Libertarian

Libertarians, in the intent of the word (if there is such a thing) are people who believe that the power of government should be minimized in order to maximize human freedom. In other words, today's libertarians used to be called liberals years ago, before liberals discovered that the benefits of big government outweigh the disadvantages.

Some people are confused by the meaning of the word "libertarian" because so many libertines who want the power of government to protect, and even promote (and perhaps even subsidize), their lifestyles (and those of their friends) call themselves libertarians. In reality, the people who are most confused are the ones who believe that being a libertarian is not about minimizing government power, but about changing the purpose of government to protecting human freedom, especially freedoms like homosexual marriage, abortion and drug use. These people, unfortunately, have not yet been told that they are not libertarians, but liberals.

If it weren't for this confusion, the term "libertarian" would be forbidden. Naturally, the more advanced progressives are happy to take their useful idiots from the ranks of libertarians as well as the ranks of liberals.

The name change from "liberal" to "libertarian" may confuse some historians if they're not plugged into the "program." Some day, when anarchists (who are big friends of progressives because they both agree that the retrograde "Ancien Régime" should wither away) agree to the name change, today's actual libertarians will officially become known as anarchists. This will be a confusing time for some members of what will inevitably become the majority Libertarian Party.

Wait! How could that possibly happen? Libertarians become the majority party? Now way!

Oh ye of little faith.

Libertines know that the term "libertarian" is sexy these days. Sexy party names attract people to the party, and in order to blend in, people will call themselves "libertarian" without having any idea what that means. This is how the term "liberal" changed its meaning. It's why neo-cons hate the term "neo-con" and prefer to call themselves "conservatives," and actual conservatives have taken to calling themselves either libertarians or "paleos" or "original intenters" and have started calling other members of the Republican Party things like "RINO" and "decepticon."

As a lover of irony, I'm looking forward to the day that a Libertarian majority in Congress passes a law making this Wiki illegal on the grounds that it's a threat to human freedom.