George Allen: "Libertarian?" Hahahahahaha.

By: Lowell
Published On: 9/5/2006 1:26:53 PM

One of the (unintentionally) funniest comments on the Virginia blogosphere that I've seen in weeks comes from George Allen's new Netroots Coordinator, Jon Henke.  Now, I don't know Jon but I hear he's a good guy.  Having said that, his explanation for why he enthusiastically accepted the job is as hilarious as it is ridiculous:

1. George Allen has gotten a raw deal from the press and Democrats on some issues and innuendos and that...

2. I find his "libertarian, trusting, free-people approach", his "Common Sense Jeffersonian Conservative Principles" and his Reaganesque belief in libertarian ideals very attractive.

Let's address these one at at time.  First, has George Allen gotten a "raw deal" from the press and from those nasty, nasty Democrats?  Well, yeah, if you think that we should have just ignored his "macaca" remarks, his lies about Jim Webb (e.g., that Jim Webb's family did not go back generations in SWVA), his ties to the CCC "hate group," his 97% rubberstamp record of support for George W. Bush, and his complete lack of leadership the past 6 years in the U.S. Senate.  Sure, the truth hurts, but them there's the facts.  Where's the "raw deal" part, because I don't see it.  Specifics, please.

Second, and this one's just utterly ridiculous, is the contention that George Allen believes in "libertarian ideals."  Libertarian?  George Allen?  Ha, if that's true, then I'm a neocon! Seriously, let's look at a few items from the Libertarian Party's platform just to see how George Allen fits those ideals:

*"We oppose government actions that either compel or prohibit abortion, sterilization or any other form of birth control."

*"In order to defend freedom, we advocate a strict separation of church and State. We oppose government actions that either aid or attack any religion."

*"Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships. Government does not have legitimate authority to define or license personal relationships. Sexuality or gender should have no impact on the rights of individuals."

*"Repeal all laws establishing criminal or civil penalties for the use of drugs...Stop prosecuting accused non-violent drug offenders, and pardon those previously convicted."

*"Economic freedom demands the unrestricted movement of human as well as financial capital across national borders."

*"The United States government should return to the historic libertarian tradition of avoiding entangling alliances, abstaining totally from foreign quarrels and imperialist adventures."

So, let me get this straight. George Allen believes that the government should stay completely out of  the folowing areas: abortion (including "partial birth"), sexual behavior (e.g., "gay marriage"), drug use (legalize marijuana? crack?), religion (no prayer in schools), and immigration (let everyone in the country)?  Furthermore, is Jon Henke arguing that George Allen believes the United States should totally stay out of "foreign quarrels" like, say, Iraq?  Because that IS what libertarians believe; just read their platform.

Anyway, I'd love to hear Jon Henke explain further his belief that George Allen is, in any way, shape or form, "libertarian."  Frankly, I'd be THRILLED if George Allen WERE to be discovered as a closet social libertarian on issues like a woman's right to choose or private sexual behavior between consenting adults.  But somehow I strongly doubt it.

P.S.  We've already addressed the absurd claim that George Allen is "Jeffersonian."  For instance, see here, here, here, and here. Let's just say, George Allen is NO Thomas Jefferson!

Lowell Feld is Netroots Coordinator for the Jim Webb for US Senate Campaign.  The ideas expressed here belong to Lowell Feld alone, and do not necessarily represent those of Jim Webb, his advisors, staff, or supporters.

Comments



Nailed it!!!!! (kevinceckowski - 9/5/2006 1:52:02 PM)
Let's see if Henke resigns from embarrASSment.


Allen clearly is not a libertarian (va.walter - 9/5/2006 2:32:47 PM)
That said, it doesn't look to me like this Henke guy said he was a libertarian.  He said he liked Allen's "libertarian approach."  He didn't call him a libertarian or mention "libertarian ideals."  Honestly, I'm not even sure what "libertarian approach" means. 


It's very clear that Henke's saying Allen (Lowell - 9/5/2006 2:49:38 PM)
is libertarian.  Obviously, nobody believes this; read the comments here for a good taste of the reaction...


One step further... (Eric - 9/5/2006 2:55:43 PM)
What is a "Reaganesque belief in libertarian ideals"?  I don't recall Reagan being that much of a libertarian - perhaps the smaller government aspect in cases that suited his interest, but that's about it.


Except that government GREW under Reagan (Lowell - 9/5/2006 3:06:04 PM)
Just as it has grown faster than ever under Bush, Allen, et al. Record growth in government spending is "libertarian?"  Huh?


