So you, poor disillusioned soul, running away from a government you perceive as being oppressive and controlling - you, after having read (perhaps) a couple of novels written by Ayn Rand, you have reached the conclusion that you are a Libertarian.
BUT ARE YOU?
(to be completely honest, Rand was an Objectivist, never a Libertarian)
The short but terrifying answer is that no, perhaps you are not.
lib·er·tar·i·an·ismˌlibərˈterēənizəm/nounnoun: libertarianism
- an extreme laissez-faire political philosophy advocating only minimal state intervention in the lives of citizens.
The problem with this definition is that people just have a tendency for collectivism, security and taking advantage of others ingrained in them. People also have this tendency of softening whatever judgement they should pass onto themselves for behaving in a way that is opposed to the principles of Libertarianism. Thus, I have seen many people who identify themselves as being Libertarian contradict themselves. One of the most basic and perfectly avoidable pitfalls for Libertarians is knowing when you are about to fall prey to the temptation of government control. I myself have suffered under the weight of knowing I could get a better deal if only I purchase at those businesses that are being regulated by the government. I also know that I can demand to pay a fixed price set by the government and get away with that.
I have seen many others make the same kind of mistake. They speak of "unfairness" and either demand control or carry out some sort of control over the business activity.
Besides being too tempting to fall into those mistakes, that's the way we are wired and also how we have been raised.
We just can't help but being tempted by a good offer, even if it comes at the price of your own freedom.
(the train is coming at you and you don't even know it)
Since I'm a Spanish native speaker, this is what I refer to "el bichito socialista que debe ser eliminado con baygon" (the socialist bug that must be killed with baygon). And that baygon is recognizing that you should take control over your instincts and try to reach an agreement with the service or goods provider.
Don't you like a price?
Don't you like your salary?
GO SOMEWHERE ELSE
Don't accept something you don't like out of desperation.
Don't try to use force against a producer in order to bend their will to your advantage.
The learning curve was very hard for me and I still see myself and other Libertarians falling into the trap of socialism. It doesn't happen as often as it used to in the past, but by taking as much control over my life as much as I can and by ensuring that I am accountable for my own actions I have gained some degree of freedom in a society that is so against freedom as my own.
Have you felt this way?