Having strong libertarian tendencies, I pay special attention to issues which present a reasonably good choice between libertarianism and statism — libertarianism being, in essence, a philosophy that favors individual liberty, less government, and low taxes, and statism being the belief in better living through bigger government. While it seems to me that at least a strong plurality and probably a majority of Americans still hold to libertarian principles, our lives are controlled by the incessant, internecine “liberal-versus-conservative,” “Democrat-versus-Republican” political battles in which libertarian values are either ignored or honored only for show. How can it be, I lament, that so many of us have become so disenfranchised?

One obvious answer is that the two major political parties have monopolized the electoral process, successfully burdening third-party candidates with discouraging legal hurdles. The two parties have become captives of minority interests — progressive “liberal” Democrats and big-government “conservative” Republicans — which both have a statist orientation that mandates massive Federal spending for thousands of “programs” which often do more harm than good. See Hitler’s Calculation and the Sorry State of American Politics.

Because they share what I call a “politigopoly,” the two major parties have abandoned coalition-building. They engage in a constant us-versus-them bickerfest, mindlessly hurling charges and counter-charges at each other — whatever it takes to “win” the issue and keep control over our lives and our money.

To those of us not beholden to either major party, it appears that two groups of overgrown five-year-olds are squabbling and feuding, flinging poop like angry chimps and screaming “liar! liar!” at each other. It is such a disgusting spectacle than many Americans simply divorce themselves from the processes of politics and government, as much as they can, and hope to survive by their wits while the Democrat and Republican statists fight over who gets to bankrupt the Federal government.

There is very little representation of libertarian values in Congress, and none in the White House.  Typically, when a libertarian enters a primary, he or she is first subjected to the usual character assassination and then confronted with the classic statist trap: “We have programs to solve these problems — what program do you propose?” In most instances, the proper answer to that is “I propose to let free Americans and free markets do the job,” but that opens the candidate up to charges of stupidity, “no ideas,” ad infintitum.  Since the mainstream Democrats and  mainstream Republicans always have “programs,” and plenty of them, they get the nominations to run for office.

Issues are invariably framed in the single dimension of “liberal” versus “conservative,” which of course favors statist candidates at election time.  The dimension of “libertarian versus statist” is simply left out, even though it is the most important philosophical dimension in America’s history.  So, philosophical libertarians either stay home on election day or confront the lesser-of-two-evils dilemma — “which one of the candidates will do the least harm, the Republicrat or the Democan?”

I quit making that choice in the 2000 election and began voting often for third-party candidates.  I don’t know that it has made a bit of difference, but I do feel better and I believe I can maintain a more objective view of the political party wars.  I do know that if enough of my fellow countrymen do the same, the situation will change — and it can only change for the better.

APPENDIX — Polls Reflecting Libertarian-Statist Issues

- – Rasmussen Reports, 62% Like Tax Cuts Over More Government Spending

- – Rasmussen Reports, 70% Prefer Government That Provides Fewer Services With Lower Taxes

- – Zogby International, Most Americans Believe Small Business, Science, and Tech Leaders Will Lead the U.S. to a Better Future

- – Gallup, Big Gov’t Still Viewed as Greater Threat Than Big Business

- – Rasmussen Reports, 76% Say Government Likely To Waste Stimulus Money

- – Rasmussen Reports, 80% Want Government To Sell Stake In GM, Chrysler Right Now

- – Rasmussen Reports, 75% Say Business Better At Customer Service Than Government

- – Rasmussen Reports – - “Even when presented with the stark choice between providing government funding or letting GM go out of business, only 32% of voters support the bailout. Most voters (56%) say it would be better to let GM go out of business.” May 31, 2009.

- – Zogby Poll: Just 6% Prefer Giving Federal Money to Banks And 51% Say No Funding Even If Banks Fail

- – Zogby Poll: Just 27% Believe They Will Benefit From Economic Stimulus Bill

Rasmussen Reports, 53% Say More Government Spending Hurts The Economy

- – Pew Research Center, Independents Take Center Stage in Obama Era

- – Gallup, Americans Remain Critical of United Nations

- – The American Dream Is Still Strong