KiteZA

Libertarians Disappoint

johnr48:

As they speak out and protest in the streets of America in support of the protesters and against the over-bearing rule in Egypt they are showing a resolve and level of intolerance for whats going on in Egypt that they fail to show equally in their own country. Where are the protests in the streets against the form government is taking on in America? Where are the patriots of liberty in America today? Do you seriously believe America can be saved via a few elections. Speak out America before it comes to anarchy here.

There is a large difference between Egypt and the USA. The fact that there have been protests against ‘big government’ in the USA - the fact that the Tea Party exists - and that these haven’t resulted in anything close to the situation in Egypt, is evidence enough that things are not the same.

“Speak out America, before it comes to anarchy here” is one of the more over-the-top, scaremongering statements I’ve seen recently. Let’s take a quick look at countries with more ‘socialism’ and less ‘liberty’ (as spoken about in this context) than the USA: Sweden? Norway? Many other European countries? Australia? None of the above have anything resembling ‘anarchy’.

The opposite of libertarianism is not tyranny, despite calling socialism ‘tyranny’, and therefore there is no slippery slope to massive social upheaval against such tyranny. Because it’s not tyranny. Having the same president for 30 years, with outlawed political movements, and the use of police and military against civilians? That sounds a lot more like tyranny - and Egypt, not the USA.

It should be easy to debate political theory without resorting to scare tactics and claiming the end of society if people don’t listen to your specific view - why continue to do so? Incidentally, since when did America need ‘saving’?