You have to hear this... Funniest thing I've heard... maybe ever!

[Leftist Agitator]

Oh, Good God, you have to hear this... Funniest thing I've heard in quite a long time!

So I just got an e-mail from an old friend of mine who is, like me, getting his MBA, but at a different college.

He said that today, in his Macroeconomics class, they were discussing taxation and its effects on aggregate consumer income. His professor asked the class, "Who would vote to raise taxes if the economy would prosper? Raise your hands!" Several students did.

"Who would vote to lower taxes if it meant the economy would prosper?" Again, a show of (presumably different) hands.

My friend is not a Democrat, in fact, he describes himself as a Libertarian Socialist. But he said that even he, along with the rest of the class erupted in laughter when the professor asked,

"Who would vote to lower taxes if it would wreck the economy?"

And then a voice from the back of the room shouted, "The Republicans!"

[ZombieHorde]

1. Pretty funny. nt

[Leftist Agitator]

12. I like your stick figure.

:)

[Towlie]

2. What, this isn't about the Art Robinson interview on Rachel Maddow?

[Leftist Agitator]

5. You have no idea what's going on...

And you're a towel.

:)

[polmaven]

21. That really was hillarious!

"You keep interrupting me and waon't let me finish.......blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,"...and on and on and on,......"What sarcasm".

Sort of You don't agree with me - that is simply unacceptable! How DARE you ask me about my own words?

Funnnnnnnnyyyyyyyy!

[chefjim]

3. funniest thing you heard

Thats one student that's been keeping up on what's happening
in this country!

[NYC_SKP]

4. Hear, Hear, chefjim!

And a hearty *Welcome to DU*!

NYC_SKP

:hi:

[Leftist Agitator]

10. He's a fiercely intelligent man.

A bit misguided when it comes to some things, but highly intelligent nonetheless.

Oh, and chefjim, welcome to DU!

:hi:

I actually used to work as a Sous Chef. Are you an Executive Chef, perchance?

[Marie Marie]

11. Hello and welcome to Du chefjim

:hi:

[aggiesal]

22. Welcome to DU. ...

Indiana Flag? Are you a Hoosier?

[wryter2000]

26. Welcome to DU, chefjim

Can you teach me how to poach eggs? :) :hi:

[Historic NY]

6. Just rephrase it as a Little Johnnie joke and let it go retro.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. "Libertarian Socialist"???

That's pretty funny in itself.

[Leftist Agitator]

8. He's one of those who is firecely Libertarian on social issues...

But is a complete socialist on economic issues.

It's an odd hybrid, to be sure, but I've known him forever, and he has always been consistent with respect to his beliefs.

He absolutely despised Bush, and thinks that Obama isn't going nearly far enough with respect to divesting the wealthy of their ill-gotten gains.

It takes all kinds, but he is definitely one of a kind.

[HuckleB]

14. It's not an odd hybrid, IMO. It covers many Democrats.

[readmoreoften]

16. Why is that an odd hybrid? Most socialists are pro-gay, feminist,

and want to abolish drug laws. :shrug:

What you're describing is a left libertarian.

[leftynyc]

19. NOt really a weird hybrid

Kinda describes me and I've been voting Democratic for decades. But I don't want to renew the tax cuts for the rich - just the 98% of us that aren't - because I want to see the economy grow.

[jobycom]

23. How do you mean, Libertarian on social issues?

Do you mean he thinks the government shouldn't try to affect social change, through Affirmative Action and Civil Rights and other programs to try to force equal right, or do you mean the opposite? My first thought was you meant the former, but after reading several of the comments, I see how it could be taken the other way, too.

Not sure why it matters. I'm just curious. :)

[Bjorn Against]

31. Libertarian on social issues would mean supporting gay rights, pro-choice, drug legalization etc.

When you are talking about affirmative action or civil rights programs however then there is far more disagreement among those who consider themselves libertarian in the broad sense of the word. It is important to note that in the United States most people think of the word "libertarian" as being associated with very right-wing ideals, but if you travel anywhere else in the world the word libertarian has a much more broad meaning. Globally most people who consider themselves libertarian are on the left end of the political spectrum, in the US however it is the opposite. When we are talking about affirmative action many right-wing Libertarians would say it is not the government's business, but a libertarian socialist would be more likely to support affirmative action as they would view it as a program that enhances people's freedom rather than restrict it.

[Chulanowa]

30. In other words, he's a leftist

and just wants to call himself something cooler in college.

[defendandprotect]

36. Correct ... because there are left wing Libertarians and right wing Libertarians ....

it's the right wingers who are vicious!!

[Meldread]

38. No, there are real differences.

A left libertarian and a liberal may agree on many things, but ultimately there is a strong difference in philosophy. A liberal approaches things from a moral stand point; viewing things as right vs wrong. A left libertarian is not focused on morality, he is focused on individual freedom.

