Where are the libertarians, both the Libertarian Party faithful and those fellow travelers who profess libertarian values? They are AWOL, that’s where they are, keeping their mouths shut as they gleefully watch the Democrats and Republicans self-destruct. Usually sanctimonious in their disdain of contemporary politics, they are conspicuously quiet while the Trump administration runs roughshod over long-held libertarian principles.
The Libertarian Party and its “think tank,” the Cato Institute, seem not to have the stomach to challenge the present administration as it moves to undermine democratic government, Adam Smith economics, and individual freedoms. The Cato Institute’s mission statement promises “to keep the principles, ideas, and moral case for liberty alive for future generations, while moving public policy in the direction of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.” How, I ask, are these libertarian principles compatible with Trump’s border policies, tariffs, treatment of minorities, contempt for individual rights, including the First Amendment, foreign policy, and his authoritarian actions and orders in the last few months?
Et tu, Brute?