Bloggers Against Big Government
I recently read a blog comment (on someone else’s blog, not mine) that said “…you’re the only (and I mean ONLY) person I’ve ever met who calls themselves a Libertarian who *isn’t* an asshole.”
As a Libertarian I was offended, but beyond that I started thinking this person must not know very many Libertarians. And perhaps that’s because a lot of mom bloggers don’t “out themselves” as being against big government. While liberal Democrats often view themselves as compassionate from atop the moral high ground, those who are against government intervention and control are often portrayed as selfish, gun-toting, Sarah Palin-loving extremists (and far worse) simply for speaking out for different beliefs.
I understand that some bloggers don’t want to get into the political fray. And that’s fine, but I want you to know that there are many intelligent, talented bloggers out there that don’t want big government. We simply want the government to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and hold people personally responsible for their actions.
So if you are against big government — whether you call yourself a conservative, liberal, independent, whatever — please add your blog link below. I want to get to know you. Then join the Bloggers Against Big Government Facebook community. The blogging community needs to know that being against big government intervention and control does not make you an asshole.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: sassynsouthern
April 1, 2010 at 10:21 pm
I don’t really blog about my political leanings, but I would call myself libertarian. And I don’t think I’m an asshole. :)
I don’t really blog much about political leanings either. I honestly worry that since I am a stay-at-home-mom people would think I am uneducated, ignorant, and simple-minded. I’ll leave the political writing to someone who has more talent than I and I can just forward it on. (i.e. the Open Letter on Healthcare Reform.)
I am a Libertarian and I read the post you’re referring to. It’s amazing to me that Libertarians — we, who LOVE to let people be and do their own things — are portrayed as assholes because we believe in individual rights and small government. I loved that post and I love that you’re getting the word out that many of us are Libertarians.
Clearly, I’m in. ;)
OH! And the fact that people like Glen Beck say they’re libertarian is what’s wrong. He is NOT a libertarian. He’s a conservative. I don’t believe you can be against abortion and gay marriage and be a libertarian. That’s called conservative. He just won’t own it because that’s becoming a radical word.
Shannon, you say “selfish, gun-toting, Sarah Palin-loving extremists” as though it were a bad thing :-) ! Seriously, I know what you’re driving at, but considering I’m two of those four things and plan on being three of them soon, I’d caution you against pre-emptively destroying potentially useful alliances (and even friendships) just because of what are essentially cultural differences.
I’ve never heard Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck speak and I’m not familiar with their positions. I get the vague sense from quotes and discussions that they are more libertarian than most conservatives, and given how apoplectic some people get when their names are mentioned, it doesn’t surprise me that libertarians with a contrarian streak might admire their willingness to directly confront the people who have dismissed them as hicks and rubes. There are people I admire as well who are not a 100% policy overlap.
Moreover, I really think the abortion debate at its heart has no libertarian position. Libertarian theory concerns itself with the protection of rights and freedoms, not so much about what types of entities may possess them. I expect if we were visited by an alien species someday, there would not necessarily be full agreement among libertarians as to their rights status. At any rate, almost all libertarians would agree that it’s not a _federal_ issue, thereby increasing the opportunity for people with general cultural and philosophical agreement to settle in states that best reflect their values.
Right now, I’m sure there is an equally sincere libertarian somewhere advising his/her fellows not to make common cause with the “dope-smoking, atheist, ivy-league cosmotarians”, because they think their reputation will suffer from association with city slickers as much as coastal libertarians might think their own would suffer from association with good ol’ boys. But I don’t think it’s true in either case. I’m pretty sure the tea partiers are not being targeted _because_ of their cultural signaling, but because they are starting to effectively mobilize opposition to establishment. If coastal libertarians were mobilizing opposition to the same degree, they’d likely be tarred as Wall St.-loving cigar-smoking fatcats. And I wouldn’t be happy if prospective allies from mid-america started backing away from me because of a smear job.
Twitter: shannonentin
April 3, 2010 at 10:07 am
Johnathan wrote: “Shannon, you say “selfish, gun-toting, Sarah Palin-loving extremists” as though it were a bad thing :-) !” John, you know that I am also two of those things and would like to be all three! So it’s not a bad thing in my opinion. What I object to is the pigeon-holing of people who are in favor of true liberty. More and more (especially in the “mom blog” world) it seems that people are lumped into two camps: compassionate and in favor of “saving the world” vs. rich, white, selfish racists. What I’m trying to say here is that this is NOT the case (i.e. all Libertarians are not assholes!) and there are many, many sides to this issue. Many shades of gray in opinions. With this particular blog “roll call” I’d simply like to show that there are bloggers from all different backgrounds, that many people read and respect, who are against the expansion of the government.
