Did you know? David Koch was a Libertarian Vice-Presidential candidate in 1980

[heavenlyboy34]

I ran a student front for the LP and was a member of the party for awhile and I don't regret it. Running Bob Barr was a mistake, but I know there are many great people involved with the party and I generally support them

I tend to prefer my local LP. Have you had many good experiences with the national LP?

 

[NewRightLibertarian]

I tend to prefer my local LP. Have you had many good experiences with the national LP?

I never dealt with them, but I knew a couple of people who were delegates at the national LP. They were good people. Since the national LP ran Bob Barr as a candidate, I have little faith in them and am no longer a member of their party

 

[BamaAla]

The Koch brothers don't seem to be all that bad to me. Sure, they might not pass the RPF philosophy forum purity test, but as far as politically active billionaires go, we could be doing a lot worse.

And second The New Amrican. It's the magazine I most look forward to when I head to the post office.

 

[FrankRep]

The Koch brothers don't seem to be all that bad to me. Sure, they might not pass the RPF philosophy forum purity test, but as far as politically active billionaires go, we could be doing a lot worse.

And second The New Amrican. It's the magazine I most look forward to when I head to the post office.

It's mainly the big government leftist progressives that the Koch brothers are super super evil, but they're just mad because they're billionaires and they donate tons of money to small government causes. I think the Libertarians purists pretty much hate anyone who isn't as "Libertarian" as they are, including their own.

 

[NewRightLibertarian]

It's mainly the big government leftist progressives that the Koch brothers are super super evil, but they're just mad because they're billionaires and they donate tons of money to small government causes. I think the Libertarians purists pretty much hate anyone who isn't as "Libertarian" as they are, including their own.

The Koch bros are crony capitalists who routinely fund big government Republicans so they can get their agenda filled. They aren't libertarians at all. They fund beltway libertarian outfits so they can promote views that don't threaten the system and give them sweetheart deals. They oppose Ron Paul and his son. They aren't worth a shit whether liberals make them their bogeyman or not

 

[RonPaulMall]

The Koch bros are crony capitalists who routinely fund big government Republicans so they can get their agenda filled. They aren't libertarians at all. They fund beltway libertarian outfits so they can promote views that don't threaten the system and give them sweetheart deals.

They certainly lean libertarian to a certain degree. If all they cared about where sweetheart deals and never threatening the system, they'd donate their billions to causes that overtly support Big Government Authoritarianism like Gates and Buffet do. Not everything is a conspiracy. The most likely explanation for the Koch's pragmatic libertariansim is that it is what they genuinely believe in.

 

[NewRightLibertarian]

They certainly lean libertarian to a certain degree. If all they cared about where sweetheart deals and never threatening the system, they'd donate their billions to causes that overtly support Big Government Authoritarianism like Gates and Buffet do. Not everything is a conspiracy. The most likely explanation for the Koch's pragmatic libertariansim is that it is what they genuinely believe in.

Why did they work to destroy the influence of Austrian economics if they were libertarians? Why did they support establishment Republican candidates if they were libertarians?

 

[FrankRep]

The Koch bros are crony capitalists who routinely fund big government Republicans so they can get their agenda filled. They aren't libertarians at all. They fund beltway libertarian outfits so they can promote views that don't threaten the system and give them sweetheart deals. They oppose Ron Paul and his son. They aren't worth a shit whether liberals make them their bogeyman or not

What things have they done that would classify them as "crony capitalists"?

The Koch brothers make products people want and they want the government out of their way, hell, it makes sense.

So you have a problem with the Cato Institute?

 

[FrankRep]

Why did they work to destroy the influence of Austrian economics if they were libertarians? Why did they support establishment Republican candidates if they were libertarians?

Name me some things the Koch brothers did to "destroy the influence of Austrian economics."

Plus, Ron Paul supports Republicans too.

 

[BamaAla]

Why did they work to destroy the influence of Austrian economics if they were libertarians? Why did they support establishment Republican candidates if they were libertarians?

Maybe they aren't Austrians. Austrianism isn't some sort of prerequisite for libertarianism or conservatism.

