40% Libertarian
40% Centrist
10% Liberal
10% Conservative
0% Statist (NDP)
If these per centages change signifcantly in the days ahead - I will let you know.
In the meantime, there are 2 questions under the Economic Section of the Test that I would like to comment on.
The First is the question that asks if government's role in welfare should be replaced by the private sector?
It is easy to see here that the Libertarians would hope for a 'yes' answer to this question - but they would be wrong. As I said in the very beginning of my Blog - what I am putting forward is the concept of 'Humane Libertarianism'. In other words, making help available for those truly in need. This is a responsibility of government and not the private sector. Indeed, all citizens are entitled to some very basics, things such as food, clothing, proper shelter and health care and this is the sole responsibility of a nation's government.
So my answer to that question was 'No'.
And, if Libertarianism is to take hold, here in Canada or the United States, the movement must get a firm handle on that very important issue.
The Second Question I would like to highlight is the one which asks if you support the concept of a 50% reduction in taxes and government spending. I answered in the affirmative.
From my 25 years in government I have come to the conclusion that upwards of 20 - 25% of the bureaucracy could disappear tomorrow and no one would notice. But that is not the main reason I believe a massive reduction in the size of government / amount of taxes is doable.
The main reason is twofold: first, government is trying to do way too much. For example - bailouts to business. Here I agree with former NDP Leaders David Lewis and Ed Broadbent when they stood against corporate welfare. It not only offends the principle of capitalism (i.e. propping up failures), it is unfair to those taxpaying competitor companies which do not share in the largesse.
Another example is government financial assistance for the Arts. If the private sector should not be involved in welfare - they should be involved in the arts. Government should not be.
Second, at least 50% of what Government does, can and should be done by the Private Sector. And, rather than look at what those areas are, let's consider the smaller list - the one that includes those areas government should concern itself with, including:
- defence
- external affairs
- immigration
- police / fire
- welfare
- regulatory oversight of the private sector
I think if Libertarians can articulate these two positions to the public there may be hope for us yet. The alternative is one of bigger and bigger government and that is in no one's interest other than the bureaucracy it serves.
As I see it.
"Galagher"
