Libertarian Party applauds Minnesota shut-down

State Government Moochers whine

From Eric Dondero:

The headline in the Twin Cities Pioneer Press this morning reads:

Libertarians see opportunity in Minnesota shutdown

The opportunity the MN Libertarians see is to educate Americans that many government services simply are not needed. (And we here at LR fully concur.)

Tylor Slinger, LPMN Exec. Board member and currently a candidate for St. Paul city council is quoted:

In Slinger's eyes, this isn't "tea party" radicalism or anarchist rhetoric. This is Libertarianism 101: Taxpayers accustomed to receiving state support, be it child care subsidies or visits from a social worker, would have to rely on friends, family, churches and nonprofits to get by.

"We think that the shutdown clearly illustrates how centralizing political power to an elite group places the rest of us at their mercy," said Slinger, 24, who works as a communications specialist at a bank. Slinger is also running for a St. Paul City Council seat.

"While people's immediate reaction will likely be based on ... their daily reliance on governmental services, the longer the shutdown lasts, the more opportunities each individual will have to find more reliable alternatives."

A state government funds receiver Amy Brugh, public policy director with the Minnesota AIDS Project in Minneapolis cries:

"47 of our 57 employees are either laid off full time or reduced time without benefits," Brugh said. "It means that three of our programs are completely closed down, so clients won't have access to their case managers, or to transportation to get them to medical appointments or to the pharmacy, or for benefits counseling."

She then makes a twisted argument that her program should actually be appealing to Libertarians and fiscal conservatives:

Brugh said... And without the right care, each one of those clients could end up in an emergency room, with taxpayers footing the lion's share of the bill.

"A Libertarian not wanting to pay tax dollars should actually be in favor of our programs," Brugh said.

Editor's comment - Hey Amy, here's a novel idea. How about those AIDS patients actually paying for their own health care, rather than the taxpayers, or even mooching off of friends or family. Duh!