Guess I am going to flame many of you

[n2mark]

but what is the difference between the Libertarian party, the Progressive party and the Democratic party? They seem to be saying the same thing. Why can't they all come together?

[Catherine Vincent]

1. Imo, the Libertarian party is more right wingy.

[n2mark]

4. Not sure about this

they sound more like Dems. They seem to be totally against the pukes.

[Warpy]

37. They share our social positions, those that allow

grownups to live their lives the way they see fit.

However, they've been infested with Randorrhoids and people who firmly believe in an invisible hand regulating unregulated capitalism and deny that the farther we go towards deregulation, the more wealth is concentrated into the hands of the few. They are also totally against any program that helps the young, the old, the sick, or the poor. They usually vote pubbie because of their economic views.

[Dookus]

2. Libertarians are not

progressive, or even very Democratic. They believe the government should run the military, build some interstate highways, and about nothing else.

[Runcible Spoon]

3. libertarians are republicans who smoke pot

:evilgrin: Love that one.

[PA Mamma]

5. That's my favorite too ! n/t

[n2mark]

8. They seem to be following the Dems not the pukes

or are they pretending?

[Runcible Spoon]

23. It depends. Libs are a wiley breed.

I don't think Gallup has been able to root enough out of their caves and shacks to get statistically sounds data on their votin' trends :evilgrin:

Yosemite Sam: the Quintessential Libertarian!

[Runcible Spoon]

29. DAMMIT that was FUNNY!!

no recognition? :shrug:

[wookie294]

6. Libertarians think corporations should control our lives

Progressives think corporations should be restrained and regulated thru government power.

Democrats have increasingly become like Republicans by passing laws that give more government power to corporations (a.k.a. fascism).

[FiveGoodMen]

7. I like the libertarians on many social (leave me alone) issues

but their run-the-entire-government-without-taxes platform is a little unrealistic.

I don't know anything specific about the Progressive Party.

[n2mark]

10. I am just very confused right now.

I'm torn between the three. My obeservation is that the Progressives, the Libertarians and the Democrats are all coming together, but yet remain to be split. But yet, I find them so together in their thinking.

[FiveGoodMen]

45. Thing is only the Dems have any chance of beating the Pugs.

The other parties should definitely have their voices heard, but until they've got the name recognition and money, they can't really go up against the two major parties.

[SHRED]

9. Libertarians...

want to remove all public protections from corporate abuse.
No environmental laws and no health and safety standards via the government. They think the "free market" will solve everything. As if there ever was one.

[n2mark]

13. Geez, I don't know who to support

all three are pulling my strings.

[wookie294]

18. Libertarians think there should be no FAA, FDA, EPA

Libertarians think the free market should regulate itself without government involvement. So, if a new drug is tested only by private industry and it turns out the zealous desire for profit ends up putting a killer drug on the market, the public will be protected after hundreds of people die since consumers will learn to stay away from the drug. Same goes with the FAA. If alot of planes crash, then people won't fly that airline. But alot of people have to die (in a Libertarian world) in order for the free market to "work" and keep unsafe items off the market.

[Tux]

11. Simple

Progressive Party says that people are equal and laws should treat that way.

Democratic Party says that people are equal, provide programs to help people, and Bush sucks.

Libertarian party says that our government needs to eliminate most laws especially labor and wage laws, only concern themselves with defense, remove all taxes, privitize all gov programs like SS et al so corporations can get richer, and everyone but them are lazy.

[n2mark]

16. This is not the information I am receiving

from the three groups, they all sound he same.

[PA Mamma]

19. I think that Progressives want Progress and we hate Bush too !

[Shadowen]

12. Libertarians get a bad rap around here.

Ever visited morons.org?

Great site. Run by a libertarian.

[donheld]

14. I am just totally consumed in flames

:smoke:

[salib]

15. You have got to be kidding!

Over 1000 posts, and you make such a facile comparison?!? One good way to look at Libertarians is to describe them as propertarian anarchists. In general, they argue that they want to maximize liberty. However, it is a very narrow view of liberty, as property rights are pre-eminent. Thus, you are free to do what ever, pretty much, with minimal communal contribution (defense of boarders and property dispute courts), just as long as you do not run into your neighbors' barbbed wire.

[n2mark]

20. Hey, I am just looking for facts here

not a diatribe of your beliefs. Just want the facts without sarcasm.

I've been a life long Dem. (I'm 63 years old and always voted Dem) so I do not need your lip, just want to know the difference and am questioning info being given to me so back off!

[salib]

24. Another facile response, dude.

BTW, a diatribe would be what you see at most of the "Libertarian" sites. And, I do not "back off!" If you cannot handle a word like "facile" you probably need a thicker skin.