Thank you so much for inviting me to add my link. I sent you a couple of Tweets too! Keep up the good work. I think it’s great that you are open to meeting, connecting, and networking with like-minded bloggers. Over the next 14 or 15 days I will be sharing my Tea Party Express III photos from the April 1st, Tea Party Express at Zorinsky Lake in Omaha, Nebraska!
Fair enough; I guess it was the “(and far worse)” that threw me ;-) .
Twitter: shannonentin
April 3, 2010 at 11:39 am
John, this is what I meant by “far worse”:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/opinion/28rich.html
I always thought of myself as Conservative — but open to discussion and curious. I knew that Conservatives often discriminate while wishing not to be discriminated against. And thus, came my love of liberty. To defend my position, but to know that others don’t see it my way. The only way to know who was right is when God tells us. And I have a feeling we’ll all be sitting at His feet despite it all, so what really is the point?
My purpose to engage? To hold back the tide of stalled out stale government that comes when we try to give all things to all people. It isn’t possible to all have everything. Unless, of course, everyone has nothing.
Work, Live, Love and let’s keep the bureaucracy out. Only then will more of us flourish. And to the rest, if in life you are trying, my compassion is overwhelming.
Many blessings to you!
Twitter: sparksfley
April 17, 2010 at 11:50 am
While I’m not a “political blogger” I AM a conservative. Right now, that’s what I’m defining myself as right now.
Twitter: diannakennedy
April 28, 2010 at 10:44 am
I don’t talk a lot of politics on my blog, simply because I don’t feel I am educated enough, and don’t feel up to a lot of debate.
I’d classify myself as conservative, with Libertarian leanings. :) I don’t want or need the government telling me what’s best for me or my children, I don’t see a darn thing wrong with companies turning profits from hard work, I believe in helping people out – but not giving hand outs.
I’ll be interested to see your take on things, and look forward to more posts!
Twitter: dianamarie
June 6, 2010 at 12:06 pm
You already knew about me and I’m late to the game, but added my link anyway. :) Miss ya and can’t wait for NYC!
Johnathan wrote: “Shannon, you say “selfish, gun-toting, Sarah Palin-loving extremists” as though it were a bad thing :-) !” John, you know that I am also two of those things and would like to be all three! So it’s not a bad thing in my opinion. What I object to is the pigeon-holing of people who are in favor of true liberty. More and more (especially in the “mom blog” world) it seems that people are lumped into two camps: compassionate and in favor of “saving the world” vs. rich, white, selfish racists. What I’m trying to say here is that this is NOT the case (i.e. all Libertarians are not assholes!) and there are many, many sides to this issue. Many shades of gray in opinions. With this particular blog “roll call” I’d simply like to show that there are bloggers from all different backgrounds, that many people read and respect, who are against the expansion of the government.
+1
Twitter: lynda
July 4, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I’m visiting from SITS and *love* your site! I appreciate this post as I have some friends who are quick to make that reference to Libertarians.
Twitter: tabarnhart
July 6, 2010 at 11:53 am
heard Ron Paul speak in 1988; came away surprised & disappointed to learn Libertarians (as he then represented them as Pres candidate) didn’t like democracy. in Paul’s view, it got in the way of self-interest (i went with an open mind, knowing nothing of Libertarianism). i still see that as true today.
being against “big government” is meaningless. oppose “govt that fails” or “govt that supports [name your poison]“. that’s meaningful. small govt can be corrupt, stupid, interfering, etc – ask anyone who lives in a small town or county run by interfering jackasses. size does not determine the impact or nature of govt; people do. “big” govt protects the entire nation from foreign enemies, lawless polluters and gangster corporate thieves (well, it should). small govt may sound nice, but can it ran a nation effectively?
further, it’s pointless to be against something unless you are for something better. you may think govt is the enemy, but we live in a representative democracy. that means you, as a citizen, are responsible for how govt does or does not function. not the folks who get elected; the buck stops with you. blaming “big govt” is another abdication of responsibility unless you are actively involved in improving that govt (and not just protesting and blaming).
to quote Jefferson Smith of the Bus Project: Not bigger govt, not smaller govt, but better govt. Not left, not right, but forward.
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