Proof that the GOP’s newfound “libertarianism” is a big ol’ sham

[DonViejo]

How the Koch brothers and their conservative allies are using the "L" word to disguise their latest schemes

HEATHER DIGBY PARTON

Earlier this week, ace researcher Lee Fang did a little digging and found that for all their alleged commitment to libertarianism, the Koch Brothers are helping to elect a whole lot of right-wing theocrats and national security hawks, which seems just a little bit hypocritical. After all, everyone says that this libertarian influence in the GOP is bound to create a new and different party which will inevitably become more socially tolerant and less given to imperial ambition. Fang lays out example after example of Koch groups backing conservative extremists whose idea of freedom and liberty consists of a strong commitment to ensuring that gays and women are denied full human rights. And many of these fine folks aren’t too concerned about due process for “certain” people who don’t deserve all those human rights to which Real Americans are entitled. (And foreigners always deserve what they get. Especially the French.)

This should not be too surprising to anyone who’s been following the rise of the Koch brothers since they burst on the scene in the 1970s. They were at that time, as much younger men, committed to forming a viable Libertarian Party, and created the Cato Institute as its philosophical and ideological home base. David Koch ran for vice president on the Libertarian ticket in 1980 and campaigned for full abortion rights and the decriminalization of drugs, homosexuality and prostitution, while calling Ronald Reagan nothing more than a liberal squish. But no one should be shocked to find out that these billionaires really had one big priority: themselves. Charles Koch spelled it out as early as 1974 when he was formulating the rationale for a Libertarian party:

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http://www.salon.com/2014/08/01/proof_that_the_gops_newfound_libertarianism_is_a_big_ol_sham/

[DinahMoeHum]

1. Remember, when they say "Personal Responsibility". . .

they mean: "Fuck You, I've Got Mine"

[bklyncowgirl]

2. True libertarians are very much a tiny sliver of the population in this country.

Not much chance of creating political change with the few college kids entranced by Ayn Rand but bring in the fundamentalists and you are talking power. Fundamentalist policies such as banning abortion and homosexuality mainly affect the poor. The wealthy will always be able to get these things the Fundamentalists want to ban anyway so why not make an alliance?

Principle, after all is a small price to pay for power.

[MillennialDem]

3. The Kochs don't care about social issues. They'll go full social conservative to full social liberal

to anything in between to get them support for what they really care about: fiscally conservative policies.

They really don't give a shit about abortion or same sex marriage at all.

[Matrosov]

4. Most "small-government" conservatives are liars

It's one of the worst kept secrets that the libertarianism among conservatives is almost always limited to fiscal policies, where the libertarian attitude of "Forget you, I got mine" is popular.

The philosophy of favoring small government goes right out the window when it comes to social matters, however. Most of these "small-government" conservatives would be more than happy to get government involved in a very intrusive way if they could ban abortions and contraceptives, deny any and all rights to the LGBT community, and generally engage in socially discriminatory practices.

Real small-government conservatives do exist, and while my views on most fiscal matters are the complete opposite of theirs, I think those libertarians at least have their use in being a thorn in the side of social conservatives.

[blkmusclmachine]

5. I've never met an honest Republican.

[Jamaal510]

6. Phony freedom-fighters.

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