Libertarians, a question for you

[notquiteright]

Watching the various levels of government prepare, respond and now start the clean-up I began to wonder-

I understand Libertarians are for a smaller government that is less intrusive on Americans. Now when it comes to natural disasters just what should the governments local to national do for the citizen?

That got me wondering if the national infrastructure should be totally privatized, from highways to bridges to major dams.

Then as airports closed, how about air traffic safety, security of flights, security of airports- should everything be privatized or become the responsibility of whoever uses the airport?

Smaller government sounds good but I was wondering just what- if anything a central Government would be responsible for.

Thanks NQR

[stolz25]

You'll get a different answer from every Libertarian, similarly to if you asked a Republican or Democrat the same question.

[notquiteright]

Of that I have NOOOOO doubt!

Still it would be interesting to see if ANY of them are willing to go past breezy sloganism and give a bit of insight on how they think libertarian governance would work in the face of natural disasters.

I know there are many disciples of Paul the Elder-

so please all you devoted Libertarians, how about it?

[The Esteemed Gentleman]

Sounds like the entire premise is loaded from the outset. Why take the bait? The OP gives nothing but the impression you're just chompin' at the bit to retort with equally empty progressive breezy sloganisms.

[notquiteright]

Laughing

Gentleman, I suppose I am looking for those stout of heart who don't fear discussions on the internet. Little to risk, it is afterall just the internet.

I have thought of the libertarians as classroom theorists. Republicans and democrats may be a varied crew, but they are also a crew with a track record. Good,bad or indifferent those two groups do have a history.

Libertarians only record is one of theoretical dissent. I do feel they are a powerful element in the Tea Party and leverage being exerted one the Old Guard Republicans makes me think the theorists just might get a seat at the big boy's table soon.

As an aside I doubt there will be much room for moderates at anyone's table.

[wanna be drummer]

Sounds like you mistake most libertarians with anarchists. There's a big difference bruh

[notquiteright]

No Brah-
Anarchists have a track record.

Besides if ANY party is to be confused with anarchists it would be the dems!

[stolz25]

Originally Posted by wanna be drummer

Sounds like you mistake most libertarians with anarchists. There's a big difference bruh

If he wanted a response from anarchists it's pretty easy to figure out the amount of government they want.

[The Great Catpiss]

Now when it comes to natural disasters just what should the governments local to national do for the citizen?
1. Provide emergency support and relief to the people
2. Repair damaged vital infrastructure

That got me wondering if the national infrastructure should be totally privatized, from highways to bridges to major dams.
Not all libertarians feel that way about certain infrastructure. Some things should be privatized, some things shouldn't. I'd rather the government manage national infrastructure. Also, some of us may feel that certain infrastructure is unnecessary. Smaller government doesn't necessarily mean no government.

Anarchists have a track record
Anarchy is a pure idealist form of libertarianism. Most libertarians feel that there can be a happy balance. There are a wide range of libertarians here with different opinions on what the perfect balance is. Many identify with the libertarian party as it makes much more sense than the idiotic parties in power.

Besides if ANY party is to be confused with anarchists it would be the dems
Dems are far from anarchists. Sarcasm? Trolling?

[wanna be drummer]

Originally Posted by stolz25

If he wanted a response from anarchists it's pretty easy to figure out the amount of government they want.

No kidding but I felt he was taking smaller government a little too far. At least as far my own beliefs go government still has a role to play. Just not even close to what its at now

[notquiteright]

What infrastructure is vital? I realize there are 3 different answers for every 4 Libertarians, but what i was wanting is a dialogue giving some meat to the concepts.

What is the certain infrastructure that you would eliminate?

I understand the allure of the Libertarian Party, it can be as vague or varied as suits the discussion. It has not trod the grimy corridors of power so it remains somewhat a favored sister rather than that party girl you still recall all those years later.

What has me curious is how ardent the Sen Ron Paul supporters are but the concepts are vague. That made me curious on what the Libertarians here could express in concrete terms.

End the ATF, TSA, IRS, whatever you think but say something solid.

You won't have me calling anyone ignorant, that aint my style. I might ask for a clearer or more definite answer.

The reference to anarchy and Dems is a play on the Great Humorist from Oklahoma. He said, "I belong to no organized party. I am a Democrat."

[The Esteemed Gentleman]

Originally Posted by notquiteright

Besides if ANY party is to be confused with anarchists it would be the dems!

Oh yes. The party that believes it is appropriate for the government to force you to into private economics transactions against your will is easily confused with an ideology espousing no government at all.

[Salty Dog]

I'm just curious what the purpose of this thread this?

Anybody knows that government should fluxuate depending on the situation. Larger goverment is and isn't always the best solution just as smaller government is and isn't always the best solution for certain situations. That's the ingenious of our country.

[gipper]

Originally Posted by notquiteright

Watching the various levels of government prepare, respond and now start the clean-up I began to wonder-

I understand Libertarians are for a smaller government that is less intrusive on Americans. Now when it comes to natural disasters just what should the governments local to national do for the citizen?

