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Whenever I hear a Ron Paul supporter praising the American demigods or more commonly know as the Founding Fathers - they sometimes refer to them as "Libertarians". Now, before you go calling this a "straw man" here is the big enchilada himself saying the founders were "Libertarian":
Ron Paul: The Founding Fathers Were Libertarians
Now, obviously I acknowledge that not ALL the Founders were slave owners. I also acknowledge that there is a possibility that maybe Paul wasn't referring to ALL the founders. However one big name that sticks out in my mind when referring to the "founders" is Jefferson and I doubt such an important figure in US history wasn't who Paul was referring to when he said "the founders". "Libertarians" like Paul LOVE to call out Jefferson when discussing personal freedoms. He's a Libertarian All-Star. I decided to look around and what do you know there were Libertarians comparing Paul to Jefferson and crediting Jefferson for modern Libertarianism. Not only that but they were doing it on officially sanctioned Ron Paul websites:
Ron Paul is Thomas Jefferson*|*Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign CommitteeRon Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee
Now I'm no history scholar. However, Wikipedia? That's a great tool right there. You can look up quick definitions for words you don't really understand and get a rough idea of what they mean:
Here is the basic definition of slavery:
Slavery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Here is the basic definition of Libertarian:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism
Now, the underlined sections are the ones which have led me to believe that slavery and Libertarianism are not compatible. One is based on the freedom of association, the other is forced. This made me wonder, are Libertarians completely mental when considering Jefferson a "Libertarian" or are they right and it is possible to be both a slave owner AND a Libertarian? Either way, the second question was the safest one to ask so I'll repeat it:
Can you be a slave owner and a libertarian at the same time?
Ron Paul: The Founding Fathers Were Libertarians
Ron Paul said:I happen to believe the founders were Libertarians. They didn’t want to regulate the market nor did they want to regulate personal lifestyles. And they had a non-intervention foreign policy. So that’s libertarianism and I think people who want to use that word usually want to use to that make us look negative. But it’s getting to the point where believing in liberty is not necessarily a negative anymore. I think we’ve made some progress.
Now, obviously I acknowledge that not ALL the Founders were slave owners. I also acknowledge that there is a possibility that maybe Paul wasn't referring to ALL the founders. However one big name that sticks out in my mind when referring to the "founders" is Jefferson and I doubt such an important figure in US history wasn't who Paul was referring to when he said "the founders". "Libertarians" like Paul LOVE to call out Jefferson when discussing personal freedoms. He's a Libertarian All-Star. I decided to look around and what do you know there were Libertarians comparing Paul to Jefferson and crediting Jefferson for modern Libertarianism. Not only that but they were doing it on officially sanctioned Ron Paul websites:
Ron Paul is Thomas Jefferson*|*Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign CommitteeRon Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee
The elite political class looked with disdain, and now looks with a certain measure of bemusement, upon Dr. Paul. Paul represents the re-emergence of a great American tradition. That tradition reawakens in the person of Ron Paul, who has a fair claim to be our era’s Thomas Jefferson…
Now I'm no history scholar. However, Wikipedia? That's a great tool right there. You can look up quick definitions for words you don't really understand and get a rough idea of what they mean:
Here is the basic definition of slavery:
Slavery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work.[SUP][1][/SUP] Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demandcompensation. Historically, slavery was institutionally recognized by many societies; in more recent times slavery has been outlawed in most societies but continues through the practices of debt bondage, indentured servitude, serfdom, domestic servants kept in captivity, certain adoptions in which children are forced to work as slaves, child soldiers, and forced marriage.[SUP][2][/SUP]
Here is the basic definition of Libertarian:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism
Libertarianism is a type of political philosophy that emphasizes freedom, liberty, and voluntary association. There is no general consensus among scholars on the precise definition. Libertarians generally advocate a society with a government of small scope relative to most present day societies or no government whatsoever.
Now, the underlined sections are the ones which have led me to believe that slavery and Libertarianism are not compatible. One is based on the freedom of association, the other is forced. This made me wonder, are Libertarians completely mental when considering Jefferson a "Libertarian" or are they right and it is possible to be both a slave owner AND a Libertarian? Either way, the second question was the safest one to ask so I'll repeat it:
Can you be a slave owner and a libertarian at the same time?
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