From: sulkom@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Philandros)
Newsgroups: alt.politics.elections,talk.politics.misc,alt.politics.marrou,alt.politics.bush,alt.politics.clinton,alt.politics.perot
Subject: Re: New poll results
Date: 14 Sep 92 02:29:00 GMT
Distribution: world,local
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <BuI70n.Cp0@chinet.chi.il.us>, katefans@chinet.chi.il.us (Chris'n'Vickie of Chicago) writes...
>In article <BuFnrA.96E@acsu.buffalo.edu> sulkom@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Philandros) writes:
>>
>> Libertarians have had to learn how to discuss their ideas persuasively
> 
>Not to me they haven't. 

	How many Libertarians have you talked with?

> 
>>	I'm not making excuses.  I'm just stating reality.  I believe that with
>>hard work and smart campaigning, the Libertarian Party will be the next major
>>party.  (And it won't be a moment too soon!)
> 
>I can't even imagine what kind of chaos this country would experience
>if we ever had a Liberatarian president. It would *not* be pretty.
>Luckily I don't think we'll ever have to worry about it. 
> 

	Uh huh...  Would you mind trying to imagine the chaos you are
talking about and share with us what it is.  I'm curious to hear what
you think will go wrong.


>The last extended conversation I got into with a Liberatarian was very
>confusing indeed. Even if I forget the fact that he said at one point
>"I spit in your face" (this was a net exchange) I still can't get over
>the fact that he raged at me because I supported the voting system.
>According to him, Libertarians don't believe in voting. Is this true?

	Hmmm.  No.

	There are some people who are philosophically libertarian who have
been heavily influenced by Lysander Spooner, a 19th individualist who
thought that voting protected corrupt government.  Many of these
"Spoonerians" refuse to vote on principle.  Naturally, they aren't
members of the Libertarian Party.  I wonder if your "friend" is one of
these people.

	By the way, I am sorry that he raged at you.  Almost every
Libertarian that I associate with is very polite and well mannered.
I am sure that there must be rude liberals, conservatives, and moderates
too...  First impressions can form one's entire opinion of a group of
people -- an opinion which can be inaccurate.  I hope you will give
Libertarians another chance.


>If it's not true, then I wonder if this Libertarian is in
>any way representative of the party as a whole. If so, I shudder.

	Sadly, there are a few like him in every state.  No, he isn't
"representative" of the party as a whole.  Unfortunately for the LP,
people like him tend to be very vocal and give people like you bad
first impressions.  Damage has been done, and libertarians concerned
with being pleasant and persuasive, like me, have to pick up the pieces.


>If not, I still wonder why he would say such a thing. No, I didn't
>ask him because I got fed up with him and broke off contact.

	You're probably better off.  He's just a flake.  Don't worry
about him.

> 
>Either way, I hope I'm long dead and gone before Libertarians get
>anywhere near the Federal Government. 

	Which Libertarians?  You mean like the rude guy you talked
with?  I agree.  I hope people like him never get government power.
I'm just glad that I have met wonderful people like Nancy Lord (the
LP's VP candidate) and Norma Segal (an LP Senatorial candidate).
I think you would like them too if you met them.  Nancy is very bright
and energetic, a real go-getter.  Norma teaches public school in the
Bronx, she really understands the problems that NY is facing and has
great solutions for them.

> 
>Vickie

	I hope this helps.  :^)

Mark