Sarah Palin is No Libertarian

One reader continues to insist against all objective measurement that Sarah Palin is a Libertarian. Would that such were the case (not to mention, would that she were not an unqualified nutcase). While this reader has cited her attendance at libertarian functions during the run up to her bid for governor, the reality is that candidates for office attend all kinds of functions to meet and greet prospective voters. When I myself ran for local office (in a city with a population more than 2/3's the size of Alaska's population), I attended meetings of and forums sponsored by groups ranging from the local Republican and Democrat parties to a Christian Coalition meeting, a libertarian group's meeting, and numerous other forums. My presence at any one or more of those functions did NOT make me a member of the host organization/party. The clearest proof that Palin is NOT a libertarian is to look at her positions versus the platform of the Libertarian Party. Here are two Libertarian Party platform positions that are diametrically opposite of Palin's stated views:

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1.3 Personal Relationships
Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships. Government does not have the authority to define, license or restrict personal relationships.

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1.4 Abortion
Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.

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Palin wants a total ban on abortion in all cases and opposes any recognition of gay relationships whatsoever. These are NOT Libertarian positions. The sad truth is that Sarah Palin is a far right Christianist who reportedly even believes that humans and dinosaurs inhabited the earth at the same time. Readers can believe whatever they want to believe. However, pretending that so something is so does not make it so.