Libertarians vs. Trumpian ‘Freedom’ Protestors

We should not need laws to encourage us to do the right things.

Libertarianism and classical liberalism depend on people not needing to be forced to do what is right for the community.

Unlike modern progressives, social democrats, or other statists, we don’t believe that the “right things” include dictating personal behaviors. Nor do we believe that hurting someone’s feelings is equivalent to assault. You can do a lot of “wrong things” and be everything I despise personally. Not my business.

But, your sovereign self, which I will always defend, doesn’t include any right to put others at risk.

I’m my ideal world, we would not need speed limits, because you won’t be stupid enough to drive 50 miles-per-hour in a suburban neighborhood or near a school. We would need a lot of regulations because companies would realize harming customers is bad for business.

Libertarians support the rule of law, contractual agreements, and local government. We believe states truly should be the laboratories of democracy, and people are free to move about the states.

Yet, I keep reading about “libertarians” protesting for the right to not shelter-in-place during the COVID-19 pandemic. They somehow want the “right” to put other people at risk for infection and worse.

Protesting businesses that won’t admit customers without masks? I thought we believed in private business. Those businesses should have a right to tell customers to wear masks, use social distancing, and behave like part of a community.

I don’t support draconian health and safety regulations, but the coronavirus isn’t a normal situation. If we cannot be pragmatic and recognize that our rights have limits, then we don’t deserve to be free.

Libertarianism cannot function as nihilism or Ayn Rand’s objectivism. We need to demonstrate the reason we don’t need to be regulated is that most people will do what is right, or at least keep to themselves and not harm others.

Do you own thing. In your own space.

Libertarianism and classical liberalism are being permanently damaged by loudmouths with no understanding that freedom comes with responsibilities.