December 8, 2012
Dear Glenn Beck,
On December 7, 2012 the Glenn
Beck Program featured an interview with Penn Jillete. The overall theme of the interview seemed to
be how conservatives and libertarians can find common ground and team up to
form a coalition against the left. This collaboration
may appear beneficial, however there are some red flags that pop up. It is all too reminiscent of past forces that
on the outside may have common interests, but more deeply are vastly different.
Libertarianism espouses a very small, limited government,
almost to a point of non-existence. Many
of the most prominent libertarians find more agreement with the Articles of
Confederation than with the Constitution.
This seems quite attractive to many conservatives, who feel the federal
government needs reduction. This
agreement though is where the shared belief ends, and where libertarianism’s
much stronger connection to progressivism begins.
Conservatism at its core is human nature. People wish to be free and live as they
choose. Yet human begins are not
apathetic or naturally oppressive. Each
person on some level cares for their fellow man and wants to see them strive,
not just survive. Conservatives have a
strong set of values that guide humanity and promote its advancement. Libertarianism, on the other hand, preaches
complete apathy, which is contradictory to freedom and just as dangerous as
oppression.
The basic argument behind libertarianism is if someone is
not directly hurting others, they should be left alone to do as they
please. This is a totally amoral
statement. Although conservatives may
often say similar things, it is within a moral context. Conservatives, as an additional requirement
to the above argument, do not wish others to hurt themselves as well. It shows a caring for their fellow man, not
just an acceptance that we are all free individuals. This can clearly be seen in the legalization
of drugs.
Libertarians, as well as and progressives, believe in the
decriminalization of drugs. After all, whatever
action one chooses to take upon his or her person is their business if no one
else is harmed. This is a truly flawed
premise. Should humanity ignore a
person’s desire for suicide or the removal of a limb because no one else is
harmed in the process? Is it ok to allow
people to overdose on drugs or live constantly under the influence if there is
the assurance of safety for the rest of the population? Even more disturbing is how drugs are placed
on par with unhealthy foods. If someone
wants to eat chips and burgers all day, why can’t they just smoke pot as
well? The libertarian does not see the
immorality in drug use, whereas the conservative sees a clear distinction between
food and the societal and personal harm of narcotics, both legal and illegal.
The libertarian amorality extends further than just the
legalization of drugs. It stretches to
exclusion. Penn Jillete made two
contradicting statements. On the one
hand he claimed that no one has the right to not be offended. On the other hand he said that even if one
person disagrees, everyone must meet his or her demands. Well, if there is no right to not be
offended, then why is it so important to make sure no one is offended? The response may be that the latter should
only pertain to public places and things, while the former to private
matters. But that is missing the whole
point. The public place is the only area
that matters. The libertarian ideal of a
society free from personal held beliefs would only promote an amoral society
and eventually destroy the civil society on which America is based. Civil societies need a strong moral core to
be created and survive. Penn Jillete
admitted this when he agreed that American was founded on Christian beliefs. Also, an amoral society helps creates moral
relativism, which leads to immorality, a key component of progressivism. The desire of exclusion on the part of
libertarians once more displays their amorality. If the celebration of what makes us different
is ignored, rather than embraced, everyone becomes nothing more than a unit,
and the true individual is lost.
The conservative response is much more sensical and value
driven: allow everyone to share their beliefs so all feel included and
important. Why would it be wrong to
display a Christmas Tree, Menorah, and a picture of Charles Darwin in the town
square? This shows diversity, tolerance,
and respect far more than an empty court lawn.
The preceding example again shows the closer ties that bind
libertarianism to progressivism. How is
Mister Jillete’s stance in the preceding paragraph any different from that of
the progressive, who also seeks to eliminate any sign of individuality or
statement of beliefs from the public square?
Even Mister Jillete’s examples pointed to Christianity, something the
left loves to attack. The similarities do
not end there.
Libertarians and progressives agree on a weaker national
defense and both often do not support Lincoln or the Civil War. In addition many Occupy Wall Street members
were libertarians who were distrustful of the banks and big government. Plus, many libertarians are young college
students. Why would the college system,
controlled by the progressives, allow this foreign ideology into their ranks if
it were not beneficial or in agreement?
The purpose of this letter is not to say that all
libertarians are evil and must be stopped.
The fear is that, much like the Establishment Republicans, conservatives
may be seeking common ground with unlikely allies. Instead, conservatives should be looking to
the demoralized within their own ranks first, for it was that which caused our
loss about one month ago. What continues
to come to mind is the Catholic Church and socialists. On the surface they seemed to have much in
common. Both cared for the poor, wanted
the best for everyone, and sought justice for all. Unfortunately, upon deeper examination, it
proved very damaging for the Church and Christianity in general due to
Christian and socialist antithetical teachings.
Conservatives must not lose that which makes them conservative: the deep
moral core that built this very nation.
If a hand is stretched out to libertarians, the worry is that same fate
awaits them as the Catholic Church.
Thank you very much for your time and all that you do.
Sincerely,
Vincent
Panetta
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