That got me wondering if the national infrastructure should be totally privatized, from highways to bridges to major dams.

Then as airports closed, how about air traffic safety, security of flights, security of airports- should everything be privatized or become the responsibility of whoever uses the airport?

Smaller government sounds good but I was wondering just what- if anything a central Government would be responsible for.

Thanks NQR

You would think from the premise of your post that America has NEVER experienced a strong hurricane before (of course Irene turned out to be a dud and was overly hyped by the media). But, of course we have and we endured just fine without the STINKING omnipresent costly ineffective Fed government we suffer under now.

You might want to educate yourself on terrible catastrophes of the past. Check out the Chicago Fire and the San Francisco Earthquake.

And, even with a government that spends around $4 TRILLION a year, FEMA is out of money. Great job!!!

FEMA almost out of disaster funds
FEMA almost out of disaster funds - Aug. 29, 2011

[northhunter]

Originally Posted by gipper

You would think from the premise of your post that America has NEVER experienced a strong hurricane before (of course Irene turned out to be a dud and was overly hyped by the media). But, of course we have and we endured just fine without the STINKING omnipresent costly ineffective Fed government we suffer under now.

You might want to educate yourself on terrible catastrophes of the past. Check out the Chicago Fire and the San Francisco Earthquake.

And, even with a government that spends around $4 TRILLION a year, FEMA is out of money. Great job!!!

Might want to aske the people of Vermont about the dud thing.

[gipper]

Originally Posted by northhunter

Might want to aske the people of Vermont about the dud thing.

No. Irene was a dud.

As you might recall, before it hit the Carolinas all we heard was this could be the storm of the century. Irene was hardly that, though it is too bad about the flooding in VT.

[The Esteemed Gentleman]

Originally Posted by gipper

You might want to educate yourself on terrible catastrophes of the past. Check out the Chicago Fire and the San Francisco Earthquake.

Interesting argument (summary: government sucks, it forced everyone to over-hype the storm, look at these real disasters). (Side note: a good part of New England is without power, and the damage in some places (Western Mass, Vermont and Maine, for example) is almost unbelievable. But you are right; all hype, because not much happened where you are, and we all know you think the world revolves around you. Oh by the way, see all those socialists in those links I provided?)

Let's look at these disasters. Government intervention, we all probably agree, was likely less in those days than it is today. Building codes were much different in those days - probably more lax. They probably did not include requirements for earthquake resistant building designs, or fire resistant building materials, like many building codes require today. You don't generally see large uncontained city-wide fires anymore in the United States. Newer buildings are also able to better withstand earthquakes.

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by The Esteemed Gentleman

Interesting argument (summary: government sucks, it forced everyone to over-hype the storm, look at these real disasters). (Side note: a good part of New England is without power, and the damage in some places (Western Mass, Vermont and Maine, for example) is almost unbelievable. But you are right; all hype, because not much happened where you are, and we all know you think the world revolves around you. Oh by the way, see all those socialists in those links I provided?)

Let's look at these disasters. Government intervention, we all probably agree, was likely less in those days than it is today. Building codes were much different in those days - probably more lax. They probably did not include requirements for earthquake resistant building designs, or fire resistant building materials, like many building codes require today. You don't generally see large uncontained city-wide fires anymore in the United States. Newer buildings are also able to better withstand earthquakes.

So all those building regulations that added dramatic cost to the construction of these places turned out to be a good thing? I think i just got woody.

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by gipper

No. Irene was a dud.

As you might recall, before it hit the Carolinas all we heard was this could be the storm of the century. Irene was hardly that, though it is too bad about the flooding in VT.

Irene was not a dud you halfwit. The windforce wasn't as strong as predicted but it dropped every bit of rain that they were afraid it would. I have friends that were evacuated from thier homes from NJ to NY state. The storm wasn't as intense as thought, but the damage was so wide spread that the amount of damage it caused is actually very large. Flooding is the biggest danger with any hurricane. The winds just tend to complicate things.

Gipper, you continue to prove yourself every bit the ignorant buffoon everyone already believes you to be. good work.

[gipper]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

Irene was not a dud you halfwit. The windforce wasn't as strong as predicted but it dropped every bit of rain that they were afraid it would. I have friends that were evacuated from thier homes from NJ to NY state. The storm wasn't as intense as thought, but the damage was so wide spread that the amount of damage it caused is actually very large. Flooding is the biggest danger with any hurricane. The winds just tend to complicate things.

Gipper, you continue to prove yourself every bit the ignorant buffoon everyone already believes you to be. good work.

Libbylouie... you are such a dumbass. When will you grow up? Or, at the very least educate yourself on ANYTHING?

You apparently only get your information for lefty sources...

But one thing is for sure...you are a MAJOR DUD!!!!

Read this and get educated on at least this minor issue.

Perfect Storm of Hype: Politicians, the media and the Hurricane Irene apocalypse that never was – Telegraph Blogs

PRUDEN: Goodnight, Hurricane Irene. What a floozie - Washington Times

Did media go overboard hyping Hurricane Irene? - Washington Times