Why I am a Blue Lib

I have a lot of time for the Libertarianz - they say a lot of good things about Private Property, Limited Government and Personal Freedom. But there are some things I disagree with the Libz over - things that make me a Blue Liberal, not a Libertarian.

For instance, if a sign was put in the front of a shop saying "No Jews or Dogs", the Libertarianz would defend the right of the property owner to exclude whoever he chooses. They would probably also boycott the shop in horror at the blatent racism, but I couldn't stand by and allow the shopowner to act in such a blantantly discrimitory manner.

Also, I couldn't agree with a contract like this: Imagine if you were dying of heart disease, and no donor could be found. You do, however, find an impoverished farmer in Asia who is willing to sell you his heart for US$1 million as it will provide for his family much better than he can. As long as there is no coercsion, the Libertarianz would defend that contract. I think no-one person has the moral authority to commit deliberate homocide, except in cases of provoked self-preservation.

Equally though, I am not Labour - while I appreciate their stance on some social issues, I cannot understand why they promote freedom and limited Government interference in some areas (for instance, Homosexual rights and some other moral issues) but more complusion, less choice, erosion of property rights and social engineering in others (For instance Education, private contracts and health). Even when they liberalise some areas of Government control they seemingly just replace one limitation with another - for instance, creating 'Civil Unions' when secualr marraige was already available.

Finally, there are other areas where I am very conservative and a natural fit for National's conservatism. But I accept it is my choice to be conservative in those areas and I cannot force my values onto others.

So I am grateful that National has launched The BLue Libs for people like me - who see Limited Government as a good goal, but believe having No Government will not solve our problems; who see Private Property as worth protecting, but not a total absolute that cannot be infringed upon in any way; and have Personal Freedoms not including the right to infringe on others right to live their lives in peace.