ok, you've heard from a few who would identify themselves as libertarian, so i guess in fairness i can offer a counterpoint. i think i should also point out i have no affiliation or love for either major political party in the us. what is espoused by libertarians has some less than desirable attributes as well. firstly any action without some form of resraint tends to excess. fairly easy to agree to, no? the current world financial situation was for the most part caused by unrestrained greed. the libertarian model decries even the level of restraint that allowed the global ponzi scheme we currently are paying the dues for. the eventual outcome of such a model should be reasonably obvious.secondly, the libertarian dogma demands benefit, without contribution. many of our indigienous libertarianism champions just so happen to live in vast areas of our nation that have greatly benefitted from the "intrusive bloated government" they decry so loudly. the rural electrification programs, flood mediation programs, federal highways systems and the like basically brought these areas into the 20th century. the great cost of these programs was by and large paid for by folks who gained disproportionately small benefit from these programs. had libertarian policies been in effect at the time, these areas would to this day for the most part be living in the 19th century. i love freedom, but i also have enough knowledge of human nature to understand that even liberty can be overdone. allow everyone to do as they please whenever, where ever and however they like, chaos insues. it's the reason we have laws, environmental regs, etc. liberty is great, until it allows my shit to slop over into my neighbors drinking water. with civilization comes the cost of civilization. in short, the political model they desire allows robber barons to run unchecked, those without conscience to impose their waste onto others, and restrains modernity only to where it is potentially profitable in the short term. much like anarchism, libertarianism requires a society of educated cooperative polite unselfish people the likes of which humanity seems incapable of producing currently, to be viable. it's an "every man for himself" societal model. does that sound like an improvement(aside form retaining more of your income) to you?