"Libertarian approach" (RayH - 9/5/2006 4:18:14 PM)

"Libertarian approach" is the punchline of a joke bad enough that no one remembers the first part.


Also, note his disclaimer. (Lowell - 9/5/2006 3:05:15 PM)
"Jon Henke is the Netroots Coordinator for the George Allen Senate campaign."

No indication that the views expressed are NOT those of George Allen.  In other words, Allen believes himself to be a libertarian.  Amazing...



So is Jon going to (Eric - 9/5/2006 3:10:23 PM)
get his own blog for Allen or will he just post under QandO?  Not that I care very much - just wondering.


Betrayal of His Beliefs? (PM - 9/5/2006 3:28:22 PM)
I think we've all had to make moral compromises at times, especially where meeting the mortgage was involved.  I like to think I have a very high price.  So I'm aware that people are not perfect. It's clear to me that Jon has compromised his ideals, assuming he believed what he used to write on his website.

Jon: If you are reading this, bow out now.  You'll be no further ahead, nor behind.  Allen has no Libertarian beliefs.  This is the worst budget busting administration of all time, and it has existed solely to benefit a certain segment of the ruling class of America. 

I was a Republican in the early 1980's because I believed initially that Reagan was serious about reforming government.  And some of his highest officials were, though many who frequent this blog would not agree with those precise reforms.  But W's watch has been the antithesis of reform, whether one judges it by traditional Democratic or Reagan Republican standards.  Think of that. 



Definition of Libertarian (loboforestal - 9/5/2006 4:17:16 PM)
Libertarian: A Republican with a trust fund who smokes pot.


Now that is funny. (Bubby - 9/5/2006 4:28:20 PM)


Awesome (DukieDem - 9/5/2006 11:50:41 PM)
Best definition I've ever seen for it. Pretty much all of my friends that voted for Bush in 04 said they were 'libertarian' and happened to smoke pot. All the time.

Someone see if Felix can pass a drug test. 



Radley Balko wrote about this... (railfanbob - 9/5/2006 6:36:02 PM)
Libertarian blogger Radley Balko (who I've been reading a lot of lately - he's one of those rare must-read blogs for covering news you aren't going to get elsewhere) wrote about this very subject a couple of days ago.  His conclusion: Allen is nothing more than a Christian-right Republican - and why should libertarian minded people vote to keep the guy in office?

Personally I admit to giving libertarianism a close look many years ago, right down to buying and reading books by several of the core libertarian theorists: Murray Rothbard, Ludwig von Mises, Karl Hess, and others.  I wound up not quite convinced for several reasons.  But I do have some pretty strong libertarian leanings, at least once you get away from labor, infrastructure, and trade issues.  I find Jim Webb's consistent government-stops-at-your-doorstep philosophy very refreshing.  Not just refreshing in comparison to what the Republicans are offering, but refreshing in the context of a Democratic Party which has too often been seen as a nanny-state party wanting more regulation on issues which really should be matters of personal choice.  (Just when *is* the Virginia Democratic Party going to take the lead and call for the repeal of that pointless, stupid, arachaic ban on radar detectors?  But I digress.)  Pro-gay rights, pro-gun rights, and pro-choice is a combination you simply cannot go wrong with.  I dare G. Felix A. to show one area where he wants to get government out of our private lives.  Just one.



Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!!! (Tony Mastalski - 9/5/2006 8:59:50 PM)
Back in the third grade my first "historical report" was on Patrick Henry ... the firey Irishman from Virginia who coined the confrontational phrase above....

Years later the concept of Liberty as an ideal prompted me to join the Marine Corps ... It compels me on many levels today.

Before we had a campaign .... early on ... I expressed to the then would be candidate, Jim Webb that while I had independent and libertarian leanings ... which might suggest voting republican ... I would not / could not vote for a regime that endorsed, even culitivated: Careerism, Cronyism, Corruption and Deficits!!! He concurred .... I urged him to run (as did many others here at RK). Now .... Jim Webb runs forthrightly as a Democrat.

No libertarian would even consider George Allen an ideological choice since he has practiced all of the macca (3Cs and a D) outlined above. If anyone should need some  further convincing just trot over to the Cato Institute and see what they have to say about the current republican led state of affairs!!

So Given me Liberty!! .... while I drink liberaly from the Democratic Party bar!!

Cheers!!



Not libertarian (David Campbell - 9/6/2006 7:57:57 AM)
I have a Republican acquaintance who calls himself "Libertarian."  When questioned about the platform you listed, it became apparent that what he really meant by “libertarian” was “anti-tax.”  “Libertarian” just sounds more noble than “greed-head.”