Problems with Libertarian Candidates

The Libertarian party is the political party that wants to take over the world so that everyone can be left alone.  Basically, they advocate for as little government as possible while still being able to punish the obviously wrongful acts (things like murder), and protecting the country from harm (terrorists and foreign governments).  But the candidates for the party are problematic and here is my reasons why.

Let me start by saying I respect the libertarian party and what they stand for.  They want maximum freedom for each and every individual.  However, when they talk about those freedoms they scare people.  Candidates like Gary Johnson (former governor of New Mexico) wants all illegal drugs legalized, and for no drug to require a prescription.  As such you could buy Heroin, and Percocet.  Problem is that people in America are only really willing to allow Marijuana to be legal right now.  People in the United States cannot grasp the idea of people buying Heroin, Pot, Meth, Percocet’s and their antibiotics from a drug store without a prescription.  People fear the possibilities of drug intoxicated people dying on the streets of New York City and elsewhere.  While their fears are well grounded, countries like Spain have had legalized Heroin for years and they have none of the problems people fear most with legalizing narcotics (especially as the use of the once illegal drugs has dropped).  Libertarians thus cite these facts, but America is not ready to listen and thus the libertarians come off as lunatics.  Likewise it is the same for foreign policy.  Libertarians want free trade, and if you don't attack us we will not kill you attitude.  But many non-libertarians take this to mean isolationist policies and unwilling to fight enemies (like terrorists) based on how they present their arguments.  Basically we libertarians can come off as nutty.

Conclusion:  Austen Peterson, a libertarian Presidential candidate, actually talked about this issue with Glenn Beck.  He said that Libertarians have to be willing to make sacrifices while putting forth their ideology and as such be pragmatic.  So legalize weed, not anything else until it is acceptable to the general public.  Embrace free trade and potentially open borders when people's concerns over terrorism and jobs can be alleviated.  Basically, do not rush the ideology of personal freedom, instead let people decide if and when they are ready for the personal responsibility aspect that comes with being a libertarian.