Nigel Farage - Britain's Ron Paul

[NYgs23]

You guys do not even much history to bolster yourselves in England. Save for the Manchesterites there is little to be proud of in England over the last 200+ years, so you guys even got history against you. As bad as it is here, being a libertarian in England you guys have literally no chance unless a new renaissance comes about. Perhaps that Mayan new Age thing may yet come to fruition

Not at all true. They have the development of the common law, the Levellers, John Locke, Cobden & Bright, and Auberon Herbert. They have a much stronger foundation for individual liberty than, say, Germany.

 

[UNC08]

It would take expert translators when Farage is speaking, from the few speeches I've heard. His vocabulary is solid, and he also uses many humorous English colloquialisms which I imagine have no equal in many other languages. I imagine many of those Euro Parliament folks don't get half of what he says through translation.

 

[Pharazon]

You are soooo lucky for having people like Ron Paul and Nigel Farage!

In Sweden most people have never even heard the term libertarian! If I openly state that I am one and explain what it is, they will stare at me and their faces go red with held back anger. After that all political conversation is impossible since they automatically think that anything more right wing then Sweden's "moderate" party (socialists) is pure nazi-fascism. And they will of course not debate with a "nazi"...
In Sweden left-wing means freedom and right-wing means totalitarianism. State control over things is called democracy.

The biggest liberal/libertarian party in Sweden got 715 votes in the last national election...

 

[JohnM]

You are soooo lucky for having people like Ron Paul and Nigel Farage!

In Sweden most people have never even heard the term libertarian! If I openly state that I am one and explain what it is, they will stare at me and their faces go red with held back anger. . . .
In Sweden left-wing means freedom and right-wing means totalitarianism. State control over things is called democracy.

Sounds like Scotland. One learns to be very careful in expressing one's beliefs!

Educating people in libertarianism requires skill, and I suspect that it may take 20 years to convert someone. My strategy is to seek to persuade people that politicians are always interfering, that politicians are always doing stupid things, that politicians are only in it for their careers, that thus that politicians are one of the most basic causes of the problems that the nation (and the world) faces.

 

[bluesc]

Sounds like Scotland. One learns to be very careful in expressing one's beliefs!

Educating people in libertarianism requires skill, and I suspect that it may take 20 years to convert someone. My strategy is to seek to persuade people that politicians are always interfering, that politicians are always doing stupid things, that politicians are only in it for their careers, that thus that politicians are one of the most basic causes of the problems that the nation (and the world) faces.

I'm moving up to Scotland in June. To one of the most extreme left areas too. I'll be working on educating the masses the entire time .

 

[goldpants]

This is grassroots worthy?

 

[JohnM]

I'm moving up to Scotland in June. To one of the most extreme left areas too. I'll be working on educating the masses the entire time .

Whereabouts? Red Clydeside? East Fife? Edit: Sorry, I meant West Fife.

 

[bluesc]

This is grassroots worthy?

People still measure that?

There aren't enough mods to moderate this forum given how out of control it has become. You should report it if it's that bad though.

 

[Justinfrom1776]

I love getting the London/UK perspective from Oliver Cooper https://twitter.com/#!/OliverCooper It seems you guys have an uphill battle but keep fighting the good fight. At least you're not France, they're not even fighting.

 

[bluesc]

Whereabouts? Red Clydeside? East Fife?

Aberdeen. I'm only judging by the composition of the city council, but 36 left leaning vs 2 "right" leaning isn't looking too good.

 

[Diurdi]

GRRR!

Nigel Farage is NOTHING like Ron Paul. I have spoken with Nigel, he is no libertarian.

Nigel Farage opposes the gold standard, supports fractional reserve banking, condones subsidies, believes in a burkha ban, against immigration and so on.

Support of a gold standard and opposition to fractional reserve banking aren't really libertarian positions. Opposition to subsidies and opposition to oppression of religions however are.

But yeah, Farage isn't exactly a full fledged free market guy or individual liberty guy. He's still amongst the best in EU.

 

[Crotale]

Who do you vote for now?

I'm 17 so can't vote yet, not until June.

I'll probably either hold my nose and vote UKIP (unless the candidate is too nationalistic, like the UKIP's current mayoral candidate, in which case it's spoilt ballot for me). If there's a monster raving loony party candidate, I'll give my vote for them.

 

[bolil]

I feel terrible for our brothers and sisters across the pond. We are sliding into tyranny but they live pretty much in its grasp.

 

[bluesc]

I'm 17 so can't vote yet, not until June.

I'll probably either hold my nose and vote UKIP (unless the candidate was too nationalistic, in which case it's spoilt ballot for me). If there's a monster raving loony party candidate, I'll give my vote for them.

Given the condition of the UK, a nationalistic minority is a good enough trade off in exchange for the move towards independence.

The eurosceptics in power, unfortunately, are nationalistic by nature.

 

[Crotale]

This is grassroots worthy?

No, it needs to be moved.

 

[Crotale]

[Nigel Farage]'s still amongst the best in EU.

That's not saying much.

 

[nasaal]

He is against globalism. That is about where the similarities end. I like seeing Farage go off on people, but he isn't a wonderful guy. He can be pretty rotten in fact. Daniel Hannan is England's Ron Paul. He isn't perfect but the similarities are obvious. Look into him. He destroyed the PM. Edit: I will say I don't like his foreign policy. It is kind of Hunstman like. He is for intervention, just not grand intervention. Not a fan of that. But no one else in England comes close IMO.

 

[Crotale]

Given the condition of the UK, a nationalistic minority is a good enough trade off in exchange for the move towards independence.

The eurosceptics in power, unfortunately, are nationalistic by nature.

You're right. That's why I'll probably hold my nose and relunctantly give them my vote. At the very least, it's a step in the sort of right direction. More of a tip-toe than a stride though. UKIP are the best of a really rotten bunch, I'll give them that. But we need a massive educational campaign first to lay the groundwork for a political campaign. I'm hoping the spirit of the R3VOLUTION will blow across the pond.

 

[nasaal]

I'd embed it but I don't know how. Maybe someone else can do it for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4tBXs

 

[pen_thief]

The United Kingdom Independence Party (of which Farage is the leader of) describe themselves as libertarian. However they are libertarian in name only. If you read there manifesto they are anything but. Nigel Farage is as libertarian as Mitt Romney.

That's so disappointing