Talk:List of libertarian politicians and media personalities

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I don't see any references for this article. Can we try to document why we assert that these people are libertarians? -Willmcw 17:26, September 12, 2005 (UTC)

Good question! This link should help, and might provide some more names: [1] - CHAIRBOY (☎) 17:44, 12 September 2005 (UTC)

• I'm removing Howard Stern from the list because I've listened to him and although he used to be somewhat libertarian he's now a Social Democrat and has embraced positions that are in direct opposition to libertarian ideology, such as government regulation of corporations, radical environmentalism, gun control, income redistribution through higher taxation, and government funding for abortion and embryonic stem cell research that involves the killing and cloning of human embryos. He also considers Ralph Nader to be one of his heroes. He is also a supporter of Michael Moore and was very vocal in his endorsement of Moore's propaganda filmed that was released in June of 2004. Moore was even a guest on Stern's show the week of the film's release and called into the show a day before the 2004 Election. -- Crevaner 12:21, 2 December 2005 (UTC)

I agree. Stern should be removed from the list. Even if he is a libertarian, the nature of his show content and his statements' delivery make such a judgement near impossible. Should they be taken seriously? Or are his positions a convenience for entertainment purposes? The most prevalent issues he tackles are those "sex, drugs, and rock n roll" type issues. Not that these can't be political, but, for the sake a consistency, if that's all you have, are you really noteworthy for being a libertarian activist?

• Combine with List of notable libertarian theorists and authors? Combine with List of libertarian celebrities? Seems that one new list, perhaps "List of notable libertarians" or "List of libertarians," could encompass the three existing lists. The new list could be divided into categories (theorists, politicians, media personalities, etc.) if it is important to keep the distinction.--68.198.233.112 23:54, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

If Bill Maher is a Libertarian, I am a Marxist. Just because one is for the legalization of drugs does not make one a Libertarian. I can claim to be anything but the sum total of my views would indicate something otherwise. Maher's positions are almost all Socialists positions. These are anathema to fundamental core Libertarian beliefs.

• Bill Maher is a libertarian. His positions, though including more environemntalist and anti-corporate tones than would be expected, are within the range of standard deviation for small "l" libertarians. He supports removing limitations on private financial transactions, ending corporate welfare, privatizing social security, and the right to abstain from vaccinations. He does object to unhealthy personal choices and unethical business practices, but does not recommend any sytematic statist intervention. He has also stated that in his view, political ideologies cannot always be clearly defined and limited. Given this and his positions, his claim that he is a libertarian (albeit liberal-leaning) is reasonable and justification enough to list him without disputation.

Regarding Art Bell, I think we would be right to remove him from the list. Not because he is or is not a libertarian, but because his claim to fame is not primarily political or related to his political views as expressed in the media. When Bell is considered, it is the so-called "paranormal" content of his show that is thought of first, not his politics. In this sense, he is not a notable LIBERTARIAN, as much as a notable PERSONALITY. Any thoughts?

Alex Jones. He may be a libertarian, but no mention of this is found in the main article. His positions - without a unifying ideology - could be indicative of many philosophies across the spectrum. Until his libertarian views are "wikistablished", I think it safe to take him out.