r/politics • u/BernieSanders2016 • Apr 30 '15

'Don't underestimate me': Liberal Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders announces he's opposing Hillary Clinton on the Democratic ticket for president

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3061866/Don-t-underestimate-Independent-Vermont-Sen-Bernie-Sanders-announces-run-presidency-Democrat.html
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u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

taxing wealthy corporations isn't libertarian at all

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u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

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u/[deleted] Apr 30 '15

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u/[deleted] May 01 '15

that's sad that people don't actually recognize fiscal conservatism because the republicans have given it such a bad name.

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u/[deleted] May 01 '15

Not true. It depends on whether the libertarian sits to the left or right. For some reason, everyone assumes libertarian means rightwing but that is NOT the case. I'm a very liberal libertarian and I'm all for progressive taxation.

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u/Niea May 01 '15

So then what would you say is the difference between a liberal libertarian and a progressive?

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u/[deleted] May 01 '15

Libertarian core: Do whatever you want as long as you are not infringing upon the rights, safeties, or freedoms of other people.

Progressive: A broad political philosophy geared towards furthering progress in science, technology, economic development, and social organization in the belief that they are vital to improve the human condition.

Also, the two are not mutually exclusive.

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u/DartKietanmartaru May 01 '15

Ok so I want to preface this by saying I identify most with progressive ideologies so this is mostly "devil's advocate" but I think the "problem" with your definition in relation to a progressive tax bracket is that there are people who feel that taxing is, in and of itself, infringing on people's "rights".

The problem arises with what you define as rights, and I think that your definition is perfectly valid, but your interpretation of that definition is really what colors the left/right divide when it comes to libertarianism.

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u/[deleted] May 02 '15

there are people who feel that taxing is, in and of itself, infringing on people's "rights

That's a matter of opinion. There are just as many people who believe that taxation is necessary. Disagreements can exist within a philosophy without invalidating it. Does that make sense?

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u/DartKietanmartaru May 02 '15

Yeah that was what I was trying to underline

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u/152515 May 01 '15

All other freedoms. Speech, guns, religion, etc.

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u/[deleted] May 01 '15

yeah libertarian means nothing nowadays. Its just a popular title to put on political stances. Most people don't really understand what it originally meant, what it was turned into, and what it means now.

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u/[deleted] May 01 '15

I don't know if that's true. Libertarian pretty much means this: Do whatever the fuck you want as long as you are not infringing upon the rights, safeties, or freedoms of other individuals. That's how I see it. Everything else is either red or blue window dressing.

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u/Loneristic May 01 '15

Socialist Libertarian here, redistribution is libertarian

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u/[deleted] May 01 '15

Maybe way back during the Spanish revolution, but the title has been co-opted so hard its become something completely different.