L.A. Liberty

I’m fascinated by the idea that someone who identifies as a libertarian might be in favor of limiting someone’s liberty. …

— 

Ari Kohen - A Challenge for Libertarians Against Federal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage

Being against the government’s involvement in marriage isn’t really about being “against federal recognition of same-sex marriage,” much less “limiting someone’s liberty”; it’s about recognizing that the solution isn’t to demand the state “approve” or “sanction” a relationship but to affirm that the state is illegitimate in such a role. Demanding such a thing requires implicit acknowledgement of the state’s authority over the relationships of consenting individuals. How individuals wish to peaceably associate and live their lives should not be subject to majority opinion nor permission from “superiors.” In this case, practicing ”pragmatism” only entrenches the state’s dominion over our lives.

Believe me, I get the argument. I understand how in our less-than-ideal reality, liberty for some may be restored through the state’s participation. As I said with regards to Prop 8’s passage:

I am very pleased that the ruling has restored more liberty to some residents of California: there is absolutely no rational reason for the government to treat homosexual couples differently than heterosexual couples. None. We are, after all, only as free as the least free among us.

But as I stated above, using the state in this manner only entrenches its dominion, and is counter-productive in the long-run. Yes it would help, but there is a better solution. And this is our argument, which in no way whatsoever is one of “limiting someone’s liberty.”

I’m fascinated by the practice of someone who identifies as an intellectual and an educator but can so regularly misrepresent others’ positions and employ non-sequiturs (see here, here, here, here, and here).

Notes:

1. lalibertyquotes reblogged this from laliberty and added:

   L.A. Liberty: Re:...Libertarian Doubles Down

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    Your condescension aside, I think that on substance we are probably close in agreement. My objection was to your...

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    Oops. I guess I overestimated your capacity for intelligent thought!

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    So you are insinuating that Ron Paul doesn’t think it should be “between a man and a woman”?

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    Over at his L.A. Liberty blog, a libertarian responds to my quotation...Steve Horwitz’s...

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    To be fair, Ron Paul publicly rejected...previous support

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    jeffmiller writes:...Jeff is right that Obama’s stated positions on same-sex...

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    Liberals are should be challenging Paul, not Libertarians- just as you say Liberals should challenge Obama. perhaps its...

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