I Was Libertarian When Libertarian Wasn’t Cool

The passion of Ron Paul’s supporters is encouraging in today’s political environment where candidates need tens of millions for their campaigns. Ron Paul seems to have a real grass roots based source. I see signs hanging from fences and his supporters are all over the internet. Unfortunately, the supporters come across as a little too enthusiastic.

I’ve considered myself a Libertarian for 20 years or so. I’ve told my family and friends that and up until now I think most people didn’t know what that meant. Now, the Ron Paul campaign has brought more attention to the Libertarians everywhere. Unfortunately, Ron Paul’s shrill behavior at the debates and the somewhat fanatical actions of some of his supporters (the 9/11 truthers and other conspiracy theorists, the white supremacists that I’ve read contributed to the Paul campaign, and the internet whackos who’ve hitched themselves to the Ron Paul wagon) is making me think twice about announcing myself a Libertarian. I believe that Dr Paul is an honorable man and truely believes in the Libertarian philosophy but all the kooks and whackos have latched onto his campaign which has tainted the Libertarian name. I will now qualify my philosophy with “I’m a Libertarian but not a Ron Paul Libertarian”.

Maybe I’m really an Objectivist anyway…