Yeah I never heard of that before either... For now I will be nice and keep my opinions on the wikipedia post to myself...

Welcome Dylan! Hope you enjoy the debates!

I'm back, after a hiatus.

I was a little insulted about certain comments regarding gender, but I rather like the conversation here otherwise, so I have decided to return.

glad to see you back

Welcome back buddy!

OK... So, since I joined this board, I've worked out my economic issues. A few newer members don't seem to understand what "libertarian" means, and assume it is some other breed of liberal.

Here is what I believe.

I believe that marriage should not be determined by the state, but if it is, then it should be egalitarian. Any consenting adult should be able to marry any other consenting adult.

I believe the government should stay out of my life, for better or for worse. That includes what I do in the bedroom, who I talk to, and who I get help from. I should also be able to own whatever gun I want, even if I don't actually want to own any guns.

I believe that globalization is a positive force, and I agree with the economist Milton Freidman's statement, "The freer the market, the freer the people."

I believe that discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, etc. is wrong, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. That means that I am against affirmative action and segregation. "Guilty white guy" syndrome is annoying, and I don't see why I should have to bother with it, just because I grew up in the suburbs. My family came over here fleeing persecution from the cossacks, and had nothing to do with slavery, thank you very much. In fact, I'm a first generation immigrant to America, since my family lived in Canada.

I believe that universal healthcare is fundamentally flawed, and should not be pursued.

I believe that the only function of government is to protect people from harming each other.

I believe that the right to swing your first stops at my face. Say whatever you want, but I will call you on your bullshit.

I believe in being an educated consumer. That means that I am a vegitarian and I attempt to conserve fuel and buy alternatives, but I don't see anything wrong with Starbucks. Their coffee is fair trade and delicious.

I believe that democracy is the best form of government, but it cannot be forced from the outside. Capitalism encourages democracy.

That's all I can think of for now.

We have some common ground. I will stop calling you a liberal. I see you're not completely infected.

Did you know there is nothing negative in connotation about liberal or conservative?

You would probably disagree.

There is nothing wrong with being conservative.

There is nothing wrong with being liberal.

How does that make you feel alias?

How does that make me feeeeeeeeeeel? I don't run my life by my feeeeeeeeelings.

Hmm, Dylan and I have very similar sets of beliefs, except for a few things, the most important of which is this one:

We should have a debate about this sometime.