NEGATIVE — COUNTERPLAN — FREE MARKET — LIBERTARIANISM 90

LIBERTARIANISM IS THE IDEOLOGY BEHIND THE FREE MARKET

LIBERTARIANISM IS OPPOSED TO THE CONCEPT OF A "NANNY GOVERNMENT" WHICH WILL TAKE CARE OF US

Solveig Singleton, director of information studies at the Cato Institute, 12 September 1997 In Defense of Libertarianism

Libertarianism is not about anarchy, utopia, or selfishness. Instead, libertarians simply are skeptical of "nanny government," and recognize the many ways state power has been abused in the past. They believe that government programs like health assistance, Social Security, foreign aid, and corporate welfare do more harm than good. They argue that everyone must be equal before the law, and everyone has human rights to personal security, to property, and to free speech that the government must protect, not violate.

LIBERTARIANISM CONDEMNS EFFORTS BY THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT TO LET GOVERNMENT CONTROL YOU -- YOU SHOULD CONTROL YOURSELF

Solveig Singleton, director of information studies at the Cato Institute, 12 September 1997 In Defense of Libertarianism

Synapse columnist Brooke Shelby Biggs recently suggested that such skepticism about authority is a sign of immaturity, asking us to remember how we felt about authority when we were 12. "Despite the fact that you knew exactly where everything was in your, uh ... alternatively organized bedroom, Mom still insisted you clean it up," she writes. Eventually you grew out of it. Now you're an adult and can think for yourself. Or can you? Not according to nanny government.

Together the left and the right conspire to dictate what you can eat, see, read, smoke, and talk about. Leftists contend that the state should regulate the economy (and technology), but not morality. Conservatives claim that the government should leave the economy alone, but should legislate what you're allowed to do online or in your bedroom. Only libertarians have a consistent philosophy: The state can't be trusted to screw around with the economy, to control your private life, or to police the Internet.

LIBERTARIANS OPPOSE ANY GOVERNMENT CONTROLS ON FREE EXPRESSION

Solveig Singleton, director of information studies at the Cato Institute, 12 September 1997 In Defense of Libertarianism

Libertarians are especially leery of government controls on free expression. They don't believe in obscenity laws, the CDA, laws aimed at violent speech, or constitutional amendments to ban flag-burning. Can we live in a world in which speech is truly free? Why not? A healthy, diverse society must tolerate a wide range of expressive actions, from Jehovah's Witnesses' refusal to pledge allegiance to the flag to Ku Klux Klan parades. Freedom of speech has obvious boundaries, usually set by ordinary property rights. I can't spray-paint a poem on the wall of my neighbor's house, burn a cross on his lawn, or tattoo artwork on his chest without his consent. My rights stop where others' start.

LIBERTARIANS WOULD LIKE TO PRIVATIZE WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Solveig Singleton, director of information studies at the Cato Institute, 12 September 1997 In Defense of Libertarianism

However, libertarians would like to privatize as much as possible, even schools. Only libertarians are proposing serious ideas for reform.

These ideas refute the argument that if the government stops providing a service, it won't be provided. The private funding of SETI, the rise of arbitration services to replace clogged courts, and private charities and churches that help the poor all show that private initiative can take over where government fails.