Libertarian Expectations (Or, What I expect of fellow libertarians)

Americans are actually very idealistic people.  We don't just "hope" for the best, we expect it  The question is, what is it that people think is "best"?   If you call yourself a libertarian, it's probably first and foremost anything that promotes, encourages and calls for individual liberty before anything else.

More and more it seems that people who align themselves with political parties have some sort of expectation of the government to do something for them.  Especially things that people can and most likely should do for themselves.

Something else that has become an issue is that people have become confused on the difference between "rights" and "privileges".  I expect any individual liberty concerned libertarian to know the difference.  I expect self identified libertarians to be better educated than the "average" voter.  Why do I expect that?  Because libertarians, as people who live for the pursuit of individual liberty, understand that there is an expectation of individual responsibility that goes with that individual liberty.

To have individual liberty means that we are responsible individually for those decisions and actions  we make.    That means, if I am going to use my individual liberty to vote for a representative in a representative government, I have not only the right to do so, but the responsibility to make sure I have learned enough about all the candidates to make a rational, reasonable and responsible choice.

I expect that of myself and I expect that from others who claim they believe in individual liberty as a priority.  It is a rational and reasonable expectation.  To expect anything less from a self identified libertarian is to "let them off the hook" for wearing the uniform but not doing the job.

Unlike anarchists, libertarians do not have have an unwavering faith in their fellow man to conduct themselves reasonably and rationally enough to not have some degree of government, knowing that having any government is like raising a wild animal and expecting it to be a docile pet that only does what it is directed to do.

No.  We know people will have moments of irrationality and being unreasonable.  Of not being in full control of their civil behavior.  People, besides having the capacity to be unmitigated asshats, can experience medical, emotional and logical deficiencies requiring intervention by others on behalf of the community as a whole.

We can't trust everyone but we have to put our trust somewhere and hope that trust is well placed.  We know that.  We are uncomfortable with it, but that's reality.  All we can do is accept reality and learn from it.

Libertarians believe in raising the bar and that people should make their best efforts to reach that bar or fail spectacularly in the effort.  We can appreciate spectacular failure as long as it's in the pursuit of achieving those goals, ideals and expectations we set for ourselves and each other.

We also know that there is truth to the phrase that "membership has it's privileges".  Being a member of this community and of American society is voluntary.  Even if you are born here and with American citizenship, there is nothing, no law, rule or regulation, to force anyone to keep it or attain it.  You are free to not be a citizen.  You are free to come and go.  You are a voluntary citizen.

By choosing to be a citizen and being a member of the "U.S.A. Club", so to speak, there are certain perks and privileges that go with that.  Note, the U.S. Constitution recognizes that all people have certain natural rights but then goes beyond those rights to add extras into the package.

We know we have the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.  Being financially wealthy, having an abundance of material belongings, being socially accepted despite your behavior (or hygiene), those are example of privileges.

Owning a car and driving it is a privilege. Being able to say you think the presidential candidates are all crooked and in collusion to keep people ignorant is a right and the government cannot imprision you, fine you or otherwise punish you for saying so in public.

I expect libertarians to know this and to expect it from other libertarians.  I expect libertarians to call out those who wear the uniform but don't do the job.  Have high expectations of ourselves and each other.  We will not get the best until we ourselves, individually, start acting our best.