Principle Over Pragmatism

[Updates below.]

Some of the discussion in this Instapundit post is thoroughly disheartening. The most common complaint about libertarians is that they are "absolutist." This is a direct attack against being principled and against strong logical stands on every issue.

Let me explain a few things to those who complain about someone who strictly adheres to the principles of individual liberty, private property, and non-agression. Being unprincipled has led to:

1. The income tax.
   
2. The welfare state.
   
3. Gun control.
   
4. Prison terms for drug users.
   
5. Unjust detainment and political criminals.
   
6. Restrictions on your right to speak and publish your mind.
   
7. Economic regulation that rewards the incompetent and punishes the skillful.
   
8. The abrogation of national sovereignty to unaccountable international institutions.
   
9. The horrors of the military draft.
   
10. The protection of some groups of people at the expense of others.

You fools who dismiss libertarians as extremists, absolutists, stubborn, and whatnot are only helping to dig your own graves. And everyone else's.

UPDATE(12:35pm)
In case anyone wants to know what I'd like an honest-to-goodness Republican to do when in office can read about what real limited government means. I'm not going to help elect Bush - or Kerry - if they aren't willing to go at least that far.

Posted by Drizzten at May 28, 2004 10:14 AM