A decade and a half ago, when the party proposed privatizing Social Security, the political establishment was up in arms. This year, both major parties' certain nominees, Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore, have suggested versions of the idea. Libertarians want to do away with public schools. While neither the Republicans nor Democrats have gone that far, the issue of school vouchers has entered mainstream politics. But we're closer when we see school vouchers, when we see magnet schools, charter schools.
Libertarians are all over the map when it comes to ideology.
Liberals like some of their ideas. So do conservatives. Seven states and the District of Columbia have legalized the medical use of marijuana, and Libertarians see that as an indicator that their ideology is appealing to many in mainstream politics. Steve Kubby, a party vice presidential hopeful from Laguna Niguel, has adopted the legalization of drugs as his main issue. Kubby, who ran for governor of California in 1998, says he'll run again in two years if he doesn't make it to Washington.