[Nathans_Dad]

I was actually really curious about the libertarian platform and thought that it would represent a lot of what I think. I was right, on the economic issues. Many of the libertarian ideas on economics I think are dead on. I am for a flat tax and I would completely agree with getting rid of the IRS.

I just got very stuck when it came to the "civil liberties" position. The libertarians are too far left with that for me. Granted, I am a conservative Christian which makes me a nutbag in the eyes of many, but I do still think that it is the responsibility of government to provide some regulation of people's actions in this country. Calling everything a civil liberty just doesn't wash in my book. It seems like most of the arguement for libertarians centers around legalizing drugs. I don't think that legalizing drugs is in the best interests of our country.

If you really look at it, of course the government regulates morality and no one would say that the government regulating morality is wrong. How about murder? That is against the law and I don't think anyone would say that someone should have the civil liberty to murder someone else, or rob a bank or drive drunk. All of these things are considered morally wrong in our world. Now you may say these things are done TO someone else and that is the difference. I would say you would be partially right. I think that drug use does hurt other people besides the drug user. It hurts the user's family, friends, employer and the country as a whole given the increased rates of crime and illness among drug users.

Perhaps a better example would be cannibalism. Cannibalism is illegal in this country and considered immoral. There are several tribes in South America who still practice cannibalism of their dead family members as a show of honor. It is neither illegal nor immoral in their society. So is this a civil liberty as well? Where does it stop?