| Notes on non-aggresion, non-intervention, and rational self interest |
It's been said that if you've met one libertarian, you've met ONE libertarian -- so I don't envy myself the position of having to try and lay down "the" libertarian position on the current situation in Iraq. Every one of us likely has a different reason, or at least different thoughts as to which arguments carry the most weight; further there is even a minority (I've read estimates that put the number at 5%) who do support this war. So, this being the case, I'm just going to give you the short list of the essentials:
...and I haven't even mentioned oil, or following the money, or empire building. Oops, I guess I just did.
Some good places to start:
So if we're agreed that Saddam Hussein is evil and should be stopped, what are the libertarian alternatives to war? Well, the first and most important issue is to repeal any and all laws forbidding private, voluntary assistance to freedom fighters around the world -- if you want to help liberate Iraq, by all means do so, but do it with your money, your blood, and in your name. A second idea, perhaps more controversial and perhaps less "libertarian" (because it still requires tax funding, at least as things are today), is to simply place a bounty on Hussein's head, say $1 billion. Just watch how fast someone claims it. "War continues in Iraq. They're calling it Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were going to call it Operation Iraqi Liberation until they realized that spells 'OIL.'" -- Jay Leno and a word from NationalWe'll wrap things up at last with a statement from our national chair, Geoffrey Neale
=============================== Libertarians express concern for U.S. troops and urge quick end to war in IraqWASHINGTON, DC: Statement by Geoffrey Neale, national chairman of the Libertarian Party, in response to the U.S. invasion of Iraq: On behalf of the Libertarian Party, I wish to express our deep concern for the U.S. troops currently engaged in war in Iraq, and urge the government to end the conflict quickly and with as few casualties as possible. Though it is difficult for Americans who have never fought in battle to imagine a soldier's fear and bravery, it is easy to imagine the anguish that every family will feel for their sons and daughters who never return. For that reason it is essential that the government make every effort to minimize casualties on both sides in this conflict. Libertarians believe that all Americans should give moral support to our troops, and we urge those who are opposed to the war not to blame soldiers for the misjudgments of politicians. Sadly, this war may extract horrific costs not only from governments and soldiers but from American society. More terrorist acts may yet be committed inside our borders; relationships with our friends and allies could be forever diminished; and the financial costs of war could be catastrophic to an already stumbling economy. Because Libertarians believe in limited, constitutional government, we are disappointed that President Bush declined to seek a formal declaration of war as clearly required by Article I, Section 8 of that document. By acquiescing to the president, Congress has abdicated its responsibility as well. The Libertarian Party also urges the administration to abandon its plans for an occupation of Iraq – a policy that would further inflame anti-American sentiment in the region without benefiting the United States in any way. Though Mr. Bush promises that democracy will soon sprout from dictatorship in Iraq, the results of U.S. military involvement in Panama, Haiti, Kuwait, Afghanistan and other nations indicates that such promises are far easier to make than they are to keep. Finally, we would remind the nation that the traditional American values of peace, freedom, and military non-intervention have served this country well in the past and should be embraced again. To that end, we hope that our political leaders can summon the wisdom to bring our armed forces home from Iraq. |