BTW, if you want to "question infor being given" to you, what of the info I gave you. They are pseudo-anarchist, perhaps anarcho-fascists, who have no concept of INDIVIDUAL liberty, instead replacing it with so-called "property rights."

[n2mark]

27. Guess there is no questioning and no disagreeing here!

[salib]

28. Question away. I have yet to hear one relative to what I said.

Just flame-bait. Just bait.

[PA Mamma]

30. Here's my Diatribe For what it's worth...

What is a diatribe anyway?

I too was a life long Democrat (not as long as you though,) but the Democratic Wing of that Party.
But now I identify more with the “Progressive” view as I feel that a sweeping change is our only hope. From Voter Reform to Equal Rights and in between, they best represent me. To me they are the best of all worlds:

A Declaration of Progressive Principles
Drafted online by the members of The Principles Project and adopted March 1, 2005
We believe in America's historic promise of liberty, justice and the expansion of opportunity for all people. These commitments to fundamental human dignity and a better nation for all animate the American spirit and give us a sense of common purpose. We honor these commitments by recognizing that with the great freedoms afforded us comes an even greater responsibility to see that those freedoms are extended to all people in all places.
We believe that this sense of shared responsibility -- for our families, our communities, our nation and our world -- strengthens our country and secures our future.
_______
We believe in defending dignity:
“All people are created equal” is not just a fact -- it is a call to action. Either we create justice for all or we have justice for none.
All people have the right to lead their personal lives in accordance with their own beliefs, free from imposition or monitoring by others.
All people have a right to the basic necessities required to lead dignified lives and to pursue happiness.
We believe in strengthening democracy:
It is the shared responsibility of a nation to ensure each citizen’s freedom, security and equality. Through government, we honor our responsibility to promote the common good.
Government must be transparent, accessible and open to all citizens who wish to oversee its workings and share in its benefits.
America must work to enhance the democratic process by ensuring an educated citizenry, equal opportunity for influence, honest public debate, competitive elections and robust civic participation.
A healthy democracy requires tireless vigilance against corruption and abuses of power, and a government that is accountable to its people.
We believe in promoting progress:
We must promote innovation and entrepreneurship, cultivate the arts and sciences, and ensure a quality education for everyone. When we invest in individual potential, the benefits are shared by all.
America must continue to be a welcoming home to all people. We believe that diversity of faith, culture and perspective enriches our nation.
America must keep a watchful eye on the economy to ensure fairness, transparency and genuine opportunity for all.
Each generation has a duty to protect and improve those resources we hold in common -- our community spaces, our public institutions and our natural environment.
We believe in embracing leadership:
America’s security requires an effective military and a commitment to enduring alliances, but we must remember that America’s true power is found in its wisdom as well as its strength.
Our security and prosperity rely on the security and prosperity of people throughout the world. By helping others, we will help ourselves.
America must join with other nations to build global institutions that protect the vulnerable, promote democratic self-government, and improve the health and welfare of all people throughout the world.
America must never suspend its belief in democracy and human rights in the pursuit of its global objectives. Noble ends require nothing short of noble means.
_______
As progressives, these are our guiding principles -- to defend dignity, to strengthen democracy, to promote progress and to embrace leadership. We believe that our country must always be looking toward a better and brighter future for all people, and in this pursuit we pledge to come forward and work with whomever we can. We will fight for these principles in every community, every forum and every office of government, because the struggles of this new century will not only be about preserving the freedoms we already enjoy -- they will be about expanding those freedoms for all people.

Here’s one of my favorites:
http://www.kucinich.us/

And of course this guy:

[housewolf]

17. Don't mistake Libertarians for lefties

Libertarians are more to the right than conservatives. They want a government that does not much more than "provide for the common defense." They would eliminate all (or nearly all) government regulations and departments. There would be virtually "no" federal anything - everything would be done by the states. There would be no standards or regulations protecting workers rights, educational standards, environmental protections. Everything would be privately owned and operated. Guns would be sold to anyone, anywhere. No "social security net", no unemployment, no medicare/medicaid, fewer restrictions on drug testing, less oversight by congress, less oversight on business and corporations.

Their "home" is the Cato Institute, the think-tank that came up with and is promoting the privatization of social security. If you want to know what their philosophy is, check out that site.

Right now, there "appears" to be some alliance between the Libertarians and the left but it's really only about the Iraq war (many Libertarians were/are against it) and the fiscal mal-feasance of the current Republican Party. And I suspect the christianization of the US government is giving many of them cause for concern as well.
Many Libertarians are uncomfortable with the current administration but that doesn't mean that they've accepted the philosophy/ideology of the left.

