About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 4, 2000)
GREENS ARE LIBERTARIAN, TOO People are starting to take notice of Ralph Nader and the Greens. They’re making serious headway in the polls, and, along with the Reform, Libertarian and Constitutional parties, have made a credible case for participating in the presidential debates. The Green Party, though, isn't as different from the others as it may seem. In particular, the Green Party and the Libertarian Party have quite a bit in common. One passage in the Green platform declares that, "Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives and not be sub ject to the will of another." Libertarians share this call for self-determination, as stated in their platform: "Libertarians want you to be free—free to live your life as you want to live it." Yet there's one major difference between the two parties. This difference, though, is not about goals, but process. Ralph and the Greens haven't learned the one political truism that Libertarians have always known: no matter how wonderful and compas sionate the idea, no matter how good and true the policy, regardless of all the people that should be helped by it, the policy will ultimately be shredded in the political meat grinder. It's as certain as changes in Athens' comprehensive land use plan. The person with the great idea won't see it to its fruition; some rat-headed, power hungry bureaucrat will. And it won't ever work like it was supposed to. As long as politicians create policies, all the standards and rules will be open to redefi nition and tinkering from the special inter ests who will benefit by helping the politi cians enact those poli cies. Even campaign finance reform. Of course, people will maintain that this political reworking is the result of the people in office. That's a great line to get elected, but the insti tutions themselves do the shredding. Parts of the government cer tainly exist for important reasons, but those who craft our laws almost always lose sight of their purpose. If Jesus Christ were elected to Congress in November, he'll have screwed over an equal number of carpenters, Jews, and teachers by March and, due to some special interest, would be bearing down on the Catholics by April. Unless he was solely committed to allowing real people to make decisions regarding their own lives. The Green Party knows this political reality, too. Rhetorically, Greens do not place their faith in "big government." But a reading of their plat form shows their policies rely on government paternalism. And when you ask Daddy to take care of you, Daddy gets to choose how you spend your money and what you can and can't do with your time. It's clear that the spirit of the Greens is one in which individuals control their own lives. Yet they say in the opening of their platform that, "We believe in an active, responsible govern ment." No such thing has ever existed in the history of the universe—nor will it. Just look at the pace and timing of street repairs in Athens. The Greens want "to end 'corporate welfare' as we know it." So do Libertarians. It's no secret to either party that corporations catch all kinds of breaks fiom the government. But Nadc and the Greens want to reward businesses that behave in appropriate ways. As always, when government assistance is offered, it will be politicians subject to special interests who will determine what is "appropriate." See if you can identify the key word in the following phrase from the Green platform's health care section: "It would cover all standard medical procedures, treatment, diagnosis, etc." Which word is up for grabs? "Standard." Whatever bloated healthcare bureaucracy that is created will determine what medical procedures are standard, and, as always, special interests will get a say. "We support independently owned and oper ated companies which are socially responsible." Did you get that one? The definition of "socially responsible" will change every time there's a tax break or subsidy up for grabs. Some special interests might have pure intentions, but they may not be your intentions—and once they get reworked in the political process, they may no longer be anyone's intention. Few, if any, aspects of the Green platform advocate a solution that isn't tied up in federal and state funds. And wherever there's cash to be doled out, special interests will work the mon- eyman like Britney Spears works the music industry. Greens are huge supporters of conservation and alternative energy. Libertarians don’t have a problem with either, as long as politicians aren't put in charge. Greens support exactly that: huge government involvement in both energy and conserva tion matters. Yet, Greens know that where government leg islates, government grows, and government wastes. The frustrations and goals of Nader and the Greens are simple enough. Who doesn't desire a world where individuals of any shape or color have more choices and con trol over their own lives? The Greens know that the Demopublicans have no interest in that. So do Libertarians. But Libertarians know that more money for bureau cratic programs is no solution. It only creates a bigger game. Greens don't want the world their platform would create. The Green Party platform, if imple mented, would create a paperwork hell that all would dread. All the paperwork we have to do now is due to some bureaucrat—local, state, or federal—telling you the way it has to be done. More bureaucrats with more power equals more paperwork and less personal control. C'mon Greens, do you really want a world where your every action has to be approved by someone else? Do you really want to have to make sure that your clothes and bicycles are made with "appropriate" and "standard" materials? Greens arid Libertarians are really after the same thing: a society in which people are held responsible for their behavior and individuals have more autonomy. When Greens realize that politicians making decisions about our lives won't create the world they envision, and that real people, not bureaucrats, are better able to solve society's problems, they'll see diat they're really Libertarians too. Brian Glazer C'mon Greens, do you really want a world where your every action has to be approved by someone else? THE GEORGIA BAR A Good Place To Drink esi. 1986 BEST BAR ST0B1S IN TOWN "V Daly Specials Wednesday-Dgpalachia $1 Cover Happy Hour 3-7 EEMrapnra fEQiCIGISnnDoSBQDOB Espresso Drink and Coffee Beans 1 LB., 1 CUP Buy one pound of our delicious roasted coffee to take home and brew whenever, and you'll receive a free espresso drink to enjoy on the spot. New Espresso Happy Hour, Daily 5pm-7:30pm WE’VE EXRANDED!!! More Mags & Books Like: •Colors •McSweeny's • Mojo •Q Magazine •Juxtapoz • Wallpaper Come downstairs and see our groovy new set-up!! Mention this ad and win absolutely nothing!! 2*7 h LtMurr. LOCATED DOWNTOWN BELOW ESPRESSO ROYALE CAFFE localcolor OCTOBER 4, 2000
