According to Short Definitions of Libertarianism, the American Heritage Dictionary defines “libertarian” as an advocate of the maximization of individual rights and the minimization of the role of the state. By that definition, yes, I am a libertarian. “Self-government,” it’s also called. Well, I must say I agree with that as well. However, the underlying philosophy of most libertarians in the public eye is more libertine than libertarian, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to differ on that point.

Am I a libertarian? The World’s Smallest Political Quiz seems to think so, but I’m not sure (though I scored 100% libertarian on economic and 80% libertarian on personal issues). I think I’d rather have legalized drugs than soft-pedaled drug legislation, and we haven’t had a real conservative in the Republican Party for a long time.

Give it a few more years. I’m bound and determined to have liberty, and in five or ten more years, the Libertarian Party (whatever disagreements I may have with them) may be its sole guardian and advocate. Until then, well, there’s always breathing life into stiffened corpses, I suppose. I guess I’ll try that.