As to the latter, they probably supported establishment folks because that was the best viable option for them.

 

[RonPaulMall]

Why did they work to destroy the influence of Austrian economics if they were libertarians? Why did they support establishment Republican candidates if they were libertarians?

Maybe because they don't believe in it? Milton Friedman wasn't an Austrian. Maybe because as guys who lean towards pragmatism, they didn't feel like pushing an economic theory unknown to 99.9% of the American public? Ron Paul spent 30 years casting lone votes, speaking in tiny rooms to a handful of guests, and communicating with like minded folks via obscure newsletters and mailing lists. Ron Paul was perfectly ok with educating the remnant and never having an impact at the national level. But you can't see why two of the richest men in America, used to getting their way and being influential, might balk at such a course? If your main aim is tangible political results and not purely education, then pragmatism is the easiest path.

 

[angelatc]

They certainly lean libertarian to a certain degree. If all they cared about where sweetheart deals and never threatening the system, they'd donate their billions to causes that overtly support Big Government Authoritarianism like Gates and Buffet do. Not everything is a conspiracy. The most likely explanation for the Koch's pragmatic libertariansim is that it is what they genuinely believe in.

Excellent point. "Pragmatic" is something we don't do well with here, though.

 

[NewRightLibertarian]

Maybe because they don't believe in it? Milton Friedman wasn't an Austrian. Maybe because as guys who lean towards pragmatism, they didn't feel like pushing an economic theory unknown to 99.9% of the American public?

You are ignorant, they actively tried to defame Austrians and push down their views at every turn after the split. They sold their soul to the state and have been trying to game the system and push down real liberty ever since.

Ron Paul spent 30 years casting lone votes, speaking in tiny rooms to a handful of guests, and communicating with like minded folks via obscure newsletters and mailing lists. Ron Paul was perfectly ok with educating the remnant and never having an impact at the national level. But you can't see why two of the richest men in America, used to getting their way and being influential, might balk at such a course?

I sure can. They don't want that course because they couldn't game the system for themselves that way. It's why they support Herman Cain. Some libertarians LOL

If your main aim is tangible political results and not purely education, then pragmatism is the easiest path.

Well, their pragmatist path has been a big fat fuckin' failure. What a couple pieces of garbage the Koch Bros are. Happy to see their corporate whore thinktank in turmoil!

 

[LibertyEagle]

If it was between having an Econ professor who liked Friedman vs. one who liked Keynes, I'd take the former every single time. I never had the option of taking a class under an Austrian economist. If we want to further Austrian views, Austrian economists need to become professors at a much greater rate.

 

[NewRightLibertarian]

If it was between having an Econ professor who liked Friedman vs. one who liked Keynes, I'd take the former every single time. I never had the option of taking a class under an Austrian economist. If we want to further Austrian views, Austrian economists need to become professors at a much greater rate.

They're purposefully kept out of academia, the same way Ron Paul is kept out of the limelight when he's running for President.

 

[LibertyEagle]

They're purposefully kept out of academia, the same way Ron Paul is kept out of the limelight when he's running for President.

Are you positive that they are being kept out of academia?

 

[DerailingDaTrain]

You're quoting a far left website, taking a "the big government must protect us all position" here? I thought we believed in less regulations, too?

Dumping oil into rivers is going to affect me if I live near it and my property.

 

[gls]

Excellent point. "Pragmatic" is something we don't do well with here, though.

Yeah, the Koch's "pragmatic" libertarianism sure has been successful!

They are gatekeepers meant to corral opposition back to the corporatist status-quo, much like Soros on the left.

 

[angelatc]

Yeah, the Koch's "pragmatic" libertarianism sure has been successful!

They are gatekeepers meant to corral opposition back to the corporatist status-quo, much like Soros on the left.

Yeah, ok....<rolls eyes>

 

[angelatc]

Dumping oil into rivers is going to affect me if I live near it and my property.

That's an answer to a different question. (Just so we're perfectly clear, I think you're nothing but a liberal troll.)