One candidate is a Libertarian but a tea party activist. Now to me that makes no freaking sense. Or am I so tired I'm hallucinating.

I just can not see a Liberal being a tea party activist. It's something new to me. It just shocked me I guess.

Uhm, Libertarian, or Liberal??

 

[Mr.JAG]

Libertarians are not actually "liberals". They are considerably conservative, even MORE so than most Republicans.

 

[Joe Williams]

Libertarians are not actually "liberals". They are considerably conservative, even MORE so than most Republicans.

Almost never my experience. The Libertarian Party is heavily infiltrated by folks on the left, the prime reason I left it and became a Republican many years ago.

 

[Que]

Libertarians are not actually "liberals". They are considerably conservative, even MORE so than most Republicans.

That has also been my experience, lately.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

From my experience Libertarians have been far left.

 

[Mr.JAG]

Almost never my experience. The Libertarian Party is heavily infiltrated by folks on the left, the prime reason I left it and became a Republican many years ago.

That's interesting... Ron Paul initially ran on a libertarian platform and comes across very conservative IMO anyways.

But either way, check out the parties FAQ page:

FAQ | Libertarian Party

Direct Quote:

"Libertarians strongly oppose any government interfering in their personal, family and business decisions. Essentially, we believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another.

In a nutshell, we are advocates for a smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom."


Sounds far from "Liberal" to me.


I GUESS one could say they are Politically Conservative... But Socially Liberal.


I.E. Low taxes, less government.... but they don't care if gay marriage or abortion exists.



That's just my impressions though. They also seems to fit well with a lot of Tea Party initiatives politically.

 

[Mr.JAG]

Also, their stance on Gun Laws:

Gun Laws | Libertarian Party

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

It depends on your definition of "liberal"...

Classic definition or Modern definition.

-J-

 

[Expat]

Most average people would consider libertarians as conservative on fiscal stuff and liberal on the social issues. That isn't really correct but it is close if you don't want to get into some nuances.

 

[Bill of Rights]

From my experience Libertarians have been far left.

Why don't you find out for yourself?

Advocates for Self Government

Ten questions to give you a pretty good idea. When you're done, IIRC, you can see what each of the categories' description is.

Blessings,
Bill

 

[Que]

Why don't you find out for yourself?

Advocates for Self Government

Ten questions to give you a pretty good idea. When you're done, IIRC, you can see what each of the categories' description is.

Blessings,
Bill

Libertarian

Libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

I like this definition a lot! This is what I thought Republicans were years ago, until I was told that I couldn't be a Republican, that is a Religious Right Republican, because of my belief in the areas highlighted in red.

 

[printcraft]

It depends on your definition of "liberal"...

Classic definition or Modern definition.

-J-

Yeah, the modern definition should be called a progressive/socialist.

 

[level.eleven]

Almost never my experience. The Libertarian Party is heavily infiltrated by folks on the left, the prime reason I left it and became a Republican many years ago.

Hey Joe, what years where you involved with the party? Did you ever attend any meetups or policy sessions? Did you ever attend a county or state Libertarian Party convention? Who was the Libertarian Parties presidential candidate when you where a party member? Would you care to share an example of far left policy that drove you from the party?

You have made this claim for quite a while now. It would be interesting to know how you arrived at this conclusion.

 

[CombatVet]

From my experience Libertarians have been far left.

I don't belong to a party really, but I fit the Libertarian ideology and fit their view points the most. I think a lot of the moderate right is seeing so many people run to the far right and calling it the left. That's just my observation though. I'm not a perfect example of any party or ideology though. I have, what are they called? Oh yes a mind of my own.

 

[DragonGunner]

Anyone can be involved in the Tea Party. Although anyone liking Obama probably won't be getting involved.