Libertarians need to talk more about energy independence. What is the point in just shrugging your shoulders when you see people around the world starving for the same freedom that you have because of the United States’ ability to produce energy? Do you use the argument of “Hey, it’s not my fault that they live in a poor country?”
Even better yet, the very people who scream about freedom and liberty here are okay with the fact the government may split up that energy revenue amongst its citizens? Is that not a form of socialism, if not borderline communism? “Communism’s okay–just not in my backyard.”
Why aren’t freedom-loving people solving our energy crisis? Is it solely because you might have to share your ideas? Dude, I agree that what is yours is really yours. I’m fine with the patent system and paying people for their ideas for a very long time. There are many libertarians who aren’t comfortable with the patent system because it props up “inferior” products instead of letting the free market scrutinize them. Anyway, if you freedom-loving people have an idea that is compatible with this thinking when it comes to energy production, please let us know.
Maybe then we can stop screaming about wars for oil and global conspiracies. Or is it just that you only believe in freedom when it comes to your own backyard? I mean those people over there don’t need energy to start their companies; it’s “every man for himself” in the truest sense, isn’t it? People thirst for freedom, but only a select few get to drink it?
Energy is freedom. An individualist movement runs into the conflict of there not being enough energy in the world for everyone to live their lives the way they see fit. A person who tries to explain this fact to an individualist is not trying to stomp on your freedom. I guess you start thinking too much about the collective and the common good if you’re worried about whether the guy across the world can turn his lights on or not. This is why I think most people only truly care about freedom in their own backyard.