If I may jump in, I am a big fan of incremental steps

Posted on: November 16, 2016 at 15:45:16 CT

toward less government. I do cartwheels when I hear about Obama (of all people) commuting the sentences of drug offenders. That is an incremental step toward liberty, and it deserves to be cheered in isolation of what else the man has done.

In my opinion, one of the most important parts of maintaining a steadfast philosophy of liberty is to try and stretch the continuum to liberty's favor.

Ultimately (in the real world I hear so much about), decisions will be made as compromises between the competing masses of ideals. The present problem is that there are two major camps (R's) and (D's) and they are so far removed from liberty, that the compromises between them fall in ways that are not incrementally beneficial to liberty.

The more people who maintain steadfast libertarian ideals, the more likely there is a chance of steps, even incremental ones, toward lessening the overreaching burden of big government. That is why it is important to stand philosophical ground and not give in to temptations of being realistic. I mean, let's be realistic, even the pragmatic folks on this board have no effect on what's happening presently in DC. Also, calling people "idiots" is not and definitely does not have to be a part of being steadfast in your libertarian beliefs. To this day, I have never called one person on this board an idiot.

Also, everyone is an idealist. Pragmatic people are pragmatic because they think that is best way to be. I don't think anyone here (or anywhere) is trying to convince people to adopt a philosophy of negative ramifications or consequences. Everyone thinks they've determined how to best arrange society and political life, including you, pickle, me, GAT, raskolnikov, Sparky Stalcup, the board neocons and so forth.

Anyway, just my thoughts. I hope you don't depart the liberty movement over this election.