Now Part of the Amp America Family!
June 21, 2024

864: Have Libertarians Lost Their Common Sense?

Brian challenges the current direction of the Libertarian Party, arguing that embracing progressive ideas on gender identity and COVID-19 measures betrays core libertarian principles of individual liberty and personal responsibility, especially when it comes to children's rights and societal norms.

Is the libertarian movement losing its way in 2024? In this provocative summer break episode of The Brian Nichols Show, host Brian Nichols tackles controversial topics that are shaking the foundations of libertarian thought. From the nomination of Chase Oliver as a Libertarian Party candidate to the broader cultural shifts in society, Nichols doesn't hold back in his critique of what he sees as a dangerous departure from core libertarian principles.

 

 

Studio Sponsor: Cardio Miracle - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": https://www.briannicholsshow.com/heart

 

 

Nichols dives deep into the contentious issue of gender-affirming care for children, recounting a story that "made his blood boil" about parents accommodating their three-year-old's sudden desire to change gender identity. He questions whether such decisions align with libertarian values of individual liberty and personal responsibility, especially when it comes to minors who may not fully understand the long-term consequences of their choices.

 

The host also takes aim at what he perceives as a growing trend of "cultural leftism" within the Libertarian Party. Nichols criticizes Chase Oliver's stance on COVID-19 measures and gender-affirming care, arguing that these positions contradict traditional libertarian skepticism of authority and government intervention. He challenges listeners to consider whether the party has "lost the plot" in its attempt to appear progressive and inclusive.

 

Throughout the episode, Nichols grapples with the tension between libertarian principles of non-intervention and the desire to protect societal norms and values. He argues for the importance of having honest, open conversations about controversial topics without fear of being labeled as bigoted or intolerant. Nichols calls on fellow libertarians to stand up for what they believe is right, even if it means facing backlash from within their own community.

 

As the episode concludes, Nichols issues a rallying cry for a return to "common sense" libertarianism. He urges listeners to engage in meaningful dialogue, challenge prevailing narratives, and remember the core values of individual rights and personal responsibility that form the foundation of libertarian thought. Whether you agree with his perspective or not, this thought-provoking episode is sure to spark intense debate and reflection on the future of the libertarian movement in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

 

 

❤️ Order Cardio Miracle (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/heart) with code TBNS at checkout for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being!

🎙️ Tune in to The Brian Nichols Show, available on YouTube, Rumble, and Ben Swann's Sovren. With over 860 episodes featuring local candidates, elected officials, economists, CEOs, and more, each show educates, enlightens, and informs.

🔗Follow Brian on social media: X.com/Twitter (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/twitter) & Facebook (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/facebook)

🔔 Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to The Brian Nichols Show for more captivating interviews and insights into libertarian solutions for local problems!

 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studio SponsorCardio Miracle: Your health is an investment - NOT an expense. -  15%off using code TBNS at checkout

Support our Sponsors!

Support the program with a one-time donation or join our Patreon!

Take our audience survey for a chance to win a "Don't Hurt People, Don't Take Their Stuff" bumper sticker! 

 

 

