LETTERS: FREEDOM, RESPONSIBILITY GO TOGETHER

To the editor:

I am writing in response to the Speak Out caller who said that Libertarians are "warmed-over social Darwinists." By doing so, I believe the caller misunderstood what I meant by my previous statement, "Life based on Libertarian principles would be freedom in its purest form." It is this issue I wish to address.

The implication that Libertarians want a "dog-eat-dog, survival-of-the-fittest society" is absurd. Yes, we want competition. Such must exist within the confines of the free market. However, we also want individuals to be compassionate. Libertarians hold that with the freedom from which one benefits, an implied amount of personal responsibiltiy must also accompany said freedom. These two concepts are inextricably intertwined.

Personal responsibility takes two forms. First, it gives us constraints within which to operate -- a self-governing environment. Individuals are free to engage in whatever activity they so choose, provided they do so in a peaceful and honest manner. Second, personal responsibility implies that we help others, voluntarily, of course. No one should be required to subsidize someone or something if they do not choose to. Republicans and Democrats regularly operate on the opposite philosophy that it's OK to forcibly take the fruits of someone's labor if the intentions are good and noble. However, theft is theft, no matter how much society benefits. The end does not justify the means.

Republicans and Democrats both seek to advance their own agendas, whether social or economic, at the expense of some amount of freedom. Libertarians, on the other hand, advocate a huge amount of both social and economic freedom, coupled with personal responsibility. It is this sensible combination which allows individuals to lead productive, beneficial and even caring lives.

I again urge the readers of this paper to seek out and become acquainted with Libertarian principles. You will find that we advocate more freedom for people's lives than do the major parties. And, we have fun doing so.

MIKE GARDNER, TreasurerCape Girardeau County Libertarian Party

Cape Girardeau