Author's note: This was originally published in January 2018.
As a Libertarian who was once a Conservative Republican, I am asked often by friends and family why [insert Libertarian candidate name here] doesn't "just run as a Republican and then change the party from within." This isn't unique to me and my circle. Libertarians are asked this all the time.
The question comes from a place of acceptance that only Democrats and Republicans will ever win elections, and from a misunderstanding of who Libertarians are and what we stand for. This is unfortunately to be expected when the likes of Milo Yiannopoulos, Roger Stone, Alex Jones, Tomi Lahren, Ben Shapiro and other hard right, alt-right, or downright crazy (looking at you, Jones) mouthpieces occasionally use the word to define themselves. People hear them say a word, so assume it must apply to them in some way. These people may have an issue here or there where they happen to agree with Libertarians, but that in no way makes them Libertarians. Even Shapiro who is the most sane and perhaps the most libertarian of those I mentioned, knows he is still a Republican (we're looking forward to the day he finally ditches them though).
Those who assume Libertarians are basically Republicans are so incredibly wrong, and honestly with the way the GOP is going lately, we no doubt can find as much if not more to agree on with center left Americans (or, I should say, the center left is able to agree with us more, because Libertarians have been consistent in core principles for 40+ years). Since becoming a Libertarian in 2012, I have often found myself still holding onto some of the Conservative views I held so close for so long, and also continued to softly defend some of the talking heads on the right that I respected for many years. Over the past year and half though, both of those habits have been easy to put down and walk straight away from. Now I still agree with some things that certain Conservatives do, when they are in line with the philosophy of liberty, and I still understand the good place from where many Conservatives form their views. But those on the Right paid to spew provocative, inhuman, prideful noise just to prop up the "we're the tough guys" narrative - I couldn't be more happy to never associate with again.
The truth is that there are numerous reasons why Libertarians don't run as Republicans and why Libertarians aren't even close to Republicans, but I'm just going to end with the one that has been bouncing around the last few days. It doesn’t matter if a word was used (we all know it was, but whatever), the sentiment is loud and clear and has been for a long time for anyone really listening. It’s one thing to advocate for caution and wisdom, it’s another thing to believe that it is your birthright to be considered better than others, and the forward facing right has made this their loudest rallying cry. {We’re big, you’re small. We’re strong, you’re weak. We’re worthy, you’re not. We’re Americans. You’re life doesn’t matter as much as ours.} It is my Christian heart more than my Libertarian head that is hurt by the reality of this belief all across this country, but it also stands in contradiction to beautiful core values of Libertarians. You are not given value by a government or a constitution, you’re given it by your humanity. “Endowed by our creator.” It seems the ugliest on the right believes they have a different creator than those born in Haiti, Mexico, Nigeria.
Debates can and should happen and there is understanding needed from all side. Filth like this however, ought to be drained like a festering wound:
When you run as a Republican, the hate and lies and ignorance and xenophobia and hypocrisy of their champions is attached to you. Even if we didn’t disagree on immigration, foreign policy, taxation, and the drug war to name a few, this would be more than enough reason to never attach our name to theirs.
We also don’t run as Democrats.
