What the State Wants….
My wife and I are attempting to deal with the state in the form of the DMV. To get our cars licensed in our new state of Oregon, they require (they aren’t alone or unique in this want) an original copy of the title and the fee for the license in one envelope. So, you see, we have to send for the title, include in that the check and an addressed, stamped envelope to include that title and the check and hope that the person on the title side knows what to do.
I grumbled and opined something about the overlords to which her somewhat venous response was to inquire if “a Republican would do better?” I noted it wasn’t a R or D issue exclusively, that government at all was this F*ed up. It was her next statement, libertarians like control, just like everybody else which was eye-opening.
Now, it is probably already clear that my wife and I don’t share the same views. What was interesting to me, and has been the source of a thread here and there on FaceBook and Twitter, (and in comments from leftist friends of mine, of whom I am sure I am 50 to 100% of all the libertarians they know) is, just what is a libertarian.
Good question and one I would have gotten wrong only a few years ago. It seems clear from my chums and that salty exchange that most people feel sure libertarians are just a one-off name for D or R and are given in immediate pass since we were smart enough not to affiliate with either of them.
Careers are made finding the answers to the “how do we fix that?” part of the statement. Look at the “Faculty and Staff” page of Mises.org and there are people who have made a career out of answering this. It would be easy to rest well knowing they got this. Then, I hear Brion McClanahan in my head saying “think locally; act locally.”
There seems not an LP in my area in south Oregon. I might be wrong and if so, let me know. But, I am seeking out Oregoneans who are pursuing SOJ51 with vigor. I will share that information.
My prime observation is that I think there are more than a few people for whom libertarian is just “that Aleppo Guy.” I know people and of people who are doing much, Tom Woods, Mike Tilden, ActualAnarchy, Caleb Huff and more people are getting the message out that we are not D or R. We are the, if I may, the antithesis of such silliness.