Could the Libertarian Party Seize the Opportunity Demarcation between Liberals and Conservatives?

The so-called Libertarian Parties in various states are often misrepresented. They are merely conservative Republicans who aim to lower taxes for the wealthy, limit services for the less fortunate, and introduce lighter business regulations. True libertarians, who exist in both major parties, have a vastly different viewpoint:

Abortion as a medical decision at any stage Legalization of recreational drugs Completely free international trade, with no tariffs, quotas, or protectionism Ending all industrial subsidies Free immigration with minimal restrictions Enforcement of religiously neutral laws for everyone, including no religious exemptions A free market capitalism system without socialism for the rich

Is It Possible for Libertarians to Gain Ground?

Indeed, they can. However, it is more about the division on the right as most libertarians identify as right-leaning. A growing divide on the right between neoconservatives and MAGA “patriots” is the ideal time for libertarians to differentiate themselves, step out, and distance themselves from the more radical edges of the Republican Party. They can appeal to centrist small-government Republicans and conservative Democrats with centrist/left-libertarian views.

If libertarians embraced an approach that inspires people in communities to help each other without the need for government intervention, kept to their own business, and avoided heavy-handed regulations while still looking out for the needs of the less fortunate and marginalized, they could create a winning combination. Ideas closer to Christian Anarchism, for example, could resonate, especially in regions like mine.

Challenges in the Current Environment

Despite the potential, it is challenging for libertarian values to succeed in my region. Suburban and rural areas in Indiana have seen a significant shift where anyone who identifies or leans towards libertarian membership or values now fully embraces the MAGA manias of anti-mask, anti-vaccine, and anti-expert rhetoric. The local hospitals continue to face a high number of unvaccinated COVID-19 cases, and many people dying from the virus are those who refused vaccines.

In a perfect world, we would need no regulations around masks or vaccines. People would naturally volunteer to do the right thing to care for each other without the need for government prompting or mandates. However, by spreading disinformation about these vital health measures instead of supporting them, libertarians in this region are spreading a message that shows they only care about themselves and the freedom to spread disease without hindrance.

The Impact of Misinformation

The message being loud and clear is that libertarians in this region care about no one except themselves. The slogan, "Unmask our kids," and the phrase, "You can’t make me wear a mask," reflect this attitude. Additionally, statements like "Vaccines are communism" further illustrate the disconnection from communal well-being.

A libertarian community that truly thrives should at least care about each other enough to take a minimal effort to avoid spreading infections during a global pandemic. This was the perfect moment for libertarians to flourish, but they missed the opportunity. The result is disappointing, regardless of whether it’s due to libertarian values or the people who adopt them.

As far as I can tell, there is little difference between a Gadsden Flag and a MAGA flag in this region today, and that is a shame.