Frreeeeeedoooooom in the US: State by state

[Habbaku]

Really?

"Most" of them?

I cannot even think of one of them who would agree with that statement.

This entire thread is an argument against a strawman.  I can't fault Beeb too much for joining the fun.

[DGuller]

That's not true.  The Public Choice school of economics is very much rooted in libertarianism and directly addresses the issue of distortions created by the "haves" buying favorable regulation.

Buying regulation is only a small part of the problem.  In general, these days we live in a highly interdependent society.  That means that most individuals can have their rights effectively curtailed by economic pressure alone.  Libertarians, even small-l libertarians, don't realize the possible implications of that, and instead stick to the unrealistic assumption that free market would remove all the undue influences by the haves over the have-nots.

[Razgovory]

Really?

"Most" of them?

I cannot even think of one of them who would agree with that statement.

This entire thread is an argument against a strawman.  I can't fault Beeb too much for joining the fun.

All arguments against Libertarians are strawman type attacks because there aren't any actual libertarians.

[Neil]

As for homeschooling, they're obsessed with it because sending children to public schools is sending them for government indoctrination.  Again they have somewhat of a point there.

I disagree. If anything, parental authority seems to be entirely anti-libertarian - after all, it seems to postulate that one human being should have a power over another by the simple virtue of genetic makeup. In fact, a consistently libertarian position would involve depriving parents of any authority over their children.

Of course, libertarians are too dumb to see how stupid they are.

Libertarian != anarchist.

But then again, Martinus is too dumb (and not a real lawyer) to see how stupid his posts are.

[Admiral Yi]

Buying regulation is only a small part of the problem.  In general, these days we live in a highly interdependent society.  That means that most individuals can have their rights effectively curtailed by economic pressure alone.  Libertarians, even small-l libertarians, don't realize the possible implications of that, and instead stick to the unrealistic assumption that free market would remove all the undue influences by the haves over the have-nots.

If you're not talking regulation then you're talking about private exchange.  So when you talk about curtailed rights and undue influence you're talking about public limitations on what behavior private parties can contract for.  Who are we to decide?

[Barrister]

The thing is that most libertarians don't like the idea of a tradeoff.  Liberty trumps everything else.

Really?

"Most" of them?

I cannot even think of one of them who would agree with that statement.

Hey - at least I threw in a "most".

It's very difficult to define what members of any ideology might believe in.  That was my 30 second attempt at it.

[Iormlund]

I agree with them that it is annoying to be in a hurry and have to wait 10 minutes at a random checkpoint to pass a sobriety test. Also, as I recently got a seatbelt violation ticket on a trip that was a couple of blocks, I sympathize with them there.

Eh. That doesn't make sense. Most accidents take place during short trips. That's precisely when you want to have your seatbelt on.
Also, how would have the cop known you were only traveling a couple blocks?

[DGuller]

I agree with them that it is annoying to be in a hurry and have to wait 10 minutes at a random checkpoint to pass a sobriety test. Also, as I recently got a seatbelt violation ticket on a trip that was a couple of blocks, I sympathize with them there.

Eh. That doesn't make sense. Most accidents take place during short trips. That's precisely when you want to have your seatbelt on.
Also, how would have the cop known you were only traveling a couple blocks?

That is true.  About a quarter of accidents happen within 1 mile of one's home.

[ulmont]

That is true.  About a quarter of accidents happen within 1 mile of one's home.

Well, no shit, considering almost all trips will involve you being within 1 mile of one's home on the outset and the return...

[DGuller]

That is true.  About a quarter of accidents happen within 1 mile of one's home.

Well, no shit, considering almost all trips will involve you being within 1 mile of one's home on the outset and the return...

You are right that this stat is meaningless without also knowing the percentage of time spent within 1 mile of your home.  I was merely trying to sound smart and wasn't expecting anyone to catch me.

[alfred russel]

I agree with them that it is annoying to be in a hurry and have to wait 10 minutes at a random checkpoint to pass a sobriety test. Also, as I recently got a seatbelt violation ticket on a trip that was a couple of blocks, I sympathize with them there.

Eh. That doesn't make sense. Most accidents take place during short trips. That's precisely when you want to have your seatbelt on.
Also, how would have the cop known you were only traveling a couple blocks?

I was picking up take out on my way home from work. I had the food in the passenger seat, and my address was on my driver's license--he knew my origin and destination.  I don't really care; I know I broke the law and it is highly dangerous to drive 35 mph for a couple blocks without a seatbelt etc., but it is still seems lame (at least to me).

[Grey Fox]

Buckle Up.

[The Larch]

I agree with them that it is annoying to be in a hurry and have to wait 10 minutes at a random checkpoint to pass a sobriety test. Also, as I recently got a seatbelt violation ticket on a trip that was a couple of blocks, I sympathize with them there.

Eh. That doesn't make sense. Most accidents take place during short trips. That's precisely when you want to have your seatbelt on.
Also, how would have the cop known you were only traveling a couple blocks?

I was picking up take out on my way home from work. I had the food in the passenger seat, and my address was on my driver's license--he knew my origin and destination.  I don't really care; I know I broke the law and it is highly dangerous to drive 35 mph for a couple blocks without a seatbelt etc., but it is still seems lame (at least to me).

Then the question is, why did you take your car to pick up take out food from a couple of blocks away?  You can, you know...walk.

[Martinus]

I agree with them that it is annoying to be in a hurry and have to wait 10 minutes at a random checkpoint to pass a sobriety test. Also, as I recently got a seatbelt violation ticket on a trip that was a couple of blocks, I sympathize with them there.

Eh. That doesn't make sense. Most accidents take place during short trips. That's precisely when you want to have your seatbelt on.
Also, how would have the cop known you were only traveling a couple blocks?

I was picking up take out on my way home from work. I had the food in the passenger seat, and my address was on my driver's license--he knew my origin and destination.  I don't really care; I know I broke the law and it is highly dangerous to drive 35 mph for a couple blocks without a seatbelt etc., but it is still seems lame (at least to me).

Then the question is, why did you take your car to pick up take out food from a couple of blocks away? :p You can, you know...walk.

Or take public transport.

[Berkut]

You guys need to learn how to read.

I was picking up take out on my way home from work