Transcript

Brian Nichols  0:00  
Hey folks, Brian Nichols here with a special summer break episode of The Brian Nichols Show. While I'm taking some time off to recharge, I want to share an important article I've written on the state of the libertarian movement in 2024 over amp America in this article, I dive into some controversial topics that have been weighing heavily on my mind from the nomination of Chase Oliver as a Libertarian Party candidate to the broader cultural shifts we're seeing in society today we'll explore the challenges libertarians face in communicating our ideas effectively, especially on sensitive issues like gender affirming care for children. I know some of these topics might ruffle some feathers, but I believe it's crucial we have these difficult conversations. So grab a cold drink, find a comfy spot and join me as I read through my thoughts on where libertarianism stands today, and where we might be headed. This episode is a bit different from our usual format. But I hope it gives you something to ponder during our summer lull. And don't worry, we're gonna be right back to our regular programming soon. Actually, we have two episodes already pre recorded to air next week with some phenomenal guests. Plus, we're gonna do a few more of these special episodes in the next week. And now on to the show. There's nothing progressive about ignoring reality. Let me tell you a story that really got under my skin recently, I was scrolling through Twitter the other day and came across this post in the AR trans subreddit. It was from a parent talking about their three year old biological boy who suddenly started saying he felt more like a girl, this kid barely out of diapers was asking to be called by a new name and use different pronouns and get this the parents were going along with it, or dare I say encouraging it. Now, as a dad, myself with a 14 month old at home, this just made my blood boil. I mean, come on, we're talking about a toddler here at that age, kids are still figuring out how to use a spoon proper, let alone making life altering decisions about their gender identity. It's like if my daughter suddenly declared she was a firetruck, and I start calling her engine and spraying her with a fire hose. The whole situation got me thinking about where we are as a society, how do we get to the point where we're taking the whims of a three year old so seriously, on such complex issues? It's not just about this one family, either. This is happening all over the place. And it seems like anyone who questions it gets labeled a bigot or a transfer. But here's the thing. I'm not afraid of trans people. What I am afraid of is what's going to happen to our society if we keep ignoring reality and common sense. And you know what, this isn't just some isolated incident. It's part of a much bigger problem that's been gnawing at me for a while now, especially when I look at what's going on in the Libertarian Party. I mean, have you seen the backlash over Chase Oliver's nomination? It's like we've completely lost the plot. We're supposed to be about individual liberty and personal responsibility. But instead, we're getting caught up in this cultural leftism that just well, it's just not libertarianism. Let me break it down for you chase. Bless his heart. He's out there talking about gender affirming CARE for Kids. Like it's just another health care decision. But come on, folks, we're not talking about getting an annual flu shot here. We're talking about potentially life altering treatments for kids who can't even decide what they want for breakfast without changing their minds five times. How is that protecting individual liberty? And how is that promoting personal responsibility? And don't even get me started about the whole COVID-19 response? Remember, when Chase was all about masks and social distancing, even when you're outside alone, that's not libertarianism. That's just buying into the fear mongering, hook, line, and sinker. We're supposed to be the ones questioning authority, not blindly following it. Now, I know some of you are out there, probably thinking, Brian, you're letting your morals get in the way of your principles. But here's the thing, our principles are based on our morals, we can't just separate the two and pretend that they don't influence each other, this whole live and let live mentality. It sounds great in theory, but in practice, it's gotten us into this mess. Think about it, we've gotten to a point where we can't even express an opinion about someone else's lifestyle without being called every name in the book. But what if that lifestyle is impacting society as a whole? What if it's changing the very fabric of our culture? Do we not have a right? No a responsibility to speak up? I mean, I want to be able to take my daughter to a public event without worrying about seeing some grown man waving his junk around in the name of social progress. Call me old fashioned, but I don't think that's progress. I think it's a step backwards. And I think we need to be able to say that without being shouted down. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying we should use government force to stop people from living their lives. That's not what libertarianism is about. But we have to be able to have honest conversations about this stuff. We've got to be able to look at the facts and say, Hey, maybe this isn't such a great idea. Take the whole trans issue. For example. Did you know that the number of kids identifying something other than their biological sex has it sploded over the past five years now, I'm not a scientist, but that just doesn't seem natural. To me. That seems like there's something else going on maybe social media, maybe the health care industry, maybe both, but we can't even talk about it without being called bigots. And here's the kicker, a lot of libertarians are just going along with it. They're so afraid of being seen as intolerant, that they're willing to ignore reality, they're willing to pretend that a three year old can make life altering decisions about their gender, they're willing to ignore the potential harm we're doing to these kids in the name of being progressive. But let me tell you something, there is nothing progressive about ignoring reality. There's nothing libertarian about refusing to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. And there's certainly nothing principled about letting fear of social backlash keep us from speaking the truth. So where do we go from here? How do we get back to a place where we can have honest conversations about these issues? And how do we protect individual liberty while also acknowledging the reality of the world we live in? I think it starts with us. It starts with libertarians being willing to stand up and say, Hey, this isn't right. It starts with us being willing to have those tough conversations, even if it means facing backlash. It starts with us remembering that our principles are based on protecting individual rights. And that includes protecting kids from making decisions that they are not equipped to make. We need to be willing to engage with people who disagree with us. But we also need to be smart about it. We need to make sure we're having good faith conversations, not just getting into shouting matches on social media. And we need to be willing to call out bad faith actors when we see them. But most important, we need to remember who we're fighting for. We're not just fighting for some abstract idea of liberty, but rather we're fighting for a future where our kids can grow up in a society that values individual freedom, personal responsibility, and yes, common sense. So let's get back to basics. Let's remember what libertarianism is really about. It's not about blindly accepting every new social trend that comes along. It's about protecting individual rights, promoting personal responsibility and standing up for what's right, even when it's not popular. And are we going to face backlash? Probably. Are we going to be called names? Almost certainly. But you know what, that's okay. Because at the end of the day, I'd rather be called a bigot for speaking the truth, then stay silent and watch our society crumbles. So what do you say, folks? Are you ready to have some real conversations? Are you ready to stand up for what's right even when it's not easy? Because I'll tell you what I am. And I hope you'll join me because if we don't start speaking up now, I'm afraid of what kind of world we're going to be leaving for our kids. Let's bring back some common sense to libertarianism. Let's bring back some reality to our conversations. And let's start building a future that we can all be proud of. All right, folks, that's gonna wrap up our special summertime break episode this week where I shared my thoughts on the state of the libertarian movement in 2024. And if you found value in this discussion, please go ahead and give it a share. And when you do tag yours truly at being Nichols liberty on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you can find The Brian Nichols Show wherever you enjoy your podcasts or video content. If you're listening on Apple podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Music hit that subscribe button and for the video version on YouTube rumble Twitter or Facebook, please subscribe and hit that notification bell head down to the comments and let me know your thoughts. Do you agree with my take on the challenges facing libertarians? Or do you think I'm off base? Either way, I want to hear from you all of your perspectives, whether you're on the progressive left libertarian, right or somewhere in between, as always, please support our amazing sponsors like cardio miracle eagles, CBD, liquid freedom, energy, tea, and of course, amp America. They are the ones who make this show possible. That's all we have for today, folks, this is Brian Nichols signing off. We'll see you next time here on The Brian Nichols Show.

Disembodied Voice of Matt Ultan, Vocal Artist Extraordinaire  8:50  
Thanks for listening to The Brian Nichols Show. Find more episodes at Brian Nichols show.com

Transcribed by https://otter.ai