Quote:The story in the link is more an indictment of people's naivete than an indictment of libertarianism.  Those people got scammed.  That's the story. 

 

On the subject of libertarianism, libertarians like to say we have an over-regulated society and we need fewer regulations.   My opinion is, why would anyone want an unregulated society when they have a neighbor?   The regulations people rail against are not just regulations over what you can do, but also over what your neighbor can do.   I don't want my neighbors to own farm animals in their back yard.   I don't want them drilling for oil or mining for minerals.  And I don't want people dumping pollutants in the river.   So I want some regulations.  

 

And if anyone thinks we are over-regulated, the logical first step would be for them to name specific regulations they want to repeal.  Every time I talk to someone who says we are over-regulated, I ask that question.  Which specific regulations would you want to repeal?   I'm sure there are thousands that I would be willing to repeal, but no one can ever seem to name any.  And without naming any specific unnecessary regulations, saying we are over-regulated is just a bunch of empty rhetoric.    

 

Besides, I would ask the libertarian, wouild you rather live in Switzerland or Taiwan?   Taiwan offers the kind of unregulated freedom libertarians covet.   Switzerland is heavily regulated.  I've been to both places.   I would much rather live in Switzerland,  because Taiwan, much as I love it, is messy and polluted. 

 

The story isn't an indictment of people's naivete, it's an indictment of the inherent contradiction of their beliefs and desires. Note how the first thing these people do when they find out they're as naive as their beliefs system is run to big government to try to sue for their money back.

 

In a truly libertarian society there wouldn't be any court, recourse, or way to get your money back. It would be your personal responsibility to wisely exercise your liberty, and investing poorly is no one else's problem.

 

Now, I'll post before Eric or flsprtsgod come to post about how protecting rich people from being scammed is one of the lone legitimate functions of government. A convenient way of saying, "I don't want libertarianism, I want socialism in my favor and against my neighbor's favor."

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