The Libertarian Party is a small fringe party. Few Americans vote for its candidates when given the chance. But there is disturbing evidence that libertarians may be trying to use the Tea Party movement to further their own peculiar agenda. That evidence is in the form of reports that numerous Tea Party members want to concentrate on economic issues and downplay social issues, supposedly because the latter are “divisive.” But many many conservatives do NOT want to downplay social issues. Quite the contrary. So, are those Tea Partiers who DO want to downplay them true conservatives, or are they really more libertarian than conservative?

(And is it just my imagination, or are most of those people who say social issues are divisive really social liberals but don’t want to admit it, so they instead try to downplay those issues?)

We know libertarians would like to legalize all kinds of seriously questionable (to say the least) activities, such as prostitution and the use of addictive drugs like heroin and cocaine. Libertarians also buy into the irrational homosexual agenda, believing homosexual activity and marriage and adoption should be legal. They take such extreme positions on some social issues that they alienate a huge percentage of voters. The Libertarian Party is actually just an extremist movement. Would it really be a good idea for conservatives and Republicans to let libertarians pull us in their direction, especially considering how amoral some of their stances are? Wouldn’t that be counterproductive, in view of how fringe they are? Why should we move further toward the fringe? Wouldn’t that alienate more people than it would attract?

And let’s look at the “logic” of these seemingly libertarian Tea Partiers. First of all, one of the major reasons why Republicans don’t win more elections is that the Dems demonize them for being “selfish and greedy,” plus for “catering to the rich.” The fact is, this demonization works for the Dems. Far too many voters believe Republicans and conservatives don’t care about “ordinary” Americans. For Tea Partiers to concentrate on economic issues just plays to the stereotype that Republicans, at bottom, are all about money and “greed is good.”

Secondly, what issues, true issues, aren’t divisive? (We’ll ignore all the conservatives who are UNITED, not divided, on various social issues.) Do libertarians think even something like tax cuts aren’t divisive? Here in Illinois, our governor is pushing for tax increases in the middle of a recession. And he’s not alone. In other words, plenty of people, particularly those who rely on government for their income, are not only against tax cuts but believe certain people (you know, “the rich") aren’t paying enough taxes.

Thirdly, certain issues, like homosexuality, have been divisive for decades. Yet look at the “progress” homosexuals have made. If we leverage our conservative social issues wisely, and the key word is wisely, we can win more people over to our side in much the same way homosexuals have manipulated unthinking people to their side.

Hopefully conservatives and Tea Partiers won’t fall for the “logic” coming from some people that we should downplay or ignore important social issues and instead play up fiscal ones. And hopefully we won’t let libertarian-oriented people take over or even significantly influence the Tea Party rebellion or the Republican Party. That wouldn’t be wise or right.

Wayne Lela