“You’re not an American, why don’t you just admit it.” My friend said as she sat down across from me at the kitchen table, a sardonic smile on her face. This, she said in response to my assertion that I agree with President Bush’s foreign policy. Specifically, his stance on the war in Iraq.

Now, ordinarily I don’t mind being called un-American. I’ve been called far worse by friends and enemies alike. But why was she calling me un-American? After all, she believes the same things I do, doesn’t she? She voted for Bush in ’04. Then she told me what had changed her mind; she’s become a Libertarian. Now it all makes sense. No wait, it doesn’t make sense. At least, I don’t think so. Or does it? Can anyone tell me what the hell a Libertarian is?

Now, I can’t say I grasped all the concepts of Libertarianism as my friend outlined them. After all, I was pretty drunk at the time. But from what I can tell, a Libertarian is someone who believes in a smaller central government. That’s an idea I can get behind. Then again, Republicans believe in a smaller central government as well. One issue where I believe the train sort of jumps the track is their stance on drug legalization. Personally, when I get on a plane, for instance, I take comfort in the knowledge that the pilot has had to pass a drug test. Why has he had to pass a drug test? Because drugs are illegal, and if he’s been taking drugs, they won’t let him fly the plane. Call me silly, but for me, the issue is just that simple. 

Libertarians also believe we should stop giving aid to foreign countries. I’m not sure exactly where I stand on this issue. On the one hand, I think it’s important to give aid where aid is needed in order to build and maintain alliances with other nations. On the other hand, I think it sets an unhealthy precedent when we simply start doling out cash without the slightest idea whose pockets it will wind up in. Still, I’m not ready to write off every nation in need of help. I believe one of the things that makes America great is our collective willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. Maybe I’m putting too much of a romantic spin on the issue, but I think that if we give in to the idea of looking out only for number one, then we won’t stay number one for long.

But that seems to be the point of the Libertarian party, as I see it. They ask ‘what makes us think we have the right to interfere in the lives of the people in these other nations?’ ‘Why do we find it necessary to be the great liberators of the world?’ ‘Who made us the watchdog of the world?’ My answer to these questions is simple: if not us, then who? We “interfere” because we see great wrongs being perpetrated against people who cannot stand up for themselves. So we take it amongst ourselves to help them stand up and fight back. We are the “watchdog of the world” because we have to be. It is one of the responsibilities of being the most powerful nation in the world. Others may be ashamed of this fact, but I, for on, am not. I am proud to be an American. I am proud that we are number one. And I am proud of the difference we make in the world.

They say we are hated throughout the world. And they are right. We are hated by the tyrants. We are hated by the oppressors. We are hated by those who would rule through fear. We are hated by those who would see death rather than the rise of democracy. But we are loved by those whom we have liberated. I don’t believe, as my friend does, that we need to change the way we are viewed throughout the world, because you will never be able to change the way others see you. After all, it is only their perception of you, and they will see you any way they wish.

And apparently, Libertarians believe we need to withdraw from this war immediately. A response, which in my view, will only display weakness, not only to our enemies, but to our allies as well. The only favorable outcome in this war on terror is victory. And with every passing day, we come one step closer to it. We must remain firm in our convictions. There is no other option.

In a lot of ways, I suppose it’s easier to be a Libertarian than it is to be either Republican or Democrat. You get the best of both worlds, and when confronted with an issue you don’t wish to comment upon, you just say “I don’t have a dog in that fight.” And I suppose that’s one way to go if you can live with it. Personally, I prefer to take a definitive stance on an issue. Right or wrong, at least I can take comfort in the fact that I have a valid opinion.

What I see in the Libertarian party is paranoia. Fear that the government is tracking our every move through the use of the Social Security Number. And the belief that we are, all entitled to the right to privacy. There is no such right outlined in the Constitution. While I enjoy my private life as much as the next guy, when my private life infringes on my neighbor’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, then my privacy may need to be invaded for the greater good. 

I encourage everyone to think critically about their political views, and question themselves regularly. I just think that maybe Libertarians should question themselves a bit more thoroughly.

-Freddie Banjo