My Journey to Libertarianism: Embracing Liberty and Freedom
My political journey began with a stark choice when I could first vote in 1984, after observing the platforms of two major political parties—Republicans and Democrats. Staunchly conservative Republicans were my family's first political choice, but their stance on controlling women’s reproductive rights turned me away. Similarly, the Democrats, with their restrictive gun control policies, did not align with my values of maximizing individual liberty and freedom. Pro-choice and pro-gun, I found myself naturally drawn to the Libertarian Party. One of the key reasons was their advocacy for the legalization and taxation of cannabis, which made a lot of sense to me, given the cumbersome processes of importing hemp.
From Republican to Libertarian
Initially, I identified as a Republican during the next couple of decades. However, I noticed that the Republican Party was straying from its core principles. This shift, combined with exposure to individuals and ideas that challenged my traditional beliefs, led me to explore libertarianism. The libertarian philosophy resonated with me, emphasizing the autonomy of individuals to make their own choices, as long as they did not harm others. This was a stark contrast to the overall imposed duties and obligations that many people accepted without question.
Libertarian Principles in Action
My libertarian principles were rooted in the belief that I should mind my own business and not interfere with others unless they posed a threat to me or others. Libertarianism taught me that an individual was not born with a duty to God, country, ancestors, or anything else they did not choose for themselves. This contrasted sharply with the common advice I received from adults to worship, serve, or sacrifice for the greater good, which I found confusing and unconvincing.
Addressing Injustices and Violations of Liberty
As I delved deeper into understanding the issues that violated libertarian principles, I became increasingly aware of institutional practices that promoted the violation of individual freedoms. I was appalled by the idea of men beating their wives and children, and the notion of jailing people for non-traditional sexual identities, political opinions, or even recreational drug choices. I found foreign military adventures, torture, and mass incarceration to be fundamentally wrong, and I began to question the reasoning behind these practices.
Living by Libertarian Principles
My political beliefs gradually evolved from a theoretical understanding to a practical application in my life. I aligned with groups fighting for specific and obvious injustices, but I did not try to convince others. I respected everyone's right to their own opinions and focused on living my life the way I wanted, while working to reduce violence against innocents. Although I don’t envision a world where everyone is libertarian, I hope to make small strides in that direction.