Twice today, I described my political feelings.

On facebook, I described myself as Socialistic Libertarian.

When writing to my state representatives and senator, it was Intensely private, moderate liberal.

How can I be a “socalist libertarian”?

I guess it comes down to a deep schism between public and private life.

That which happens in my home (or elsewhere) that has no impact on people outside my life is private. That which impacts others is not. This isn’t a hard and fast rule of course, personal relationships create a blurred line. Relationships are complicated.

But when it comes down to it, the following items make up my outlook on the world:

  • Things that happen behind closed doors, that have no impact on other people aren’t anybody’s damned business. “If it ain’t hurting anybody, it ain’t harmful.”
  • Nobody is all-seeing. There isn’t any such thing as the completely informed consumer.
  • P.T. Barnum was right. There is a sucker born every minute
  • Some things should be done because it is the right thing to do, not because it is profitable.

So what happens when you combine those things? You get a really weird political viewpoint.

  • Since I don’t believe in a true informed consumer, private industry must be regulated. Labeling, requirements for purity, requirements to explain dangers of products, etc all must be enforced.
  • Since I believe things like education and a healthy population are basic requirements of a functioning society, I am a fan of public school systems, socialized medicine and well funded public institutions of higher learning. The private industry is very good at providing world-class medical care, but the health care system in this country fucking sucks. I am also a fan of liberal funding of basic research; the stuff that has no immediate obvious benefits. Industry will see the benefits later, but private industry would make their stockholders very unhappy “wasting money” on basic research.
  • I believe in only criminalizing actions. You want to spend all day smoking weed? Fine by me, but if you ever steal from somebody or go driving while high, that’s not okay.
  • I believe in using social pressure (not legal pressure) to enforce societal mores. Consider smoking. I believe that the campaign to reduce the amount of smoking in this country are a perfect example of how social change should be done. In sharp contrast to our drug war, smoking is no longer cool. Rather than ban cell phones, I feel that a well regulated insurance program would solve the problem far more effectively. You want to talk while driving? Fine, PEMCO is going to drive up your rates to compensate for your dumbassery.

Really, I guess I am still more of a democrat than anything, if the old statement of “Democrats want to regulate the boardroom, Republicans the bedroom” applies. However, I haven’t seen much out of the Democrats recently when it comes to getting out of my bedroom.