Can a Libertarian be a Leftist?

[esmith]

Maybe I'm off base here but the question really does not have an answer until the term "Leftist" is defined. I would think it all depends on why you (the poster) consider yourself a Leftist.

 

[Amy30]

Why?
One thing that is consistent for mature libertarians, is that we don't attack people, we attack ideas.

Love this. And I hope it is the driving force for the vast majority of Libertarians.

 

[Amy30]

My husband thinks I am a Libertarian, but I don't think so. I consider myself non-partisan but centrist and my husband calls me a "bleeding heart liberal".
So maybe a Libertarian can be a lefty as well. But who knows?

There is a stark difference between a bleeding heart liberal and a libertarian.

 

[Amy30]

So why can't someone be a libertarian that leans toward the left?

Typically Libertarians are fiscal conservatives (traditionally right), social liberals (typically left), and support minimal government (which now is neither left or right, they are both quite imposing these days). They tend to champion individual rights and freedoms so long as they don't infringe on the rights of another.

 

[Alceste]

Typically Libertarians are fiscal conservatives (traditionally right), social liberals (typically left), and support minimal government (which now is neither left or right, they are both quite imposing these days). They tend to champion individual rights and freedoms so long as they don't infringe on the rights of another.

This seems to be the case in the US, but in the rest of the world libertarianism is usually interpreted as a voluntary form of socialism.

 

[brokensymmetry]

Simple question, I've considered myself to be both a leftist and a libertarian, focusing more on allowing the working man the right to decent working conditions, through unions if they so choose, and all human beings only truly being free when able to keep healthy. Anyone elses thoughts? Am I way off base?

Yes. Have you checked out the blog "bleeding heart libertarians"? The point there is that libertarianism would be good for the least in our society, as a matter of fact. In that case, libertarianism is in part is about promoting social justice.