[n2mark]

26. Thanks for your info

Just received a lot of info from the Libertarian Party recently (have not read it yet), receive emails from the Progressives, receive mail and email from the Dems, all this info is mind boggling. I'm receiving more info than I can process and question.

[PA Mamma]

31. Wait that's not a ....

Diatribe up there.
I looked it up:
di·a·tribe ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-trb)
n.
A bitter, abusive denunciation.

[Pushed To The Left]

21. Those that oppose the right wing

should band together! That is the best way to destroy the right wing!

Libertarians are different than progressives when it comes to economic issues. They are basically "anti-government" across the board. For example, let's say a man smokes pot every Saturday before going to bed:

A pure conservative believes that he should be arrested and that his employer should have the right to fire him.

A pure libertarian believes that he has a right to do what he wants with his own body, but that his employer should have the right to fire him.

A pure progressive believes that he has a right to do what he wants with his own body, and that his employer should not be able to fire him for what he does on his own time.

Libertarians and liberals tend to agree on many social issues, which would be a good reason for them to band together against the right wing! Even some disgruntled conservatives have had it with the current Republicans in power!

[PA Mamma]

25. Very Well Put ! n/t

[BuyingThyme]

22. Libertarians do one thing, and one thing only:

They say, "Don't blame me...I'm a Libertarian."

[alcibiades_mystery]

32. Democratic Party is like a 33 year-old

Progressives are like 19 year-olds.
Libertarians are like 4 year-olds.

With the proviso that no value judgment attach to the differently-aged perspectives. :evilgrin:

Flame who, now?

[n2mark]

34. Geez, for many many years I knew where I stood and where I belonged

not any longer. I can't believe I'm questioning everything.

[n2mark]

35. Just don't know where I stand anymore

[PA Mamma]

39. Democrats are like 33 year olds?

Like a 33 year old who tells his purple-haired but honest & bright son not to come downstairs during the party so he's not embarrassed in front of his Republican friends?

[alcibiades_mystery]

46. Ding ding ding

;-)

[stevedeshazer]

33. Well, for one thing,

There are zero Libertarian and Progressive Party members in Congress. Unless you count Ron Paul and Bernie Sanders, maybe. :eyes:

[R. A. Fuqua]

36. The Libertarians that I know

seem to be basically conservative Republicans MINUS the fundamentalist Christian BS.

Libertarian seems to be the "up-and-coming" and popular thing to be--especially with the younger crowd. When I registered voters at my VERY left wing University a few elections ago--more than 40% of the new voters who signed up designated themselves as "Libertarian".

[Lone_Star_Dem]

38. Just the facts.

Libertarianism defined. Wikipedia
http://www.answers.com/topic/libertarianism-2&method=6

Basic information on libertarianism and the libertarian movement.
http://www.libertarianism.com/


Progressivism defined Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressivism

What is Progressivism?
http://progressiveliving.org/progressivism.htm


Democratic Party defined Wikipedia
http://www.answers.com/Democratic%20Party%20United%20States

Democratic National Committee
http://www.democrats.org/



There's way more information there than you need to read to distinguish the differences. Happy reading. :)

[OneBlueSky]

40. despite the differences, there ARE issues on which all three . . .

could cooperate, if it weren't for this "all or nothing" mentality that pervades public discourse these days . . . hell, there are even Republicans and (real) conservatives who we could work with on given issues . . .

if we could all just take a step back and understand that cooperating with someone for a specific purpose does NOT mean that you accept and agree with everything that person says or believes . . . we'd accomplish a lot more if people would be a little less extreme in their parochialism . . .

[barb162]

41. Libertarians would get rid of all social programs, right?

I have no idea of the diff between Progressive and Democrats. I think of them as one wing of the Democrats

[PA Mamma]

42. I agree

But from what I've seen "Progressives" are the ones who would actually vote like Democrats, You know against the Repugs instead of with them.
Hey I'd be a Democrat (Hell, I am a Registered )
if they would all start acting like Dems.

[housewolf]

43. So take your time and read your information

Sit with it, digest it, and draw your own conclusions. Take it a piece at a time, take your time with it and give it all the thought it deserves.

Visit the think-tanks websites
Libertarian - Cato Institute
Conservative - Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, Hudson Institute
Dems/Progressive - Brookings Institute, Center for American Progress, People for the American Way

There are tons and tons of information out there, one could easily get overwhelmed so just take it in pieces.

[lala_rawraw]

44. They are different, but since all 3 are sane....

Then they are stuck saying the same things right now because what can they say to a NeoCon? All three do value the Constitution, unlike the Right wing NeoConic freaks. So it is more important that they stick together, frankly, because together, they have some traction.