To give an example take drug laws. It is perfectly consistent within liberal philosophy to support strong drug laws, easily arguing in favor of them due to the addictive nature of drugs and the harm it causes to individuals and society as a whole. The left libertarian would view it as a freedom of choice issue, making the argument that drug laws should be repealed and individuals should make the choice themselves. However, at the same time the left libertarian (unlike the right libertarian) would not oppose the government taxing drugs to pay for rehabilitation programs and the like - their concern is primarily directed at freedom itself.

A liberal would view the world: "I believe this is wrong, thus it should not be allowed, here are my reasons." A left libertarian would view the same issue and say: "I agree that it is wrong, but it's not our place - nor the governments place - to make that moral decision for individuals."

It may seem like a silly semantic difference, but it's actually important. It's the difference between saying, "I believe abortion is wrong, therefore the government should intervene to protect the fetus." vs "I believe abortion is wrong, but it's not the governments role to make that moral choice for women."

[Chulanowa]

45. Those aren't "real differences"

In fact your whole position is predicated on the rather insulting assumption that leftists have no intellectual basis to their stances, and instread go purely on emotion, and are - of course - always wanting to indulge in removal of freedoms.

"Libertarian socialist," "left-libertarian" and "leftist" are the same fucking thing. I understand that it makes those libertarian monocles pop becuase htey don't get to feel like special elite snowflakes somehow above the lefty rabble... but it's true. Sorry.

[enki23]

40. libertarian socialist: anarchist more or less as progressive: liberal

[Kajsa]

9. Good one!

And oh so true!

[HuckleB]

13. Isn't "Libertarian Socialist" a great way to describe many Democrats?

Probably including me?

Great post! Thanks for sharing!

[TexasObserver]

15. recommend

[AllyCat]

17. LOVE this!!!

[immoderate]

18. Chomsky describes himself as libertarian socialist.

He doesn't capitalize it. I wouldn't unless I was referring to a party. Libertarians (the party) get points for effort at rationalizing that greed is an ethical position, and having a system that might work in an agrarian culture. They are fundamentalists in that they take Rand, Hayek, Friedman, and Laffer as gospel.

Libertarians, (with a small "l") according to the dictionary, are believers in free will. That's it. I suspect your friend would direct his free will toward making society happier. :)

--imm

[Forrest Greene]

20. "Capital-L Libertarians

...are anarchists who want a strong police force available, to protect them from their slaves."

— K.S. Robinson

[Cal Carpenter]

24. The funniest part to me

is that a business student thinks it's possible to be a Libertarian and a Socialist at the same time. Does he even know what those words mean? If an aspiring MBA thinks there can be such a thing, no matter our economy is so fucked.

:rofl:

[immoderate]

27. Why not?

According to my MW Collegiate:

libertarian
1 : an advocate of the doctrine of free will
2 a : a person who upholds the principles of absolute and unrestricted liberty especially of thought and action b capitalized : a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles

--imm

[Bjorn Against]

32. There are lots of libertarian socialists around the world

The Libertarian Party would like to think they define what the word libertarian means but they don't. Try traveling to Europe and telling them that there is no such thing as a socialist libertarian and you will get laughed at, most libertarians in Europe are socialists.

[inna]

41. IIRC, Chomsky defines himself as a Libertarian Socialist.

[Leftist Agitator]

44. "If an aspiring MBA thinks there can be such a thing, no matter our economy is so fucked."

First of all, Cal, I think you meant "no wonder our economy is so fucked".

Second of all, re-read the replies to your post above this one. They explain things quite well.

[wryter2000]

25. LOL

Give that student an A for the day. :rofl:

[Kweli4Real]

28. That's funny ... True, but funny no the less ...

That minds me of a incident when I was in law school ...

Some classmates were discussing a, unnecesarily hard-assed and harassing, Torts Professor. One of the student said (a little too loudly), "That guy is such a prick", just as the Criminal Law Professor walked in.

The Professor without missing a beat asked, "I've often wondered waht a 'prick" is."

The class errupted when a female voice responded, "A prick is a dick with malice aforethought."

The Crim Law professor broke out laughing to the point that he dismissed class because he couldn't control himself.

[sakabatou]

29. Funny AND true!

[johnaries]

33. LOL! Hearty K&R!

[Papagoose]

34. ...and the Republicans in the class asked "what's wrong with that?"

[mimisees]

35. hahahahahaha

Nice joke

[earcandle]

37. ain't it da trooth?

[peoli]

39. i hope you hear funnier things as your life goes on.

[Leftist Agitator]

43. Are you trying to be insulting?

I'll reserve judgment until I see what you have to say in response.

Sometimes things get lost when translated from the brain to text on a computer screen.

[FBaggins]

46. I think he's saying that it's funny... But not THAT funny.

But it's a good one... No doubt.

[JNelson6563]

42. Perfect!

Great story! :toast:

Julie